TIDES OF FATE - JJ Maybank

VIII. Are we in a Kingpin movie?

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.:

Lily's POV

„AHH, SO YOU'VE got a morning shift too?" A voice jolts me me awake as the door swings open at the surf shop.

"Hmm?" I mumble, lifting my head to find Kiara strolling in. "Hey, Kie!"

She grins. "Hey!"

"What brings you here?" I ask, wrestling with the receipt paper for the cash register.

"Had an early shift, and Dad let me off. Figured I'd swing by since you guys just opened up," she explains, wandering over to the bikini display.

I nod. "Heard anything from the boys?"

"Not much," she shakes her head. "JJ and John B went to see Lana Grubbs this morning, and I haven't heard from them since. Pope's at Heyward's doing his shift," she replies, lifting up a purple bikini for inspection.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Lana Grubbs? The widow?"

She chuckles. "Yeah, that one."

I facepalm. "They seriously went to interrogate a woman who just lost her husband?"

Kie shrugs as if to say, 'don't ask me, not my problem.' I sigh and watch as she pulls two bikinis in front of her, frowning in decision-making mode.

"We got that new order from Billabong you were asking for a few days ago; it's behind the rack in front of you," I nod in its direction, leaning against the counter.

She grins and dashes toward it like a kid in a candy store, making me laugh. "Yeeeeesssssss."

A few seconds later, Dad emerges from the back room, widening his eyes when he spots me. "As if you got out of bed yourself! I normally have to drag you out."

I scoff. "Good morning to you too, Dad."

He chuckles and heads to a display box, straightening out a pile of clothes. "Also, thought I'd let you know that I just got off the phone with Ward Cameron."

"What does he need this time?" I ask, Ward being one of our local buyers. We're the only surf shop selling quality goods on this island, so Ward calls to place orders occasionally.

"Nothing, actually. He invited us to Midsummers," he announces, making me practically choke on air.

"Midsummers? The gathering of rich snobs for a tea party?" I question.

He nods. "Yeah, that one."

"Can't I just skip it? You know I absolutely-"

Dad rolls his eyes, cutting me off. "Well, much to your disgust, we're going."

"Dad, I-"

He interrupts again. "That means you and me, Lily."

Before I can protest, Kie pops out from behind the clothes rack, throwing an arm around me. "Nope. No. Nah. You're going." She points at me. "By the way, hi, Mr. Green," she grins, prompting Dad to return the gesture.

I scoff. "I felt pretty uncomfortable last year."

"C'mon, Lav. I'll be there; we can stick together the whole time," she pleads.

I glare at her. "You bailed last time."

She rolls her eyes. "Because my parents are making me go, otherwise, I have to work through the whole rest of the summer holidays. Please, Lily. I don't want to go alone," she states again.