Page 84 of Suddenly Beck

Molly has bought me boxers with eggplant emoji’s splashed all over them, much to Bea’s utter mortification, especially when she had to lean over and explain to Bernard what that particular emoji is supposed to infer.

Ryan gives me a case of hisBad Decisionbeer, along with a wink and a ‘you’re welcome’ smirk. I get a waterproof watch from Pia, and Reed, Quinn and Jesse clubbed together to get me a waterproof GoPro for when I’m surfing. Joss, Juni and Lila, all made me sweet little friendship bracelets from brightly coloured cord and clear beads, which came from recycled plastics from the local beach clean-up.

Then Georgie leans over and hands me her phone.

‘Thanks, Georgie, but I’ve got my own.’ I laugh.

‘Twat.’ She grins at me affectionately. ‘Look at the picture.’

I glance down at a photo of a gorgeous custom-made surfboard. Georgie is insanely talented. She may run the surf school and swim shack for her parents, but her real passion is for designing and making handmade surfboards. I look closer at the eye-catching graphics painted on the underside and in a wild rip curl script is my name.

‘Oh my god,’ I breath. ‘Is this… mine?’

‘No, lame arse, it’s for the other Nat whose birthday party I’m at.’ She laughs. ‘Of course, it’s yours, but given the size of it, I thought it best not to lug it over to the restaurant. It’s over at the shack when you’re ready for it.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ I mutter.

‘Tell me I’m awesome and that you love me.’ She winks, and so I do, wrapping my arms around her and telling her I love her, not missing the wistful look Quinn sends her way when she’s not looking.

We eat, we drink, and we laugh. I’ve never felt so welcome or so loved, and it’s like being wrapped up in a warm blanket of pure contentment. If people don’t stop being so nice to me, I may just break down and cry like a baby.

I look up as Melanie taps her glass and stands up to make a speech.

‘Alright, calm down.’ She smiles. ‘I’d like to make a toast. This is the first time we’ve celebrated a birthday in here since Sully passed away, and I’d just like to say how glad I am it’s yours, Nat.’ She looks down at me warmly. ‘You have no idea the light you’ve brought with you since you arrived in the bay and tried to toss yourself headfirst into the ocean.’

‘You told her?’ I hiss to Beck, and he grins as the table erupts in laughter.

‘Anyway, I’m so glad Beck didn’t let you drown. Seriously though, Nat, you’ve brought Sully’s back to life, and you mean a lot to us. You’re not just part of our community, you’re part of our extended ragtag patchwork family. We may be rough around the edges, but it works, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say, we love you, and we hope you decide to stay permanently. TO NAT!’

A rousing chorus ripples around the table accompanied by raised glasses, and I can feel my eyes burning.

Yep, about to cry just like a baby.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nat

When the man calls you his muse and gives you everything you didn’t know you needed, it’s time to just admit he owns your heart…

I spin around with the sand beneath my feet, the moon high above and the scent of the briny waves floating around me as Beck watches with a soft smile on his face.

‘Dance with me, Beck.’ I reach for him. ‘Dance with me in the moonlight.’

He slides his arms around me slowly, wrapping them around my waist as I drape my arms around his neck, and we dance slow circles in the sand.

‘Sometimes, Nat,’ he rumbles quietly. ‘I think you’ve been conjured froma midsummer night’s dream; a beautiful fae creature of magic, sent to enchant me, and I wonder if you’re real.’

‘I’m real,’ I whisper against his mouth, reaching for his hand and laying it on my chest. ‘Touch me.’ I shiver, overwhelmed by the rush of feeling for this man that I didn’t see coming and am utterly defenceless against. ‘I’m real.’

‘Nat.’ His lips press against mine, and I’m sinking. I can’t do anything but breathe in and taste the man I’m hopelessly in love with.

‘Come home with me,’ he murmurs. ‘I want to give you my present.’

I can’t help the smile that curves at the corner of my mouth.

‘I know exactly where your mind just went,’ he chuckles. ‘That too, but I have something else in mind, something special.’

Intrigued, I follow him along the beach, holding his hand as we wind up the secret path to the bluffs and toward the sea cottage. Once inside, he leads me to his studio and flips the lights on, pulling me toward the large worktable he usually sculpts clay models on. Standing in the middle of the table is a large object, maybe three feet high and covered with a drop cloth.