Sam flashed a shark-like grin. "Great. Let's go."
Anna didn't hesitate, stepping onto the sand with practiced ease. Sam closed the gap, locking his fingers with hers as if they'd walked this beach for years. Trailing behind, Allison felt the air vanish. Every step was a fight against the urge to sprint back to the car.
Devin remained anchored to his spot, eyes fixed on the surf. It was only when Sam dropped beside him, noisily rummaging through a cooler, that Devin offered a brief glance.
"See?" Sam's voice brimmed with I-told-you-so energy. "The beach wasn't a total bust."
Anna settled across from them. "Your friend seems remarkably quiet," she challenged.
"That's his factory setting," Sam joked, popping a soda. "He saves his words for people who matter."
The words stung. Allison sat slowly, her heart a frantic bird.
Hi Devin, I'm here now. Sorry.
Devin lifted his head. His eyes found hers, and for a heartbeat, the ocean faded. A flicker of recognition crossed his face—a shadow of a memory on the tip of his tongue. He broke contact first, shaking out his shirt with unnecessary force. A nervous childhood habit.
Sam held out a cold drink. "Thirst-quenchers for the newcomers."
"Thank you," Anna said, her fingers brushing Sam's. She nudged Allison. "You're missing out, Al—I mean, Lisa."
"I'm fine," Allison said softly. "I don't drink."
"Proper intros," Sam cleared his throat, sensing the pressure. He pointed to himself. "I'm Sam. And this brooding monument is—"
"Devin," he said.
The sound of his voice—rich, deep, and steady—made Allison's pulse skip. She looked down, terrified her pupils would give her away.
"I'm Maria," Anna lied smoothly. She gestured to Allison. "And this is Elizabeth. But you can call her Lisa."
Devin gave a curt nod. But his eyes drifted back to "Lisa." Her cadence, her hesitation—it vibrated in his mind like a struck tuning fork. Stop it, he told himself. Allison is in Spain.
"Are you guys in college?" Allison asked, her voice trembling.
"Yeah," Sam answered. "Devin's a medical student. My sister is in the same program—they're classmates."
The word classmate hit Allison like a physical weight. A life of labs, and a girl always by his side who wasn't her.
"Cool. A doctor?" she managed, her voice hollow. "Maria and I just finished high school. We might study here. It depends."
Anna jumped in. "So if Devin's the brain, what's your deal, Sam?"
"Me? I'm waiting for a dream to hit me," Sam laughed. "Perks of a wealthy family."
Throughout the talk, Devin remained a ghost, his body reacting to the girl in front of him.
"What about you, Lisa?" Devin asked suddenly. Sam's eyes widened; Devin was finally engaging. "What do you want for the future?"
"Me?" I haven't decided. My family wants me to manage our business. I'll probably end up there."
The mention of a family business acted like a key in a lock. Devin's head snapped toward her, his eyes piercing.
"Family business?" he asked, his voice low and sharp with suspicion.
Allison and Anna's eyes met, a jolt of panic passing between them.
Are we caught?