“Agh!” I yell.
Anaya’s laughter echoes around me. She snuck up behind me without the slightest noise. “Come on scaredy-cat, this way.”
On impulse, I reach into the darkness and take her hand in mine. She gives it a little squeeze.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask.
“Absolutely not.”
We set off on the gravel path around the moonlit lake, the sounds of laughter and music fading into the distance. By the Inn, the garden party is still in full swing. I wonder whether Brooklyn has noticed that we’ve left, and then realize that I don’t care.
Gravel crunches beneath our feet as we walk along the path, lit by the moon alone. There’s no breeze and I’m warmed by adrenaline, wondering where Anaya is taking me. Finally, we step onto a barely marked trail that I’ve never noticed before. Anaya drags me along behind her, and it occurs to me that for someone who trips over her feet all the time, she has the grace of a cat when walking in the dark.
Through the trees, I spot dim lighting. A few more steps and the most gorgeous little cabin comes into view. Without hesitation, Anaya walks to the front door and inserts a keycard in the lock. A green light flashes, and she pushes the door open.
“What is this place?” I ask in wonder.
She turns and grins cheekily, wiggling her eyebrows. “The Honeymoon Suite.”
My mouth drops open. What?
Anaya beckons me into the cabin and turns on a few lights inside. It’s a gorgeous space, with a huge four poster bed covered in pillows at the center of the room. A plush loveseat is lined up in front of a fireplace and the massive, floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a deck surrounded by forest.
“And now, for the best part,” Anaya says excitedly.
She slides open the door to the deck and we step outside. Tucked into a corner of the deck that offers a spectacular view of Legacy Lake, there’s a hot tub!
I look at her incredulously. “How did you pull this off?”
“I’ve got friends in high places.”
I laugh. “You mean Bree snuck you a key?”
Anaya bites her lip to hide a grin, looking like the cutest chipmunk.
“Is she trying to get herself fired?” I ask.
Anaya bursts out laughing. “Knowing Bree, probably yes.”
We wrestle the cover off the hot tub, and I jump in. I graciously avert my eyes as Anaya strips off her cover-up. I’ve seen her in her bathing suit a hundred times, but somehow, this moment feels more intimate and personal than being at the lake.
Anaya hops in across from me and winds her long hair into a bun. Backlit by the sparkling moonlight, she looks more beautiful than ever. Her eyes find mine and I swallow painfully. Does she know what I’m thinking?
“This is awesome.” I break the silence. “Much better than being in the garden.”
Anaya giggles. “You looked like you wanted to be anywhere but at that party.”
Her big brown eyes meet mine and something in the air shifts. The smile drops from her face and her gaze flits quickly to my lips before landing on my eyes again. Goosebumps rise on the back of my neck and I have the sudden sense that I’d like to kiss her. Could it be possible that she’s feeling something for me, too?
But, she looks away and I shake myself off. No, it can’t be. This is a business agreement to Anaya. Besides, she wouldn’t have feelings for a dumb jock like me. She’s interesting, complicated, challenging, and outrageously beautiful inside and out. She thinks that I’m funny and goofy, not real-boyfriend material. We’re friends. And our fake relationship is just that — fake. A tool to solve her problems at school.
“There’s only so long that I can wear dress shoes.” I joke weakly.
My heart slows and I look at her again as she stares at the moon.
“Our work was done, anyway.” She smiles. “I think if we’d made Brooklyn any more jealous, she would’ve spontaneously combusted. I have a feeling she’ll be wanting to get back together soon.”
I feel strangely winded and I force a chuckle. I need to reel it in. Anaya doesn’t like me like that. Besides, I like Brooklyn, not Anaya. Right?
The problem is, I don’t know what to think anymore.
26
Anaya
My lungs scream and my body cramps, but I push through the pain. I will myself to move faster, I’m almost there. My heart is in overdrive and I propel myself toward the dock, my hand outstretched—
A hand hits the dock a second before mine.
“Beat you!” Wes grins in triumph. “All hail the king.”
I splash him, trying to catch my breath. “No fair. You have longer arms than me.”
He examines his arms thoughtfully. “Nope, don’t think so.”
“Liar!” I proclaim, trying to get my breathing back to normal.
Wes laughs and pulls himself onto the dock. He lays on his back, breathing heavily. “Seriously though, you’re getting so fast. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I had to work to beat you.”
I splash him again and he cowers, his hands over his face. I laugh maniacally as I hoist myself out of the water and wrap myself in my towel. “My redemption day will come soon.”
“Not if I can help it.” Wes jumps to his feet, wraps his arms around my middle and picks me up. For a moment, I relish the feeling of his warm hands on my cold, wet skin.
But then, I realize what he’s doing.
I squeal and swat at him, laughing. “Let me go!”
“Never.” Wes strides along the dock, carrying me with ease under one arm.
We’re so caught up in bickering and laughing that we don't notice Delia swirling towards us like a tornado.
“Wes. Anaya.” She wrings her hands, looking stressed.
“Delia!” Wes practically drops me.
I smile as I take in Delia’s outfit choice. She wears a sweeping red and white striped dress and a blue denim jacket covered in sequined white stars. On her head, a sparkly blue cowboy hat is askew. Red cowboy boots complete the look.
“Happy Fourth of July!” I say sheepishly.
“Yes, yes. Happy birthday, America,” Delia says, though her expression is anything but happy. The Inn has a lot planned for today’s festivities — there’s going to be a huge barbecue for the guests this evening, complete with facepainting for the kids, party games for the adults, and a mini parade. It’ll culminate in a huge fireworks display tonight.
Last I heard, everything was ticking along according to plan, but Delia’s expression suggests otherwise. “Is everything okay?”
“We have a problem,” Delia says darkly.
My stomach twists uncomfortably and I stare at the ground. Here it comes, she’s going to tell us off for acting unprofessional. I don’t want to disappoint Delia, especially when she’s already stressed. I brace myself for the scolding.
“George called in sick.”
I look up in confusion. “Sorry?”
“George. He’s ‘ill.’” Delia adds the air-quotes and then mimes tipping a cup back and drinking.
Ah. George is hungover.
“Can we help in any way?” Wes asks.
“We have a large class scheduled for late this afternoon and I’d hate to cancel. It’s a Fourth of July special for the guests and more than twenty people have signed up.”
Wes smiles broadly. “Anaya can help.”
I turn to him, my mouth open. “What?”
“She was a cheerleader before she was a swimmer,” Wes tells Delia, not acknowledging my question. “She’s an amazing teacher. I see her when she does swim lessons — the kids and the parents love her.”
Delia turns towards me. “We have received raving reviews about your lessons, Anaya. Could you lead this class? It would be a massive help. The guests are so looking forward to it.”
“Why don’t you do it, Wes?” I ask through clenched teeth.
Wes smiles innocently. “I would but I’m on shift until six.”
D
elia’s eyes are big and pleading, and Wes copies her expression. They look at me like sad little dogs and I swallow loudly. I hate being the center of attention, and the thought of twenty pairs of eyes on me chills me to the core.
But, I don’t want to let Delia down. I’ve watched enough of George’s classes to know the routines by now. I could do it, even if I don’t want to.
Why, oh why, did Wes put me in this position?
I turn accusing eyes on him, but he nudges me softly, his eyes serious. “I know you can do this.”
I take a deep breath. The last time I was the center of attention — doing gymnastics for the cheer team — it brought me nothing but grief. Because of that, my friendship with Isabella changed and she began to taunt and bully me. Since then, I’ve shied away from the spotlight.
Until now. Wes believes in me. I‘d like to believe in myself too.
Going against my inner critic, I give Delia a little nod. “Okay.”
She claps her hands with glee, her face overjoyed. “Excellent!”
27
Anaya
I stand on the shores of Legacy Lake, cloaked in terror. Twenty faces peer at me from the water, waiting for the Aquarobics class to start. The lake is otherwise empty — it’s early in the evening and the other guests are already at the Fourth of July celebration. Which means that Wes will be giving my class his undivided attention from his spot in the lifeguard chair.
I adjust my headset microphone and feedback screeches through the portable speakers along the beach. A couple of the attendees cover their ears, crinkling their noses.
“Sorry, sorry!” I exclaim to titters from the class. “Uh… my name is Anaya and I’m filling in for George today.”
Everyone is looking at me expectantly. I freeze as fear washes over me and clouds my mind.
The pause is too long. Say something, Anaya. Anything.
I flick on the music and laugh nervously. “Let’s get started.”
The attendees stagger themselves in the water and I raise my hands above my head. “We’ll — uh — we’ll begin with the warm up. Hands up, everyone.”
A couple of the ladies shoot each other glances. That’s not a good sign. George is so peppy, confident, full of energy. He usually dives right in without any hesitation. I close my eyes and try to summon confidence.
SPLASH!
I open my eyes in time to see a ring of water explode to the left of my class. A couple of the ladies shriek as Wes rises to the surface and whips his hair out of his eyes.
“Sorry I’m late!” He exclaims and then positions himself in the middle of the front row. He flashes me a thumbs up and a smile. “WOO! Aquarobics class!”
He holds his hands up and dramatically wiggles his fingers. His enthusiasm is contagious and the ladies in the class smile, enamored. My nerves disappear and I laugh. Wes believes I can do this. And so do I.
With renewed energy, I fling my arms out. I remember my cheer days and channel the enthusiasm and confidence I had back then. It’s something that I’ve missed, that I wish I still had. And I will need to regain it if I want to make captain of the swim team this fall. “Okay! Now that we’re all here, arms out everybody! Then up, out, then up… that’s it…”
Wes is in his element. He’s clowning around, flailing his arms and exaggerating every action for the class. He boogies over to the elderly lady on his left and does the actions in time with her, like they’re dancing together. She bursts out laughing. I shoot him a grateful smile and his eyes twinkle in return.
Confidence surges through me. “Okay, three steps to the left!”
I skip right and clap my hands so the class can mirror me. Everyone is smiling and laughing at Wes’s antics. The sun is warm on my face, and the lake sparkles.
I lose myself the lesson and the hour flies by. Wes dances in the water like a madman and my heart fills with gratitude and appreciation for him. It means so much that he came out to help me. I’m also in awe of his bravery. He doesn’t care how he looks, or whether people think he’s crazy. He looks ridiculous and he’s proud of it.
When the class is over, I’m rewarded with a round of applause. Wes claps the loudest of all. I blush and bow awkwardly, losing my balance in the soft sand and almost falling face first.
As everyone leaves, Wes wraps me in a hug. “You were amazing! You’re a natural, Anaya.”
I bite my lower lip to hide my smile. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Sure you could.” His eyes twinkle and I blush all over again. Then he gestures towards the water. “Fancy a swim?”
“Always!”
We dive into the water and race to the floating dock at the center of the lake. Wes beats me, but only by a second. We clamber onto the platform and collapse, exhausted, laying side by side. The heat radiates off his body and I’m blisteringly aware that his fingers sprawl only centimeters from mine.
Staring at the cloudless sky, I lose myself in conversation with Wes. The words flow easily as we talk about all the things that matter in our lives — my dad and Daniel, Wes’s mom. I explain to him why I decided to become a vegetarian, and I even admit that I want to be an English teacher. Wes tells me about what his high school football career means to him. He describes his desire to play college ball, and then surprises me by saying that he wants to go to law school.
I raise my eyebrows. “I’m impressed.”
“You clearly have great taste in fake boyfriends.” He laughs and I punch him in the arm. “Ouch!”
I giggle and he shoots me an easy smile before closing his eyes. The sun has set and, in the twilight, he’s almost silhouetted. He has a peaceful smile on his face, relaxed and happy. I want so badly to reach out and touch him.
“I can’t believe how easy this feels with you,” Wes says. “I never get this personal with people. My mom always says that I’m a closed book. But somehow, you open me up. You must be pretty special.”
I smile sadly towards the sky but my heart breaks. His compliment means a lot, but it isn’t the truth. Not with my history. “Not special enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“When my mom left, it was devastating enough. But she did give a reason,” I say, unsure where the words are coming from or why I’m saying them. I squeeze my eyes shut and open them again. “She said she’d had enough. It was like she didn’t want to be a parent anymore.”
And there it is. The worst moment of my life. No matter what I do, I will always hear her say those things, those evil words. I take a deep breath, fighting back tears. Wes gently brushes the back of my hand and I swallow loudly. The words have a life of their own now.
“You want to know the stupidest thing? I still look for her at every game and every swim meet.” I take a shaky breath, finally acknowledging the pain I’ve been feeling for years. “My dad works long hours and he never made it to the games I cheered at or the swim meets I raced. But my mom used to come. Now, whenever I have a swim competition, I scan the crowd for her. I guess I’m still hoping that, one day, she’ll turn up and cheer me on again. She never has.”
Wes exhales.
“That isn’t stupid. Not at all.” His voice is low, comforting. “I’m sorry, Anaya.”
“Not your fault.” I blink hard and a lone tear escapes my eye. I feel vulnerable and raw, but I also have this strange sense of peace. Like the words have been weighing on me, dragging me down, for years. I’ve never told anyone this, not even my dad. I put on a brave face when he tells me he can’t make it to another one of my meets, but the truth is, I’ve never stopped looking for her. And now, I’ve shared my deepest secret with my fake boyfriend.
“I know it doesn’t make it any better,” Wes says quietly. “But I kind of understand. I haven’t told anyone this, but my parents split up because my dad cheated on my mom. Left her for his secretary. It’s like he replaced us. Bought me a vehicle as a consolation prize, and took off with this woman and her kids. Became part of someone else’s family
instead.”
His voice isn’t the least bit tearful, just… numb. My heart hurts for him thinking of the anger and grief he must be experiencing. That explains so much — why he seemed angry when I complimented his Jeep, why he’s so guarded when talking to people, why he wants to get back with Brooklyn. He’s dealing with so much, no wonder he wants to retain a piece of his old life.
“I’m sorry too.” I turn on my side so I’m looking at him, unsure what else I could possibly say.
Wes’s eyes are glassy but he smiles wryly. “Not your fault.”
“Do you think it gets any easier?” I ask.
“I think so.” His hand finds mine in the darkness and our fingers interlace, sending tingles up my arm. “I think that when people truly hurt you, it can feel like the worst pain in the world. But, time helps you heal. Like a wound on your skin.”
“But wounds leave scars.“
Wes turns towards me, his turquoise eyes boring into mine. “Your scars make you who you are today. They’re a part of your past and shape the person you become.”
My heart beats loudly. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, looking into a dark abyss that promises light. It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
“Sometimes I have no idea who I am,” I whisper.
“I do.” His face is inches from mine, his breath soft on my skin. “You’re beautiful, Anaya. Scars and all.”
Time stops and I can no longer breathe. It’s just me and his endless turquoise eyes. I realize, then, that Wes is the light. He’s the good and the strong and the beauty in the world. I never want to look away.
He grazes my cheek with his fingers and an electric thrill runs through my body. He moves closer, his eyes on fire.
His gaze drops to my lips.
I think he’s going to kiss me.
My heart races but my mind goes quiet and calm. Never have I been more sure of anything: All I want are Wes’s lips on mine.
I take a shaky breath.
Lean towards him and close my eyes.
BOOM!
The Complete Legacy Inn Collection: Four Sweet YA Romances Page 26