Page 29 of Race to the Beach

“But I’m not one of their own.”Maxi shook her head.

“Maybe not directly.But by extension, you are part of Bluestar.Your aunt has talked about you for years.I’m sorry I didn’t put it together and figure out who you were sooner.”

Her gaze was filled with questions.“Why would you know who I am?”

He shrugged.“It just seems that we should have met before now.”

“I haven’t spent much time on the island.”

He wanted to ask her why, but he worried that it might be too personal.Instead, he said, “Well, I hope you’ll be spending more time on the island.”

She shrugged.“Probably not.I have to get home.I have work to do.”

“You mean working as a mechanic?How long have you been one?”He couldn’t help himself from asking more questions.The more he learned about his competition, the more he wanted to know.

“Well, you see, I was supposed to have been born a boy.My dad wanted a son to follow in his footsteps.He already had the name of the garage picked out:Daniels and son.But when I arrived, he didn’t give up.He just changed his plan.So, I guess I’m lucky there.I grew up working around the garage.Other girls got their nails and hair done.I learned how to change a car’s oil and spark plugs.”

The server showed up at their table.“Can I get either of you anything else to eat or drink?Maybe some dessert?”

“I’m good,” Maxi said.

“Me too,” Owen said.

“Then I’ll just leave this with you.”The server placed the check at the end of the table.

After they finished eating and the bill was paid, they exited the restaurant.Then Owen asked, “Would you mind taking a walk with me?”When she arched a brow, he said, “It’s perfectly innocent.I have a deal to propose.”

If anything, her brow rose higher.For a moment, they stood there in total silence.At last, she said, “Lead the way.”

He turned and headed toward the beach.It was where he liked to walk when he had something serious weighing on his mind.He still wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but when had that stopped him in the past.

“Hey, Owen.”A young woman with long blond hair and a big smile stared right at him.He knew he should know her name, but it momentarily slipped his mind.“I’ll be at the auction to bid on you.Can’t wait!”

What was he supposed to say to that?His mother always told him that if he didn’t have anything nice to say, to say nothing at all.He said nothing and just kept walking.

“This auction certainly has a lot of people excited.”Maxi looked at him.“But not you.”

“Definitely not me.And now I need to find a way to make this whole thing bearable.”

They crossed the road and entered Beachcomber Park on their way to the beach.Thankfully, there weren’t that many people in the park.The tourists were probably either shopping in town or eating dinner.

This was his last chance to change his mind.When another woman approached him with a broad smile as she waggled her brows, he inwardly cringed.He had to put a stop to this, even if it meant making a deal with a beautiful woman that he barely knew.

“Will you pretend to be my girlfriend?”The words tumbled out of his mouth.

Maxi stopped walking and turned to him.With a wide-eyed stare, she asked, “What did you say?”

They had just reached the seawall.He walked over to it and took a seat facing the ocean.After Maxi sat next to him, he remained quiet.He wasn’t handling this situation correctly.He hadn’t meant to shock her.Still, was there a proper way to ask a virtual stranger to be your fake girlfriend?He didn’t think so.He was going to have to wing this.

“I’m sorry,” he said.“I didn’t mean to just blurt that out.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”She sighed.“For a minute there, I thought you were serious.”

“I am.”

Chapter Twelve

Shecouldn’thaveheardhim correctly.

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