Page 123 of Pack Rivals, Part One

"In small doses, I think," I say, as I drop down onto the warm sand and snap open the packet of chips.

"Well, unfortunately, this lovely view won't be here forever so enjoy it while it lasts."

"What?" I say, dragging my eyes from the ocean.

"The man who owns this strip of the beach has finally capitulated and is selling up. There'll be some huge hotel resort here with casinos and high-rise towers," my aunt swings her arm through the air, "before you know it."

"They can't do that," I say, swinging my gaze down the unspoiled beach, green dunes hiding the houses and roads from view. "This is like a slice of heaven, of paradise. Surely, there must be rules to protect places like this."

"Rules like that don't count when it comes to big corporations," Courtney says.

"Rules should apply to everyone, no matter how big they are or how much money they have."

"I love you, Bea," Courtney says, "but you've lived in a small town for too long. It's not how it works here in the city."

"There must be something we can do to stop a development here?"

Courtney shrugs and my aunt looks unsure.

"We've started a petition," Aunt Julia says.

"Well, that's a start." I peer back to the shoreline where two tiny sea birds chase the waves backwards and forwards. "I'm going to help."

I watch the sun sink lower.

The beach is empty, only the three of us.

"Both Axel and Angel would have a fit if they knew I was out here without an escort," I mumble.

"We're safe," my aunt says, holding up her arm and showing me an alarm dangling from her wrist. "Connects straight to Boston Securities."

"York won't be pleased," Courtney mutters.

"Which takes me back to my problem," I say, diving my hand into the cheesy chips and pulling out a dozen.

"Ahhh, yes, your problem," my aunt says, unscrewing the wine and pouring the red liquid into three plastic tumblers.

I swallow a large gulp, the wine warming my gullet all the way down to my belly.

"Am I a Suzy Floozy?"

Courtney snorts. "A what now?"

"A Suzy Floozy?"

"What on Earth is a Suzy Floozy?" my aunt asks.

"Someone who messes men about, who dates more than one man at a time."

"Are you dating more than one man at a time?" Courtney asks, pinching the packet of chips from my lap. "I thought you weren't dating at all."

"Well, technically I'm not."

"And not-technically?"

I take another long sip of my wine.

"Bea, sweetie. What is the problem here?"

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