Chapter 16
Happiness fizzed inside Darcy later that evening while she sat beside Carter on her parents’ deck. The aroma of steak and
roasted corn on the cob lingered in the air.
She smiled at Carter while he talked about car projects with Dad and Derek. She had relished every moment they had spent at
the beach earlier that day—playing in the waves, resting on a blanket, and watching kids build sandcastles while the colorful
sails of the boats fluttered in the distance.
Although she had been attracted to Carter since the moment she’d met him in the parking lot, she’d marveled at his gorgeous
broad shoulders, muscular biceps, wide chest, and sculpted thighs. Heat shimmied up her spine as she recalled the feeling
of his warm, strong hands massaging the sunscreen into her back and then holding her close in the water.
But she wasn’t only attracted to him. She knew she was falling for him hard and fast. Really fast. That truth of it sent a mixture of excitement and fear skittering through her.
When she realized she’d been staring at his profile, Darcy blinked and tried in vain to stop the blush that was seeping into
her cheeks. She glanced across the table at Haven, who watched her with an amused smirk spreading on her pretty face. Darcy
examined her hands in her lap and hoped her blush would dissipate.
“So, Haven,” Mom began, “you always have the funniest stories about your students. What have they been up to lately?”
Haven put down her drink. “Oh, there are so many stories. School will be out soon, and everyone is counting down. So a group of sixth-grade girls decided to celebrate the end of the year by coming to school dressed in different vacation themes. One day they wore beach cover-ups and sun hats and carried around beach bags.”
“No kidding,” Darcy exclaimed while Mom grinned.
Haven shook her head. “No kidding! They didn’t get too disruptive until one of them blew up a beach ball and thought it would
be a good idea to toss it around the cafeteria.”
“Oh no.” Mom laughed. “I assume you took care of that.”
“I did since I was on cafeteria duty, but then they all wore parkas the next day to fit their skiing theme.”
Mom scrunched her nose. “Did their parents see them leave the house dressed like that?”
“The principal and I asked that question too. I suppose their parents didn’t notice they had large coats shoved in their backpacks.
Apparently the heat got to the kids on parka day though. Once they started sweating, they regretted their decisions.”
Darcy and Mom laughed.
“How about a game?” Dad suddenly asked.
Carter nodded. “Sure.”
“What game?” Derek asked.
Dad gave Mom a knowing look. “Well, Darcy may have told you that Uno is a tradition during Larsen family beach vacations.”
Carter turned toward Darcy, who nodded.
“That’s true,” she said.
Dad looked around the table. “What do you say?” he asked, and everyone nodded.
Darcy pushed back her chair. “Why don’t you find the cards, and we’ll clean up the dishes?”
“I’ll help.” Carter began stacking empty bowls from the gelato they’d had for dessert.
While Darcy filled the dishwasher, Mom wiped down the table and Haven and Derek refilled everyone’s sweet tea.
Once the dishwasher was whirring, they returned to the table and played a couple of rousing games of Uno. Darcy was amazed
at how well Carter fit in with her parents and her closest friends as they laughed and teased each other during the game.
When their second game came to a close, the sun began to set, sending a rainbow of colors across the sky and reflecting off
the ocean.
Dad gathered up the cards, and Mom pushed her chair back and stood.
“How about we watch a movie?” Mom suggested.
Haven shook her head and covered her mouth with her hand. “Thank you, but I think the sun wore me out. I’m ready to head to
bed.” She leaned over and kissed Derek. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she popped up from her chair and waved. “Good
night, everyone.”
Dad pointed to the family room. “I’ll look for a movie, and you’re all welcome to join us.”
Mom and Dad gathered up the remaining glasses, and Haven opened the sliding glass door before they filed inside.
Derek pulled out his phone. “I’m wide awake. I think I’ll just sit out here and enjoy this beautiful night.”
Carter turned toward Darcy, and his expression seemed hopeful. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“I’d love to.”
***
Darcy and Carter left their flip-flops on the deck before they descended the deck stairs to the beach. The air was warm with
a comfortable breeze blowing off the water.
She relished the rhythmic sound of the waves, the sand between her toes, and the feeling of Carter walking by her side. The
remnant of the spectacular sunset reflected off the water as darkness began to close in around them. A few other couples remained
on the beach while others walked along the shoreline.
“I hope my parents aren’t too much,” Darcy said.
“Are you kidding? They’re great.” His gaze toggled toward the beach homes behind the dunes. “I can’t get over this place.
You must love coming here.”
“When I was a kid, we came a few times a year, and my parents rented it out when we weren’t here. They stopped renting it
out when they retired.” She looked up at him. “Do you like the beach?”
“I do, but I haven’t had the chance to enjoy it as much as you have.” He pushed his hair back from his forehead. “I remember
my grandparents bringing Shauna and me to Coral Cove once after my mom died. Someone let us stay at a condo for free. My grandparents
were working-class. My grandfather was a mechanic in a little shop like Barton’s, and my nana was a housekeeper at a country
club. They rented the same house for probably forty years or so. We didn’t really go on vacations, so being at the beach that
one time was a treat.” He smiled. “We didn’t have much, but we had love.”
Darcy nodded, and thoughts of her biological mother spun in her mind. What would life have been like if she’d been raised
by her instead of by the Larsens? What would her family have looked like?
Carter’s smile was sheepish. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No, no,” she said quickly. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I’m glad to learn more about you.”
The boardwalk appeared ahead of them, and Darcy picked up the pace. “Would you like to sit and watch the waves?”
“Definitely.”
They found a bench on the boardwalk and sat down to look out toward the waves crashing on the beach. The delicious scents
of pretzels, nachos, and popcorn from nearby vendors wafted over Darcy, and she peered down the boardwalk toward where people
moved in and out of the small shops.
“I could get used to being here,” Carter said softly.
“You’ll have to come down here with me more often.”
“You won’t have to twist my arm.”
They sat in a comfortable silence for several moments, taking in the sounds of the waves.
Then Carter sat up and turned toward her. His gaze roved over her features and lingered on her lips before returning to her
eyes.
Her body began to tremble with anticipation as she stared up at him. Her lips ached for his touch. Please kiss me, Carter. Please!
“Darcy,” he began, his voice sounding strained. “I really like you. I mean, I like you a lot .”
“I’m glad it’s mutual.”
His dark eyes became intense. His fingers moved over her cheeks before cupping them. Then he leaned down, and his mouth covered
hers.
Desire plunged through her as she lost herself in the feel and taste of his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and
he rested his hands on her shoulders.
Carter’s lips began a slow exploration, and she lost track of everything as the world around them fell away. Her hands moved to the nape of his neck, and her fingertips combed through his soft hair. When he broke the kiss, she pulled in air, working to slow the shockwaves still rocking her body.
His eyes studied hers as if searching for an answer. “I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”
“What?” she asked, her voice sounding throaty.
“I would like to make things official between us.” He paused and took a breath. “What I mean is, I would be honored to be
your boyfriend. How would you feel about that?”
Relief skittered through her. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Good.” He smiled and then his lips were caressing hers again, and she felt as if she were gliding above the ocean, like a
kite that had been released on the wind.
He gently pulled away, then turned back toward the water. She rested her head on his shoulder. When Carter kissed the top
of her head, Darcy’s toes curled in the sand.
***
Later Carter and Darcy walked hand in hand back to the house. Stars sparkled in the dark sky and the steady cadence of the
waves continued to serenade them as they approached the stairs leading to the Larsens’ gorgeous home. A strange light glowed
on the deck as they approached the dark house.
When they drew closer to the top step, Carter realized the light came from Derek’s cell phone, which he held to his ear while
leaning on the railing. Derek gave them a wave and then moved to the far end of the deck, where he continued to talk softly
to someone on the other end of the line.
Darcy held Carter’s hand and led him to the back door. “Thank you for the most amazing evening ever.” She touched his cheek.
“I enjoyed it too.”
She traced a finger along his jaw before balancing up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and kissing him. As she deepened the kiss, every nerve ending inside of him caught fire, and he knew to the depth of his bones that he was crazy about this amazing woman. He breathed her in and relished the taste of her.
When she pulled away, he came down to earth. She held on to his shoulders as if for balance. “Good night, Carter,” she whispered.
“I hope you sleep well.”
“You too.” He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
She stepped through the doorway, then faced him again. “Are you going up to bed?”
He shook his head and pointed toward the far end of the deck. “Not yet. I think I’ll sit out here and talk to Derek for a
while.”
“Okay. See you in the morning.” She gave him a little wave before closing the door and disappearing into the dark house.
Carter leaned over the deck railing, his mind racing. He knew he was falling for Darcy, and he was thrilled she returned the
feelings. But it was easy to ignore reality in an idyllic place like this. How could he even imagine a future with her when
they were so different? They had been raised in different worlds, and he would never be able to give her a beach house. A
house was even questionable at this point. She might like him now, but what about in the future? How long would she be content
with diner burger dates and movies before she realized her career would be their primary income if they got more serious?
“Sorry about that.” Carter turned and saw Derek sauntering toward him.
“No problem.”
Derek slipped his phone into his pocket. “My brother called, and we don’t get to talk that often. He’s always traveling to some exotic place for his job.” Derek came to a stop beside Carter and leaned on the railing. He peeked over his shoulder and then looked out toward the ocean again. “I have some news,” he said softly.
Carter rested his elbows on the railing and lifted his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
Derek looked back toward the door once more and then lowered his voice. “I bought a ring.”
Darcy’s words about Derek from the night of the car show in Mint Hill suddenly echoed in Carter’s mind:
I’ve always thought they’d wind up together, but Derek was one of those guys who has a plan, you know?
Carter wondered if he would ever get the chance to plan a future with Darcy. When would he ever have a chance to offer her
a future, buy her a ring, support her?
When he realized Derek was watching him, he yanked himself from his thoughts and grinned. “That’s... that’s great, Derek,”
Carter said, careful to keep his voice low. “Congratulations.” He shook his friend’s hand. “When are you going to ask her?”
Derek huffed. “I’m not sure.” He folded his arms on the railing. “I need to figure out the best time.”
“You look nervous.”
Derek laughed. “Of course I am.”
Carter scoffed. “Please. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
Derek shook his head. “I hope not. I fell head over heels for her when we met in college.” He grinned. “She wasn’t that interested
in me at first. I had to convince her to go out with me, but once she did, we fell in love.”
Carter swallowed against his dry throat and considered his blossoming feelings for Darcy.
Derek patted Carter’s shoulder. “Did I see you kiss Darce good night?”
“Yeah, you did.” Carter turned his attention out toward the waves.
“I suppose that means you two are official. We all knew it was only a matter of time.”
Carter nodded. “We are.” He pressed his lips together.
Derek cocked his head to the side. “Why don’t you look happier about it?”
“I don’t see how it will work out between us.”
“What do you mean?”
Carter rubbed at a spot on his cheek while considering how much to share. “I don’t fit into her world.”
“Why would you think that?”
Carter gestured toward the house. “I can’t compete with this.”
Derek snorted. “None of us can, Carter. I’m sure you remember the modest house where I grew up.”
Carter looked down at his bare feet.
“Why do you feel like you have to compete with her parents?”
“I don’t even have my own place.” He checked the door and then lowered his voice just in case Darcy had her window open. “I
haven’t told her this yet, but I live with my sister and her husband.” Shame nearly choked him as empathy filled his friend’s
face. “I went through a tough time a few years ago. An unexpected medical issue.” He hadn’t expected to say this much to Derek,
but he suddenly felt the need to tell him.
Derek blinked, then opened and closed his mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I’m a lot better now, but it destroyed me financially. I had to move out of my place, move in with my sister, and
depend on her and her husband’s family for a while. It was completely humiliating.”
“But you got through it, and you’re healthy now?”
“Yes, but I’m still digging out of debt.”
“We all go through hard times, Carter.” Derek seemed to study him. “Why would you believe that would interfere with your relationship
with Darcy?”
Carter frowned. “I have nothing to offer her. I can’t promise her a bright future. I’ve been nothing but a leech on my family.
Why would she want a man like that?”
Derek gave him a knowing look. “My girlfriend is best friends with your girlfriend. I’ve known Darcy for a long time too.
She’s not shallow.”
He hadn’t thought Gabby was either.
“Darcy understands hard times. She had...”
Carter looked at him. “She what?”
Derek cleared his throat. “She lost her fiancé, remember?”
They were silent for a moment as they looked out toward the dark beach. Thoughts of Darcy’s late fiancé filled his mind, along
with questions.
“She told me a little bit about him. Did you know Jace?”
“Yeah. I knew him well— really well. He was one of my best friends.” Derek moved his hand over the deck railing as if wading through memories in his mind.
“Jace was a good guy. We all met in college, and he and Darcy started dating around the same time I started dating Haven.”
“What did he study in school?”
“He was an architect. He treated Darcy great—always took care of her.”
Carter rubbed the back of his head. He could never live up to that either.
“They got engaged on Valentine’s Day and were going to get married around Thanksgiving.”
Carter nodded slowly. “She told me he was in an accident. Some guy ran a red light and broadsided him.”
“Yeah.” Derek shook his head. “Darcy took it hard. She still blames herself.”
Carter hung his head. He couldn’t imagine the depth of her grief.
“You’re the first guy who has gotten her attention since Jace passed away.”
Carter looked up at him. “I am?”
“Yes, Carter, you are.” Derek’s words were measured. “You shouldn’t sell yourself short. Darcy sees something special in you.”
Carter was grateful for Derek’s words, but Darcy didn’t know the full story. When she found out, she’d see he wasn’t special
at all.