Time passes, but I remain still as memories of my mom flash through my mind like a moving picture book. Her bright smile as I came through the door after playing basketball. Her quick-paced walk everywhere she went, always in a hurry. Our bicycle races. The warm hugs she gave me when I occasionally revealed my insecurities to her. The silly faces she would make when I asked her about a date. No one was good enough for her. I’ll never forget the sight of her reading the newspaper every morning as she sat on the couch, holding a fresh cup of coffee. Her scent after her nightly shower was always fresh from the baby powder she sprinkled all over her body.
By the time we step back onto the private beach in front of our homes, I’m exhausted. Not physically, though. I could run another ten miles. Mentally, I’m just done.
It’s like Alec reads my mind. “Come on.”
He pulls me toward the shore and kicks off his shoes, then he slides off his shirt and tosses it onto the sand. I quickly avert my gaze but not before catching sight of a well-sculpted chest and abs. Geez, he’s got a good body. I saw him shirtless that first night on the beach, but this is somehow different. We’re alone now, and daylight leaves nothing to the imagination.
I hesitate for a second before following his lead, stripping out of my tank top and shoes, leaving my sports bra and my shorts on. He grins then grips my hand again before pulling me to the water.
We both take a running dive and come up when only our faces and necks clear the water. We’re both laughing as our eyes connect, and I swear there’s a crackling and sizzling from our connection like there are electrically charged particles lighting up the air. And in that strange but electrifying moment, I imagine he might kiss me. I want him to kiss me. I want it so badly that I almost miss the way he’s wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer.
A shiver races through my body, and even while my nerves are lighting off like fireworks, I’m shocked by how comfortable I am in his hold. It’s all so natural with Alec. So easy. So right. I don’t even flinch when he brings his face closer to mine, and my lips start to tingle in anticipation of his kiss.
My first kiss.
My thoughts are racing. Fear of the unknown wreaks havoc, causing my heart to gallop so loud in my chest I’m certain Alec can hear it. Then his mouth presses to mine, tasting of saltwater, while his hold around my waist tightens. I move my lips back against his, testing the way they feel matched with mine, familiarizing myself with their shape, their taste, and their firmness. We’ve only started to find our rhythm when the moment is ruined with a few sprinkles, followed by a heavy downpour of rain.
A hungry rumble tears through the sky, startling us and causing us to jump slightly, enough to separate us. A bolt of lightning follows with a deafening crack.
As if reading each other’s mind, we take off for the shore and stumble away from the water. Alec runs ahead and scrambles to grab our things, then we trip along the shore’s edge toward our homes.
“Thanks for the run!” I shout. The wind whips my hair around my head, smacking me hard in the face.
He squeezes my hand like he never wants to let go. “Want to do it again tomorrow?”
My hesitation has nothing to do with how much I like Alec. Liking him is the easy part. It’s the leaving him part that I’m starting to fear. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
He frowns. “Why not? We have fun together, don’t we? And your grandmother loves me.”
I laugh as an uneasy feeling whips through me. “My grandmother loves you? How would you even know that?”
Something flickers in his eyes, and the playful smile falls from his face, triggering a warning in my gut. “I mean… I-I think she does. She was quick to let you come out with me last night, wasn’t she?”
Something feels wrong. He’s lying. My intuition is strong on this one. Tiny puzzle pieces begin to click together in my brain. How insistent Rose was that I stay in Apollo Beach. How she seemed to already know who was at the door when Alec picked me up last night.
My jaw drops as it all hits me like a barrel being dropped on my dreams. I should have known it was all a lie. “Rose asked you to invite me out last night.” My voice is shaking, I’m so angry.
Alec’s face completely crumbles, illuminating his truth brighter than the lightning that strikes the water behind him. “Yes, but—”
I shake my head and take a step back. My entire body is trembling now. “I don’t know what she told you, but I don’t need a pity friendship. Whatever she offered you in return, I hope it was worth it.”
He’s frowning, his forehead deeply creased in the center. “Kat, just listen for a minute. It’s not like—”
He starts to move toward me, but I’m gaining distance more quickly than he can close it.
“Leave me alone, Alec. I’m warning you. You don’t want to be near me right now.”
As if the sky is listening, a loud rumble shakes overhead. Alec jumps and looks toward the noise. I use the distraction as an opportunity to flee back to Summer Manor… and to leave Alec Stone behind.
The main doors to Island Grille are locked when I arrive Monday morning, so I meander around the porch to check out the view while I wait. I lean forward onto the balcony rail and look out at the open sea. The sun is rising above the horizon, creating a mirror image on the calm water as birds soar through the sky. I’m in a terrible mood thanks to how last night ended with Alec, which was followed by a confrontation with Rose. Despite that, it’s a beautiful day, and I intend to enjoy it.
“What are you doing?”
I jump and spin around to glare at the intruder to my thoughts. It’s Johnny. A very disheveled, tousled hair, and tired-eyed version of him. My heart quickens in my chest, and I don’t know if it’s from my eyeful of the guy or the way he snuck up on me just now.
“Geez. You don’t have to yell at me.”
He twists his lips like he’s looking at a weirdo. “I didn’t yell.” Then he turns and starts to walk back around the corner. “Come on. I need to count the till. You need to fold napkins.”
My eyes are glued to his black shirt as it ripples over a plethora of muscles beneath it. “Fun,” I say under my breath so he doesn’t hear me.
At least, I hoped he wouldn’t. But the way his steps slow for a half of a second make me realize I should be more careful. While he’s nice to look at, he’s not exactly the most pleasant person to be around. Working an entire shift with him will surely be torture.
He walks me into the bar and over to a booth where a basket of blue cloth napkins sit. “You can fold these and wrap the silverware inside like this.” He takes a fork, a knife, and a spoon, places them in a folded napkin and rolls the napkin until everything is snug.
I shouldn’t be mesmerized by the fluidity of Johnny’s napkin-folding skills. Nor should I be comparing the size of his thick, calloused hands to Alec’s soft ones. He’s too much of a hot-headed jerk for me to notice those kinds of things.
“I hope you were taking notes.” He points at the basket and walks away. “Get to work.”
A burning sensation runs through my veins as I watch him strut away. At least he hasn’t glared at me yet. Maybe things are looking up.