That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 1

Zara

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I grip the steeringwheel tighter as the hotel comes into view. I’m here. Finally!

Ten hours later but I made it. All by myself, no less. A major feat, considering I’ve driven maybe an hour from home at the most before.

My belly swirls and I quickly take a sip of Diet Coke. You’ve got this. You drove all the way here. No turning back now.

As I pull into a parking spot, my phone’s ringtone blares through the radio speakers. The name Cilla flashes on the screen and my mood lightens.

Before I can say hello to my best friend since kindergarten, her high-pitched voice echoes around my car.

“Girl! Please tell me you made it. One more phone call from your mom and I’m going to scream.” Cilla groans and I join her.

“She’s calling you, too? Does this woman ever put her phone down?”

“And me!” Lily chimes in.

“Oh, hey, Lil.” I say to my other best friend from kindergarten. “I’m sorry she’s being such a nightmare. I can only imagine how many times she’s called Neil.”

“Remind me again, did you break up with Neil or did your mom?” Cilla teases.

I snort. “Good question.”

“You made it safely, though, yes?” Lily asks.

“Yes. I just pulled in when you two called. I can’t wait to chill by the pool with a drink.”

“I still can’t believe you went. Alone. You better be careful. No talking to strangers, don’t leave your drink unattended, and no—”

I cut her off. “Seriously, Cil? Am I not an adult?”

Lily only chuckles in the background. She’s too sweet to say anything.

“Of course, but I know how you are after a couple of drinks and you’re feeling good.”

“I’m not really in the chatty mood, so don’t worry. I plan on being alone. Swimming alone, sleeping alone, relaxing alone. Key word- alone.”

“Aw, Z. I’m sorry babe. You should’ve let us come with you.” Cilla says, her voice softer now. She has a tough exterior, but inside she’s a big ol’ softy.

“No, I need to figure this shit out on my own. I’ll text you ladies later, love you.”

“Love you,” They both respond before I end the call. The swirls of doom descend in my stomach as I kill the engine, grab my purse, phone, and hop out of my car. After grabbing my duffle bag from the trunk, I take a deep breath and head inside to check in.

* * *

My hotel room is perfect. Small, yet cozy with a summery island feel to it. A large queen size bed fills up most of the room, but there’s a small sitting area and a flat screen TV on the wall. The bathroom is large with a nice jacuzzi tub and another flat screen above the iridescent blue tiles. There’s a balcony porch with an oceanfront view, the beach only a five-minute walk from here.

I don’t waste any time, the afternoon dwindling, along with the sunshine. I slip on my bikini, grab a few things, and head outside to the pool where I find an empty lounge chair away from the other hotel guests. A waiter comes by, and I order a frozen margarita.

After slathering on some sunscreen, I tuck my towel under my head, pull my shades down, and close my eyes.

Ahh, peace. Let’s hope it helps...

“Attention guests! Attention!” My eyes fly open, and I sit up with a start, the loud voice scaring me half to death.

Fuck. So much for peace.

“We apologize, but the pool area needs to close due to an unforeseen circumstance. Again, we apologize, but the pool area needs to close. We will notify you when it’s open again. In the meantime, please vacate the premises and take advantage of our beautiful beaches and shops.”

I blink a couple of times as people around me gather their things. I did not just drive ten hours to spend five minutes at the pool. No sign of my drink, either.

Sigh. This is not helping my stress levels.

Okay, enough whining. I grab my shit and stand up. I stop at the bar for my margarita before making my way up to my room. I would walk to the beach but I’m tired from the drive. I’ll save that for tomorrow after my scuba dive excursion in the morning.

Once inside my room, I strip off my bikini and run a hot bath. I add some of the lavender complimentary bubble bath, scroll through Netflix and stop at Love is Blind.

I’ve already binged all the seasons but it’s a comfort show and more of background noise than anything else. I sip some of my drink and close my eyes.

I imagine the stress leaving my body and push away my thoughts.

There’s no need to question myself. I don’t have the answers to what I’m looking for.

It’s the entire reason I came here. To figure shit out. Maybe I’m running away instead of facing it head on. But this is all I’ve got right now. The only temporary solution I found.

The problem is figuring out my life by the time I need to face reality.

Two weeks.

Fourteen days.

Three hundred and thirty-six hours.

When the decision impacts your entire life, is any amount of time enough?

I don’t know anymore.

* * *

I smooth down my skirtbefore I walk into the hotel restaurant. The smell of food hits my nose and my stomach rumbles. I thought about staying in my room and ordering room service but it’s not every day you get a vacation in Key West, Florida to sort out your baggage.

“Bar or table, miss?” The young hostess asks, her smile big and bright.

My shoulders relax as I smile in return. “Table, please. May I have one of the outside patio tables?”

“Sure thing. Follow me.”

After she seats me outside, I order another frozen margarita, this time mango instead of strawberry, and watch the ocean in the distance. The sun is beginning to set, the sky filling with beautiful colors of orange, pink, and purple.

Only a few others sit outside, an older couple, a group of younger girls who look to be in their early twenties, and a few others.

The young ladies giggle over their drinks at the table next to mine as they look around.

One set of eyes lands on mine and I smile but don’t get one in return. Rude, but I’m not surprised. Manners seem to be long gone with the younger crowd.

I order BBQ chicken nachos and while I wait, I ignore the urge to pull out my phone. I should’ve left it in my room like I promised myself I would, but I felt so naked without it. Still, I refuse to check messages. I don’t need any opinions influencing my thoughts. Besides, it’s only the first night. I need to destress before making any kind of decision.

“Please kill me if I’m sitting alone at dinner in a few years. Ugh.” Giggles and more giggles.

“Seriously. Ew. I’d rather eat alone in my room.” More laughter.

Icicles run up and down my spine. One of the girls flicks her eyes my way then quickly looks away.

You know I heard you.I swallow down the rage bubbling up as they continue to laugh and whisper.

“Babe! Why didn’t you wait for me? I told you I’d only be a minute in the bathroom.” A loud, deep voice says, and I immediately search for the source. My eyes travel up to find a handsome man looking at me, his eyes as blue as the ocean water.

No words form, my mouth suddenly dry, my mind blank, my body frozen.

“Uh? What?” is all I manage as I watch him sit at the table across from me. A total stranger. Now sitting across from me. Grinning from ear to ear.

All the alarm bells go off, red flags waving in the air. I want to glare at him but all I can do is stare.

He’s fucking gorgeous.

From his tanned skin, his sandy brown hair, and a sexy physique hidden under his tight button-down short sleeve shirt and khaki shorts, he looks exactly like a boy who grew up on the coast.

“No matter now. Glad you got us a nice table. Did you already order?” He narrows his eyes in the direction of the young ladies but they’re busy giggling and not even looking our way.

The mysterious beach boy winks at me and I suddenly realize his tactic. A warmth comes over me, one I haven’t felt before, and I find myself relaxing.

“I did, sorry. I thought you were taking a nap. You know, long day traveling and all.” I play along.

He chuckles. “I would never miss dinner with a beautiful woman such as yourself.” A devilish, perhaps quite flirty, smile crosses his face, and my heart skips a beat.

Oh, mysterious beach boy. Don’t play with my heart like that...