arguing when our time was limited. I had to change this topic before either of us had to defend any more of our family members—sane or insane.
“Can we not talk about Aubrey anymore?” I winced. “It’s obviously a sore subject—for good reason—and I’d rather spend our time together talking about things that don’t get your veins ready to pop out of your skin.”
Patting the exact spot on her neck where the throbbing was visible, she closed her eyes and swiveled to face the road again. “Fine. You’re right. Now let me listen to this craptastic band you like.”
Jesus, she loved trying me—and I think I loved it, too.
Stella
Today’s weather was insane—in a good way. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen from here to eternity and the breeze wafting in off the ocean waves kept the hot sun at bay. This was living. I’d miss days like this when I was bundled up in a parka and waiting for a bus in the dead of winter in New York. Come to think of it, I’d miss a lot of things about California and this particular day when I went back east.
Interrupting visions of snow and ice and city cabs weaving through crowded rush hour streets, Jack sat up from his lounging position. His ripped body glistened with an enticing gloss of sweat, causing my brain to go straight into an erotic tailspin. “I’m getting hot. Time to get wet,” he said, which did nothing to take my mind off wanting to touch him. “Care to join me for a stroll and look for some shells or something romantic like that?”
Romantic. Everything about Jack oozed romance, even if I was trying my best to keep him friend zoned. “Sure,” I conceded as I stood and discreetly removed the bikini wedgie from my butt. A stroll could definitely be unromantic, if I didn’t allow any physical contact like holding hands. Now, to stop staring at the delicious drops of perspiration that traveled the length of Jack’s well-defined and rock-solid back. Geez, when had sweat become something so appealing?
“Put your purse and your phone in here.” He opened a compartment of his heavy duty beach caddy and extended an open palm. After he stored the items inside and zipped up the slot, he clicked a tiny padlock and dusted off his hands.
“Prepared and safe. My kind of guy.”
“Told ya I thought of everything. And I won’t make the obvious sexual innuendo you think I’m about to make.” He winked, then took the lead toward the ocean.
Following closely beside him, I bantered, “I was thinking no such thing.” Lie. I hoped the flush that heated my cheeks could pass for sunburn. My mind was always in the gutter, which was odd for a good girl . But I could probably follow any phrase with that’s what she said and think of a way to turn it dirty. I curbed myself around Jack though. I didn’t want to lead him on. It wasn’t an option when this was headed nowhere.
Jack traced his bare feet along the water’s foamy edge. “This is nice, isn’t it?” he mused.
“Sure is. I needed a day like this.” Before the wedding my brain was on overload, but now, after meeting Jack, it was ready to short fuse with too much going on at once. I needed a stress detox and this was a great start.
“You all ready for your move?” His gaze dropped from mine to the sand when he asked. Knowing how I felt about leaving now that there was someone to leave behind made me wonder if Jack was really interested in the answer to his question or just being polite.
I decided not to make a big deal about the distance that would soon be between us and made small talk about the situation instead. “Yes, I guess so. Even though we’re going back home, so to speak, it’s like starting all over again.” I followed his lead as he walked, leaving a trail of footprints in the wet sand.
“What made you and Nina decide on New York? Can’t you design clothes here?”
“Of course we can, but at the time this just seemed right. Ryan’s company is in New York. He and Nina are ready
“Can we not talk about Aubrey anymore?” I winced. “It’s obviously a sore subject—for good reason—and I’d rather spend our time together talking about things that don’t get your veins ready to pop out of your skin.”
Patting the exact spot on her neck where the throbbing was visible, she closed her eyes and swiveled to face the road again. “Fine. You’re right. Now let me listen to this craptastic band you like.”
Jesus, she loved trying me—and I think I loved it, too.
Stella
Today’s weather was insane—in a good way. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen from here to eternity and the breeze wafting in off the ocean waves kept the hot sun at bay. This was living. I’d miss days like this when I was bundled up in a parka and waiting for a bus in the dead of winter in New York. Come to think of it, I’d miss a lot of things about California and this particular day when I went back east.
Interrupting visions of snow and ice and city cabs weaving through crowded rush hour streets, Jack sat up from his lounging position. His ripped body glistened with an enticing gloss of sweat, causing my brain to go straight into an erotic tailspin. “I’m getting hot. Time to get wet,” he said, which did nothing to take my mind off wanting to touch him. “Care to join me for a stroll and look for some shells or something romantic like that?”
Romantic. Everything about Jack oozed romance, even if I was trying my best to keep him friend zoned. “Sure,” I conceded as I stood and discreetly removed the bikini wedgie from my butt. A stroll could definitely be unromantic, if I didn’t allow any physical contact like holding hands. Now, to stop staring at the delicious drops of perspiration that traveled the length of Jack’s well-defined and rock-solid back. Geez, when had sweat become something so appealing?
“Put your purse and your phone in here.” He opened a compartment of his heavy duty beach caddy and extended an open palm. After he stored the items inside and zipped up the slot, he clicked a tiny padlock and dusted off his hands.
“Prepared and safe. My kind of guy.”
“Told ya I thought of everything. And I won’t make the obvious sexual innuendo you think I’m about to make.” He winked, then took the lead toward the ocean.
Following closely beside him, I bantered, “I was thinking no such thing.” Lie. I hoped the flush that heated my cheeks could pass for sunburn. My mind was always in the gutter, which was odd for a good girl . But I could probably follow any phrase with that’s what she said and think of a way to turn it dirty. I curbed myself around Jack though. I didn’t want to lead him on. It wasn’t an option when this was headed nowhere.
Jack traced his bare feet along the water’s foamy edge. “This is nice, isn’t it?” he mused.
“Sure is. I needed a day like this.” Before the wedding my brain was on overload, but now, after meeting Jack, it was ready to short fuse with too much going on at once. I needed a stress detox and this was a great start.
“You all ready for your move?” His gaze dropped from mine to the sand when he asked. Knowing how I felt about leaving now that there was someone to leave behind made me wonder if Jack was really interested in the answer to his question or just being polite.
I decided not to make a big deal about the distance that would soon be between us and made small talk about the situation instead. “Yes, I guess so. Even though we’re going back home, so to speak, it’s like starting all over again.” I followed his lead as he walked, leaving a trail of footprints in the wet sand.
“What made you and Nina decide on New York? Can’t you design clothes here?”
“Of course we can, but at the time this just seemed right. Ryan’s company is in New York. He and Nina are ready
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