Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Kinsley
I opened my eyes and let out a big yawn before climbing out of bed and changing into my workout clothes. Over the past week, I made it my daily morning routine to run along the beach before starting my day. Now that I was living in California, I needed to make sure I stayed in shape.
I made a cup of coffee, brushed my teeth, and put my hair up in a ponytail.
After placing my Apple watch on my wrist, I grabbed my earbuds and my key and headed out the door and across the street to the beach, where I would run at least three miles.
As I was running and trying to concentrate on the music that was playing in my ears, the only thing I could think about was Chase’s party.
I knew it would be fun, but at the same time, I was nervous, and I had no idea why.
After my run, I hopped into the shower, put on my bikini, and slipped into my short sundress.
Grabbing my bag, I climbed into my car, punched Chase’s address into my phone, and headed to his house.
My belly fluttered with nerves, and I suspected it had something to do with Chase Calloway.
His incessant flirting all week was getting to me.
Don’t get me wrong. He seemed like a nice guy—a guy who was way too sexy to walk the face of the Earth.
But again, I knew his type, and he wasn’t mine.
If I were into one-night stands or a casual fling now and again, I’d jump on that in an instant.
Would it actually be so bad to try it? After all, I did come to Cali to reinvent myself, try new things, and start fresh.
I could ditch the old Kinsley Davis and have some fun for once in my life.
This was California, not Berkshire, Indiana.
Everyone and everything seemed so alive, and the vibe was amazing.
I pulled up to the curb down the street from his house since there was nowhere else to park and walked up to the front door. Ringing the doorbell, a man in a black suit answered.
“Good afternoon. Are you here for the Calloway party?” he asked.
“I am.” I smiled.
“Please come in. Mr. Calloway is out on the beach with the other guests.”
“Thank you.”
I stood in the entryway and gasped at his beautiful home. White. Everything was white, from the walls to the furniture and the moldings that were complemented with a white-washed oak floor. As I followed the man in the black suit to the patio, Lexi came from, I wasn’t sure where.
“Kinsley!” she exclaimed. “You’re here.”
“Hi, Lexi.” I smiled brightly.
“Come on, let’s go down to the beach.”
She hooked her arm around mine and led me out the French double doors and to the sand, where people gathered all around, playing volleyball, sunbathing, surfing, and sitting at round tables talking with one another with drinks in their hands.
“Well, hello there, Kinsley.” Chase smiled as he scanned me from head to toe. “You look lovely.”
“Hi, Chase. Thanks.”
“Thanks for coming. You won’t be sorry. I’ll catch the two of you later. I have to run into the house for something.” He smiled.
Lexi walked me over to where she had three chairs and a large umbrella staked in the sand to provide shade.
“Can I get you something to drink? There’s every kind of liquor imaginable.”
I looked to my left and saw a bar set up with a bartender shaking cocktails.
“Seriously? He set up a bar out here?” I asked.
“He’s Chase Calloway. When he does something, he goes all out. How about a margarita? This guy makes the best watermelon ones.”
“That sounds good.”
“I’ll be right back.” She smiled.
“I hope you’re having a good time,” Chase’s voice approached me from behind.
I tilted my head back as he stood over me with a wide grin across his face.
“I’ve been here five minutes.” I smirked.
“Right,” he spoke as he set down his surfboard and sat in the chair next to me. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Lexi’s getting it for me. Thanks.”
“So, tell me, Kinsley.” He leaned closer to me. “Have you ever been surfing?”
“No. This is actually the first time I’ve been on a beach. Well, I mean, when I moved here.”
“Seriously?” He chuckled. “Why is that, and where are you from?”
“I’m from Berkshire, Indiana, and that’s where I’d been for the past twenty-four years.”
“Sounds dreadfully boring.”
“Oh. It is. Trust me.” I smiled.
“Here’s your margarita,” Lexi spoke as she handed it to me. “I’ll be right back.”
“Welcome to California. May you find the fun you seek.” Chase smiled as he held up his glass of scotch to me.
“Thank you.” I gave a small smile as I brought my glass to his.
“Surfs up, bro!” Steven yelled as he ran past us with a surfboard.
“I’ll catch you later, sweetheart.” Chase grinned as he stood up, took off his shirt, grabbed his board, and ran down to the water.
I gulped as I stared at his ripped body. His washboard abs, biceps that were the perfect size, and muscular back made my legs tighten. Lexi made it back and introduced me to a couple of friends of hers. While we all sat and talked, my eyes kept diverting to Chase on his surfboard.
“Let’s go swimming!” Lexi spoke with excitement as she stood up and slipped out of her cover-up.
Swimming in the ocean was something I’d always dreamed of, so I took off my sundress and followed Lexi and the other girls out to the water.