Rowan walked around the counter and took the overlarge cup. The girl’s voice was bright and bubbly as she kept talking. “This is such a cute shop! I didn’t even realize it was here since it was tucked away, like a cool surprise.”
Rowan turned on the faucet and filled it to the brim. She raised her voice. “Yeah, we cater to most of the locals. The hotels usually use the shops close by.”
“Makes sense. I bet these are the real surfboards and not the overpriced designer ones used by fake surfers.”
Rowan’s lips twitched. “Never heard of fake surfers before.”
“I just mean there’s a ton of people who think it’s cool to surf once tosaythey did it. Like jumping out of a plane. Most only do it so they can brag. Not because they were dying to do it. Am I making sense?”
Rowan walked back and handed her the cup, noting how the girl’s fancy bright blue nails flashed as she took it. “Yeah, I get it. Surfing isn’t for everyone, though. Like jumping out of planes.”
The girl laughed awkwardly. “Thanks again. I’m Kelsey.”
“Rowan. Nice to meet you.”
The girl seemed reluctant to leave. “Do you surf?”
Rowan forced a smile. “Not anymore. I just sell the stuff.”
“That’s cool, too.” She wrinkled her nose as if realizing she was saying something dumb. Rowan felt the pang of discomfort with her. God knows, her most difficult years had been middle school. How many times had she wanted to simply disappear and come back when she was a poised, confident adult?
Rowan gave a reassuring smile. “It is. I get to hang on the beach, plus I score discounts.”
The girl laughed with relief. “I’d love that. I can’t wait till I’m old enough to work at a store rather than babysit. I know it sounds awful, but toddlers give me the ick. They’re messy and loud and throw tantrums. But Dad says I need to learn to earn money the old-fashioned way. I’d rather pet-sit, but I don’t live around neighbors with dogs, so I’m stuck.”
Amusement rippled through her. “I’m not fond of little kids, either,” she confided. “Definitely more of an animal person.”
The girl brightened. “Do you have pets?”
“A rabbit.”
Her blue eyes widened. “No way! I don’t know anyone with a pet rabbit. What’s his name?”
“Bagel.”
The girl laughed with delight. “That’s adorable! I’d do anything for a pet, but I’m not allowed.” Longing flickered over her features. “Maybe you can bring Bagel here one day and I can meet him? I’m here for the summer and I’m staying close by. I can—”
She was interrupted by the chatter of the surfers entering the store. Rowan noticed how quickly the girl shut down, like a snail curling back into its shell. Her face smoothed out, and she stepped back so she was out of the way.
“Hey, Rowan! Waves are slow today. Do you have the pineapple ice pops?”
The two girls were regulars. Hair wet and salty, skin tanned brown, clad in swimwear that stayed up and on under the force of the waves, they rifled through the cooler and bumped into each other with a familiarity that meant everything in the cutthroat world of adolescence. Rowan didn’t have to glance at the young girl with her back pressed against the wall. She could literally feel the yearning to belong surging beneath the casual surface.
“Just strawberry,” Rowan said.
“Damn. Can you tell Tino to get more pineapple?” Chelsea said, handing a red pop to her friend.
“Sure.”
“Is the shop sponsoring anyone for the surfing contest next month?” Brie asked. She scraped back her wild curls and deftly fastened the strands with a clip. Each movement was graceful and confident. She was the same on a surfboard. Rowan knew she was ambitious and had been amping up her practice hours. Brie’s older sister, Lea, was already a well-known competitor on the circuit. Brie had some edge, but she had a long way to go and little patience.
“I think so. Gotta talk to him.”
Brie gave her a long stare. “Sure. Maybe one day you’ll get back on your board. Give Lea some real competition again.”
Her body grew cold. Ice clipped her voice. “Three dollars,” she said. Brie blinked. “For the pops.”
Chelsea dug the cash from her shorts at the same time Brie turned to study their quiet observer. Immediately, the two scented blood like the sharks they were. “Hey, city girl. You lost?”
