He releases a breath. “Okay. It’s just… people around here call your grandmother a Wiccan or whatever”—he nods at the books in my hands—“because she’s so obsessed with all of that. They think she’s into witchcraft and stuff.” He lets out an awkward laugh. “Crazy, right?”
I open my mouth to tell him she’s not into anything like that, but then I snap it shut, realizing I actually have no idea what Rose’s religious beliefs are. “To be honest, I don’t know Rose well enough to speak on her behalf, but I don’t exactly get witchy vibes from her.” Despite the awkward conversation, a smile breaks out on my face.
Alec returns my smile with one of his own. “Well, that’s good, I guess. Sorry. It was ridiculous of me to even bring up. It’s not like people think she’s an actual cauldron-and-boil type of witch. I think they just mean… spiritually.” He frowns. “I hope I didn’t offend you.”
I can’t stop watching the way his mouth moves so perfectly, paired with his wide and wondrous green eyes. I feel dizzy just standing with him. “I told you, that’s not possible. Now, if we actually became friends, this would be an entirely different conversation.”
The wattage of Alec’s grin lights up his face. Finally, the tension vanishes, and his hand shoots out toward mine. “Alec Stone. We forgot this part yesterday.”
I let out a breath, relieved that the uncomfortable conversation is over. My smile is unstoppable. “Katrina Summer. You can call me Kat, though.”
We shake, and I can’t help but stare down at the way his hand embraces mine. The strength in his hold is both warm and firm, connecting us in a way that makes me never want to let go.
He stands up straighter, a gleam sparkling in his eyes. “Okay, then. Kat, it is.” He tilts his head. “You know, until recently, I didn’t know Rose had a granddaughter.”
This should probably upset me, but it doesn’t. “Well, now you know.” I probably shouldn’t say what comes out of my mouth next, but it’s out before I can stop it. “We were never close.”
“So why now? Why live with your grandmother in this boring tiny town?”
I know he doesn’t understand what he’s asking me, so I try not to get emotional with him. “She’s the only family I have. When my mom died, Rose was the one who took me in.”
His apology is evident on his face. “I’m so sorry. I knew about your mom. I just didn’t think… I’m sorry to hear about what happened.”
“Thank you.” I smile, wanting nothing more than to change the subject. “I don’t think Apollo Beach is boring at all. It’s smaller than Spring Lake in North Carolina. That’s where I moved here from. And they definitely didn’t have anything this”—I make a sweeping gesture while looking around—“charming.”
Alec doesn’t miss a beat. “I just moved here a little over a year ago myself. My dad got a job offer with the private college on the island, so I’m no stranger to being the new kid. We should stick together, you and me. I’ll have your back; you have mine. You know?”
I nod, though I’m so caught off guard by his offer, and my voice gets stuck in my throat. I can’t help but wonder why he’s being so nice to me. No one ever took the time to get to know me back home. Then a dark, ugly feeling snakes through me when I remember how nice Steve was to me at first too. It’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong here. Alec won’t want to be my friend then. No one will.
“You said you were headed somewhere.” He searches my gaze like he has a million more questions. “I would hate to make you late. Can I walk you out?”
I swallow my dark thoughts and push out a smile. “Sure.”
We ride the elevator and exit on the bottom floor so I can check out my books at the front desk while Alec tells me about his Fourth of July party. “I know it’s a long way off from now, but you have to come. We take over the beach. All the homes take part in the fun. And at the end of the night, we shoot off an insane fireworks show. Seriously, you have to be there.”
We’ve just walked down the front steps of the library when he finishes his pitch, and I laugh. “I don’t even know if I’ll still be around by then. But if I’m here, I’ll try to make it.”
Alec frowns, the disappointment on his face boomeranging me straight in the gut. “What do you mean? You just got here.”
It feels so strange to talk about this out loud, to someone I’ve just met, no less. “I know, but this isn’t my home. Rose was nice to offer me a room, but I’ll be eighteen soon. I can’t impose on her forever.”
He opens his mouth to speak again, but a shrill voice startles us both.
“Alec, we found you.”
Dread weighs down my stomach when I see the two girls who almost ran me over in their sports car earlier come bouncing up beside Alec. To make things worse, the driver presses right up against Alec’s side.
My heart sinks when I realize he has a girlfriend. And not just any girlfriend. She’s gorgeous. Tall and blond, she has deep-chocolate-brown eyes and legs for days. She slings an arm over Alec’s shoulder, peers back at me with a glare, then looks at him with an amused expression. “Who’s your new friend?”
Alec looks between us and shifts his body, creating an awkward space between him and the girl. “This is Kat, Rose Summer’s granddaughter.”
The looks on the girls’ faces gives me the distinct impression they aren’t surprised in the least. The shorter girl, who has light-brown hair, makes a face. “So the rumors are true. Rose has a granddaughter.”
The blonde ignores her friend and asks me pointedly, “So, how long are you in town for?”
A heavy silence fills the air as I consider my response. “When I figure that out, I’ll make sure to let you know.”
After a pause, the blonde flashes a smile that resembles a smirk. “Well, then welcome to Apollo Beach. I’m Iris. This is Ava. Oh, and sorry about earlier.” Iris exaggerates her pout. “I honestly didn’t see you there. You should try using the crosswalk next time.”
Ava pushes out a smile, mimicking Iris. “You really should be more careful, but…” Her eyes scan me from head to toe. “No harm done I see.”
A sick feeling swirls in my stomach in response to her condescending tone, but I force a smile onto my face. “No harm done at all.”
Alec is looking between us. “What happened earlier? What am I missing?”
Iris lets out a haughty laugh and waves a hand in the air. “Nothing. So, anyway, Kat, welcome to town. If you ever need anything, Ava and I will be happy to help you. We’ve lived here our whole lives and know everything about the community. And Ava’s father is the town sheriff.”
I get a glimpse of Alec as Iris speaks. The way he keeps shifting away from the girls tells me I might have had it wrong. Maybe he and Iris aren’t an item. Maybe they’re just friends. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Just when that thought crosses my mind, Alec’s eyes catch mine, and he gives me a sympathetic smile.
Iris must see the exchange because her fake smile narrows into a glare for a split second. Then she turns to Alec and perks right back up. “You ready to eat, babe?”