by Laura DeLuca
“Wouldn’t think of it,” Lainey assured her. “The full moon beckons, even through all those clouds.”
“We’ve never let the rain stop us before,” Erin agreed.
Drew was curious about what the two had planned, but he didn’t want to pry. Lainey waved her friend off as the SUV pulled out of the driveway. Then a second before Drew could ask what was on the agenda, a gentle sprinkling of water dotted the nearby windshields. He held out his hand to catch a few drops.
“So much for our walk, huh?”
Lainey crossed her arms, her smile mischievous. “Are you afraid of getting wet?”
Drew wondered if their thoughts moved in the same direction. He certainly wouldn’t mind getting her a little wet...
“Okay, then.” He cleared his throat in an attempt to distract himself from his sinful urges. “What did you have in mind?”
“We can still walk along the boardwalk,” Lainey offered. “It’s more active here than in Wildwood.”
Drew nodded. “I noticed that.”
“It’s mostly bus tours on weekdays, but Cape May stays open through the holidays. Actually, even Wildwood will be coming to life this weekend. We have the antique car show and the Irish Fest. That’s pretty much our last big hurrah of the season. After that, it’s full time ghost town until Memorial Day.”
As they chatted, they followed Bank Street south toward the ocean. Along the way, Lainey pointed out some of the sights. There were tons of old mansions that grew larger as they inched closer to the beachfront. Though none were even close to the size of Drew’s primary home back in Los Angeles, these older structures had twice the personality. Thinking back on his brief conversation with Erin, he wondered if any of them were on the market. It would be nice to have his own private retreat, especially if things worked out with Lainey and he wanted to come back to visit.
“See that big white building over there?” Lainey gestured to a mansion which had been converted into a restaurant. At the moment, it was already covered in cobwebs and declaring a haunted house tour was available through Halloween. “That’s Tamilio’s Dinner Theater,” Lainey explained. “Back in the eighteenth century, it was owned by a doctor whose wife was murdered there. They say her spirit still haunts the place. It’s one of the most popular spots on the Cape May ghost tours.”
Drew couldn’t help but raise a speculative eyebrow. “Do you really believe in all that stuff?”
“Ghosts? For sure!” Lainey declared. “There are definitely spirits all around us, especially in old towns like this one.”
Her belief was so genuine, Drew couldn’t discredit it altogether. Besides, if anyone could summon up spirits, he was certain it was this elemental maiden. Even walking in the rain, with her damp hair clinging to her cheeks, she still managed to maintain her earthy charm. The sweet scent of her lavender-vanilla perfume was like an aphrodisiac. The primate in him wanted to take her in the sand at that very moment, but on a deeper level, he knew with this girl, things couldn’t be rushed. They had to move slowly so they could savor every last blissful moment. Being beside her made Drew feel so lighthearted, he barely noticed the rain anymore. Of course, that might’ve been because the sun struggled to peek out from between a pair of gray clouds.
“I think the weather is clearing up.”
“Yes, but the magic has just begun.” Lainey gestured toward the horizon. “Take a good look at that sky.”
Shielding his eyes from the glare, Drew admired the transformation in the heavens. High above them, a double rainbow twisted along the sky in a sprig of bright reds, greens, and blues. Not far behind, the large full moon dominated the one patch of clear blue sky, even though the sun was still out. It was like a waltz in the heavens, with all the celestial bodies having their own part in the ballet.
“Magnificent, isn’t it?” Lainey whispered. “Capturing beauty like this makes me feel as though anything is possible.”
Drew inhaled deeply, not even sure if he could express how much he agreed with that sentiment. “You know, I can’t remember the last time I stopped to admire the sky, and here you have me doing it twice in two days.”
Lainey shrugged. “They say everything happens for a reason. Maybe our meeting was to help remind you that these little things can often be the most remarkable. In the hustle and bustle of L.A., I’m sure it’s easy to forget that.”
“True enough,” Drew agreed. “But I do hope finding you is about more than rainbows and stargazing. Not that those things aren’t wonderful.” She blushed when he lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. “But there are a lot of other facets I’d like to explore.”
“Unfortunately, any further exploring will have to wait until another time.” She tapped her watch. “It’s time for me to get going.”
Drew sighed, disappointed. “Are you sure you have to go?”
Lainey stood firm in her resolve. “My friends and I get together every month on the full moon. It’s a ... ritual of sorts. We honor nature and the strength within each other. It’s important to all of us.”
“Like a coven.” Drew guessed, touching her necklace. “I noticed Erin wore the same pendant as you. I’ve always been curious about that sort of spiritual path. I don’t suppose I could tag along?”
Lainey seemed impressed with his open-mindedness, but still shot down the idea. “Sorry, no boys allowed. At least not for this particular evening.”
“Tomorrow then?”
She placed a finger against her lip. “Well, tomorrow is Woody’s night.”
“Woody? I hope that’s not the name of your beefcake boyfriend.”
She chuckled. “No, it’s a bar. The girls and I get together there every Friday for karaoke night, but they wouldn’t mind if I brought a guest along for that.”
“Karaoke night, huh?” Drew raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean I’ll get to hear you sing again?”
More shy laughter. “If I drink enough.”
“I’m buying.”
“Then consider yourself invited—if you don’t mind a triple interrogation.”
“Erin and Stephanie will be there?”
“Probably not Steph,” Lainey explained. “Sometimes she socializes with Erin and I outside of work, but she’s mostly busy with her family. The other two girls in our circle are Sharon and Elisa. I can tell you right now, Sharon will go easy on you, but Erin has nothing on Elisa when it comes to drilling our dates. She can be totally vicious.”
Drew smiled. “Will she try to mace me too?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her,” Lainey warned. “So, I’ll meet you at Woody’s around seven. It’s in Wildwood, right on the main road. You can’t miss it. It has a giant surf board propped up out front and it’s the only bar for miles that’s open year-round.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Good.” They arrived back at her Fiat right as she finished giving him directions. She pulled open the door, but before she sunk down into the interior, Lainey stood on her tiptoes and planted a light kiss on his lips. Before he could reciprocate, she was already in her car, with her cheeks flushed the cutest shade of red. “See you tomorrow.”
Then she winked and pulled away. It was only after she vanished around the corner that Drew remembered he hadn’t followed through on his promise. Lainey still had no idea he was Andy Palmer.
Chapter Five
Lainey paced nervously outside the main entrance of the Seaview Towers as she waited for her ride, admiring the beds of mums and pansies, and listening to the echo of the crickets strumming their tunes. It was Sharon’s turn as designated driver, and Lainey had never been more relieved to shirk the responsibility. She was definitely going to need a few stiff drinks before the night was over if she planned to get up on the stage. Normally stage fright was a non-issue around the stream of locals who frequented Woody’s. But singing in front of Drew was a different ballgame. What if her voice cracked? What it she tripped on her way up to the microphone? It wouldn’t be the first time.
Trying to still her jitters, Lainey pulled her sweater around her bare shoulders to fight off the chill as the ocean breeze whipped across her bare skin. The spaghetti strap dress she’d chosen accentuated her figure to perfection, and the brown beads that embellished the frock really brought out the color of her eyes, but it wasn’t very practical for a fall evening. Lainey couldn’t wait to get on her way, but she hadn’t seen a car pass by in at least ten minutes. She strained her neck to peer down the deserted street. Most of the tourists in town for the Irish Fest were probably already tucked away for a night of heavy drinking on the other side of town. Being neither Irish nor a big beer drinker, Lainey preferred the smaller, more familiar crowd at Woody’s over the overcrowded pubs.
“Finally!”
Lainey breathed a sigh of relief when a black Ford pulled up against the curb. Erin was riding shotgun, so Lainey yanked open the door and jumped in the back. She was grateful for the blast of warm air that greeted her, but she barely had time to fasten her seatbelt before Sharon peeled back onto the road. Her friend wasn’t normally so overzealous about girls’ night, but when Lainey met Sharon’s hazel eyes in the rearview mirror, she didn’t have to guess why they were suddenly speeding down New Jersey Avenue. Everyone was dying to meet the man she’d nearly assaulted on the beach.
“So.” Sharon’s smile was visible in the reflection. “I hear we’re having company tonight.”
“It’s their third date,” Erin added, turning around in her seat to make sure Lainey didn’t miss her exaggerated eyebrow raise. “You know what that means.”
Lainey crossed her arms. “It doesn’t mean anything. Except that I like him so far.”
“Like him enough to take him home?” Erin pressed.
“No!” Lainey insisted, even though she’d been thinking about it. “I don’t conform to society’s rules on dating. You should know that by now. Besides, it’s really only our second date. Yesterday doesn’t count.”
Sharon adjusted her glasses. She was the only one of the three who wasn’t embarrassed about wearing them in public. “Sounds like splitting hairs to me.”
“Sharon, not you too!” Lainey exclaimed. “You’re supposed to be the sensible one!”
“I’m sorry, Lainey.” Sharon chuckled. “But you make it too easy to tease you.”
Lainey folded her arms and leaned back against the headrest. It was definitely time to steer the conversation in another direction. The last thing she wanted to discuss was the three-date rule. It wasn’t a code she normally followed, but regardless of her adamant denials, with Drew things felt so right it wasn’t completely impossible. The thought of it banished the goose bumps on her arms. All of a sudden, the heated car was stifling.
What am I thinking?
“Hey, Sharon,” Lainey began, glancing around the car and realizing she had the perfect opening. “Where’s Elisa? She’s usually your first stop, you being neighbors and all.”
Sharon brushed her sandy brown hair to the side. Again, Lainey could read her mischievous expression in the mirror. “Elisa has gotten herself a new toy and she plans to show it off this evening. Don’t ask any more questions though. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
Lainey chewed her lower lip thoughtfully as a string of townhouses flashed by. She wondered what her friend could possibly have in store and hoped it wasn’t anything too crazy. Knowing Elisa, it could be anything from a new tattoo to parachuting into the parking lot from a helicopter. Lainey didn’t have the time to ponder it long. The drive to Woody’s took less than ten minutes, but locating a parking spot was a much bigger challenge. The small lot was already overflowing, and thanks to the mini-van whose owner should’ve had their license revoked, the only spot outside the bar was barely large enough for a golf cart.
“I think I see a spot over there,” Erin announced, gesturing wildly. “Quick! Hurry up before that Acura steals it.”
Sharon turned down the side street and squeezed into a parallel parking spot, ignoring the glare of the Acura driver. A second later, Lainey was once again confronted with the cold autumn wind. Shivering, the girls ran toward the big yellow surfboard next to the painting of a station wagon with wood paneling that marked the entrance to the bar. Erin gave a little TGIF hoot as her Steve Madden heels struck the pavement, a perfect complement to her designer skinny jeans. Erin was all leg with a trim waistline but the denim clung to her perfectly, emphasizing her feminine curves. She looked sleek and sophisticated and Lainey felt almost childlike in comparison with her flat boots and loose fitting dress. Even Sharon was more mature, choosing to adorn a pair of three quarter khakis with knee high boots and a cute black sweater. With Erin the trendy one, Elisa the dare devil, Lainey the Boho babe, and Sharon the conservative artist, sometimes Lainey wondered how the quartet got along so splendidly. The only thing that really linked the four women together was the star charm each of them wore and the spiritual path it symbolized. Yet that was enough to form a permanent and unwavering bond between them.
“It’s Friday night, ladies!” Erin declared, breaking Lainey from her reverie. “Time to paaaarty!”
With hurricane season on the horizon, it had been a trying week at work, so Lainey was totally on board with that sentiment. She checked her watch and saw it was already ten after seven, which meant Drew could already be waiting at the bar. The idea made her feel giddy and excited all at once. She couldn’t remember the last time a guy had this effect on her. She’d hated leaving him the day before, and nothing aside from an appointment with her soul sisters would’ve dragged her away. But tonight she was ready to give him her full attention—maybe not third date rule attention, but she had the feeling something special was on the horizon.
“So where’s your beach bum?” Sharon teased as they walked across the street. “I’m dying to meet him.”
“He should be here any minute ... wait, he’s right over there.”
Even as she spoke, Lainey’s gaze fell upon her date, lounging on one of the green and white benches, his long legs spread out casually in front of him. Lainey couldn’t control the wide smile that spread across her lips or the fluttering sensation in her heart. A black baseball cap shielded most of his features, but she still would’ve recognized Drew’s physique anywhere. He was muscular without being too bulky, with great abs and a nice firm—well, it was a body she was interested in getting to know better.
“Lainey! Erin!”
Drew noticed their approach, stood, and waved, his grin never faltering. Lainey admired how calmly he reacted to the three-to-one ratio. He didn’t allow her friends’ scrutiny to deter him from placing a light kiss on her cheek, which made her tingle with warmth despite the cool temperatures. The patch of scruff which had sprouted on his chin since their last meeting made Sharon’s beach bum comment seem only apropos. Though his eyes were still hidden behind dark lenses, his lips twisted thoughtfully as he reached out to shake Sharon’s hand.
“You must be ... let me see if I can remember ... Elisa?”
Sharon laughed lightly. “If only you knew how far off base you were,” she jested. “I’m Sharon.”
“Nice to meet you, Sharon. I’m Dr—”
The roar of a motor revving drowned out the sound of his voice. A second later, they watched as a Harley Davidson rocketed down the street, its engine so loud Lainey could feel the vibration in her toes. She expected the bike to roll right past them onto the main road, but instead, a distinctly female—and distinctly familiar—voice hooted with delight as she maneuvered into the tiny parking spot right in front of the door. Then with her signature cocky smirk and pure mischief in her eyes, the driver used one black boot to lower the kickstand before leaping onto the cement and pulling off her helmet.
“That would be Elisa,” Lainey announced.
Drew gawked as Elisa breezed toward them. After securing her helmet to the back of the bike, she ran her hands through her disheveled black hair, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Yet she still paused to glare at a pair of preppy fr
at boys who dared to whistle as she walked past. Lainey couldn’t blame them for their interest. Her friend was smokin’ hot with her extra short denim cut offs, knee-high leather boots, and snug-fitting baby-T which allowed for a peek of the butterfly tattoo fluttering close to her breast.
“So.” Elisa gestured to her new ride. “What do you ladies think?”
Erin shook her head. “I think you’re crazy, but no more so than I did yesterday. Just don’t ask me to ride on it.”
Elisa shifted her gaze. “Lainey?”
“It’s awesome, Elisa, really, but...” Lainey tried to think of a good excuse, but she came up empty handed. “Maybe another time?”
“And Sharon already turned me down.” Elisa sighed. “I’ll tell you something, you guys are a bunch of pansies. You have no idea what you’re missing. There’s nothing like the feel of a Harley between your legs. Seriously, I think I had an orgasm on the way over here ... and wait a second. Who’s this?”
Elisa paused in mid-sentence when she finally noticed Drew standing there. His cheeks had turned a cute shade of pink as he listened to where the conversation was headed. That shade deepened to a darker red when Elisa studied him with open curiosity. Lainey was sure this was it. If anyone could scare Drew away from their budding romance, it would be Elisa. She was worse than an overprotective father with a shotgun when it came to protecting her sistas’. Of course, she had her reasons for being so defensive, but that would be no consolation if Drew took off. On the other hand, if he survived the Elisa test, it should be smooth sailing from that point on.
Drew was already on his game. “You must be Elisa,” he said with his usual charm, offering his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Elisa shook briefly, unimpressed. “And you must be Drew.” She looked him over again, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night? Do you have a hangover or something?”
“Elisa!”
Lainey punched her in the arm, which didn’t faze her at all, but Drew only laughed. He pulled off the glasses and hung them from his shirt. “The sun was setting on my way over and there was a bit of a glare,” he explained. “I completely forgot I still had them on.”