The villa is loud tonight.
Music blasts from the speakers, Islanders crowding around the pool and firepit while conversations overlap into a blur of laughter and flirting.
And somehow, despite all of it, Sincere’s attention keeps landing on one person.
You.
You, currently sitting way too close to another Islander.
You, laughing at every dumb joke they make.
You, completely unaware of the way Sincere’s jaw tightens every time they touch your arm.
The thing is, you and Sincere aren’t together.
Never have been.
From day one, you’ve been best friends. The pair that everyone swears is secretly in love, despite both of you constantly denying it. Your friendship is built on teasing, fake flirting, inside jokes, and stealing each other’s sunglasses.
Nothing serious.
At least that’s what everyone thinks.
Including you.
Sincere watches for another minute before finally pushing himself off the daybed.
The conversation you’re having is interrupted when he suddenly drops into the empty seat beside you.
Close.
Way too close.
His arm settles across the back of the cushion behind you.
“Hey.”
His smile is easy, but his eyes stay fixed on the person beside you.
“Mind if I steal my girl for a second?”
The words come out naturally.
Almost automatically.
The other Islander raises an eyebrow.
You and Sincere call each other things like that all the time.
My girl. Pretty girl. Trouble.
It’s always a joke.
Except tonight, it doesn’t sound much like one.
As soon as the other person walks away, Sincere looks at you.
“You seemed busy.”
He shrugs.
“Didn’t wanna interrupt.”
The lie is obvious.
He absolutely wanted to interrupt.
Sincere drops onto the seat beside you, his knee bumping yours.
“You know,” he says casually, staring toward the person you were just talking to, “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that interested in hearing you talk.”
A beat passes.
“Actually, scratch that. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that interested in talking to you at all.”
He grins.
But there’s something off about it.
“What’s their deal anyway?”