Page 105 of Flirting with Trouble

The ladies get a good laugh out of it.

When the beach is covered with our belongings, Lenore stands in front of the group wearing a colorful cover-up and navy shorts and says, “Let’s get this party started!”

The women whoop and cheer as they take off their shirts, cover-ups, and sundresses, proudly displaying their colorful bras. Keira and some of the other girls swing their shirts over their heads. It’s an amazing feeling being surrounded by so much upbeat, female energy, and I have only a fleeting hesitation before reaching for the hem of my tank top and pulling it off, earning hoots and applause from older and younger women alike.

The air buzzes with excitement as women gather in groups or head down to the water. Leni and I tuck our shirts and shorts into our beach bags. She’s wearing a red plunge bra and bikini bottom. “What a gorgeous day,” she says, and plops into the chair beside mine with a sigh. “Looks like your interrogation is about to begin.”

As I sit down, I see Keira and Bellamy heading over. They look determined, Bellamy in a yellow bralette and matching bikini bottom and Keira in a blue demi bra and black bikini bottom.

“Pretty bra, Vic,” Bellamy says as she and Keira drag their chairs from beside us, in front of mine, and sit down. “Did you get it at Oceanside Boutique?”

I glance down at my pink lace halter bra. “Wow, you’re good. I did get it there. Wells and I went shopping yesterday.” He picked it out, but they don’t need to know that.

“Speaking of Wells,” Keira says. “I know you poured out your heart in front of the whole bar, which was amazing, but what are your intentions with our brother?”

Leni laughs. “Her intentions? Seriously, Kei? You saw them last night. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Can’t you just be happy for them?”

“I am,” Keira insists. “I was pulling for them before she even came to the island.”

That’s good to know. “It’s okay. I get it, but I’m crazy about your brother.”

“Yay,” Bellamy exclaims. “He was so bummed before you showed up at the bar. I was worried about him.”

“No, you weren’t,” Keira says. “I was pulling for Wells and Victory, and you were trying to get him to go on a reality dating show with you.”

“A dating show?” Leni asks. “I can’t imagine Wells going for that.”

“Neither can I,” I agree.

“He didn’t. I just didn’t want him to be sad, and I had this great idea for a sibling dating show.” Bellamy lowers her voice, her eyes lighting up. “But with his adorable face? Can you imagine the ratings?”

“He is handsome, and last night we saw just how good an actor he is,” I admit. “I’m sure there are lots of women who would give anything to be with Wells, but that’s too bad. He’s mine, and I might not be into catfights, but I’d fight for him.”

Leni holds up her hand, and I high-five her.

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Keira says. “I’ve never seen Wells like this with anyone. He’s always been there for me, and I hated seeing him heartbroken, so if you change your mind, please be up front with him. Don’t string him along and see someone else.”

“I would never do that,” I reassure her, but something about the way she says it sounds like it’s been done to her. “Did someone do that to you?”

“If they did, they wouldn’t live to talk about it,” Leni says.

“You’ve got that right,” Keira says as her mother, Shelley, and Gail approach.

“Now that we know where you stand, I have a non-brother-related question for you,” Bellamy says. “If I send you some headshots, do you think you can help me to expand my brand? Maybe get me into some of those celebrity parties?”

“Bellamy, are you harassing Victory?” Margot touches my shoulder.

“No. I’m just networking,” Bellamy explains.

Margot gently squeezes my shoulder. “How about you and I go for a little walk and get to know each other better?”

“Sure, and, Bellamy, we can talk about it later,” I say, a little nervous that maybe Margot has her own inquisition in mind. I get up, and Margot loops her arm through mine, guiding me toward the water.

“I’m sorry about my girls. They can be a bit overzealous.”

“It’s okay. I know how much Wells means to them. They’re just protecting his heart.”

“He has a soft one,” she says as we walk along the cool wet sand. “For all his gregariousness, he’s always been my sweetest boy.” She holds my arm a little tighter. “You’re not going to take him away for good, are you?”