Drew gently brushed the strands away. “I know that, but other guys wouldn’t.”
“I’m not a stupid kid.” She bit her bottom lip, trying not to cry.
“No, you’re not stupid. You’re a pretty girl, and that’s why you shouldn’t give anyone an IOU.”
“You think I’m pretty,” she said with a sigh.
His mouth flattened. “Yeah.” He dusted some sand off his legs. “That came out wrong.”
Her heart sank. “So you don’t think I’m pretty?”
“It doesn’t matter what you look like. Don’t give guys an IOU for anything. Okay?” Without waiting for her to answer, he continued, “They’ll take advantage of someone like you.”
“A kid,” she whispered miserably.
“Yeah, you’re a kid, but I’m still a kid too, even at fifteen,” he added, slightly taking away the sting. “But what I meant is that you’re so sweet and trusting that guys will want to take advantage of you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Who’d want to be friends with guys like that?”
“All guys are like that,” he said.
Except you.
“Especially my brother, Connor.” He took a deep breath. “And sometimes me.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he winked at her and she forgot what she was going to say.
“Anyway, I’ll put your IOU someplace safe. Who knows—maybe I’ll call it in someday. When you’re way older.”
“Like twenty-five?”
“Sounds about right.”
Twelve years from now? Oh my gosh. She couldn’t wait that long.
He folded the IOU. “Can’t put it in the pocket of my board shorts.”
“You don’t have to keep it,” she said, feeling stupid all of a sudden.
She reached for the paper, but he shook his head. “No take backs.”
“You really won’t tell my grandparents what I did?”
“As long as you don’t tell anyone I rescued you.”
Well, that sucked. Her best friend, Evangeline Ambrose, would die if she knew what had happened. It didn’t matter that Hannah no longer lived in Holland Springs. They still talked to each other every night on the phone.
But this was Drew asking her to do something for him—she couldn’t tell him no.
“Fine,” she agreed with a little sigh.
He smiled, and her heart fluttered. “If you’re okay, I’ll go now. I promised Alexis I’d meet her at the pool.”
Her heart burst into flames. “Have fun.”
“You could come, too.”
Yeah, Alexis would love that, Hannah thought. “I think I’ll go change. I have to help with dinner service tonight anyway.”
Standing, he held out his hand to her, and she took it. He pulled her to her feet. Sand fell. The bottom of her bathing suit felt like a loaded diaper.
Awesome.
“We’re leaving in the morning,” he said, still holding her hand.
“But you’ll be back next year,” she said cheerfully, but on the inside, she was dying. Summer was coming to a close, and everyone would start leaving soon. After that, her grandparents would winterize the resort, and then they would head to the mainland so Hannah could go to school and be around more than just dolphins and crabs.
He bit his lip. “Yes.”
“Drew!” a shrill voice called out.
Drew rolled his eyes.
Hannah felt like doing the same.
“I said I’d meet you at the pool, Alexis.”
Alexis came into view, wearing a bright pink, barely there bikini. Of course, Hannah had on a green one-piece with purple peace symbols all over it. Drew hadn’t seen Alexis yet, or else he would have dropped Hannah’s hand like a hot potato.
“I couldn’t wait that long,” Alexis pouted.
He glanced over his shoulder. The grip on her hand tightened, but he didn’t let go. “Sure you won’t change your mind?” he asked.
“Three’s a crowd,” she said, pulling her hand out of his grip.
He jerked his head back to her. “Next year, she won’t be here, so we’ll have more time to spend together.”
Learning that Alexis’ family wouldn’t be coming back was the best news she’d heard all day, but she was pretty sure another girl would take Alexis’ place. And that girl wouldn’t be her.
“I’ll save you a skim board.”
He grinned, his white teeth flashing against his tan skin. The wind blew his hair so that it stuck out in places. “Deal.”
“Drewwwwww,” Alexis called. “Quit talking to the help.”
Drew’s mouth flattened. He looked ready to say something, but if he got into an argument over her with Alexis… Hannah would be the one to get in trouble. Her grandparents didn’t own the Magnificent Dunes Resort. They only managed it.