The upper deck felt like another world.
Away from the crowd. Away from the screaming music. Away from drunk teenagers pretending they had emotional maturity.
Up here, the ocean stretched endlessly into darkness.
The wind moved gently against Hanalei's hair. For the first time that night— She could breathe.
Saint leaned against the rail beside her, one hand wrapped around a drink he barely touched.
"You know," he said casually, glancing sideways at her, "I honestly didn't think you'd come."
Hanalei smiled softly.
"I almost didn't."
"That bad?"
She laughed quietly. "You have no idea."
Saint smiled. And God—Valerie had not been exaggerating.
He really was unfairly attractive.
"You know what's weird?" Saint asked.
"What?"
"I've spent three semesters trying to figure out your coffee order, Hanalei," Saint said, his voice quiet, "And tonight, I find out you don't even need the coffee. You just needed to get out of that school."
