Chapter 4
LUNA
Charlie has a strong freestyle stroke.
Good thing, because I was about to strip off my heels and dive after him. Now I get to admire the view while not messing up my hot-as-hell outfit.
Luckily, the boat’s motor is off, so we don’t leave Charlie in our wake.
“Shit, shit, shit,” Paige mutters as she sprints toward the back of the boat, where there’s a low deck that people can dive off. If this was that kind of party. Which, unfortunately for Charlie, it’s not.
I grab the arm of a server, who is still gaping over the side.
“You got any towels on this thing?”
The guy focuses on me, then nods in a distracted manner before hurrying off.
I jog to catch up with Paige, just in time to watch Charlie climb up the ladder hanging off the back of the boat. If he’d been wearing swim trunks, the sight would’ve been hypnotic. All that dark mahogany skin on display, beaded with water and glistening in the afternoon sun.
In reality—not a sexual fantasyland—Charlie’s exit comprises sopping wet clothes and a squelching soundtrack of waterlogged dress shoes. Waterfalls spill off him, cascading down his suit jacket and dress pants. With a grimace, he slips his phone out of a pocket and fiddles with the device.
I can imagine how this next bit will go. If we’re lucky, he’ll react like Dash would, getting sulky and silent as he suffers through the indignity.
At worst, Charlie will resemble my dad, muttering or shouting curses, demanding someone take the blame for what was an accident. Maybe he’ll aim his ire at the boat captain or the Herberts. Maybe at me for being the one standing next to him when the tumble took place.
Either way, I brace myself and prepare my defenses.
“Oh my God,” Paige moans. “I’m so sorry.”
My defense immediately switches to offense. If the guy tries berating my future sister-in-law, he’ll have to go through me.
I move to step forward when a sudden sound stops me.
Charlie chuckles.
At first, the sound is a small thing, but then the laughter takes over his entire body, booming out. The server approaches with a towel, and Charlie accepts with a thanks before swiping the terry cloth over his face, grinning all the while.
“It’s okay, Pancake.” Charlie uses a silly nickname for Paige. “Should’ve seen this coming. I’ll just sit out in the sun until I dry off.”
“No way.” The bride-to-be turns toward the front of the boat. “We’ll talk to the captain and get this yacht turned around. I’m sure we can get back to the dock in just a few minutes.”
Charlie grabs his friend’s hand to stop her departure. “No. This is your party, and I’m not about to let my lackluster sea legs ruin it. So what if I’m a little wet? It’s no big deal. I swear.”
Paige stares up at him, her steady gaze searching. “You swear?”
“I do.”
I bet he’s lying, but I appreciate him putting up with the discomfort for Paige and Dash.
My future sister-in-law gives a definitive nod. Then she toes off her shoes, and in one smooth motion, she tugs her green sundress over her head.
While everyone on the back deck comes to terms with the fact that we’re suddenly seeing the bride in her underwear, she steps up to the edge of the diving area.
“If you swear, then what’s stopping me?” she asks.
“Paige—” Both Charlie and Dash rush forward, hands reaching to stop her.
But the blonde has the advantage of surprise, diving into the lake before anyone can stop her.
A second later, Paige’s head pops up from beneath the gentle waves, a wide smile on her face. “You’re right! Not bad at all!” Then she does a lazy backstroke, as if she isn’t beside a yacht full of stuffy business types, here to celebrate her pending nuptials.
Dash sighs, then leans over to unlace his dress shoes.
“You’re not going in too?” Charlie watches Dash with wide eyes.
My brother shrugs as he loosens his tie before going to work on his shirt buttons. “That’s my future wife out there. Can’t let her go it alone.”
The groom strips down to a pair of boxer briefs in front of his in-laws and does an elegant dive off the back of the boat.
Impressive. Dash has grown up since those days we spent at the community pool together. Doesn’t have to pinch his nose closed to dunk his head under the water anymore.
The memory has me smiling as I unstrap my heels, setting them far away from the edge of the boat.
My soles enjoy the relief of resting flat on the deck.
With the sun beating down on us, I start looking forward to this next bit.
Everyone’s attention stays fixed on Paige and Dash as the pair splash around in the gentle waves.
Which means I don’t have an audience when I reach back to unzip my jumpsuit.
After carefully folding the fabric, I tap a server’s shoulder, the same guy I talked to earlier about the towel.
The bafflement on his face skyrockets when he sees me in nothing but my red bra and panties.
I pat myself on the back for wearing a matching set today, almost as if I knew there’d be an opportunity to strip down.
“Would you mind putting this somewhere safe? Thanks.”
He accepts my outfit with a wordless nod.
The sound of my question brings Charlie’s eyes around. Now I have the man of honor’s full attention.
“Luna?”
I grin at him, wanting to borrow some of his lighthearted nature, if only for the day. “You coming?”
“You’re going in?”
“Someone has to fight off any alligators trying to eat the happy couple.” I pat his chest as I stroll by. “Good thing I didn’t go commando today,” I throw over my shoulder, enjoying the shock that slackens Charlie’s face for a single breath before I cannonball in after my brother.