InHap*pily Ever After

by Kim Desalvo

  Tony turned to Dylan and asked, “Does she ever quit?” Dylan just laughed and shook his head.

  “She’s the best there is,” he stated simply. “I’m lucky to have her.”

  Tony watched her retreat, and smiled. “I could use someone like that, you know.”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Dylan said. “She’s mine.”

  Lexi was just scooping some crab salad onto her plate when she heard his voice. “It’s about time you people showed up for this little shindig!” Bo said as he strolled out from the main building.

  Her heart skipped a beat; it wasn’t just the sound of his voice that sent a shiver down her spine—the man looked good. Bo had always been a big guy—Lexi often described him as being “built like a football player,” but the Bo who strutted onto the deck looked more like a Marine drill sergeant; except for the pencil thin dreadlocks that framed his face and just brushed his shoulders. Broad shoulders, she noticed, which led into thickly muscled arms that threatened to bust out of his shirt. Buff was the first word that came to her mind.

  His face though, was the same old Bo—big genuine grin, dark chocolate eyes that crinkled when he smiled; skin the color of a perfect cup of morning coffee. Four months ago she would have been the first one to leap into his arms but now she held back, unsure of her place.

  Dylan’s mom was the first to wrap him in an embrace. “Bo Collins,” she said after a warm hug and a loud smack on the lips. “You had us worried for a while there.” She stepped back and looked him up and down. “I don’t know why. We all know you’re the most stubborn man ever born and that you would pull through. It does my heart good to see you looking so well. I’ve missed you.”

  Bo pulled her back into his arms as Steve shook his hand and other members of the group lined up to say their hellos. “It’s been too many years,” he said fondly. “I missed you, too.”

  Lexi stood at the back of what could only be called a receiving line feeling like an idiot as her heart threatened to burst out of her chest. Something she couldn’t explain shadowed Bo’s eyes when they finally fell on her. “Good to see you, Lexi,” he said.

  “You too, Bo. I’m really glad to see you fully healed.” He didn’t call her beautiful, or princess, or any of the other pet names he’d had for her in another lifetime, and his embrace was awkward, at best. It was just as she’d feared it would be, but she pasted on a smile.

  “It’s gonna take more than an earthquake to keep me down,” he said. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Margo jumped in and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “I’d say you healed brilliantly,” she smiled, fluttering her eyelashes just the slightest bit. She tucked her hand into his elbow and led him toward the spread of food and drink. “Join me for lunch? I’m dying to catch up with you.”

  He looked at Lexi once more, the shadow even more pronounced, before she turned away and he let Margo lead him to the buffet table.

  They spent the afternoon catching up, hiking the beautiful grounds, and splashing in the crystal sea. As the sun began to dip, they enjoyed an incredible dinner at elegantly-set tables on the beach, overlooking the water and a near-perfect sunset. Tomorrow would bring the rest of the guests, and there would be a flurry of activity. For tonight, they had a small intimate group, and they enjoyed an evening sail and local live music; and of course, the company of friends and family. Dylan pulled out his guitar and played enthusiastically with the local musicians while the group danced around the bonfire; the sea breezes blowing gently and the full moon hanging heavy in the sky. Tia saw Dylan whisper something into the singer’s ear, and they shared a laugh before bursting into “Brown Eyed Girl.” Tia giggled, remembering the evening they’d spent in Northampton when Dylan had shimmied over to her and pulled her into a seductive dance. Dylan remembered it as the night he’d finally realized that he was hopelessly in love. Lexi and Jessa let out little squeals and ran for the bonfire to join in the dance. Margo grabbed Bo immediately and Lexi found herself paired up with Max, who turned out to be a pretty good dancer. Everyone else found partners and spun around the beach—even a surprised Jessa found herself in Tony’s arms.

  As the evening wound down, the music got softer until it was just Dylan with his guitar. Tia sat in the sand near his feet, always ready to enjoy the smoky tones of Dylan’s unique voice. “I’ve got something for my fiancé,” he smiled, plucking a few strings to check the tune before strumming a low chord. Then he sang the first words, and Tia found herself mesmerized by the lyrics.

  Across a crowded room like great romances

  First eyes then smiles then halting glances

  From the very first tentative hello

  I’m wrapped around your finger…

  got nowhere else to go.

  You danced with me around the world

  The universe was ours

  And even in the brightest day

  You filled my head with stars

  So now we make a solemn vow

  Here beside the sea

  No hesitation, dive right in

  It’s not too deep for me

  Always and forever girl …your dreams I will fulfill

  And even at the end of time, I will love you still

  You are my forever girl…The good in everything life brings

  Imprinted now upon my heart…You’re every song that my soul sings

  From now until the end of time, I pledge to you my love

  Its depth is like the sun and moon, and universe above

  Forever you will be my girl—you give yourself to me

  And with you by my side I’ll be the man I want to be

  The group broke into a round of applause, and Tia wrapped her arms around Dylan’s legs, resting her head in his lap as he stroked her hair. “It’s beautiful, baby, thank you,” she whispered. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered back, leaning down to rest his lips on her head. “I have to say, it’s incredibly easy to write songs about how much I love you.”

  The fire burned down, and couples started wandering in, heading for some much-needed sleep after their long days of travel. Tony stood back, sipping his scotch and smiling—everything was just as he’d hoped it would be.

  Bo couldn’t sleep. He should have been exhausted—he’d spent most of the previous night walking aimlessly up and down the beach much as he had on Orcas Island; more anxious to see Lexi than he was comfortable with. Their first meeting had been disconcerting, as he figured it would be, but as the music pulsed and the booze flowed freely, he actually found her in his arms for a dance and couldn’t help but pull her close. Oh damn, she smelled like coconut and rum and smoke from the fire, and he thought he’d never smelled anything more intoxicating. With her body pressed against him, he couldn’t help but wonder if she could feel his desire pulsating through every tense muscle, and just as he was about to lean in and whisper into her ear, Kelley cut in and Lexi spun away with Dylan’s dad, her hair tossed back and her musical laughter drifting off to sea.

  “Isn’t this just brilliant?” Kelley smiled as Bo put his hand on her waist and dipped her low.

  “Pretty close to perfect,” Bo grinned back, watching Lexi over Kelley’s shoulder. It would be absolutely perfect if things with Lexi would go the way he dreamed they would; but the flip side of that was that he could completely shatter their already cracked relationship.

  He wondered if he could really give Lexi what she needed—he’d had had more than his share of failed relationships, and wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he hurt someone like her. Too many questions and not enough answers invaded his thoughts. Would it be better to just hope for a return to their light-hearted, flirty, and fun friendship, and not take the chance on something more? It would certainly be easier.

  The song ended and Kelley kissed his cheek before wandering off to find Steve, leaving Bo to stand and watch as Tia grabbed Lexi’s and Jessa’s hands and pulled them into a huddle.

  Oh hell, taking the easy rou
te had never been his style. Besides he couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like to kiss her; to press his lips against hers and taste her sweetness…he imagined it would be like pineapple; sweet and tangy with just a little bit of bite. Sweet Baby Jesus, he thought, feeling himself going hard just thinking about a kiss, I really got it bad for this girl. He didn’t know if the time was ever going to be right, but he did know that he was going to put it out there, and that it was going to have to be this weekend.

  He threw the sheet off and stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the sea, enjoying the soft breeze that cooled his skin. He took a deep pull of it, and looked up at the incredible array of stars that blazed in the night sky. Sinking into a soft chair, he leaned against the railing and looked out over the beach, letting his mind wander. Lexi in a bikini…Lexi in the hot tub…Lexi in his bed…and when he saw her there, he thought at first that he’d conjured her up from his imagination.

  His heart knew it was her…the solitary figure walking along the shore, kicking up little splashes as gentle waves rushed up to meet her feet. She wore tiny shorts and some sort of flowing camisole top that fluttered out behind her in the wind that also tossed her long blonde hair. His gaze was focused intently and he positively ached to go to her; to make sure she knew she wasn’t alone; to tell her that he would give her whatever she needed to make her life happy again. God knew his dick wanted desperately to go to her—it felt as if it were actually jutting in her direction, reaching out for her in a way that was well beyond his control. But he couldn’t think with that head, he knew.

  Lexi was still hurting; he could see it in her eyes every time she looked at him. She was doing a great job of hiding it, but she wasn’t fooling Bo. He knew from personal experience how hard it was to get over a betrayal like the one she’d been dealt. She deserved so much more—could he give it to her? What did he have to offer her, anyway? She was a smart, sophisticated woman—a lawyer—and he’d dropped out of his second semester of college to pursue his music. It had done well for him, sure; extremely well; but she deserved more than money and a lot of empty hours while he was out on tour. Unconditional love, he thought, that’s what I have to offer, and it hit him like a punch in the gut. Oh shit, he was in love with Lexi. What the hell was he going to do about it?

  As if she’d heard his admission she turned in his direction, her face washed by moonlight, and scanned the buildings. He sank back into the chair and melted into the shadow, wishing that she didn’t see him as lovable old Bo, the laughing jokester with the flirting complex.

  He contemplated again going to her, but it wasn’t the right time—not yet. So instead he watched longingly as she turned back, heading for what had become the girls’ building, and he slipped back inside, falling into the bed and tossing and turning on all the words yet unsaid between them.

  Chapter 44

  “Ah,” Lexi moaned as she took a delicate sip of her frosty cocktail. “Life doesn’t get any better than this—sand, surf, sun, and some incredible eye candy to go with my frosty umbrella drink!”

  “I’ll drink to that!” answered Gina, who held up her own glass for a toast.

  A group of the boys was engaged in a spirited beach volleyball game: Dylan, Bo, Ty, Sean, Tony, and Dylan’s cousin Cameron on one side, and Max, Leroy, Collin, Chad, Brett, and Dex on the other. You could almost smell the testosterone in the air, and the men were sweaty, flexing, and scantily clad. The girls were sunning themselves, sipping their frozen concoctions, and very much enjoying the view.

  “I’d forgotten that European swimwear left so little to the imagination,” mused Alana, “but I’m not complaining! Who’s the one in the tiny little red shorts? He’s yummier than a chocolate bar!”

  “That would be Max,” Gina answered with a smirk. “I’d warn you off that one.”

  “Really? Is he taken?”

  Gina laughed. “Just about every night,” she said. “He’s a bit of a playboy, if you know what I mean.”

  “Hmmm,” Alana hummed, “now you’ve only gone and made him more intriguing.” She licked a bit of foam from her drink off her lips and smiled.

  “Seriously,” Gina giggled. “You take your chances with that one. He’s good looking, but he knows it—and he’s not shy about using it, either. When Dylan moved to the States, he openly joked that he was happy to no longer be the second-best looking guy in the UK. He was always jealous of Dylan’s…” Gina caught herself and her eyes went wide as she turned to Tia. “Oh, bloody hell,” she said. “I didn’t mean…”

  Tia waved her off with a smile. “Don’t worry about it,” she said casually. “I mean, you’d have to be blind not to notice how sexy the man is.” As if he’d heard her, Dylan turned toward her as the other team rotated and blew her a kiss. His long hair was pulled back and carelessly tied with a rubber band and he was gleaming with sweat and covered in sand. As so often happened when she looked at him, she felt a warm spot in her stomach roll over and giggled like a schoolgirl with a crush. She blew a kiss back, and turned back to Gina. “I mean,” she joked, “bloody hard not to notice!”

  “But he loves you so much, you know that, right? I’m still absolutely amazed by the way he looks at you.”

  “Me too,” Tia agreed. “I lose my senses sometimes, I swear I do.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Lexi groaned. “The world’s perfect couple; we all know it!”

  “What about the guy with the spikey dark hair and the tattoos?” Gina asked. “I could put him on my ice cream, but he’s so hot it would just be a puddle in no time.” She fanned herself with her hands in an exaggerated show.

  Tia answered, “That would be Sean. An Irishman, so doesn’t that make you mortal enemies or something?” she teased.

  “Oh, I might be able to put aside our differences for the weekend,” she smirked. “Seriously, what can you tell me about him? Is he related to you or Dylan?”

  “He’s one of my best friends,” Tia said, not wanting to get into the whole story of how she and Sean were connected, “and he’s a great guy. Single too. He’s an audiophile—he designs home theaters, plays guitar…”

  “Oh, now you’ve done it,” Margo teased. “She’s always had a weakness for guitar players!”

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them, and shot another quick apology to Tia, who waved her off.

  “Quit apologizing already, girls,” Tia said. “It’s no big deal, honestly. Everyone has a past.” She turned to the other girls. “Gina and Dylan dated for a while when he lived in England,” she explained.

  “About a thousand years ago,” Gina interjected. “Listen Tia,” she said sincerely, swinging her legs off the chair and leaning in her direction. “I want to tell you how much it means to me that you wanted me to be here. Dylan told me that he’d written me off, but that you insisted I come. Just for the record, I do consider him one of the most incredible people I’ve ever known and a good friend, and I feel the same about you. I’m truly happy for you two, and I’m just thrilled that you included me.”

  Tia reached over and patted her on the arm. “I feel the same way—and I know. It wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t here, and I’m really glad you came.”

  Just then, the volleyball came flying at them, landing at Gina’s feet. A very sand-covered Sean stood up from where he’d landed when he dove for it and tried to brush the grit from his sweaty body. Gina winked at Tia, scooped it up and sidled over to him, smiling coyly as she held out the ball.

  “Thanks,” Sean said, shooting her his best smile. “Should’ve had that one.”

  “It was a good try,” Gina said brightly.

  “I’m Sean, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand.

  “Gina,” she answered, putting her hand in his.

  “Thanks again, Gina. I’ll see you around later, I hope?”

  “I’m counting on it,” she purred.

  Tia could almost see Sean’s heart skipping a beat, and he stood just a moment too long, sta
ring at her. Tony called out, “Hey, Sean, you playing the game, or flirting with the bikinis?”

  A flush crept up his cheeks and he turned, jumping back into the game with renewed energy, looking back to make sure Gina was watching.

  “I think you better talk to Alana, my friend,” Tia smiled. “Sean’s her brother, so she could give you the inside scoop.”

  Gina studied Alana for a moment before saying, “I do see a resemblance. So, think you can hook me up?” She waggled her eyebrows and rubbed her hands together in exaggerated interest.

  “I don’t think that would be too hard,” Alana exclaimed. “Especially since the minute he stepped off the boat, he spotted you and said, ‘Will you look at that, this island just got even more interesting…’”

  “No way—really?” Gina giggled. “Well then, I think you and I really need to have a chat. How about I buy you a drink?” They headed over to the little tiki bar toward the back of the beach and put their heads together.

  “I’ll tell you who impresses me,” Margo cooed. “I have to say that Mr. Bo Collins is sure looking good for himself. Who would’ve thought he looked like that behind the drum kit?”

  Lexi’s ears perked up at the mention of Bo, and she turned her attention away from the game to join in the conversation. She’d had a hard time keeping her eyes off him, too—at six-foot-four he was easily the tallest player in the game, and she couldn’t help but appreciate how his muscles rippled every time he spiked the ball on the other team. It gave her a bit of a twinge to see the scars that were still healing on his left leg, but he had an amazing six-pack and huge arms, and, sheened with sweat, seemed to glow like polished marble.