Chapter One

Rayan

Pale cream-colored sand, plunging sapphire waves, and cerulean skies made working on the beach a highlight of my life. Cranky, overstimulated tourists who wanted to haggle over the price of everything was the bane of it.

"I'll give you two dollars for this bracelet and no more. Take it or leave it." A tall, slender older woman raised her brows and cocked her hip, waiting for my response. We had been going back and forth for over twenty minutes now. She did not respect artists trying to earn a living off their craft. At least, that's what her attitude toward me conveyed.

"The prices are marked on each item, ma'am. These are one-of-a-kind handmade pieces at fair price points for both artists and consumers. Although we love to see our pieces be sold, we value artists' worth and need to make sure they are paid for their creative labor. If you would like that piece, it will be twenty-five dollars. Would you like me to ring you up?" I held my hand for the beautiful silver-and-aquamarine charm she was examining, trying hard to stay professional but growing exhausted from her attempts at underpaying for what I'd poured my heart and soul into.

The woman rolled her eyes and huffed. "Fine. Take my card and ring this up. Oh, and wrap it carefully. We need to travel with it, and I won't want it if it breaks."

Pulling up the payment app, I tapped her card on my phone and had her complete the necessary steps. Then I carefully wrapped the purchased items in my personalized paper and box before placing them in a bag and handing them to her, keeping an overzealous smile on my face. "Thank you for supporting our artists at Mystic Beach. Have a safe trip home."

The woman stalked away, taking the stench of honey blossoms and citrus with her. I couldn't help the chuckle that emerged as her exhausted husband followed. He had his hands full with a wife like that.

"She seemed lovely." Astrid, my stall mate and best friend, handed me an horchata and a street taco from the food truck down the row. "Did she seriously argue with you while I was getting us lunch?"

"Yup." I shoved my phone in my back pocket and opened the bag of yumminess. "Fuck, these smell amazing."

"They are trying a new menu item—tempura avocado street tacos. Dino gave us a free lunch in return for our honest opinion. There's guacamole in the bag, too." Astrid popped open her cola and chugged half the can before burping.

"Avocado and avocado? Dude." I shook my head at my best friend's antics. "We are still working. Customers probably don't appreciate bodily noises like that.

"Oh well." Astrid shrugged and took a huge bite of her taco. "Fuck. That's good. I will have to go back and get a few more."

"How are you model thin but eat like that?" I swore she had an endless pit for a stomach.

"Good genes?" Astrid finished off her first taco and grabbed another. "My mom said she was the same way."

"Is she still?" I dipped my chip in the guacamole and closed my eyes, savoring the hint of lime and garlic.

"No." Astrid paused for a moment and looked at me with wide eyes. "I only have about five more years to eat this way if I follow in her footsteps. I will need you to level up your snacking game so we can make the most out of this time."

I shook my head at Astrid and put the rest of my tacos in the cooler under my chair. "Unlike you, I need to work out to keep this body. But we can do a few extra stops at the trucks this week just for you."

"That's why I love you." Astrid leaned over and kissed my cheek. "You are willing to do anything to keep your bestie happy."

"Of course. But you would be beautiful at any size." I took Astrid's hand and squeezed. "You know that, right?"

"I do. But thanks for making sure I do." Astrid's lips tilted up, and she grabbed another taco. "Are we hitting up Club Kismet tonight?"

"Of course."

"Good. I need to get some dick."

I smacked her playfully on the shoulder. "We're at work."

Astrid rolled her eyes as I leaned in and lowered my voice. "But, same."

"I thought you were still hooking up with William. What happened?"

I sighed, thinking about my latest mistake. "He started accusing me of stealing from him and using him for his connections."

"What connections?" Astrid's brow furrowed, and she frowned.

"Exactly." I chuckled. "He started to become delusional, but, thank the goddess, I got out while I did. I heard from his friend Sean the other day, and William ended up getting arrested for stalking some poor girl who he thought was sucking his essence out of him while he slept."

"He thought she was a succubus?" Astrid gasped, and I laughed at her shock.

"All I know is I no longer have to worry about him. And I'm glad he didn't accuse me publicly of sucking his life force from him."

"Although, some guys may want you to suck them that hard."

"Ha." I stood up and packed our items away, the clouds in the sky growing gray. "Let's close up for the day. It looks like it's going to rain."

Astrid stood and shut down the store. We took our unsold products to my car so I could secure them for the night.

"I'll meet you at your place at 8 p.m. You're closer than me. Make sure to dress in your sluttiest tonight," Astrid yelled out her window and waved as she drove off.

Shaking my head, I got into my car and drove to my apartment. I had only two hours to get myself ready.

I needed to get laid tonight.