How sad must it have been to vacation here as a kid? My parents never had a lot of money, even before my insane medical bills, but they always filled my summers with sticky treats and pure silliness. Justin’s beach house is the opposite of silly. It’s pristine, enormous, and lacking any trace of true comfort. It makes me hurt for the little boy he once was.
“Nice place,” Cade says. Sea gulls squawk overhead and waves crash against the shore behind the house, but his sarcasm is unmistakable. “Think it’s big enough?”
Somehow, I withhold my groan. Is it Sunday yet?
The trip only just began, yet it already seems to be dragging. The ride down felt like it took days instead of a couple hours. Cade’s constant snide little digs at Justin made my molars ache.
News flash? I don’t need reminders of how badly he hurt me in the past. Every second I spent with Justin, every up and down, is seared into my memory. Cade’s the one that doesn’t know all the details.
But, I understand.
Even before my ex steamrolled his way into my relationship, Cade and I hadn’t clicked in a while. Not like we did in the beginning. The very things I loved and found refreshing in the beginning now started to irk. His response to the honeymoon question was a perfect example of that. But, that’s Cade. It’s not fair to suddenly change the rules on him when he’s been consistent and loyal the whole time.
That’s why we’re here, or at least it’s one of the reasons. My hope was that if we got away from the stress of the ranch, snuggled on the beach, and reconnected at the Pier, that we’d rekindle the feelings of last summer. Relive the incredible memories we made together.
Unfortunately, my stellar plan isn’t turning out so stellar.
“It’s gorgeous,” I agree with a tight smile, choosing to take his words at face value. New plan? Distract, distract, distract. Lowering my voice to a flirtatious level, I bump my shoulder against his and ask, “You know what the best part is?”
Cade shifts his gaze from the four-story home. “What’s that?”
“Pleasure Pier is right down the road.” I extend a finger in the opposite direction we came, knowing from my Google Maps check that it’s about a ten-minute walk from where we stand. Technology is my new bestie.
Dark lenses shield Cade’s expressive eyes, but a small smile plays upon his lips. Finally.
“Is that right?” he asks, casually leaning against his truck. “Huh. You know, if I remember correctly, I still owe you a funnel cake.”
“With extra sugar,” I confirm. “I won that puppy fair and square, and just because I was too stuffed to eat it then doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.” Playfully, I poke him in the arm and say, “I always collect my debts, Mr. Donovan.”
A tiny dimple pops in his cheek as his entire smile ignites. “And I always honor my promises, Miss Williams.” He covers my hand with his, and hope fills my chest.
This is what I wanted. Cade literally swept me off my feet on our first trip to the pier. He was romantic and sweet—well, up until he tossed me in the waves, but even that was fun. He made me laugh, something I did far too little up until then, and was everything my stupid heart once wanted Justin to be.
We splashed in the waves, napped on the beach, and rode every single ride they had. Cade won me a stuffed elephant at ring toss, and later bet me a funnel cake over free throws at Big Shot Hoops. The silly boy really should’ve known better. I do have two older brothers, after all, and one seriously athletics-crazed dad. But he completely charmed me.
That trip marked a turning point for us. For three years, he’d been one of my best friends. We’d known each other even longer than that. I’d sworn off dating after Justin, having lost all interest in the prospect, but that day, touched by Cade’s affection and sweet attention, I let him kiss me in the back row of the Sea Dragon. When my tummy dipped, it had nothing to do with the freefall and everything to do with taking another chance.
Cade’s patient tenderness healed my scarred, battered heart, and under a full moon, accompanied by childish giggles, excited screams, and the hypnotic lull of the waves, he promised he’d never break it. Trusting him that he wouldn’t, I took a leap.
That’s why we’re here.
“The pier’s not the only thing this place has going for it,” he says, gently brushing his thumb across the pulse point in my wrist. It jumps in response… even as a weird sinking feeling enters my stomach.
“It’s not?”
“Nope.” He shakes his head with a slow grin then lifts his chin toward the house. “As huge as this place is, I’m betting there’s lots of space for privacy. Hidden corners, doors with locks. Even with your baby project and a full house of guests, we should get plenty alone time.” The edge of his nail rasps the tender skin of my wrist and his teeth sink into his lower lip. “Especially at night.”
My breath catches, and my heart loses its rhythm for a beat. Feeling the change beneath his fingertips, Cade’s eyes sharpen.