Page 498 of Hate Mates

By the time people start to head out in the afternoon, sunburned and carrying crying kids who are way past their naptime, I’ve made my weekly goal. That’s a good sign of what’s to come for summer.

The shitty sleep I mostly didn’t get last night is starting to catch up with me. Part of me cares way more that my stomach is growling though. The sandwich I bought for lunch isn’t going to be enough to tide me over until whenever the beach clears out.

My stomach growls again.

So I lock up shop.

A couple of people wave to me on my trip across the street. I take a few seconds to lean against the hood of the truck when I get there. It’s warm, and the beach makes for a hell of a view when I can stop to appreciate it.

Which I do, until my stomach growls again. I have a frozen pizza at home that’ll only take half an hour to bake the way I like. It’s a simple pleasure, but I’ll take it.

That’s when movement catches my eye.

It’s a beautiful girl in a blue coverup that goes down to her shins and a bag over one shoulder, the towel slung over the other. Her skin is sun-kissed and her hair still damp from the water.

Oh, shit—it’s the girl from the condo. It’s Luna. My heart beats faster watching her move over the sand. She’s moving slow, her flip-flops hanging from two of her fingers, and as annoyed as I was last night—and this morning, if I’m honest—I’m captivated now. There’s just something about her. Yeah she’s gorgeous but the way she carries herself… I just …

My mouth goes dry.

If I’m going to say anything to her, now’s the time. With my keys in my hands rattling I debate on whether or not I should. The beach is neutral ground. It’s not quite as casual when I’m on her doorstep.

Fuck it.

At least it’s a reason to talk to her. Luna steps onto the sidewalk by the strip of parking spots by the beach just as I move around to the driver’s side. She blinks over at me like she didn’t realize anybody was here, then nods to me distractedly.

“Hey, Luna,” I say, and nod to her.

“Hi?” She looks again, her eyebrows going up when she recognizes me. Luna has a summer tan, but parts of her are pink from what looks like a full day on the beach. I couldn’t take myeyes off her if I tried. “Oh, hi, Parker. I didn’t see you. I was—” She waves to the street behind me. “On my way home.”

“Any plans for tonight?”

Luna blinks, it’s then I notice the tiredness lingering under eyes. “I don’t think so. Why?”

“Just wondered. Last night was pretty loud. Sounded like you had a pretty good time.”

Her face flushes an even darker shade of pink. “I had a few friends over. Sorry.”

“I’d appreciate a heads up next time,” I say without thinking.

Her brow furrows and near anger comes over her. “Not sure why that’s your business.”

The irritation I felt last night comes back in full force. All the time in the sun isn’t helping. I’m tired and overheated and now Luna is snapping at me like I accused her of something.

Well, if she’s going to take it like that, I might as well earn it.

“The party wasn’t any of my business. Except for the parts that kept me up all night. I wanted to know if you were planning the same thing for tonight so I can make other arrangements to get some sleep.”

Her fingers clench around the straps of her flip-flops, and she grits her teeth so hard I’m surprised her jaw doesn’t shake. She’supset.“I have no idea what our plans are, but I’ll be sure to let you know once I find out.”

“No need to do that.”

“I wouldn’t want to disturb you or anything. I didn’t mean to keep you awake. I didn’t realize the music was that loud, or that it would bother you. But, sure, take it out on me, if that’s what you want,” she snaps at me.

Whoah. I’m taken off guard for a moment. “I didn’t mean?—”

“Yes, you did,” she shouts, her voice cutting through the breeze and the waves and everything else. Her hazel eyes are sharp and glistening with tears. Her hands tremble. “I didn’tcome here looking to—all I wanted was to spend some time at the beach, and you had to start in with these questions. If you had such a problem, why didn’t you knock on the door? You could have done that, you know. You have my phone number from the lease. You could have sent a text. You could have said something.”

“That’s not what?—”

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