Page 69 of Race to the Beach

“Thank you.”He strode toward the stage.

He tried to figure out what to say to Maxi first.There were so many things that needed to be said.But before he could reach her, Maxi stepped up on the stage.She was having a conversation with the mayor and Aster Bell.

Owen came to a stop.He stood there, quietly waiting for his turn to speak to her.He didn’t care how long he had to stand there.He wasn’t leaving until they hashed things out.

“Hi, Owen.”Bonnie approached him.“Isn’t it great that Maxi won the race?”

She won?That’s awesome!A smile pulled at the corners of his lips.“I knew she’d do it.”

“She’s certainly something amazing.”Bonnie’s smile slipped from her face as she turned to him.“Too bad you don’t know it.”

“Me?”He pressed a hand to his chest.“I know how special she is.”

“It sure doesn’t seem like it.She wouldn’t eat dinner last night.She went straight to her room, and this morning she was up before the sun.She left without saying a word.Something is wrong, and I have a feeling it has a lot to do with you.”Her direct stare poked him in the chest.

He knew Maxi was upset about the auction last night.He shouldn’t have gone out with Regan, even if it was to fulfill an obligation.How was it that Regan was still messing up his life?

He hoped she’d taken him seriously the night before when he’d told Regan they had absolutely no chance of getting back together.It was his hope that she’d already left the island.

His shoulders drooped.“I’m sorry.Maxi is upset with me about the auction last night.”

“Don’t apologize to me.You need to apologize to her.She cares about you—a lot from what I’ve seen.”Bonnie stepped closer.Her voice took a firm tone.“She’s been hurt a lot in this life.If you aren’t serious about her, let her go now.Do you understand me?”

She might be more than a foot shorter than him, but he knew she meant business.“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.”She smiled at him.

He turned his attention back to the stage.Maxi was smiling, although he noticed her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.He hoped to fix that as soon as possible.

Chapter Twenty-Six

She’dwon.

She’d really done it.

Maxi stood on the stage with a smile pasted on her face as she shook the mayor’s hand.In her other hand, she held a gold trophy and the prize money.This was a very big moment.She should have been over the moon.She wasn’t.

She’d accomplished what she’d come to the island to do.It wasn’t without its challenges.And that was putting it mildly.

She’d spent enough time in Bluestar.It was time to give her aunt the money and head on home.She needed to put Owen in her rearview mirror.She had to focus on the future—her work at the garage.

As she exited the stage and descended the steps, she saw Owen waiting for her.She had been hoping to avoid him.There was nothing left to say.It was over as soon as she saw him locking lips with Regan.

When her foot touched the ground, she turned to him.There was something that she needed to say to him.She swallowed hard and hoped when she spoke that it wouldn’t betray the emotional turmoil within her.“Thank you for all of your help.Without it, I wouldn’t have won.”

His eyes widened with surprise.“You’re welcome.And congratulations.”

“I should be going.”She hadn’t taken more than a few steps before she felt a hand on her upper arm.She considered jerking her arm away in order to keep walking, but she wasn’t going to run from this.

She turned to him.“We had fun, but it’s over.Please don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”

“I have something I need to tell you.”He stared deep into her eyes.“I love you.”

The breath caught in her lungs.She couldn’t have heard him correctly.No.It was impossible.She recalled the kiss she’d witnessed the night before.Her mind said not to trust him.Her heart said she loved him too.

Someone bumped into her.There were so many people around them.It was too crowded to have a proper conversation.

“Did you hear me?”he asked.“Maxi, I love you.”

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