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S a t u r d a y, 30/3/19

Dear Diary,

"C-Camden!" I stuttered, surprised and mortified. "I - I ... er ... uh ... that is, hi."

Quickly, I scrambled to my feet and brushed down my pants, glancing up every now and then towards his almost bemused expression.

"Hi," he returned, trying to hide the tremor of laughter in his voice.

Oh god. This was very awkward.

"Camden!"

With a frown, I turned around to see Daisy standing in the doorway. With a shriek of delight, she threw herself into Camden's arms.

"I didn't know you were going to be here!" she squealed as she leaped back and gazed adoringly up at him.

He smiled down at her as he replied, "I didn't have a choice. How's it going? Are you enjoying the party?"

Daisy nodded her head vigorously as she turned to me. "This is Jo. She's been hanging out with me. We're practically besties now."

I uttered a low laugh. "Really?"

"Uh huh," Daisy giggled. "I'm going to give you one of my special friendship bracelets when I see you next."

"Why don't you come back down to the surf-shop and get it whenever," Camden put in.

Confused, I raised my eyebrows at him until something clicked.

Camden and Daisy were siblings!

"Ohh," I hesitated. "I - I guess..."

"Just make sure the place is actually open next time," Camden lightly teased, a smirk twisting his lips.

Trying to hide the blush flooding my cheeks, I ducked my head and nodded. "Er...sure."

"You're friends with Spencer?" Camden pressed.

I looked up at him, surprised to see that he was actually being pleasant. "Yes. We're cousins actually."

"That's funny," he crinkled up his nose in curiosity. "I've never seen you two hang out before."

I paused.

There was no way that I was going to tell a totally cute, down-to-earth surfer boy the real reason for my visit. If I did, he probably would pair me up with the rest of those stupid Barbie dolls outside and never talk to me again.

I didn't want that to happen.

So I lied.

"Ehh...yeah...I just found out that she was my cousin, actually," I stammered, desperately scrambling around for words. "I - I came up here to stay the summer...with her."

"Oh, so you're related to the Marsdens then?"

There was no denying the suspicion and disgust that crept into his tone when he spoke my last name.

I shook my head. "No! I'm not. I'm - er - a very, very removed cousin....Yeah, that's it."

He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment before finally stepping back and shrugging. "Okay. Well, I'll see you around then. C'mon, Daisy, I better get you home."

"See ya later, Jo!" Daisy sang out as she wrapped both arms around my neck. "It's so good to finally have a friend."

I couldn't help but smile as I hugged her back. "I'll come by tomorrow to pick up that bracelet."

"Yay, I can't wait!" she jumped up and down before scampering after her brother. "Goodbye, Jo!" she called over her shoulder.

I gazed after her, watching as both Daisy and Camden exited the building.

Jeepers. That guy was seriously hot.

Dad, understanding that I was pretty worn-out after the last couple days, drove me home soon afterwards. Leaving me in the care of Luna, he went back to the party to stay until Andrea decided she wanted a lift home.

I couldn't stand that fake, sick woman.

And to think that she was my soon-to-be stepmother!

Ew.

I left the house around nine o'clock the next morning. The place was dead quiet and there was no breakfast prepared. So, I took matters into my own hands and fixed myself a sandwich before heading out to the beach.

A couple moments later and the surf shop loomed into view. I didn't want to admit it but my palms were sweaty and my heart was fluttering nervously.

Why?

Because of Camden.

The moment I stepped through the door, the peal of bells indicating my arrival, I heard an excited shout. The next thing I knew, a curly-haired girl was clinging to me, chattering her life away.

"Daisy!" Camden stepped through the side door and sent his sister a reproving glance. "Give her some space, aye?"

"I'm sorry," Daisy turned apologetic eyes to me. "I'm just so happy to see you! Oh wait. I've gotta get your bracelet."

The little ball of energy darted off, leaving Camden and I alone.

"So," I ventured hesitantly. "I - I'm sorry ... you know, about before. I didn't realise the shop was closed and..."

Camden held up a hand to stop me and shook his head, a smile twerking his mouth. "It's okay, love. I would like to say that it happens all the time but unfortunately for you, it doesn't." As his expression became more sober, he lowered his voice, "I, too, am sorry for being such a flaming jerk. I was having a bad day and I took my anger out on you. I'm really sorry."

I smiled. "Well ... I guess we can start over. That is, if you want?"

Camden grinned, a real, pure, genuine grin. "I would like that."

As I stood there, nibbling on my lower lip and letting my eyes trail over his ripped figure, I thought that maybe, just maybe, I would enjoy my stay here.

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