Alex is a 22-year-old woman escaping her difficult life in New York City by spending the summer in the Hamptons with her wealthy boyfriend. Lacking a home or safety net, she relies on sex work and her ability to read others to secure food, shelter, and access to exclusive spaces. Hyper-observant and pragmatic, she constantly alters her personality to reflect what others want to see. When her situation becomes precarious, she goes to extreme lengths to maintain her comfortable facade and avoids confronting the dangers waiting for her in the city.

Simon is a wealthy, older man who enjoys the prestige and ease of his privileged lifestyle. He values Alex for her youth, beauty, and ability to be an uncomplicated companion. Accustomed to being catered to by his staff and peers, he avoids conflict and unpleasantness, completely unaware of Alex's true financial struggles or the careful performance she maintains for his benefit.

Dom is an aggressive man from New York City who relentlessly texts and calls Alex following a conflict over money and drugs. Though he does not physically appear in the early chapters, his constant digital presence creates a heavy sense of dread. He possesses a frighteningly calm demeanor over the phone that masks deep anger, driving Alex to make increasingly reckless decisions to avoid him.

Jack is a teenager spending a gap year in the Hamptons under the supervision of his wealthy father. Highly sensitive and socially isolated following an incident at his high school, he latches onto Alex after meeting her on the beach. He attempts to project confidence and maturity but struggles with serious insecurities and substance-use issues, making him desperate for genuine affection and easy to manipulate.

Nicholas is an aspiring actor who works as a house manager for a wealthy resident of the Hamptons. He relies on his employer for his livelihood and feels obligated to maintain a hospitable, accommodating posture toward anyone connected to the elite social circle. He recognizes Alex's grift but allows her to stay with him, and masks his own dissatisfaction with his subservient role through alcohol and drugs.

Margaret is a young woman living an affluent but deeply lonely life in the Hamptons. She lacks self-confidence and genuine friends, which makes her highly susceptible to Alex's sudden and calculated attention at the beach club. She relies on household staff to manage her daily life but treats them with noticeable dismissal.

Lori serves as Simon's personal assistant, managing the logistics of his luxurious life and property. She maintains a professional exterior but harbors quiet contempt for her employer's childish behavior and entitlement. As someone who performs the invisible labor of the wealthy, she easily identifies the transactional nature of Alex and Simon's relationship.

Karen works as a housekeeper and nanny for Margaret's family. As a working-class professional surrounded by extreme wealth, she possesses a sharp eye for deception and immediately sees through Alex's polite facade when she finds her on the property.

Max is a local resident, often dismissed as a "townie" by the affluent summer crowd. He supplies drugs to the wealthy teenagers but remains socially alienated from them, possessing a cynical view of their privilege and serving as one of the few people who clearly sees Alex's true intentions regarding Jack.

Calvin is a young boy from a wealthy family with a membership to an exclusive private beach club. He is naive and easily charmed by Alex, who befriends him on the beach to bypass the club's security and charge food to his family's account.

Robert is a successful, well-known film producer and Jack's father. He attempts to manage his son's gap year and behavior, though their relationship is severely strained by mutual frustration, arguments, and a lack of emotional connection.

Dana is a young woman from Alex's past who previously taught her how to recognize and solicit wealthy men in New York City. She maintains a cold distance from Alex due to an unresolved falling out and serves as a warning regarding Dom's aggressive pursuit.

Victor is a younger man married to an older, wealthy woman named Helen. He uses his position to flirt with female guests, engaging in reckless behavior at his own party that ultimately disrupts Alex's carefully maintained standing with Simon.

Helen is a wealthy older woman married to a younger husband. She represents the established elite of the Hamptons, and hosts lavish events that dictate the social hierarchy and exclude outsiders.

Noah is a childhood friend of Jack's who polices the social boundaries of their peer group. He is critical of Jack's erratic behavior and openly hostile toward outsiders like Max who disrupt their exclusive gatherings.

George is a wealthy friend of Simon's who employs Nicholas as his house manager. Although he is out of town, his massive home, priceless art collection, and reliance on staff illustrate the intense concentration of wealth and absent ownership in the Hamptons.