Chapter Thirteen
Anson
I pull up to Tabby’s RV and cut the engine as I glance toward the door. The sun is dipping low over the campground, creating a spectacular sunset, but nothing compares to the sight of her stepping outside.
She moves with easy grace, the gauzy white sundress swaying around her legs as she walks toward the truck. Her long blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail, but a few loose tendrils frame her face, catching the evening light. Her shoulders are bare, tanned from days spent in the sun, and there’s no makeup on her face, except for a hint of gloss on her lips.
She’s fucking beautiful, the kind of woman who doesn’t need anything extra to shine. And, damn, does she shine.
For a second, I forget to breathe.
She opens the passenger door and climbs in; her scent—coconut, mixed with something warm and sweet, like summer itself—fills the cab. She smiles at me, and the familiarity in her eyes makes my grip tighten on the steering wheel.
“You okay?” she asks, tucking one of those loose strands behind her ear.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to look away before I do something stupid, like lean over and kiss the gloss off her lips. “Yeah,” I say, a little rougher than intended. “You just … look nice.”
Her smile turns playful. “Nice?”
I huff a quiet laugh, shaking my head as I put the truck in gear. “You know what I mean.”
She laughs softly, settling in as I pull onto the road, the evening stretching ahead of us. I steal another glance at her, at the way the fading sunlight catches in her hair, at the way she glows without even trying.
Yeah. Nice doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Sebastian’s house is already buzzing by the time we pull up. The scent of smoked chicken and grilled corn drifts through the warm evening air, mingling with the sound of laughter and country music spilling from the backyard.
I cut the engine of my truck and glance over at Tabby. She looks as confident as ever, but I know walking into a group of tight-knit friends for the first time can be intense.
“Last chance to back out,” I tease, draping an arm over the steering wheel. “Once you’re in, you’re in. No refunds.”
Tabby smirks. “I don’t scare that easy, Anson.”
I grin. “We’ll see about that.”
I exit and walk around to open her door. Then I take her hand in mine and lead her beside the house.
The second we step through the back gate, I’m hit with a chorus of greetings.
“Anson!”
“Took you long enough.”
“Ooh, is this her?”
I don’t even have time to respond before Avie beelines toward us.
“You must be Tabby,” she says, immediately looping an arm through hers like they’ve been best friends for years. “I’m Avie. That one over there at the grill is my husband, Sebastian.”
Tabby lifts a brow at me, smirking.
“Told you.”
Before I can say another word, the rest of the girls swarm her.
Amiya crosses her arms, studying Tabby like she’s assessing a new recruit. “Huh. You’re hotter than I expected.”
Tabby snorts. “Uh, thanks?”
Amiya grins. “Don’t mention it. I’m Amiya, Avie’s best friend, and that tall drink of water over there with the little girl on his shoulders is my man, Lennon. He’s Sebastian’s brother.”
Audrey steps up next. “Hi. I’m Audrey, Anson’s roommate and Parker’s girlfriend. Parker ran to the store for a bag of ice, but he’ll be back in a minute.”
Heather raises her hand from the back. “And I’m Heather. No man. Just a hanger-on.”
Audrey looks over her shoulder. “You’re not a hanger-on,” she says and then looks back at me. “She works with me, and she’s my best friend.”
I nod.
“I hope you got all that because there will be a pop quiz after we eat,” Amiya says.
“I, um …” Tabby stutters.
“She’s joking,” I say, and Tabby’s eyes snap to mine.
Amiya shrugs. “Listen, I just want to make sure you’ve got the range to handle this disaster,” she says, jerking her thumb toward me.
I scoff. “Excuse me—”
“Oh, don’t act all innocent, Anson,” Audrey says, shaking her head. She turns to Tabby. “We love him, but he is, without a doubt, Sandcastle Cove’s resident Casanova.”
“Absolute menace,” Avie adds.
“A flirt to the highest degree,” Heather agrees.
“But,” Avie continues, “he’s also a damn good guy.”
“The best,” Audrey confirms.
“A stupidly loyal friend,” Amiya says.
“And,” Avie adds, grinning, “a ridiculously good uncle.”
That one catches Tabby’s attention. “Uncle?”
Avie nods, glancing over toward the swing set, where her daughter, Leia, is currently bossing Lennon around like a tiny dictator. “That’s my kid, Leia. She’s obsessed with Anson.”
Tabby looks at me, surprised. “Is that right?”
I shrug. “It’s not like the competition is so great.”
Amiya snorts. “That’s because this man lets Leia put makeup on him, full face—blush, eye shadow, the works—just because it makes her laugh. Oh, and he teaches her how to cheat so she can beat the rest of them at Old Maid.”
“How many times do I have to tell you guys that I don’t cheat?” I say. Then, I lean down to Tabby and whisper, “Those crybabies are just a bunch of sore losers.”
Tabby’s eyes sparkle with amusement.
Avie whips out her phone. “Want to see pictures of Princess Anson?”
I groan. “Avie, don’t—”
But it’s too late. She’s already showing Tabby a picture of me, sitting on the floor with Leia, my face covered in glittery blue eye shadow and what can only be described as violently pink lipstick.
Tabby bites her lip like she’s trying to keep a straight face, but the second she looks at me, she loses it.
“Wow,” she manages between laughs. “You really commit.”
I cross my arms, sighing. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up.”
“Oh, I will.” She grins. “This might be my new favorite thing about you.”
Amiya nudges her. “Careful. Find too many favorite things, and next thing you know, you’re in too deep.”
Tabby tilts her head, eyes flicking to mine.
The girls exchange looks, practically vibrating with excitement, and I clear my throat.
“All right. Enough of the let’s embarrass Anson segment of the evening. I’m going to see what the holdup on the food is. I’m hungry. I worked up an appetite, kicking everyone’s ass at volleyball today.”