He stares down at me with hooded eyes, like he’s in some sort of hypnotic state. “Well, that was not what I had planned when you wanted to watch Statham.”

  I laugh. “Maybe I wanted to watch you?”

  “That was not a passive activity, Chloe.” He winks. “And I’m a little in shock and suddenly so very sleepy right now.” He yawns and stretches his arms above his head. He literally has lean muscle everywhere. “Stop staring, that’s what stalkers do.”

  I make a face.

  “Where did you come from?” I ask.

  He leans forward and points up. “The sky, I’m like superman but I can’t fly, oh shit, that rhymed,” I turn away as he rearranges himself.

  I gulp. “Yeah well, you’re clearly a poet.”

  His hands find my face and turn me back around. “I’m not a one-night stand sort of guy and you didn’t even share all the Milk Duds, so at the risk of sounding extremely cheesy, do you wanna go walk on the beach?”

  “How’s that cheesy?”

  “Because clearly I’m saying it so the night doesn’t end, and while I appreciate all the sexual tension throbbing—“

  I wince.

  “—Yup, poor choice of words.” He clears his throat in the most adorable way. “Ahem, while I appreciate the connection.” He grins down at me.

  “Better.”

  “Thank you, so where was I, oh yes, while I appreciate the strong connection we have, I really want to get to know you, so can we attempt to not step on a jellyfish wherein I would have to sadly pee on you, and walk for a bit so I can ask you a shit ton of dumb questions that have to do with all your favorites so I don’t fail you miserably when I obviously ask you out on a second date.”

  “THIS WAS A DATE?” I yell.

  His body goes still, his eyes narrow, he points at me, I love that he keeps jabbing his finger in the air like he can’t actually believe I said that. “Nobody prepared me for someone like you.”

  Excitement bursts in my chest, it feels like a billion butterflies are fighting for dominance to escape my stomach just so they can touch him in real life. “Meh, I’m special.”

  He reaches for my hand and kisses the back of it then squeezes my fingertips, his expression is unreadable but the way he looks at me, it’s as if he’s known me in a past life which is crazy, his gaze is serious, intense. He stands, still holding my hand, then pulls me back against him, leaning into my right ear and whispering, “But I still get Milk Duds right?”

  “What is with you and candy?”

  His expression sobers, sending chills down my spine. His hand comes up, but at the last minute he pulls back and lightly drags one finger down my jaw. “I like sweet things that know how to be naughty. Nothing has to be perfect in this life, I think we just combine the perfect moments, and later when things turn unperfected, we remember the gifts we were given, otherwise, how do you even survive?”

  I spin in his arms and pull him close in a hug. “Whoever broke your heart never deserved you.”

  “Nah, I never deserved her, and my best friend loved her first.”

  That’s what he leaves me with as we walk hand in hand toward the door and it kills me that I don’t have the guts to ask what happened in that moment, because it’s gone.

  And because I don’t want to tarnish our present with his past. We keep walking and eventually are on the beach, past all of the small-town cafes, restaurants, all the people just roaming around trying to vacation.

  Music hits us the minute we hit the boardwalk, someone’s playing guitar while their dog sits next to them, the dreads on their head look badass and quite honestly, he looks so free in his worn white tank top and blue jeans that I almost want to spin in front of him.

  Quinn notices me pause then pulls me toward the guy and his guitar case, he drops a five-dollar bill in the case.

  “What do you want to hear?” The guy stops playing immediately and asks.

  His smile is free and cool. His eyes, a clear blue, his posture not like a person who’s living off the streets.

  I frown and tilt my head.

  Quinn points. “You’re, you’re, you’re—“

  “—-Shhhh.” He grins. “I like a good hobby.”

  “Demetri.” Quinn gets the word out. “Bro, I haven’t seen you in like seven years!”

  “Demetri?” I repeat. “The homeless guy is Demetri?”

  Alleged Demetri winks at me, he’s extremely good-looking his hair is pulled back into a ponytail with the light blonde dreads and he’s looking like he belongs on a red carpet more than a street in Oregon, though his shirt is dirty I now realize that it’s on purpose.

  “YO.”

  “Did he just say yo?” I ask.

  Quinn laughs. “Bro, it’s good to see you, how are the kids?”

  “Good. Busy.” He nods. “So very, very, busy.” He winks his blue eyes at me. “But thanks for the fiver, I guess I can buy a burger now.”

  Quinn rolls his eyes. “Maybe sell a Grammy instead?”

  Demetri grins. “This is so much more pure and fun, hey, take this…” He grabs the five and hands it back to Quinn. “Go get ice cream or some shit, avoid the birds at all costs, they’re aggressive this year, and go for a walk.” He eyes me up and down. “You picked a good one.”

  I’m stunned. “How do you two even—“

  “—Cousins.” Quinn shrugs. “Like twice removed or whatever we figured out last time we got wasted on Mountain Dew.” He fist bumps Demetri, a dude from one of the biggest bands in the world that has a house in Seaside right next to Zane, what is even happening?

  They bro hug as bros do and then we’re walking toward the beach and I’m taking off my shoes and staring up at Quinn like he’s this… subject I need to study. “How do you know famous people?”

  He smirks, then frowns down at me. “Um, well, you heard, I’m actually related to one, and the thing about Seaside Oregon? They’re all best friends, all the famous actors, all the famous singers, they came here for a freaking break and if you know one you know them all, it’s how I recognized Zane earlier. Plus, also, they’re actually the coolest ever. I only ever went to two dinners, but it was enough to set me up for life as far as entertainment. They don’t get wasted, too many kids, too much drama, they even have ties into the mafia, but don’t tell anyone I said that.”

  I stumble. “The mafia?”

  He shrugs. “Snitches get stitches.”

  “What is this day?”

  Quinn pulls out his phone. “It is the Saturday of my near death, one because of falling from the sky, and the other from getting a taste of you.” He kicks the sand. “Ice cream my ass, you already licked me dry.”

  I stumble again, this time he catches me. How does he smell so good? I’ve always hated cologne, it felt like this toxic cloud of chemicals, but with Quinn it smells masculine and soft at the same time. Like a vanilla cinnamon latte.

  His hands wrap around my waist. “What has you so stunned? Oh God, please tell me you didn’t step on a jelly.”

  “A jelly?” I finally find my voice. “Are you nicknaming the jellyfish now?”

  “It took less time to say, and I wanted to use my mouth for other nefarious purposes.”

  I smile up at him and wrap my arms around his neck. “So, you want to use your mouth for…”

  “On. If we’re being specific.” His smile could not be more sexy. My hair whips around my face from the wind on the beach, it’s not exactly warm the closer we get to the ocean, but he is, so I press closer to him.

  When I lean up on my tiptoes he leans down, I think he’s going to kiss me, instead he dodges my mouth and rests his chin on my shoulder and hugs me tight.

  I have no clue why it feels more romantic than a kiss or why I can’t seem to let go of him, even though I barely know him and am probably jumping into this without thinking.

  “Favorite color?” he asks.

  “Blue.” I cling to his shirt.

  “Favorite movie?”

  “Gladiator.”

  “I approve.”

  “I was looking for validation today.” My hands tug at his shirt while my face presses against his warm chest.

  “Favorite moment?” he whispers against the wind, his face still on my shoulder.

  I want to say this one, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough, but it’s almost like my silence is answer enough as I stand there and hold him tight.

  “This.” I finally get one word out.

  He squeezes me tighter, then kisses the top of my head. “Good, you pass—for now.”

  I shove him playfully as he pulls away laughing, reaching for my hand and holding it tight.

  It could have been seconds or hours, I have no concept of time with him, all I know is by the time we make it back to the boardwalk it’s really dark out and I need to go home.

  I’ve never been the type to jump into relationships nor have I been the type to invite myself to people’s houses—I’ve never had a one-night stand drunken or sober, I’ve never done what I did today or even taken a chance for fear I’d be used or labeled a slut.

  But things change quickly when you’re faced with giants in your life.

  I never thought I’d meet mine at eighteen.

  I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until Quinn pulls me toward a park bench and onto his lap. “Why so sad?”

  “What?” His warm arms wrap around me.

  “I said, why so sad? You just froze back there, I mean it could be the wind, my overall impressiveness, exhaustion, but you just stared straight ahead, so I’m assuming something’s wrong and also assuming that you might possibly be sad because the night is over.”

  I relax against him. “It doesn’t have to be.”

  This time he freezes. “What?”

  “My parents aren’t home and my sister won’t say anything.” I feel all the blood rushing to my face in embarrassment. “I mean never mind, it’s fine it’s—“

  He lightly pushes me off his lap and holds out his hand. “Lead the way.”

  I don’t think anyone could have prepared me for the journey we’d take after this. I often wonder what would have happened if I didn’t take that outstretched hand and I daily question myself.

  Why the hell would I introduce him to my sister?

  Chapter Five

  Quinn

  I send Ambrose a quick text to let him know I won’t be coming back while we walk down the boardwalk. She says her home’s right on the water and I can’t imagine it being anything but spectacular since most of the houses, even if they’re old, are huge and beautiful.

  We walk past the aquarium and the main road and keep walking in silence, but still holding hands until she stops in front of a beautiful two-story beach house. It’s white and has blue shutters plus a large balcony with chairs and a fire pit on top.

  It’s both pretty and cute, kind of like her.

  We walk through a small white picket fence past a stone water fountain that had seen better days, past a large oak tree and up to the front door. Two sconces framed the door, both of them lit up with real fire.

  “Setting the mood, I see.” I pointed at them. “Do I need to take off my shoes?”

  Chloe batted her eyelashes up at me, her expression both innocent and seductive. “You can take off whatever you want.”

  Oh shit, things just got intense in front of that fire. I nod. “Maybe let me make sure you didn’t lure me here to kill me first and then I’ll take off whatever you want.”

  “Deal.” Her laugh is light as she releases my hand and opens the front door. I walk in after her.

  It smells sweet, like someone is baking, or there’s a candle that has some cheesy label on it, like American Pie or Blueberry. I walk past the small entryway, there’s a staircase to the right, the hardwood floors like original with how dark and scratched they are, but it adds to the ambiance, I guess. The next thing I notice is how clean it is. While it may look older on the outside, the inside is completely open and exposed; we walk further into the kitchen, everything is stark white, the living room has furniture that looks expensive but in multiple random colors, a lime green chair, a black leather couch, and a huge white and brown cow hide rug is in the middle of the room with a wood table over it.

  Whoever decorated has unique but modern taste.

  I do a quick turn. “I like it.”

  “Mom.” She shrugs. “Loves HGTV a little too much.”

  “Don’t we all?”

  She laughs and walks further into the kitchen and pulls something from the fridge, I think it’s champagne, but I can’t tell for sure until she turns around and places it on the counter. “Drink?”

  “Does mom also let you drink?” I tease.

  “Well, she’s not here a lot, neither is my dad, they don’t really do family.”

  “How does one do family?”

  “I mean…” She starts to pull the foil from the champagne bottle. “…they don’t really—“

  “—They don’t give a shit.” Another voice chimes in. “Ah, Dad’s gonna be pissed you opened up the expensive one this time.” A girl who looks identical to Chloe pulls out a chair next to me. She’s wearing no makeup, has black fingernail polish on, and is in matching black sweats. Her eyes are the same color blue, and her hair is cut in the exact same way that Chloe’s is.

  “There are two of you.” I nod. “Good to know, might have prepared me before I had a near heart attack at nineteen and thought I was seeing things.”

  The girl holds out her hand. “I’m Sophie, that bitch’s twin.”

  Chloe’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. What am I not picking up on?

  I squeeze Sophie’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’m Quinn, and apparently, I’m hanging out here tonight because according to your twin over there, you’re a steal trap and won’t say a word to the parents, then again, I now wonder if they would even care.”

  Sophie rolls her eyes and drops my hand. “If they found you both naked, the only thing they’d ask was if you used protection since my mom refuses to become a grandma at the ripe age of fifty.”

  “Oh good, so she likes kids.” I smirk at Sophie, she lets down her defenses a bit, her smile different than when she sourly walked in the kitchen.

  She leans forward, her hair brushing her shoulders. She’s really pretty, just like Chloe, honestly I don’t know how their own parents tell them apart, maybe they each have a favorite style of makeup or clothing, that would be the only indicator.

  I jump at the sound of the pop from the champagne and glance over at Chloe, she looks sad.

  I get up and walk around the kitchen island and pull her into my arms while she holds the champagne bottle, then kiss the top of her head. “Need help?”

  Sophie glances at Chloe, then at me, her eyes narrowing. “How long have you guys known each other? A day?”

  “Yeah.” I immediately don’t like her. “And I already earned a kiss in several special places, jealous much?”

  Chloe relaxes against me.

  Yeah okay, noted, they’re competitive, and Sophie is clearly jealous that Chloe has someone. I can read the room.

  Sophie laughs, it’s actually a nice laugh, not too high pitched, just amusing. “No, I don’t have time for guys, I’m married to myself.”

  “Good for you, I hope you bought yourself flowers for the ceremony.” I joke.

  She smirks at me. “You’re a handful, aren’t you?”

  “In more ways than one, right Chloe?”

  Sophie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, so it’s like that, hmm?”

  “Yup,” Chloe chimes in. “I’ve decided to start taking initiative and chances, even though he could have been a serial killer. Then again, his scream while falling to his death via bungee jumping kind of made me realize that he probably couldn’t even hold a knife without shaking.”

  “Hey!” I spin her in my arms, the champagne bottle rests between our bodies. “I thought you were sworn to secrecy.”

  She winks. “Whoops?”

  “So, what movie did you guys see?” Sophie interrupts. “And let me guess, you did the whole what’s your favorite color, memory, oh please do not tell me you guys took a walk on the beach.”

  We’re both silent.

  She shakes her head. “Yes, little risk taker, do you.” Sophie hops off the barstool and waves at us. “I’m headed to bed, this story isn’t going to get any more exciting.”

  “Sweet dreams,” I call out after her, more like ever-loving nightmare. I shudder and grab the bottle from Chloe. “So, she’s nice.”

  Chloe sighs and leans against the counter. “She’s just… been hurt in the past and doesn’t do well with new people, add that to her competitive nature and being a twin, well it’s not the best mix of things.”

  “Not even a little bit.” I take a swig from the bottle and grin. “Pretty sure I charmed the shit out of her though.”

  “Oh buddy.” Chloe pats me on the shoulder. “You did your best, that’s the most I’ve seen her smile in two years.”

  “Success.” I lean down and press a kiss to Chloe’s mouth, her tongue slides past my lips, I almost drop the bottle, instead I set it on the counter, then set her on the counter and grab her by the ass.

  “Mmmm.” She moans into my mouth, arching against me, hooking her feet behind my ass and pulling me closer. We taste like champagne and need. My entire body is hot for her, I’ve never been this guy.

  Apparently today is backward day because she’s never been this girl—according to her.

  She reaches for my shirt and tugs it off my body, throwing it to the ground while I reach for her jean shorts and start to unbutton them.

  She suddenly freezes.

  We’re both panting, our mouths inches apart.

  Her hands drop and she shakes her head a bit. “I’m sorry, I just suddenly got super dizzy.”

  “Are you okay?” I cup her face. “I can leave.”

  “No, no, it’s fine. Let’s maybe just sit on the couch, watch a movie, then make out. Sound good?”

  “I do love a good make out session.” She really doesn’t look good, all the color’s left her face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Her smile seems forced she nods and pats me on the shoulder. “Of course I am, just give me a minute to catch my breath.”