Page 10 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men

I give August a curious look. “I’m surprised you understand.”

“We did the same thing,” Dominic explains. “We stepped away from our father’s empire. Sure, we carry the name, but our fortune and success, that’s all ours.”

“I had no idea. Matthew never mentioned?—”

“Matthew is a name we should no longer speak while on this trip,” Theo says. “The next couple of weeks are for relaxing, frolicking in the water, eating and drinking well, and getting to know one another. We were always his friends in relation to you. We’re hoping that changes, as of now.”

“Oh?”

“He never deserved you,” Dominic says. His hand comes up to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. Again, his touch renders me defenseless. Unable to think or say anything. “By the time we’re packing up to head back to New York, you’ll see that, too. But in the meantime, I spot an umbrella with four chaise lounges waiting for us right over there,” he adds, pointing to the beach.

The umbrella is one of those large Tiki types, made with layers of straw, casting a generous shadow beneath it. Towels sit on each of the chaise lounges, rolled and neatly tied with satin bows. On the small wooden table between them, a bamboo tray awaits, complete with a lemonade pitcher and four highball glasses.

“Come on, let’s hit the water first,” Theo says.

He runs ahead and the rest of us follow. I find myself getting more and more nervous with every step through the warm, soft sand. I set my bag down and fiddle with the fringes on my shawl, trying to figure out what I should do next.

The guys are all but ready to jump into the ocean, but they’re waiting for me.

“Phoebe?”

“Huh?”

“What are you waiting for?” Dominic asks.

“Nothing. You should go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute,” I nervously reply and proceed to pour some lemonade into one of the glasses. “I’m a bit thirsty.”

“Phoebe,” August says sternly. It’s not a question. They know what I’m doing.

I glance down at myself, then look around again. All those beach bodies, and then there’s me. As if he’s somehow able to read my mind, Dominic comes closer. I hold my breath as our eyes meet.

“I’ll say it until you get it through your head,” he says, fingers reaching for the knot on my shoulder holding the shawl covering my figure. “Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.”

“I’m just not comfortable on display,” I mutter.

“Do you think anybody will care what you look like?” he replies. “They’re all busy having fun, catching some rays, laughing, swimming, eating what smells like fantastic churros.”

“Oh, yeah, I see the bistro just up the beach,” Theo says. “We have a source now.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re incorrigible.”

“It’s churros, Phoebe. Live a little,” Dominic insists, a playful spark dancing in his dark eyes. “You’ve been under your family and Matthew’s influence for far too long. It’s time for some serious reprogramming.”

“Reprogramming?”

“Until you see yourself for who you really are again,” Dominic replies. “First, however…”

I gasp, not registering that his fingers were working on the knot until it’s too late. The shawl falls off, revealing my full figure and the turquoise one-piece bathing suit I picked for today’s beach outing.

“Damn, Phoebe, you’re a work of art,” August says, his gaze lustful as he measures me from head to toe.

“Art?” I chuckle dryly. “Thank you, August. You’re too kind, but I don’t know that I would go so far as to say I’m a ‘work of art.’”

“Come on,” Theo says as he takes my hand. “Let’s find out what the water’s like.”

“Wait—”

There’s no waiting with them. In the blink of an eye, my resistance vanishes, and I’m laughing and running down the beach with three Greek gods. Before long, we’re splashing in theocean, letting the warm, salty water wash over our bodies while the breeze picks up.