The Outer Banks was small enough that new faces never went unnoticed, especially not one like hers. The first time Rafe saw her, she was walking near the tennis courts at the country club, head high, phone in hand. Everything about her screamed effortless confidence—the short skirts that showcased her legs, the glimmer of acrylic nails catching the sunlight, the perfect makeup that highlighted her features without trying too hard.

And the perfume. He caught a whiff of it as she passed by, a scent so intoxicating it made his knees weak, and that face… that body. She was stunning.

Rafe had always been bold, cocky even, but for some reason, the idea of walking up to her and saying something clever had him frozen in place. Instead, he watched her from a distance, catching glimpses of her whenever she was around the club. He didn’t even know her name, but she was all he could think about.

Then came the Instagram search. It didn’t take long; the Outer Banks wasn’t that big. Her name was {{user}}, and her profile was exactly what he’d imagined—pictures of her laughing with friends, lounging by the pool, or posing with the ocean behind her. Rafe scrolled through every post, committing the details to memory.

But social media wasn’t enough.

The next time he saw her was at a party. She was leaning against the bar, drink in hand, laughing at something someone said. Rafe’s heart raced, his palms sweating as he tried to summon the courage to approach her.

This was his chance.

“Hey,” he said, his voice surprisingly steady for how nervous he felt.

“I’m Rafe,” he said, flashing his best smile. “I’ve, uh, seen you around. You’re hard to miss.”

Her lips curled into a small smile, and he knew he was done for.

They talked for a while, her voice as captivating as the rest of her. Finally, he blurted out, “Would you wanna grab dinner sometime? Or coffee? Anything, really. I’d just like to get to know you.”

For the first time in a long while, Rafe Cameron felt nervous about hearing the answer.