Page 19 of Saints & Sailors

“Oh, it was just grand,” I let out.

Cameron chuckled. “Okay, I know it’s not the fabulous Californ-I-A, but come on, it’s not that bad. Hey, maybe I could show⁠—”

Her statement was interrupted by the arrival of a girl practically appearing out of nowhere.

“You got me for Boyd, right?” the girl, Black with pretty makeup and long hair that made me question the last time I’d had my ends trimmed, asked.

Cameron pretended to shake her head. “Sure, or, we could link up and study.”

The girl made a show to be dramatic and pout. And then she noticed me. “New girl, right? Navy, is it?”

“Saylor,” I corrected.

She bobbed her head. “Oh, right. Cute name. I wish my parents had been that creative with mine.” She turned to Cameron. “What the hell is Vanity?”

As pretty as she was, the name fit. She had blue and pink butterfly clips in her hair. Long lashes drew attention to her eyes, and her glossed lips made her smile stand out. Adding in her pointy nails and designer bag on her arm, it all made her namesake work even more.

Cameron patted her friend’s shoulder. “Relax, I love it. I mean, what if Saylor doesn’t even like the water?” She gently touched my arm. “No offense of course.”

I shrugged. “None taken.” I sized Vanity up. “You a cheerleader?”

Cameron snickered. “Only when Ebram’s on top.”

Vanity’s mouth fell open. “Cam!”

Cameron turned to me. “He’s a total skeeze, but she won’t get rid of him.”

Vanity rolled her eyes. “We can’t all date golden boys like you.”

From what I’d seen of Aidan Church in class, he definitely was an all-around decent guy. He probably wasn’t a football player because he didn’t want to hurt anyone, and being a mathlete was safer and more humane.

I totally favored his brother instead.

“Hey, you got a boyfriend back home, Saylor?” Vanity asked, giving me a curious onceover.

I shook my head.

“What’s your type?” she pressed further.

In a word? Trouble. “Have you ever seen The Lost Boys?” I asked, thinking of an old movie my mother loved.

Vanity wrinkled her nose in confusion while Cameron seemed to recognize the title.

I’d only seen it a couple of times, but right away, I admired the look and aesthetic of the men in the movie. Late-night party animals with a reckless streak? Sign me up.

“The lead actor and the group he joins are really cute,” I offered.

In another moment, Aidan was there and throwing an arm around Cameron.

This time I had Vanity to gag with me.

Vanity had the luxury of excusing herself while I had to stay and wait until the honeymoon was over.

Cameron leaned into Aidan, tilting her head my way. “We should set her up with someone.”

Not happening.

Back home, I’d never had someone as cute and cuddly as Aidan.