Chapter Fifteen
We all sleep in. When I get up, I put on my orange and pink bikini, and then pull over my translucent blue-and-white cover-up that looks more like an oversized men’s button-up than anything else. I get to the main living area, and everyone is standing around Jules. When I make eye contact with her, she holds her hand out, and I rush over.
“Oh my gosh. You guys got engaged?” I look between Myles and Jules. I give her a big hug and then Myles. “Congrats.”
Jules beams, and Raven pours us all a mimosa. We all hold up our glasses, and Raven leads us in a toast.
“That’s where you guys were last night?” I go back to studying the beautiful emerald-cut ring.
“This is amazing. We need to celebrate all day. And look at that ring. Nice work, Myles,” I say.
“I’m engaged!” Myles declares to no one in particular and throws back a shot of dark liquor.
Keegan clears his throat. “Everyone is welcome to do what they want today, but I chartered a yacht. And there’s room for all of us. I say we have a little engagement party.”
“Yes,” we all say simultaneously.
“Thanks, Keegan.” I drop Jules’ hand finally. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me chip in on the yacht?”
He deadpans me, crossing his arms over his chest, staring at me so deeply I feel like he can see through me. “No.”
We all head to the marina and get on the most beautiful boat. And the day couldn’t be more perfect. There isn’t a cloud in the sky, and it’s hot out, with a small breeze coming off the ocean. I get comfortable on the back of the yacht and unbutton my cover-up.
“Oh, I love your suit,” Raven says, pulling her dress over her head. “And look at that cute little body of yours that you waste hiding under scrubs.”
“Sorry, Raven.” I hit her on the arm. “Required dress code and everything. And look at your suit. It’s fabulous.”
She spins for me.
Raven, Jules, and I lounge on the netting that stretches out over the water, the gentle rocking of the yacht lulls me into a state of pure relaxation. The sound of the waves lapping against the hull is a soothing backdrop to our conversation, and the sun overhead is warm on our skin.
As I roll onto my stomach, my eyes roam over the length of the yacht. The men are gathered near the front of the boat, their voices hushed as they chat amongst themselves. And then my gaze falls upon Keegan.
He’s shirtless, and it’s as if his chest muscles have been intricately carved out of the purest stone. I knew he had strong arms, but I had no idea what the rest of him looked like. And now that I’ve seen, I can’t take my eyes off him. I squint to try to get a better view of his tattoo. It’s on his upper left inside bicep, and there’s a shape with a couple of lines of scribbling underneath. I squint my eyes, but he’s too far away for me to see it.
As he turns to face me, our eyes meet for a brief moment, and a shiver runs down my spine. My heart rate picks up, and it’s suddenly hard to breathe.
“Do any of you ladies want a drink?” Forest comes to the back of the boat.
“Yes,” we all say. Forest nods and reaches into a cooler and grabs something for all of us.
“I appreciate you no longer talking about how hot my brother is,” I say to Raven.
She starts fanning herself with her hand. “He’s cool. It’s all good.”
“Honestly, I thought I was walking into a couples’ trip,” Jules says. “I assumed you were with Forest, Raven. And I was sure that you and Keegan were an item, Luna.”
Raven and I look at each other, and my face reddens. “No. Definitely no couples here except you and Myles.”
Jules raises her eyebrows at me but then drops the subject.
I flip again and let the sun warm my face, and then I get up from my spot to see the scenery all around us. The houses spread across the beaches are expansive and beautiful. I walk to the front end of the yacht, where the men are all in conversation. They look at me when I approach, and then Forest and Myles look away and continue their conversation.
As I shift my gaze toward Keegan, his eyes fix on mine, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest. And then, just as I’m about to look away, he wets his lips with a quick flick of his tongue.
My cheeks flush with heat as I become suddenly self-conscious. I glance down at my body, wondering if there’s something amiss. And then, when I look back up at Keegan, I realize that his eyes are slowly raking over me. Does he not realize he’s staring?
We cannot look at each other like this.
“I never had you pegged as a tattoo kind of person.” I grab his arm, but he pulls away. “What is it?”
“It’s nothing.” He holds his arm flush against his body, hiding it from my view.
“Come on, Keegan.” I reach for him again. “Let me see it.”
“Luna.” He grips my elbow. I grab his arm again. and fling myself against him. He holds my arms down. “Please.”
“But I have so many questions.” I laugh. “If you didn’t want people to see it, why’d you get it in on your arm?”
Keegan grabs his shirt that is dangling off the railing of the boat, turns away from me, and puts it on. The sleeve is long enough that it covers the tattoo.
“You’re seriously no fun.” I pout. “Boring Baldwin.”
“Please drop it,” Keegan says, pressing his palms into his temples, and looks at me with frustration.
“Fine,” I say. “But I will see your tattoo at some point.”
“There’s this great beach up ahead.” Keegan points over the blue water but is now talking more to Forest and Myles than me, blocking me out. “I told the captain to anchor. It’s hot. We could all swim there. Have a couple of drinks. Lie on the beach.”
The captain drops us off near the shore. The water is warm, and the salt washes over my body, immersing me in the ocean water. We swim the short distance to the beach, which is filled with people.
“Come to the bar with me?” Raven grabs my hand and pulls me ahead. She grabs money from her waterproof pack around her waist. “I’m in the mood for something light and citrusy.”
As soon as we grab our drinks, Raven takes off in another direction, leaving me on my own. Without a destination in mind, I wander along the shoreline until I come across a secluded stretch of white sand.
I sink into the soft grains of sand and stretch out until I make a Luna-sized imprint in the sand. The heat from the sun is intense, but it feels good against my skin. I close my eyes and submerge deeper into the sand, allowing the warmth to envelop me completely.
For a few moments, I leave behind the stresses of the city and the demands of work. I breathe in deeply, and my lungs fill with the salty ocean air. The waves crashing against the shore are a soothing backdrop to my thoughts, and I simply exist in the moment. The sand covers every inch of my skin until I’m one with the beach.
A shadow casts over me, and Keegan is standing there.
“We’re all ready to get back on the boat,” Keegan says. “Think you can tear yourself off the beach and join us?”
I brush the sand off and reach my hand up so Keegan can help me to my feet. He walks to the edge of the water, and I follow him, and let the waves crash over my toes. His silence fills me with curiosity.
“Are you thinking about all the bacteria found on sandy beaches?” I nudge Keegan with my elbow lightly, and he looks at me.
“Well, you wouldn’t believe the amount of Staphylococcus species that we are most likely standing on.” Keegan digs his feet deeper into the wet sand. “But no, that was not even remotely what I was thinking of.” His eyes flick to mine.
“Then what were you thinking of?”
Keegan opens his mouth to answer, but then Forest runs up, with Raven, Myles, and Jules in tow. Once again, I leave our conversation with so much left unsaid.