She realized her whole life was pretty much lived on a whim. That was how she liked it, but it probably gave Reece hives.
She punched him lightly on the arm. You probably had your whole life mapped out by the time you were twelve.
He grinned. You really do know me better than I thought.
They rode the trolley all the way to the end of the line. They stepped off the old wooden car. Sara waved to Benji, who began the process of reversing the car for the trip back.
Where is this party, anyway? Reece asked.
Its on that undeveloped stretch of beach toward the north end of the island, past the jetty. Theres no road-well have to walk along the beach.
Whose party is it?
UmI dont know. But I heard about it from my friend Tracy, who heard about it from her boyfriends brother. I think its some friend of his.
Reece skidded to a stop. So were crashing?
She smiled indulgently at him. This isnt the kind of party where they send out engraved invitations. Someone just decides to have it, and word gets around. There will be a keg and maybe some hot dogs, but people bring their own food and drink if they feel like it.
Should we bring something? Reece asked, nodding toward the convenience store that squatted where Second Street dead-ended.
Got it covered. She patted her straw bag.
It was only a block to the beach. They crossed the dunes using a rickety boardwalk, then Sara paused to take off her sandals, leaning one hand against his shoulder.
Dont you want to take off your shoes? she asked. No sense walking on the beach with shoes on.
I guess. Arent you worried youll step on something? Its kind of dark.
This beach is very clean, she said, unconcerned. Oh, look how pretty it is with the moon shining on the water. She ran toward the ocean, holding her arms wide as if she could hold the whole thing in her embrace.
This beach is very clean, she said, unconcerned. Oh, look how pretty it is with the moon shining on the water. She ran toward the ocean, holding her arms wide as if she could hold the whole thing in her embrace.
When she realized a wave was barreling toward her, she did an abrupt U-turn and ran the other way, holding her skirt up so it wouldnt get wet.
Reece was just standing there, watching her.
She squealed in delight as the cold water hit her lower legs. Hey, come on! She ran back to him and took his hand, urging him to join her in playing tag with the waves.
I dont want my pants to get wet.
She sighed, then stooped down to untie his shoelaces and roll up the legs of his cargo pants to just below his knees. There. Now catch me! She took off and, moments later, she heard footsteps slapping in the wet sand behind her. She quickly changed direction, ducking when Reece reached out for her and heading toward the waves, where she was sure Reece wouldnt follow.
But shed underestimated him. He pursued with single-minded determination and caught her right at the waters edge, pulling her close until they were chest to chest.
Tag. He closed in for what she was sure would be one helluva kiss-theyd been leading up to it all night. She felt his warm breath, then the subtle intake, and
A wave chose that moment to hit them full force.
Chapter Seven
Sara shrieked in shock at the cold onslaught, then ran to drier ground, laughing. Reece was more sputtering than laughing. He didnt much appreciate having their moment interrupted in such a rude fashion.
Youre all wet! Sara said through her giggles.
He gave her a hard look. You are worse than any ten-year-old. But then he couldnt help grinning. She was so beautiful, standing there dripping water. Some of the seawater had splashed upward on impact, dampening her blouse so that it was transparent in places.
He thought about taking up where theyd left off. He was pretty sure she would be amenable. Or she might make him chase her again.
She leaned over to wring out her skirt, and he did the same with the hem of his shirt. Everything from his hips down was soaking, but the evening was warm and his pants were lightweight cotton, so they would dry quickly. He checked his cell phone to see if it had been damaged, but it had stayed dry in his pocket.
Reece located the shoes hed kicked off just before chasing Sara, and Sara found her straw bag where shed dropped it in the sand, but her shoes were missing.
Those were my favorite sandals, she lamented.
Reece tugged on his own shoes. Well find them.
But after a few more minutes, they had to admit defeat.
They were Mexican huaraches, she said glumly. I bought them in Taxco for three dollars. They were just getting good and broken in.
He was tempted to offer to take her to Mexico to buy new ones-that was the effect she had on him. But she quickly shook off the misfortune, her ready smile returning.
Lets go party, she said, taking his hand.
They had to clamber over the big rocks used to build the jetty. Reece climbed ahead of her and offered her a hand to balance, which she accepted, though he suspected she could climb the jetty perfectly well without his aid.
On the other side of the jetty, the beach was littered with broken shells. Sara paused, her teeth tugging at her full lower lip.
Come on, Ill give you a piggyback ride.
Okay.
He squatted halfway down, and she climbed up, looping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. It was the perfect solution. He got to feel Saras body pressed against his, her warm breath tickling his ear. And she got to save her feet.
Once they reached the smooth sand, Reece didnt put her down. He continued to carry her along the beach-she was as light as a kitten-and she let him. He could carry her like this all night. Well, if she didnt offer an even more attractive position.
That thought startled him. Hed already made the decision that it was wiser if he and Sara did not become any more entangled. But unless she was some kind of major tease, she would welcome his advances. Every move shed made tonight seemed part of a giant seduction.
Theyd left behind the houses and shacks that lined the beach closer to town.
Why has no one built up this area? Reece asked.
This section of coastline is part of a shorebird sanctuary, so no one can develop it. Technically no ones supposed to build a fire here, either, but the local police never check. So long as we put out the fire when were done and leave the beach clean, the cops look the other way.
They soon saw the glow of the fire ahead of them. Strains of rock music reached them next. When they drew closer, Reece saw thirty or so people gathered around the fire, sitting on logs or beach chairs or right on the sand. A half-dozen boats of every size and description, from dinghies to yachts, anchored just offshore, and more boats were arriving. He guessed that was how most people arrived, because they hadnt seen anyone else walking the beach.
Sara, you made it!
Reece set Sara down, and she ran up to throw herself into a hug with a shirtless man who bore a surfers bleached hair and perpetual tan.
Reece felt a twinge of jealousy. He wanted to claim Sara, throw her over his shoulder caveman style and put every man here on notice that she was his, hands off.
But Sara would never belong to him or any man. Trying to tie her down would be as futile as trying to keep a wave on the sand.
Good to see you, Josh, she said, releasing him.
A curvy little blonde bounced up wearing shorts and a bikini top. Hey, Sara. They hugged, too.
Sara dragged Reece forward. This is Reece. Hesvisiting from New York, she said carefully. Reece, this is David and Tracy. Tracy is my yoga instructor, and Davidwhat are you doing lately, David?
As little as possible, he said. Then he shook hands with Reece. Nice to meet ya.
Did you all go swimming with your clothes on? Tracy asked.
By accident, Sara said with a laugh. She opened her big straw bag and, to Reeces amazement, pulled out a bottle of wine. Who do I give this to?
Ill take it, David said with a grin. My brother is the one who popped for the keg and the brats.
Sara held the bottle away from him. If I give this to you, your brother will never see it. Point him out.
The guy in the red shirt.
Sara moved through the group with the skill of a public-relations executive working an event. She greeted people she knew with hugs and kisses, introduced herself and Reece to people she didnt even know. She delivered the wine to the host, grabbed a handful of potato chips, then headed for the keg.
Ill get it, Reece said, belatedly jumping forward to do the honors. All the people, the frenzied talking and laughing and the music, had momentarily distracted him from doing his gentlemanly duty. He was terrible at parties, particularly parties at which he didnt know anyone.
He filled a plastic cup with frothy beer for Sara, and one for himself. He wasnt a big drinker, but he enjoyed an occasional beer, and this setting seemed the place for it. Lots of these partygoers were clearly well on their way to inebriation.
Someone was cooking brats over the fire; they smelled wonderful and Reece wished he hadnt already eaten.
Reece was about to suggest they find themselves a place to sit when he spied his cousin Max, dancing with a redhead who had her back to Reece. He shouldnt have been surprised to see Max here. If there was a party to be found, Max found it. He was a purely social animal-hated spending the evening home alone. Back in New York he had lived in a noisy apartment building full of other singles who were always hanging out by the rooftop pool. If he wasnt attending the opening of a new club or entertaining clients at a hot restaurant, he hung with his neighbors or invited people over to watch a sporting event.
Oh, theres Tandy, Sara said. She has her baby with her! And Sara was off, like a honeybee lured by the scent of a new flower.
Reece didnt want to follow her around like a puppy. He headed for Max, whose redheaded partner turned out to be Allie, who was soon to become a part of the Remington family by marrying Cooper.
Did you steal Coopers girl already? he asked when he reached the dancing couple.
Reece! I didnt expect to see you here. Allie stopped dancing long enough to give Reece a kiss on the cheek.