Maggie races up the stairs ahead of me. At the top landing, Nick has a camera with a long lens focused out at the roaring ocean. I turn to take in what has him so fascinated. The waves are more volatile than usual, in contrast to the sun shining overhead.
“We’re supposed to get a storm tonight,” Nick tells me, lowering his camera. “If the ocean’s any indication, it’s going to be a bad one.”
I peer out once again. There’s an ominous energy in the air, sending a shiver down my spine.
“She’s pregnant, you know,” Nick says out of nowhere.
I spin, my pulse racing. My huge eyes an indication that he caught me by surprise. “You’re the father?”
He laughs humorlessly. “I think so. Not exactly sure after this weekend. But why else would she be marrying me?”
“Cassandra?” I ask, utterly confused.
Nick narrows his eyes, just as confounded. “Who did you think I was talking about?”
I shake my head apologetically. “Sorry. It’s been a strange two minutes.” Now Olivia’s concerns over Cassandra drinking wine make complete sense. “Do you love her?” When I realize how that sounds, I quickly correct, “That’s not my business. I’m sorry.”
“I did. When we first met. But … people aren’t always who they appear to be. And now … I don’t know. I try. But I do love this baby.” His dark green eyes are focused on the waves, his mind elsewhere. “And I want to be there for her—I’m her father. She’ll need me to protect her. Make her feel safe.”
“You’re having a daughter?”
“I don’t know for sure,” he says with a serene expression. “But I hope so.”
“You’re staying with Cassandra for your daughter?” I confirm, my lips pressing into a comforting smile.
“It may be her choice to have this child, but it’s mine to be in her life. You must think I’m the biggest pushover, letting her treat me like she does. Not arguing with her when she’s being a brat. But … I can’t risk her ending it, cutting me out of my child’s life. Because she can do that too easily, and it would kill me.”
“That’s extremely selfless of you. And admirable. Your daughter’s lucky to have you.”
“Thank you,” he says, his eyes glossy.
“And she’ll need you. Especially with Cassandra as her mother. No offense.”
Nick laughs, and it’s a wonderful sound. It’s full and loud. I don’t think I’ve heard it before, but it makes me laugh in return.
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m getting into. Knowing will keep me sane, hopefully. Can’t go into this marriage blindly.” He looks at me appreciatively. “You’re a good listener, Faye. Not many people are. Thank you again.”
I nod and walk past him, leaving him to the volatile waves and his wishes for his daughter.
When I reach the lawn, everyone is engaged in some sort of game. Other than Damon, who’s lounging in a chair, drinking his dark liquor, looking as smug as ever. Julia and Olivia are playing croquet with the boys. And Kaden and Maggie are engaged in an intense game of badminton.
I wander over to the blankets and sit to watch them all.
“She’s quite fascinating, isn’t she?”
I remain quiet as Damon stands behind me, his presence easily felt, igniting goose bumps along my neck as if he were breathing on it.
“Full of life and exuberance. She’s definitely hard to ignore. Your boy seems to think so too.” Damon’s words pierce with venom and sink into my veins. “They always get along this well?”
My heart tightens as I watch Maggie tip her head back and laugh in that carefree, infectious way she does. Kaden smiles openly, warning her he’s about to serve and she’d better pay attention.
My thoughts can’t take them in and hear Damon’s words at the same time. Behind those words, I hear Maggie asking for my forgiveness. And it would destroy me to even think it, forget about discover it to be true.
A finger skates along my shoulder. I shrug away.
“Don’t be sad. You’ll never be alone, Peach. Not a girl like you. There’ll always be someone to keep you warm.”
I stand suddenly. Julia’s frozen, her eyes trained on us. Averting my gaze, I rush into the house, away from Damon’s words, Maggie’s laughter and Julia’s accusatory glare.
A short time later, I help Olivia lay out the platters of food along the line of blankets, and then I find a spot next to Kaden and Maggie. It took me some time to shake off the dread in my gut, convince myself I was being paranoid. Damon was poisoning me with his jaded views of love and fidelity. I needed to stay away from him.
I find myself touching Kaden more than I usually do publicly. Needing the affirmation of his affection to put me at ease, and he is more than eager to participate—kissing my shoulder, a hand on my knee, a cuddling embrace.
“You two are extra disgusting today,” Maggie notes, wrinkling her nose.
“It’s our last day together,” I attempt to explain, threading my fingers through his and kissing his knuckles.
“Only for a few months,” Kaden adds, trying to sprinkle my statement with optimism. “I’ll be home for three weeks over the holiday break. Maybe we can convince Niall and Olivia to let us stay with them. I’m sure they’ll need the help.”
I sigh with contentment, leaning back into his shoulder as he kisses my cheek. “That would be perfect.”
I glance at Maggie out of the corner of my eye to gauge her reaction. But she’s distracted, not paying any attention to us. Her eyes float toward where Damon’s saying something to make Cassandra laugh, while Nick stands by uncomfortably.
“Nick, can you set up your camera to capture a group photo?” Niall asks, his voice easily carrying across the lawn.
Nick looks up, eager to do anything to get away from his current situation. “Yeah, I’ll get the tripod.” He retrieves his black case beside a hydrangea bush next to the pool house.
“Oh, let me find Isaac,” Kaden says, remembering Isaac asked to use his bathroom so that Parker wouldn’t trail after him. I couldn’t quite follow his logic, but Kaden agreed regardless.
He jogs off toward the cottage as everyone is settling into a pose on the blanket. Parker refuses to sit, and Niall is chasing him around the blankets that are strewn with empty and half-eaten platters of food.
“Do you ever try to imagine what people look like naked?” Maggie says quietly in my ear.
“What?” I reply, laughing at her absurd question.
“Sometimes, when I’m bored at the store, I watch people in the aisles and try to picture them naked. It’s extremely entertaining. And oddly erotic, especially when they’re old and wrinkly.”
I burst out laughing, and she joins me. “You are so weird.”
“Always,” she promises, planting a sloppy kissing on my cheek.
We laugh again as Kaden and Isaac race across the lawn to settle in for the picture.
“Sorry, I think I took that,” Nick announces. “Let’s try this again. Setting the timer for thirty seconds. Everyone in place.”
Kaden slides between Maggie and me, Isaac propped on his lap, as Nick walks over to sit beside Cassandra. The smile comes easily with Kaden’s hand on the small of my back and Maggie’s hand cupping mine on top of the blanket. When the camera clicks, I continue to smile, my heart finally at ease.