Page 15

Cape Breeze isn’t a touristy town, so there are no major attractions nearby.

However, Mike’s going to teach me how to surf if the conditions are right, Zayne mentioned us doing some surf fishing—even though he doesn’t know how—and they both mentioned how competitive they get at playing frisbee.

I’m totally pumped to start right now, but by the way the guys both ushered their girlfriends away, I have a feeling it’s going to be awhile before they come out of their rooms.

But I refuse to let that stop me. I toss my empty suitcase into the closet and head down to the main level.

There’s no one around, so I opt to go out onto the deck and check out the pool and see what the layout of everything is—like where the hot tub is, the grill, seating areas—and then find the beach access point.

The deck is massive, and the pool is completely centered in it.

Off to the right is a row of lounges with the hot tub tucked away in the corner, and to the left is the grilling area with a table that easily sits eight.

It’s also on that side where the walkway is out to the sand.

It’s a long pier made of the same material as the deck and midway down, there are two benches built into it.

That’s where I stumble upon Olivia. She’s lying on one of them, and I can’t tell if she’s awake or asleep.

“You’re in my sun,” she says, so…awake.

“Sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

Shading her eyes, I can tell she’s trying to see me. “I wasn’t ready to get covered in sand, so I strolled out this far and sat down. These benches are long enough, though, that I figured why not, and really made myself comfortable.” Sitting up, she smiles.

“Don’t get uncomfortable on my count. I was just exploring a bit. I figured everyone was going to be occupied for a while and thought I’d take advantage of the time and check things out.” I glance around. “Where’s Roxie?”

“She took the dogs and went right out onto the beach. Apparently they all love the water, so I’m guessing she is going to be gone for a while.

At least, that’s what she told me. I think she was hinting for me to go with her, but I’m feeling a little lazy and definitely don’t have the energy to keep up with three dogs living their best lives. ”

That makes me laugh because I totally would have gone with her if she asked.

Roxie’s a very nice woman. We’ve hung out plenty of times and I consider her a good friend.

There’s no attraction there, and I know she’s had a rough time since her divorce.

Still, I wouldn’t have minded running along the beach with the dogs and maybe playing a little fetch with them.

“You could probably catch up with her if jogging is your thing,” she says, interrupting my thoughts. “They headed in that direction.”

That direction being to the right.

“Nah, but I’ll let her know I don’t mind helping with the dogs when she gets back.”

We sit in companionable silence as Olivia closes her eyes and tilts her head back to let the afternoon sun hit her face. I do the same because I’m not ready to get up and move yet.

“You know, I’m super jealous of your real estate,” she says.

My head snaps up. “Um…what?”

“Your real estate. Your room on the third floor.” She’s not looking at me and her lips barely moved.

“Yeah, the guys said I had the sweetest deal but then changed their minds since they’ll be having sex.”

Ugh. Why would I say that?

Luckily, she laughs at that. “Honestly, you all have it better than me. I think the girls are getting even with me because I bailed on the last few trips I was supposed to take. Well, I didn’t actually bail because it was all out of my control, but it feels like I’m still being punished.

I’m in a twin bed and I’m sharing the room with Roxie and the dogs. I’m not sure how that’s going to go.”

I don’t have an option for her since this isn’t my house and I don’t know all the particulars of it yet, but I don’t think suggesting one of the sofas is much of an upgrade for her. Before I can even say anything, though, she continues.

“Of course, I’m probably just looking for problems that aren’t there because all the details were thrown at me. It’s my own fault for building this trip up in my mind with no actual information to go on. If Roxie says the dogs aren’t going to be an issue, then I believe her.”

“Really?” I ask with amusement, and this time she does look at me.

“Not even a little bit.” Smiling, she straightens and I’m a little in awe of how animated she gets when she speaks.

“I don’t know a lot about dogs, but I know pugs and Frenchies snore.

A lot. The pug is a noisy little thing, and even though she is so damn cute, I’m not sure I’m going to be feeling that when I’m trying to sleep.

And I love to sleep, Ash! Love it! And I love it even more in a bed that is actually big enough to sprawl out like a starfish!

You know what you can’t do in a twin bed? Sprawl!”

I’m about to offer to swap rooms with her because I can sleep anywhere and I’m totally fine with sharing a room with Roxie as a friend, but that might make me sound creepy.

But it comes out anyway.

“Do you want my room instead? I’m okay with a twin bed, and I don’t think Roxie will mind.”

She whips off her sunglasses and stares at me like I’ve lost my mind and leans forward almost menacingly.

“Ash, there is no way you are going to share a room with Roxie. It doesn’t matter how platonic the two of you are; that’s not going to happen.

She is one of my best friends and she kind of has a lot of negative feelings toward your gender right now.

There is no way I would subject her to that. I would be a total ass if I did.”

I stammer as I try to think of a response, but again, she beats me to it.

“But thank you for offering. That was very sweet.”

Talking with Olivia is a little like a roller coaster ride in the dark; you have no idea where the next dip or turn is going to be.

“So, um…what do you think of the plans for dinner?” I ask, eager to move on to another topic.

“I’m all for not going out tonight and having a casual night in and grilling.

I think after the long drive and all the unpacking, we deserve a quiet night.

Plus, burgers out on the deck, some wine, and then the hot tub?

It’s almost like paradise. According to Loren, Mike is the king of grilling, but you probably know that. ”

I nod. “He is, and he takes it very seriously. We’ve all learned to keep our distance when he’s in charge because none of us knows what we’re doing.”

Her shoulders sag slightly, and her smile dims. “I’m a little envious of you again.”

“For…?”

“I moved away, and I didn’t regret it until…well…now.”

“Seriously? All because of Mike’s grilling skills?” I’m making light of it to help the mood.

Her smile starts to reappear. “I used to know these people like I knew myself. But now? Now there are things I know nothing about—inside jokes, shared experiences and stories—and I feel like an outsider.” When I go to comment, she holds up a hand to stop me.

“Again, I made the decision to move, and for my career, it was the right thing. I just didn’t expect to miss so much. ”

Damn. I have nothing to say to that. Not really.

Except…

“I travel a lot for work. Like…a lot. Sometimes I’m gone for a week, sometimes a month.

When I get home, I try to catch up with everyone, but I miss a lot too.

Loren, Mike, Van, and Zayne? They do everything together.

There’s no way to keep up with it all because they’re like a unit that goes everywhere.

I know I’ve felt like an outsider with them as well.

Roxie hasn’t been around much since the divorce, but I’m sure she’d agree.

” I shrug. “But I have other friends I hang out with too, so this group isn’t like… exclusive to me. Does that make sense?”

“It does, and thank you. I really wanted this time to reconnect. Like I was telling you on the plane, my writing career is at a crossroads, and I wanted the time with the girls to try to work through things, but that’s kind of selfish of me.”

It’s not the first time she’s said that about herself.

“Liv, I realize you and I don’t know each other well, but you don’t come across as being selfish.

If anything, you’re the total opposite. You could have told Mrs. Serrano that you didn’t want to speak at Matt’s funeral because he was a total dick who really hurt you, but you didn’t.

You could have pitched a fit and demanded to have your own room here at the house, but you didn’t.

You may think these things, but you’re an adult and you think things through before you act on them.

At least, that’s what I’m seeing. You don’t think everyone has those same thoughts?

I can almost guarantee that you weren’t the first person Mrs. Serrano asked, but you were the only one who agreed. ”

“Damn, Sebastian,” she says as she leans back, her slender arms stretching out along the railing. “That was a bit savage. I thought you and Matt were friends.”

“We were,” I quickly explain. “But I was well aware of his faults. You don’t room with a guy and not pick up on the red flags.”

Part of me feels guilty even speaking of Matt this way because I owe him a lot, but that doesn’t change the fact that I also witnessed a lot of shitty behavior on his part.

Some people say he was charming, but most of the time I likened it to him being a narcissist who preyed on women.

There was a different girl every day, and I can count on one hand the number of times where I saw a serious side of him where he showed any remorse or regrets.

One of those times, he mentioned Olivia by name.

The only reason I remember that is because it was the only time I truly believed he regretted his actions.

Not that I would ever share that with her. That’s not my place and I have a feeling it would cause more pain than good.

“I’m having a hard time imagining the two of you being friends,” she says after a long moment. “Like you said, we don’t know each other well, but knowing what I do about you and knowing what I do about Matt, you two are the ultimate odd couple.”

She’s not wrong.

“I was just a quiet, nerdy tech kid,” I explain. “And we were fine just co-existing those first few days and then one night, he announced that we were going out, and I went. He gave me a social life that I never would have achieved on my own.”

Nodding, Olivia smiles sadly. “Yeah, he was famous for making sure everyone went out and had fun.”

We’re saved from expanding on that when Zayne steps out on the deck and roars, “Where’s everybody at?”

It’s the perfect distraction and I’m instantly on my feet. “Why don’t you stay here and relax? I feel bad that I ruined that for you.”

Getting to her feet, she stretches—her tank top rising to reveal her belly button—before she slides her sunglasses back on and shakes her head.

“We are both going to have to stop apologizing to each other. We have at least two weeks of essentially living together while on vacation. So let’s just stop that right now and move on. Deal?”

I nod. “Deal.”

“Groceries are going to be here in five minutes,” Zayne calls out. “And Vanessa’s already putting together a charcuterie board. You guys joining us?”

Olivia and I exchange glances. “I am a huge fan of charcuterie boards,” she tells me. “Especially when I don’t have to put them together.”

“Same.” I motion for her to go ahead of me. “Shall we?”

“We shall!”