9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Maddy checked her clipboard for the fiftieth time. She and Hailey, the town’s new director of tourism, reviewed the checklist until they both knew it by heart, but that still didn’t stop Maddy from making sure nothing had been forgotten.
Held the Saturday prior to the holiday, the Pelican Bay Fourth of July parade had been an annual event during her childhood. This year’s was especially important since it would be the first since Hurricane Samantha.
The parade kicked off at Boardwalk Hall. As mayor, John offered welcoming words and thanks to both returning and new business owners. He thanked all who volunteered their time to revitalize the town and bring a new normal to Pelican Bay.
As the crowd applauded and cheered, Maddy triple-checked the lineup of service workers who would lead the parade. When the designated music began, representatives from the military marched with pride down the boardwalk. The crowd cheered their appreciation for all who served and continued to serve our country. This was followed by police officers, firefighters, first-aid workers, and the mayor and representatives from his team. The Pelican Bay High School Marching Band came next, then the local scout troops. After, anyone from the town could join in.
Volunteers were spread along the ten-block parade route, allowing Maddy to join her friends and Dylan, who would be participating in the procession, either on bicycles or on foot. Weaving her way through the crowd, she found her group.
“Mommy. Can you ride next to me?” Dylan asked. A princess bicycle helmet cupped her head, her brown braid hanging down her back. Her open and earnest face was the best part of Maddy’s life.
“Sure can, sweetie.” Maddy lowered her head and kissed her daughter’s lips.
“Can I get one of those?” Ty said, riding up alongside her on his bike, wearing a navy helmet.
Maddy’s heart jumped. She’d spent the past couple of nights in Ty’s bed, but they’d yet to do anything in public to declare they were dating. Maybe it was time to change that.
Meeting his gaze, she saw he was waiting for her to make the first move.
She smiled and leaned forward to plant a solid kiss on his lips, with enough heat to make it clear there was more than friendship.
Behind her, Sandy barked.
“Mommy kissed Uncle Ty,” Dylan declared in a voice loud enough to be heard at the opposite end of the boardwalk.
No turning back now…not that Maddy wanted to.
“I did, sweetie. That okay with you?” she asked, trying not to wince in case her daughter said she wasn’t okay with it.
Dylan stretched her arms up. “Me too, please.”
Maddy laughed and backed up so Ty could lean down and press a soft kiss to Dylan’s cheek. “I have plenty of kisses for my girls,” he said.
Dylan beamed. “Will you ride with Mommy and me, Uncle Ty? ”
“You got it, princess.”
As the crowd moved, Maddy picked up the handle of Sandy’s wagon. They’d decided it would be easier for Maddy to walk in case she had to dash off to handle something. That allowed everyone else to ride bikes except Sandy, who sat happily in the wagon, which had been decorated in red, white, and blue streamers, as had Dylan’s bike.
They moved along, leaving enough distance away from the group in front of them. Onlookers lined up alongside the shops and waved as families rode or walked by. It wasn’t a long parade route, and before they knew it, they were at Erickson Pier.
“Next is the sandcastle contest, right, Mommy?” Dylan asked, hopping off her bike. “Becca and I planned what we’re going to build.”
“Soon,” Maddy answered. “Once we store the bikes, we can head to our assigned spot and look for Becca.”
The contest would be held at the south end of the island, since it was less congested than the area near the amusement pier. Each registered team had already received instructions on where to check in.
Emma and Jason took Sandy and the bikes back to the house while Ty retrieved a duffel bag, Maddy’s beach bag, a blanket, and a cooler from his SUV. After setting them in the wagon, the three of them made their way to the check-in area where they would meet up with the rest of their group.
Dylan walked between them and chatted nonstop. She wore a red, white, and blue sundress over her bathing suit and a baseball cap to shield her face from the sun. Maddy had opted for a navy-blue sundress, piped with white trim and tiny red flowers. A large sunhat and sunglasses completed the ensemble. She also wore a bathing suit, although she had no plans to venture near the water .
The boardwalk was crowded, despite the early hour, a good thing for businesses and the town. Walking alongside Ty and her daughter, Maddy felt different. While it was true things had changed between her and Ty, she hadn’t expected to feel like a family. But there was no other way to describe the joy and happiness and normalcy that filled her as she walked with her daughter on one side and her guy on the other.
As if he could sense her thoughts, Ty reached for her hand and clasped it in his. She couldn’t see his eyes because of the dark tint of his sunglasses, but could tell by the way he squeezed her hand that he felt the same way.
They stopped at the check-in table for the sand-sculpting contest so Maddy could make sure there were no issues. Comfortable that all was running smoothly, she joined her friends at their assigned spots.
They teamed up girls versus boys. Maddy made sure they were next to each other, and the guys had set up a pop-up tent in the middle. With a large group, it made more sense than using multiple beach umbrellas. Chairs and blankets had been set out, and Maddy dropped her bag onto a chair.
Emma had been in charge of procuring whatever supplies they needed, and based on the assortment of buckets, shovels, and various other tools set out by their assigned spot, she hadn’t disappointed.
Dylan tugged on Maddy’s arm. “I see Becca, Mommy. Can I go?”
Maddy laughed at her daughter’s excitement. “I’ll walk over with you.”
They weaved their way through the groups until they came to the area designated for kids. Dylan ran up to Becca and the two hugged.
Seeing her daughter find a close friend reminded Maddy of the day she met Emma. They’d been in kindergarten and Maddy was shy. She didn’t have any friends and desperately wanted to fit in. Her mom had fixed her hair that morning and fastened a portion of it in the back with a barrette, to which she’d hot-glued flowers. The rest hung in loose curls down her back.
She’d worn a dress her mom had splurged on and bought at the Pelican Bay General Store rather than the thrift stores they usually shopped at. It was a deep green with tiny pink flowers. Her sneakers were from the thrift shop, but her mom had cleaned the white with a special cleaner, and they looked good as new. Emma had approached Maddy and complimented her hair, especially the barrette. Maddy’s mom offered to show how she could make one, and like that, they’d been inseparable ever since.
Now, Maddy watched the girls hug and thought perhaps Dylan had found a lifelong friend.
Her daughter never had friends in L.A. When she was born, Maddy’s mom had watched her. As she got older, Maddy had gotten involved with Mommy and Me programs, but the women were stuck up and Maddy didn’t fit in.
People were different in Pelican Bay. They didn’t care who you were or whom you were connected to. They liked you for yourself.
All the more reason to stay in Pelican Bay and build a life.
Maddy pushed away the thoughts and worries, and, after giving Rachel—the woman in charge of the kids’ activities—a few cautions about the water, made her way back to her friends.
They had already decided what to make: Ariel’s grotto from The Little Mermaid , complete with Sebastian and Flounder and a variety of treasures. Emma had assigned everyone a specific item, and since the ladies had gotten buckets of water, they got to work.
An hour into it, Maddy’s back was hurting, and she wondered why she’d agreed to put herself through this torture. It was more fun to watch the guys build theirs. Their design—a pirate ship theme—had attracted the attention of many people. More like lots of women, from what Maddy could tell .
“Damn beach bimbos never let up,” Emma grumbled.
“That’s the price we pay for having such hot men,” Abby added.
And they were hot. Shirtless, every inch of their muscles and six-pack abs on show for the entire beach. Maddy watched Ty’s muscles flex as he stretched and leaned in to work and felt her mouth go slack.
“What do you say we go say hi to our guys?” she said.
The three of them abandoned their sculpting, leaving Jenna behind. “Hey. You’re ditching me?” she said.
“We’ll be right back,” Abby said.
Jenna snorted. “Whatever. Don’t worry about me. I’ll hold down the fort.”
Maddy wasn’t sure what had happened between Jenna and Evan, but after their hooking up a few times, it stopped. Now they took great pains to ignore each other whenever they were in a group.
Putting her friends out of her mind, Maddy joined Emma and Abby, who had pushed their way through the growing crowd of ladies until they got to their men.
Comfortable being in the public eye because of their reality TV series, Connor and Jason talked easily with the ladies as they worked while Evan openly flirted. As the only single guy of the group, Ty presumed Evan would get lots of phone numbers.
As for himself, he focused on the detail work of their sculpting. They’d built the pirate ship partially buried in the sand. Using a small tool, he cut out portholes.
“Hey, sailor,” Maddy said. “Permission to board?”
He stopped sculpting and flashed her a grin. “For you, always.” He rose and brushed sand off his knees .
“You all attracted a lot of attention,” she said.
Ty shook his head and pointed a thumb at the Maguire brothers. “It’s those two. Same deal on the set for the show. I don’t know how they deal with it.”
“You wouldn’t like all the attention?”
“Hell no. Never have, and especially not when I have a sexy redhead here.” He lowered his head to kiss her.
She stepped into his embrace, and it took all of his control not to pull her down onto the sand.
“You look amazing in that suit,” he said.
Maddy had worn a blue bikini that showcased her assets…assets he knew every inch of.
“But I’m in danger of needing to wrap a towel around my waist, so we need to stop before I embarrass myself,” he continued.
She dropped her gaze to his crotch.
“Not helping me, Mad,” he said.
She giggled. “I’m going to check on Dylan. Want to walk with me?”
“Sure. I’ll be back,” he called to the guys, even though they were absorbed with their own girlfriends.
Ty laced his fingers through hers as they walked. “How’s the sculpting coming along?”
“Oh, you know, the usual. Emma has assigned us parts of the design, but since she’s the only one of our group with any artistic talent, it’s a disaster.”
“That’s what I figured.”
“It’s fun, though. The pirate ship is coming along nicely. You have a good eye and attention for detail. Definitely a trait that runs in the family.”
“The other guys are pretty good, too. ”
They neared the children’s area and the spot where Dylan’s team worked.
Maddy frowned. “I don’t see Dylan or Becca.”
“I’m sure they’re close by,” Ty said. He could sense Maddy’s panic and pointed to Rachel, the woman they’d left Dylan with earlier. “Let’s ask.”
Maddy ran up to her. “Hi, Rachel. Have you seen Dylan? She’s not with her group.”
Rachel glimpsed at her clipboard and over to the same spot they’d just checked. “I know she’s here. Let’s go talk to one of the volunteers.”
“Beth, have you seen Dylan?” she asked a girl who looked to be high school age and held the hand of a little boy who was wiping his eyes.
“Dylan and Becca are right behind me. We went to the water to refill buckets and let Tommy wash sand out of his eyes.”
Both Maddy and Ty glanced at the area behind Beth.
“I don’t see them,” Maddy said.
Beth turned. “I don’t understand. They were right behind me. We were playing follow the leader, and I was the leader.”
Ty saw the moment Maddy thought it.
“What if she’s in the water, Ty?” she said.
“Let’s not panic. She knows not to go into the water past her ankles,” he said.
“Beth, why don’t you bring Tommy back to the group? I’ll help look for Dylan with her parents,” Rachel said. “Why don’t I look through the groups and check with the other volunteers, and you can check by the water?”
“Good idea,” Ty said, and tugged Maddy toward the water.
Groups of kids played in the sand while others tossed a ball back and forth. It seemed like a normal day…only Dylan was missing .
“Ty, look.” Maddy pointed to two objects off to the right.
Two beach buckets. One filled with water, the other on its side.
But neither Dylan nor Becca were in sight.
At the water’s edge, Ty scanned the horizon. The water was crowded, making it hard to tell if two little girls needed help. “I’ll go into the water and see if they’re there,” he said.
Maddy had put her sunglasses on top of her head. “What if we can’t find them?”
“We’ll find them. I promise. Wait here.”
He ran into the surf, forgetting the pain of the past—his only focus was looking for Dylan and Becca. He called out their names as he went out a little deeper and cut across. Lots of kids were in the water, but no luck.
Waves crashed into him, but he barely noticed.
He turned when his name was called. Then Maddy was there…moving through the water with purpose.
“You find her?” he asked.
“No, but another volunteer said she overheard Becca say she needed to use the bathroom. She was going to take the girls when they returned with their buckets.”
Ty was relieved that the likelihood of them being in the water lessened with that news. “Okay, let’s go find the rest of our group and they can help us search,” he said. “On the way, let’s alert the lifeguards to keep an eye out for them.”
After a quick stop at the lifeguard stand, they ran to their group.
“Maddy and I will check the restrooms on the boardwalk,” Ty said. “We thought maybe you can fan out along the beach.”
“Did anyone check with Becca’s family?” Emma asked.
“I don’t know, and I’m not sure where they are,” Maddy said.
“I’ll look for them,” Emma said .
“Abby and I can go to the restrooms near Erickson Pier,” Jenna said.
“The three of us will canvass the beach,” Connor said.
“We’ll find her, Maddy,” Evan said.
Damn straight we will. “Check in via text,” Ty said.
He grabbed his cell phone and, taking Maddy’s hand, headed for the stairs that led up to the boardwalk. Boardwalk Hall was the closest place that had bathrooms open to the public. Ty wasn’t sure Dylan even remembered the bathrooms were there.
A thought popped into his mind.
Rather than continuing down the length of the boardwalk, he cut across the boardwalk toward the shops.
“Where are you going? Boardwalk Hall has the closest restrooms,” Maddy said.
“There’s a bathroom at Jersey Boy, and that’s closer,” he said. “Dylan’s been there a bunch of times.”
Maddy had to run to keep up with his long strides, but he pressed forward, eager to see if his theory was accurate.
No sooner had they stepped through the opening of the store, they heard, “Mommy, Uncle Ty.”
Maddy cried out at the sight of her daughter and let go of Ty’s hand to run to Dylan.
“Dylan, sweetie.” She scooped her daughter up and held her tight.
Becca stood awkwardly next to Ally. “Where’s my mommy?”
Ty sighed in relief. “We’re finding her, sweetheart. You okay?” He typed a text to his friends.
Becca nodded. “I was hot and had to use the bathroom.”
“They came into the store and back to the office area,” Ally said. “I recognized Dylan and let them use the bathroom and gave them water and a cool cloth for their faces. I was just about to text you.”
“Are you feeling better now?” Ty asked .
Becca nodded. “The water Miss Ally gave me helped.”
“You may have gotten a little dehydrated. The sun can do that sometimes,” Ty said. “It was nice of Miss Ally to help you out.”
“Thanks, Miss Ally,” Becca said.
“No problem. I’m glad I was here,” Ally said.
“Maybe Miss Ally can help you pick out a hat, Becca. It will shade your face from the sun,” Ty said.
“Good idea.” Ally led Becca to the kids’ area.
Ty put his arms around Maddy and Dylan and held them tight. “How are my girls doing?”
Maddy raised her tear-streaked face but didn’t let go of her daughter. “We were so scared, baby.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy. We were following Beth, but Becca fell and dropped her bucket. When we looked up, Beth was gone and we couldn’t find her,” Dylan explained. “We didn’t know what to do.”
Ty remembered getting lost once when he was little. It was terrifying.
He rubbed Dylan’s back. “I’m going to tell you a trick my dad told me when I got lost on the beach.”
Dylan raised her head and looked at Ty with wide eyes. “You got lost on the beach, too?”
“When I was about your age. There are numbers on each lifeguard stand. The number on the stand closest to this store is number twenty.” It correlated to the street number, but Ty tried to keep it simple.
“That’s a two and a zero,” Dylan said.
“That’s right. You can go to any lifeguard stand and they’ll get help,” Ty continued.
“I thought lifeguards only helped you in the water,” Dylan said.
“Lifeguards help people, both in and out of the water,” Ty said .
“We’re lucky that Uncle Ty is an excellent lifeguard and was very smart to think you may have come here,” Maddy said.
“Why don’t we see if Becca picked out a hat and bring her to her family?” Ty said.
“But the contest. We didn’t finish,” Dylan said.
“I’ll text Becca’s mom so she knows she’s safe, and we’ll go back to the contest,” Maddy said.
Ty watched Dylan skip toward her friend and turned his attention to Maddy, who looked like she was barely holding it together. He reached for her hands. “You okay?”
She nodded, but then shook her head, looking like she was a second from falling apart.
He pulled her into his arms. “I know, honey. It was scary, but she’s fine.”
“But—”
“Don’t go there, Mad. A million things can happen to us every single day. Let’s take this as a learning experience for all of us.”
Brave words, but he, too, had been worried when they couldn’t find the girls. While they’d been missing for less than thirty minutes, it was the second most terrified he’d been in ten years. Only back then, he hadn’t been able to do anything.
She nodded. “Thanks for knowing what to say and do. My hero.”
“Always, Mad. Always.” He kissed her. “One good thing came out of this.”
“What’s that?”
“We both went into the ocean. Without any fear or anxiety about the waves.”
“I’m sure that was just adrenaline and worry.”
“Possibly. It was a good step in my book.”
“You are my eternal optimist.”
The day after the parade was July Fourth, and his mom’s wedding day. Ty stood in the bedroom at John’s house. Correction—John and his mom’s house. It was weird to think of his mom living with a man who wasn’t his dad.
It had been less than two months since his mom moved in, but Ty noticed that she’d already put her stamp on the house—slight changes such as fresh flowers in the kitchen, dining room, and entranceway, like had been present in their house growing up, and cheery yellow cloth placemats on the kitchen table. Ty liked that she kept all the pictures of John’s three children, including family portraits with his late wife, on the walls. It didn’t go unnoticed that pictures of him and Emma were now added to the mix, along with an Erickson family photo with his dad.
Soon, there’d be a new wedding picture to add.
Two, if he counted Emma and Jason’s fall wedding.
His family was changing. The realization hit him in a way he hadn’t expected. His mom had suffered a hard blow when she lost her husband in Samantha, plus having her son airlifted to the hospital. Mark Erickson had been a stellar citizen of Pelican Bay with ancestors who could be traced back to the town’s founding fathers. Rather than give in to the despair she must have felt at his death, she’d held strong and made sure she was there for her children…and the town.
Being displaced from their home, which had a lifetime of memories with his dad, had been especially hard. Ty had still been in the hospital when his mom and Emma were allowed back in the house to pack what belongings they needed. It wasn’t until months later that Ty went back, and by then, the house seemed an empty shell of what it once was.
It was years later before he could walk through the door again.
Today, Ty would get a stepdad along with three step-siblings. In a couple of months, he’d get a brother-in-law. His mom had found love again, and Emma had finally found her way back to Jason.
What about him?
He hoped what he was starting with Maddy would grow into a future. Did he dare dream it was possible?
“What’s wrong?” his mom asked.
He blinked and forced himself to focus on the present. “Nothing’s wrong,” he said with a smile.
She stood in front of him and cupped his face the way she did when she wanted to study him. “You forget you can’t hide anything from me. I know that face. You’re worried about something.”
“Today got me thinking about all the changes we’ve been through.”
“Change can be good. Your dad taught me that.”
He stepped back so he could see her better. She wore a simple beige dress, the top portion covered in pearls and topped with a short jacket. Her dark hair had been curled and pulled back to one side with a floral clip. Her makeup was simple and her smile bright, except for the worry that creased her forehead.
“Change can be good,” he agreed. “And you are beautiful, Mom.”
“I was afraid the light color was too youthful.”
“It’s perfect. John is not going to be able to take his eyes off you.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
There was a knock at the door, and Emma peeked inside. “I brought your bouquet. Oh, Mom…you look gorgeous.” She ran into the room and hugged their mom. Then she laid a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Look who cleans up nice. ”
Ty had worn tan pants with a matching vest. He’d paired it with a white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up just past his elbow. A plain light blue tie was the only piece he’d fought against and lost. It was hard with both Maddy and Emma insisting he wear it until after the ceremony and pictures.
Emma had chosen a pale blue dress that hugged her torso and fell into a flared skirt. She’d curled her hair and wore it in a loose bun at the nape of her neck.
“Same goes, sis.”
“Everyone’s ready, whenever you are, Mom,” Emma said.
“Thank you both,” their mom said.
“Please don’t say anything that will make both of us cry and ruin our makeup,” Emma said.
“Life has thrown us a lot of curveballs. I never thought I’d move on after losing your dad.”
“You’re happy, right?” Ty asked.
Anna nodded. “Your dad was my first love, and I will always love him. But the heart has great capacity for love, and my love for John is true and strong. I can’t wait to be his wife.”
Ty swallowed hard. “Then let’s go get you married.”
They filed downstairs and gathered with John’s twin daughters, Sarah and Shelby, while they waited for the procession to start.
“Anna, you look radiant,” Shelby said, and hugged her future mother-in-law.
Sarah’s eyes filled up. “You’ve made our dad so happy. Thank you.”
Anna dabbed at her own eyes. “Oh, it’s me who feels blessed to join our families.”
“Does this mean we get free donuts for life?” Emma asked .
The twins owned Shore to Please Donuts, a business started by their mother’s family. They’d followed in their mother’s footsteps and made today’s wedding cake, from what Ty had been told.
“Of course, but be careful what you ask for,” Sarah teased, and patted her curvy hips.
“And we get access to all the Erickson Pier rides,” Shelby added.
“I wouldn’t suggest combining those two things,” Ty said.
They hugged, and then got in line when someone from the band came over to tell them the ceremony was about to start.
When it was their turn, Ty offered his mom his arm, and they walked to where John and his son, Mike, stood to the side of the arched trellis, which had been decorated with fresh flowers.
After kissing his mom on the cheek and joining her hand with John’s, Ty took his place next to Mike while she and John spoke their vows. It was hard not to be moved by the words of love and a new start that were both a testament to their past marriages, their joined families, and the start of their new life together. When they were pronounced husband and wife, Ty wiped away tears before joining the clapping.
After pictures were taken with the newlyweds and their family, they headed to the tent for the reception. Ty had helped himself to a glass of champagne from the bar and searched the crowd until he found Maddy talking with Evan. She had a hand on his forearm as if she were trying to offer comfort or give support. Evan listened but kept shaking his head, which caused Maddy to get agitated.
“Hey,” Ty said, wondering what they could be talking about that had them looking so intense.
“Saved by the cavalry,” Evan said before taking a large gulp of his mixed drink.
“Everything all right?” Ty asked .
“I’ve been trying to knock sense into this one, but he’s stubborn,” Maddy said.
“That’s because I don’t need your advice. Let me deal with my family problems on my own.” Evan downed the rest of his drink. “I’m going to get a refill. Either of you need anything?”
“I’m good,” Ty said.
Maddy shook her head, which was all Evan needed to take off to the bar.
Ty knew Evan and Maddy were the best of friends and had been since childhood. He’d been there through her early days in L.A., her relationship with Reece, the birth of Dylan, and Reece’s death and the media pandemonium that ensued.
Evan was another story. There were aspects of his life he kept on the down-low. His relationship with his family was strained, and Evan didn’t talk about it too much, at least not to Ty.
“You want to go for a walk in the garden?” Ty asked.
Maddy searched the grounds until she spotted Dylan with Emma. “Sure,” she said, and took off before he could take her hand.
The sun was low in the sky, the early evening light bathing everything in a soft, hazy glow. Maddy stood by the arbor where his mom and John had exchanged their vows. There are people who can hide their feelings. Maddy was not one of those people. She stood ramrod straight, lips in a straight line, brow furrowed in thought.
He stood next to her, taking her hand. “You want to talk about it?”
She shrugged and, grabbing his glass, took a large sip. “I’m sorry. Evan frustrates me.”
“I’m a good listener, but I don’t want to intrude on your private discussions with Ev.”
She blinked, and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s not intruding. It’s caring.” She sighed. “You know Ev and I are close. ”
“I do.”
“And you know it’s in an I-think-of-him-as-a-brother way, right?”
“I know, but it’s nice to hear.” He pulled her in and pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Is this about whatever is going on between him and his parents?”
“Yeah, but he refuses to talk about it.”
“He’s mentioned having a few FaceTime calls with them. I don’t know a lot about them, but I know they’re not close.”
“They’re not. We all have different family things. I was raised without a dad; your dad died when you were a teenager. Jace and Connor’s dad was an alcoholic. But we had another parent or other family members in our support system. Evan had no one…unless you count the housekeeper.”
It was rough moving on without his dad, but at least Ty had sixteen years of memories to hold on to. Plus, he had his mom, Emma, and Gram to lean on.
“I don’t remember seeing his parents often, but they were around more when I was younger,” he said. “I remember the housekeeper. Miss Iris was friendly and used to make cookies for us. Her oatmeal raisin was my favorite.”
“She was super nice,” Maddy agreed. “Used to have a snack waiting for him when he got home every day. If it wasn’t for us and her, he would have been totally alone.”
Everyone had baggage. But today was a day for happiness. He didn’t want to worry about what was bothering Evan. Maddy was leaving tomorrow, and Ty wanted to make the most of their day together.
“I’m sure Ev will open up to you when he’s ready. Give him space.”
She nodded. She wore her hair piled in a simple ponytail with her curls cascading in a lovely disarray. Her simple peach dress hugged her body, dipping low at the breasts before flaring out at her waist.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured a second before he kissed her.
“You’re very sexy in a suit.” She ran her hand along his vest and down his chest. “Even sexier without it.”
He groaned and pulled her close. “You’re driving me crazy.”
It would be hours before they could escape, and even when they did, they’d have to get Dylan settled for the night.
“Please tell me you’re mostly packed for your flight to L.A. tomorrow.”
“I have plenty of clothes in my L.A. house, so I’m only taking a carry-on bag.”
He fingered the spaghetti strap of her dress, looking forward to when they were alone and he could slide it down and press his mouth to her bare skin. “Good. Be prepared to not get a lot of sleep tonight.”