Since 1998

Almost Caught

Yards away, Devin locked his gaze onto the blonde.

Something shifted inside him, a sudden, cold prickle at the back of his neck. He shook his head and looked away.

Sam was already smirking, adjusting his posture to catch the sunlight. "I swear the dark-haired one is tracking my every move," he whispered, flexing his shoulders. "She has taste, I’ll give her that."

Devin forced a dry laugh. "She’s your problem, then. I don't care about women, Sam."

"Bro, look closer. That blonde looks like a prize, but she also spells trouble," Sam joked, leaning in. "She has that total heiress vibe. Impossible to acquire."

Devin turned around fully this time, and the very air between the two groups seemed to fracture.

She looks so familiar. No, impossible. Allison is still in Spain.

Sam stretched until his joints popped, his low, confident tone kicking in as he locked onto his targets. "They look bored. Or like they need company."

Devin recognized that look. "Man… don’t."

But Sam was already on his feet, brushing the loose sand off his shorts.

"Where are you going?" A sudden spike of panic hit Devin's chest.

"Inviting them over," Sam said with a quick wink.

Devin groaned, grabbing his shirt and holding it up like a shield. "Forget it. Let’s just leave before you make an absolute ass of yourself."

Sam caught Devin’s shoulder, stalling him in place. "Please, man. Just this once. I’m tired of talking to your miserable face today. I need a buffer."

Exhaling a sharp, defeated breath, Devin slumped back onto his towel. "Fine. But I’m not playing entertainer, Sam."

Across the sand, Allison felt the ground drop away beneath her.

"Anna… H—He’s coming, Sam.”

Anna smoothly adjusted her hair, settling into a sunbathing curve that looked entirely accidental. "Relax, Ali. Deep breaths. You’re a tourist. A stranger from New York. God bless America."

"Does he know? Does Devin recognize us?" Allison gripped Anna’s arm like a vise, her eyes darting toward the parking lot. "We can make it to the car in thirty seconds!"

"No! Stop it!” Anna peeled Allison’s fingers off her skin with a sharp glare. "Stay cool."

Sam reached them a moment later, stopping with the easy, unbothered posture of someone who had never been rejected on a beach in his life. Before he could even flash his opening line, Anna cut him off.

"Hi," she said, her tone beautifully bored. "Are you lost, babe?"

Sam blinked, his 'player' persona instantly cracking into a genuine laugh. "Lost? No. But we were wondering if you’d like to join us. It’s far too nice a day to sit in separate circles."

"With random strangers?" Allison interrupted.

Sam’s smirk faltered, and he actually took a half-step back from her intense gaze. "Whoa. Okay."

Beneath the cover of the sand, Anna delivered a brutal pinch to Allison’s thigh. "Don’t mind her," Anna smoothed over, her voice turning sweet enough to melt glass. "She’s just protective. Cautious."

Sam laughed with visible relief. "Well, my friend is the exact opposite. The biggest loner you’ll ever meet. He’s moping over there like he lost his best friend."

The words "best friend” hit Allison.

"Fine," she said, her voice dropping into something quiet but steady. "We’ll join you."

Devin stayed anchored to his spot, his eyes fixed firmly on the surf.

"See?" Sam bragged as he led the girls over. "The beach wasn't a total bust."

Anna settled onto the towel across from them, her eyes flashing with a defiant spark. "Your friend seems remarkably quiet," she challenged, looking directly at Devin.

"He’s a man of few words," Sam joked, popping open a cold soda. "He saves them for people who actually matter."

The words stung. Allison sat down slowly, pressing her hands flat against the towel to keep them from shaking. Hi Devin. I’m right here. I’m so sorry.

Devin finally lifted his head. His eyes found hers, and for a split second, he went entirely rigid as recognition crossed his face.

He broke contact first, grabbing his shirt and shaking it out with unnecessary force. It was a nervous childhood habit she recognized instantly.

"Thirst-quenchers for the newcomers," Sam said, holding out a cold can.

"Thank you," Anna said, her fingers deliberately brushing Sam’s as she took it. She nudged her friend’s shoulder. "You’re missing out, Al—I mean, Lisa."

"I’m fine," Allison said softly, keeping her gaze lowered. "I don't want any."

"Intro time." Sam cleared his throat, pointing a thumb at his chest. "I’m Sam. And this brooding statue next to me is—"

Devin cut in, his voice deeper and rougher than she remembered.

The sound of his voice made Allison’s pulse skip a beat. She stared intently at the sand, terrified that a single look would give her away.

"I’m Maria," Anna lied smoothly, before gesturing toward Allison. "And this is Elizabeth. But we just call her Lisa."

Devin gave a curt, formal nod. Yet, his eyes inevitably drifted back to "Lisa." Her voice, the specific way she hesitated over her words, felt like a song he’d forgotten the lyrics to. "Stop it,” he commanded himself, clenching his jaw. Allison is thousands of miles away in Spain.

"Are you guys in college?" Allison asked, her voice wavering despite her best efforts. Devin looked at her again, and those piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, analyzing her face. He had only ever known one person with eyes that exact shade of sapphire.

"Yeah," Sam answered. "Devin’s a med student. My sister Cathy, they're classmates."

The names Cathy and classmates made Allison's throat instantly go dry.

"A doctor?" she managed to murmur. "Maria and I just finished high school. We might study here. It depends."

Anna jumped right in to shift the focus. "So if Devin's the brain, what’s your deal, Sam?"

"Me? I'm just waiting for a dream to hit me," Sam laughed easily. "The perks of a wealthy family."

Devin remained entirely silent, his gaze locked onto the blonde girl until he suddenly turned to face her directly.

"What about you, Lisa?" he asked.

Sam’s eyes widened in sheer surprise. Devin was actually initiating a conversation with a girl.

"What do you want for your future?" Devin pressed.

"I… I haven't decided yet," Allison stammered, the trap closing in. "My family wants me to help manage our business. I'll probably end up there."

The mention of a family business acted like a key turning in a lock. Devin’s head snapped toward her, his expression instantly sharpening into something dark, calculated, and deeply suspicious.

"Family business?" he repeated.

Allison's eyes collided with Anna's, a sharp flash of panic passing between them.