Chapter 16
WENDY
Iwake up in my room with swollen lips and the smell of Carter’s skin still on me. My thighs are sore, and every place he’s been aches. I’m smiling before I’m fully awake.
The last week has been a blur of Carter and me pretending we’re not doing this. We’ve had sex four times, and each orgasm strips away another layer of the wall I built after Adam. I keep expecting the excitement to fade, but it hasn’t. I don’t know why Carter ended up here, but I’m glad he did.
At the thought, I glance down at the drawer where I’ve stuffed the letters from Coastal Heritage. Tonight, I need to dispose of them before Gran finds them and decides to let this place go.
Rose is already in the kitchen, working on French toast. The smell of vanilla fills the lobby, and I can imagine the thick slices of brioche soaking in a bowl of batter while the griddle sizzles. I move toward the kitchen to say hello.
“Morning, Rose.”
She’s wearing a flower in her hair today. It’s bright pink against her dark hair, and it suits her skin tone perfectly. I hope I look half as good as her at her age.
“Morning, honey. You know what Gale needs? A boyfriend. I think it’s time everyone else tries to start setting her up on dates.”
I burst into laughter. “Excuse me? What?”
“She just needs a man to occupy her time. Make her happy after menopause.”
“Gran is a handful. But then again, all of you are.”
“We’re a treasure, and you know it.” Rose flips a slice. “She’s so busy trying to hook everyone else up to take the attention off herself. I think it’s time the tables get turned.”
“Good luck, ma’am. I am not getting involved. She will retaliate, and I don’t have the energy. Gran always wins,” I say, snatching a freshly cut strawberry out of a bowl. It’s sweet and juicy.
The Bees arrive at seven thirty, and Dorothy already has opinions about the humidity. The closer we get to the Fourth, the more complaining there is about how hot it is. Gran settles into her chair at the head of the table and pulls a bottle of vodka from her oversized purse.
My mouth falls open as they each pour half orange juice, half vodka, then start whispering. After thirty minutes, my grandmother makes plates of French toast with sliced strawberries and powdered sugar, and the three of them dig in like they haven’t eaten in days.
I move toward the table. “What did the three of you do all night?”
“Crocheted,” Gran says as I make myself a plate.
Once I’m finished eating, Carter comes downstairs at nine in shorts and a gray T-shirt.
He nods at the Bees, gives compliments to Rose, and sits at the end of the table to join them.
How this man has them all wrapped around his little finger is beyond me.
But then again, I’m guilty of it too. They laugh the entire breakfast.
“Carter, are you sure you don’t want me to start setting up some dates for you?”
“No thanks.”
“I think we should start setting Gale up,” Rose blurts out.
“Now, that’s something I can get on board with,” Carter tells her. “I’ll start chatting with older men in the grocery store.”
“Oh, hush. Who says I’m into older men?” she asks.
Carter tilts his head and bursts into laughter. “Touché. Anyway, have a good one. Do we need anything? I’ll happily walk to the store.”
“No, we’re good,” Lucille tells him.
Carter walks past the front desk, and on his way back, his hand finds the small of my back.
“I think your grandma is flirting with me,” he whispers in my ear.
“Go away.”
His hand rubs my ass, and I glance back toward the dining room, where none of them are focused on us.
“You smell so fucking good.”
“You do too,” I whisper.
Since we crossed the line, Carter stands closer and touches me longer, like he’s afraid all of this will disappear. He moves away, smirking, knowing exactly what he does to me.
“Wendy,” Gran says as I stare at the laptop screen. “Honey, I’ve said your name four times.”
I keep my eyes forward. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“What do you think about setting Carter up with Fallon? Can you help us make that happen?” she asks.
I look at her, confused. “Fallon?”
“Your best friend,” she says, like I’ve stupidly forgotten.
“Gran, Fallon doesn’t want to be set up with anyone. And if you do get in her business, it shouldn’t be Carter you’re trying to set her up with.”
“No?” Her brows furrow.
“It should be Travis Kemp,” I whisper. “I just have this feeling.”
Gran leans against the counter. “They’ve always just been friends. I asked Fallon about him before, and she said as much.”
“Trust me,” I tell her. “I went on a date with him and—”
“Wait, what?” Gran gives me a look. “You went on a date?”
I blink up at her. “Uh, yeah. I’m shocked you didn’t know, considering you act like you know everything that happens on the island.”
She turns to her friends. “Did you know?”
Rose is the only one who says yes. They turn to her. “I didn’t know it was gossip!” Rose says with a shrug.
“It’s not,” I tell them. “We’re better as friends. We tried it, and it didn’t work.”
“Add Wendy to the list,” Dorothy says. “It’s time.”
“Sorry, Wendy, baby,” Gran says. “You’re outvoted.”
I groan and go back to the front counter to restock the tiny shampoos that cost a small fortune.
A few hours later, my phone vibrates. I’m hoping to see it’s from Carter, but it’s not. Why was he the first person I wanted to hear from? This is a question I’m not ready to answer. We’re flinging and crushing, not falling in love.
Josie
Ten days out! Preston confirmed the drinks.
Mia’s designing the flyers this week! OMG, Wen.
They are so cute! We need to talk about the photo backdrop.
Can you ask Carter if he’ll help move the tables from the storage shed?
He’s tall and strong, and he’d be doing me a huge favor.
Ask him to take his shirt off when he does it.
Wendy
OMG. I’ll ask if he’ll help, but I’m not going to make him undress.
Josie
Ask nicely, and I bet he will. Bat your eyelashes, then text me. I want to see that.
Wendy
You’re terrible.
Josie
He’s hot. I’m actually sad he’s not into younger women.
All I can do is smile, knowing he’s into me, even if it’s temporary.
By six, I’ve crossed everything off my list. Gran’s light is on in the bungalow down below. Guests scatter, and the building settles with the sunset.
I change into some shorts and a tank top. I grab a blanket from the back of the couch and a lighter. Then I slide the letters from Coastal Heritage from the drawer.
There’s a pit about fifty yards from the B&B that’s been there before I was born. My grandfather built it with stacked stones. We used to roast marshmallows here while Gran told silly stories about guests.
The wood I stacked earlier this week is dry and catches fast. Flames reach toward the night sky and smoke drifts into the evening air.
Summer nights are my favorite. I wrap the blanket around my shoulders and sit with my knees pulled up in the double Adirondack chair.
The ocean breeze is cool against my bare legs.
The fire gives enough heat for me to sit back.
The darker it gets, the more stars appear.
This is the version of Coconut Beach that I love the most.
Someone walks up behind me, but I don’t turn around.
Carter drops into the seat beside me, close enough that his arm presses against mine. He has two bottles of beer and hands me one.
“I didn’t invite you,” I say.
“But you’re so damn glad I came, aren’t you?” He twists the cap off of mine, then his, and takes a drink.
“I am.” I swallow down the ale. “How’d you know I was down here? Stalking me?”
“What if I were?”
I chuckle. “I’d think it’s hot.”
“I think you read too much romance. I was on the balcony and texted you.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and check it.
Banks
I want to see you.
“You got your wish.” I take another sip. “Want some of this blanket?”
“Sure,” he says.
I lift the edge, and he slides underneath it with me. The wool settles across both our shoulders and creates a cave around us. His thigh presses against mine. His hand finds my knee and rests there. I slide it up farther, and his brow perks up.
From a distance, we’re two people sharing a blanket by a fire. Up close, his hand presses into the inside of my thigh, causing my pulse to pick up.
“That romance book must’ve taught you some things,” I tell him.
This makes him laugh as he leans in and peppers kisses along my neck. “I just know what you like.”
“Careful. Someone could see us,” I whisper as his fingers brush against my clit.
“Let them,” he mutters against my ear.
We’re still hidden under the blanket, and I take a drink of beer and pretend my breathing hasn’t changed as his hand slides into my shorts.
“I need this,” I confess as he rolls slow circles against me.
He dips a finger inside of me, causing me to gasp. “You’ve been wet like this for me all day, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” It comes out like a hiss, and he gives me another finger. I grab on to his arm as he works me so close to the edge that I nearly break. “Fuck, Carter.”
“Come for me,” he says in my ear.
I grab the front of his shirt and pull him closer to me.
His mouth meets mine, and the kiss tastes like beer and peppermints.
Under the blanket, we’re invisible. A groan comes out of me, and he smiles against my lips.
He doesn’t tease me any longer. Two fingers push inside me, and his thumb presses against my clit with the exact pressure he’s learned I like.
My head drops against his shoulder. The blanket shifts around us, and the fire pops.
“I’ve fantasized about this. On the beach. Just like this,” I say against his skin.
“Yeah?” His voice is low against my ear, and he curls his fingers.
My hips jerk forward as the slow build begins.
“Mm,” I say, and it’s barely audible.
He picks up the pace, and I bite down on my fist. The waves drown out most of my whimpers.