Chapter iii
Beach Thriller
iii
It was a picture-perfect beach day—low humidity, temperatures in the mid-seventies, and a gentle ocean breeze wafting over the sunbathers.
Bright sunshine warmed Anna and Holly as they lounged on beach blankets.
They covered themselves in tanning lotion, the fresh coconut scent filling the air.
Waves crashed rhythmically on the shoreline, lulling the sisters into a peaceful, dreamlike state.
Anna stretched her legs long, burying her toes in the dry sand.
They had the whole day to themselves. Thank God.
The embarrassment of the catering catastrophe wasn’t a fresh wound, but for Anna, the shame still lingered.
She hoped it would disappear completely when the cut on her palm finally healed.
Meanwhile, all Holly could do was offer words of support.
“Nobody cares,” she repeatedly assured her sister. “Those people aren’t thinking about us. We’re nothing to them.”
That much was true. Anna hadn’t known any of them beforehand, including Conrad—whom she couldn’t get out of her head—and it seemed doubtful they’d ever cross paths again.
But as soon as the thought entered her mind, Anna noticed none other than the dark-haired Adonis she’d been obsessing over strolling up to their spot at the beach.
“Hey, you two,” Conrad said cheerfully. He wore red trunks and an unbuttoned shirt revealing his taut, tanned torso. “Fancy running into you two here.”
Holly looked about, confused. “Where? The beach?” She laughed. “I’m sure you’ve run into us plenty of times and never noticed.”
But Conrad was noticing now. He couldn’t avert his eyes from Anna, who was nervously playing with her auburn locks.
“Have you summered here for a long time?” he asked.
“Only our entire lives,” Holly said, grabbing a book from her beach bag, implying she had better things to do than have this conversation. “But I suppose we travel in very different circles.”
Conrad cleared his throat. “I missed a couple of summers in Beauport. There was boarding school, then college—after a gap year in Europe … Guess I’m out of the summer scene. My loss.”
Anna gawked at him, wondering if he had a clue how privileged he sounded, but he prattled on. Nope, no clue.
“I apologize again. That was quite a night.” Finally he appeared a little chastened. “Anna, I hope you’re feeling all right—no lingering injuries?”
She shook her head, recoiling not only at the memory of her embarrassing fall, but also Baxter Ward’s octopus arms. Conrad continued: “Look, can I buy you both ice cream? Help make it up to you?”
Holly started to speak, but Anna cut her off.
“Sure, but make mine a hot fudge sundae, extra whipped cream.” She popped up from her beach towel, grabbing her oversize tee and pulling on her short shorts.
She couldn’t help herself. Conrad may be pretentious and self-involved, but he was also alluring.
Besides, it’s only ice cream, she told herself. What could go wrong?
The local hot spot on the boardwalk—the Dairy Dip—had a long line, but that wasn’t unusual for this time of year. It was one reason Anna was grateful to no longer work there. The other reason was Conrad. If she’d kept the Dairy Dip gig, there’d have been no party, no fountain, and no destiny.
“Best place in town for a sugar fix.” Conrad flashed a wide smile. “I’m getting my usual—a soft-serve twist. I probably won’t even have to order; they know what I want here.”
He was fishing for his wallet when they heard an unctuous, high-pitched voice behind them.
“Oh, there you are, sweetheart! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Anna turned and laid eyes on Elizabeth, who looked like she had just stepped out of a Sports Illustrated photo shoot in her blue string bikini and white gauze cover-up, which didn’t cover up much of anything.
“I was just talking about you!” she chirped, slipping one arm around her fiancé and extending the other toward Anna to show off her dazzling diamond ring. “Isn’t it amazing? I knew I could trust Conrad to find the perfect piece!”
Anna and Holly barely acknowledged the audacious rock on her finger. They turned their attention to the menu board instead, even though they knew it by heart.
Elizabeth scoffed. “Love, don’t waste time here. We have plans, and I don’t want to be late. Remember? We’re meeting my girlfriends for cocktails before the concert.”
“Oh, right, what time?” Conrad pulled at the roots of his hair like he could extract the memory.
“Soon. We really need to go shower and get ready.” Elizabeth traced her finger down his chest, her intense, seductive gaze fixed on his eyes.
Anna had a vision of them in the shower together, their soap-lathered bodies pressed against each other.
Her stomach flipped, and she immediately shoved the thought away.
Conrad perked up. “Oh, okay … Anna, Holly, instead of ice cream, how about joining us tonight? There’s a whole group heading to a concert—it’s an amazing lineup.”
“Conrad, honey,” Elizabeth interrupted. “Don’t embarrass them.” She glanced over at Anna. “The tickets cost a lot, and I’m sure they can’t afford to go.”
Anna’s face flushed hot. How dare she?
Conrad shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Anna thought he always knew what to say, but this time, he seemed at a loss for words.
That didn’t last long. “Hey, sorry, um … let’s take a rain check on ice cream.
And look, I know you both have a cool catering gig this summer, but if money is tight, my mom is looking for help at the house.
Come by anytime; I’ll put in a good word for you. ”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Holly grumbled, but it was unclear if Conrad heard her.
“I’ll come by tomorrow,” Anna blurted.
Elizabeth beamed. “Oh, how sweet,” she said, her voice layered with contempt. “You’ll look cute with a duster.”
Conrad offered an awkward smile while Elizabeth guided him away, their arms entwined. As they exited the Dairy Dip, Elizabeth tossed a Cheshire-cat grin over her shoulder, leaving Anna without a drop of ice cream or a shred of dignity.