Page 19 of Fake Coral and Keys

“We’re going to sell the shit out of these bathing suits, Lil,” Erin says with a grin.

Lily catches my eyes in the mirror and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. We’re all dressed in the bathing suits Lily designed. I have to admit, I’m proud of my sister. I look over my body, trying to see it as they do. There’s lean muscle in my thighs where there used to be softness, thanks to hours in spinning class. My butt isn’t any smaller, just rounder. My body hasn’t really changed, but there is something about me that seems different.Feelsdifferent too. Something lighter about me I hadn’t noticed until they said something. I look at Lily and Erin, trying to figure out what it is, and all I can see is that I somehow now look like them. Not the too white teeth. Not the blonde hair and certainly not a too perfect look. Do I seem taller? Is it confidence?

“Come on,” Erin says, tugging me towards the door. “Let’s get some pictures before the sun goes down.”

***

“Not like that, Daisy.”

I readjust my hip, trying to stand with my back arched, my leg forward and slightly bent and…

“Hold it!” Erin screeches and repeatedly presses the screen of her phone. “Okay, now look up and to the left.”

I do as commanded, trying to hold still. Lily and Erin set up a tripod and huge ring light by the water’s edge, using the slowly sinking sun as a backdrop. This is the first time they have included me in any of Lily’s promotions of her clothing line. I shift, jutting my hip to the right as Erin commands, not wanting to complain that this feels stupid. Ignoring the small group of men watching us from by the pool, I focus on Erin’s instructions, but my skin feels over-exposed.

“Nice ass,” one of them calls, and his friend punches his arm.

“Thanks, asshole!” Lily shouts back and waves. “No one asked for your critique!”

Asshole walks toward us, and Erin groans. “Oh good,” she says, handing me my cover-up, “he’s coming our way.”

I grab the cover-up, feeling the man’s eyes move over me as he approaches, and wrap it around my chest.

“Nice little photo shoot,” he says, walking right up to me. He stops barely a foot away, all in my personal bubble, and I step back, my heart thumping unpleasantly in my chest.

“You mean the photo shoot you just interrupted?” Lily snaps. “The one you now stand in the middle of? Uninvited?”

The guy ignores Lily and gives me a wide grin that shows too many teeth. His canines seem too sharp, his face too angular. He’d almost be good-looking, but there’s something about him that reminds me of a ferret.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” the weasel man says, his eyes sliding down my exposed skin, leaving me feeling slimy.

“Again?” I ask before I can stop myself. I’ve never seen this guy before. I’d definitely remember him because I’ve already placed him into the smarmy category in my brain.

“Yeah.” He grins. “You stumbled into my room drunk, and we fucked like bunnies.”

“Ew,” Erin says from behind him.

“No,” I say, taking another step back, that old feeling of being caged in creeping up my throat, threatening to send me into a panic. I glance at his group of friends, who seem to have abandoned him, and now walk towards the resort recreation building.

“No?” he asks, those teeth flashing again. His eyes finally rise from my chest to my face. “How about we plan that for tonight, then?”

“Triple ew,” Erin says, walking up next to me and gripping my arm. She yanks me away. “She’s taken.”

“Got a boyfriend?” Weasel asks.

“A hot-as-fuck one, at that,” Erin says.

“Does he treat you well?” Weasel-face asks. “Bet I’d treat you better tonight in my bed.”

This asshole doesn’t let up. I step around him with Erin still gripping my arm and ignore his statement. Doing my best to take a calming breath, I refuse to look at him. The last thing I want this jerk to witness is how he’s rattled me. I glance around, wishing Blake was nearby.

Like I’ve miraculously summoned him, I spot Blake walking towards us with the rest of our group, staring at me. Justine hangs on his arm, laughing at something he says. A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth when he sees me, but it fades just as quickly as it appears. Blake’s gaze darts to the weasel standing behind me, then back to me. He shrugs Justine off, and storms forward, leaving the rest of my family behind.

“Is there a problem?” Blake asks the second he’s next to me, his near-black eyes fixated on the man nearby.

“Nah, man,” the guy says. “I was coming over to introduce myself to these fine ladies.”

“Is that right?” Blake asks, rage flashing behind his eyes like a neon sign. “And did they seem interested in talking to you?”

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