by Marie Carnay
“Really? What’s wrong with New York?”
“I’m not having much luck with the whole painting thing.”
“Why not?”
She let out a breath. “That’s a good question. To be honest? Probably because my heart’s not in it. It’s all modernist stuff these days. Not my style.”
“Then why are you there?”
Summer’s phone buzzed on the tray. She glanced down and almost burst out laughing.
“Let me guess, it’s your mom.” Mandy pointed at the phone. “You want to know why she’s in New York? That woman, right there. She’s got this whole crazy path for Summer all laid out. Heaven forbid she make her own way.”
“That sucks.”
Summer frowned. It was one thing to confess your doubts to your best friend, but to have her parade them in front of a woman with pink hair and a skirt made of hemp? “It’s not that bad.”
“It is too! If it weren’t for your mother, you wouldn’t be freaking out over Blake and Devin.”
“Who’re Blake and Devin?”
Mandy rolled her eyes. “You know. The surf shop boys.”
Felicia put down her brush and glanced at Summer. “The sexy as sin surfers down the street? How do you even know them if you live in New York?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Honey, I’m a nail tech. I’ve got nothing but time.”
Summer glanced at Mandy. If only she’d inherited a super power. Death rays, Instamatic flu, a case of the willies. Maybe she could fake a fainting spell.
“Come on, out with it. If you don’t talk, I will.” Mandy crossed her arms and Summer groaned. If she let Mandy run with it, Felicia would hear about way more than her man troubles. Some details needed to stay between friends.
“Fine. I might have a thing for two guys.”
“Oh my God, that’s my dream come true.”
“Right. I’m sure being a complete slut and embarrassing yourself by sleeping with two men is top on your list.”
Felicia raised an eyebrow. “Embarrassed? I’d be proud. To have two guys fawn all over me? It’d be like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one.”
What? That was the last thing Summer had expected anyone to say. “You can’t be serious.”
Felicia leveled her gaze. “Honey, I’ve got hot pink hair and enough piercings to make an acupuncturist nervous. I don’t joke about sex.”
Summer slumped back in her chair. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like it can ever work out.”
“Why not?”
Mandy butted in. “They live here. Summer lives in New York.”
“So? That’s a simple fix. Move. Sounds like you hate it there, anyway.”
“I can’t up and move! I’ve got an exhibit next week. My mother is—”
Felicia cut her off. “Not you. If you don’t want what she does, tell her no. Pick something else.”
Summer exhaled. “I wish it were that easy.”
“I didn’t say it was easy. Just simple.” Felicia set her brush down and rolled back her chair. “All set. What do you think?”
Summer glanced down at her nails. Wow. While they’d been talking about her messed up love life, Felicia’d painted the ocean on her fingers. Little snapshots of Midnight Cove at dawn.
A rush of tears came out of nowhere and Summer blinked them back. “Thank you. They’re unbelievable.”
“No problem. It’s what I do.” She smiled and turned to Mandy. “Now, beautiful. It’s your turn.”
* * *
Summer walked outside into the noon sun. First the masseuse told her she needed to figure out her problems on her own. Then Felicia went and turned her whole way of thinking upside down. But did any of it matter?
She swiped her phone open and reread the text from her mom.
Called Hillside. Spoke to Rosalind. You have an appointment Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Don’t be late.
A sigh slipped out as she shoved the phone back in her purse. For someone like Felicia—with no overbearing mother breathing down her neck—it was easy. She could dye her hair a million colors, cover herself in piercings and bangles and be a nail tech in a tiny town on the ocean. But Summer?
With a mother who’s entire existence took up ten city blocks of New York? Who bought a one-bedroom condo in Midnight Cove but wouldn’t dream of letting her daughter crash on the couch? Impossible.
Her mother would keep being larger than life—meddling, offering her opinion, critiquing everything. It wouldn’t stop if Summer shoved her away. The woman would probably take up permanent residence in Midnight Cove. God, she could see it now.
She’d march down Main in a twinset and pearls to bang on the surf shop’s door. “I know you’re in there! Making a fool of yourself!” The indignation even stunk in her imagination.
Her phone buzzed again and she pulled it out. Where are you? I’d like to go over strategy for the meeting. You need to make a good first impression.
Summer texted back. Not now, Mom. I’m busy with the wedding. She shook her head. Couldn’t she stop for one weekend?
If that’s how you want to run your career, fine.
“Damn it.” Summer shut off her phone. She couldn’t deal with it another minute.
“Something wrong?”
Summer glanced up. Oh, no. “Ivy. Hi. No, nothing’s wrong. Just waiting on Mandy to finish up.”
“Ooh! A spa day. How fun. Did Felicia do your nails? She’s just the best.”
“Thanks.” Summer tried to smile, but it came out in a grimace. No matter how many times she made small talk with Ivy, she’d never be able to shake the sense of judgment. Disapproval.
Between Ivy’s perfect makeup and sleek blonde hair, to her white handbag and matching shoes, she was a model of vacation riches. “On your way out of town?”
“No, why?”
“Oh, you just look so beachy. I thought maybe Palm Springs?”
Ivy frowned. “Midnight Cove has a beach. And I’m meeting with the inspector today. At our new bar.” She tilted her head. “You’ve heard about it, right? The one above Surfed? Blake and Devin’s place?”
Summer’s face fell. “I thought they were working with Mandy’s brother on that.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “Ian’s the silent partner. I’m doing design. I can’t believe no one told you.”
“I haven’t been here in a long time.”
Ivy opened her mouth to probably say something snarky, but Summer talked over her. “So you and Ian are dating?”
Ivy beamed. “Yes. He’s the best. You seeing anyone?”
“No.”
“Oh.” Her face said anything but sorry. “What a shame. I’ve heard New York can be a brutal dating scene. So competitive. Cutthroat.”
Ivy’s phone chimed and she pulled it out of her purse. “What! No way!”
She typed away furiously—nails clacking against the glass.
The phone buzzed again and she raised her head. Uh-oh. She’d forgotten how Ivy’s face contorted when she got angry. “Something wrong?”
“Yeah, something’s wrong all right.” Ivy’s eyes narrowed and she pointed her phone straight at Summer. “You just couldn’t leave well enough alone. You just had to come back here and stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Summer backed up a step. “What are you talking about?”
“Your little late-night party with Blake and Devin.”
“That’s none of your business.”
“What did you do? Beg them to fuck you again? A trip down memory lane? You think that’ll be enough to win either of them back? You think they just sat around waiting for you all this time?”
“What’s your problem?”
“The permit isn’t going to be approved. All because of you and your stupid TP party on the beach. Did you screw them down there like last time?”
Summer’s eyes would have bugged out her head if they could. “How do you even know about that?”
“So you did!
God, I should have known Devin would do something so stupid.” Ivy waved her phone at Summer’s body. “I don’t get what he sees in you. I run every day. Haven’t had a beer in three years. And he dumped me! But you! You show up and in twenty-four hours are doing the nasty!”
Summer’s mouth fell open. “You and Devin?”
“What? He didn’t tell you that either? Figures.” Ivy hiked her white higher up her arm. “Yeah, me and Devin. For over a year. Until he ended it cold turkey. No explanation.”
Summer swallowed. He’d dated a near supermodel for a year. She might not be the nicest woman, but she could give any runway girl a contest. And Summer thought she’d had a chance? That they’d waited for her? What a joke. She crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, Ivy. I didn’t know. And the TP thing? All Devin’s idea. I swear.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “Right. Ian doesn’t have time for this! He flew all the way from China just for his sister’s wedding. This bar is my project! And now he’s down at the beach cleaning up your mess. You better hope to God it’s enough. Otherwise, the bar won’t ever open and it’ll be all your fault.”
“It will not. And If I hear one more word like that from your mouth, Ivy, you can kiss your involvement goodbye.” Blake stood at the open door of his car, face somber as she stared at the blonde.
“Blake! I thought you were down at the beach. Ian said—”
“Ian needs a lesson in keeping his mouth shut, too.”
“It’s okay, Blake, really. I—” Summer paused when he held up a hand.
“No, it’s not. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Leave? With him? Summer looked back at the spa. “What about Mandy?”
“I’m sure she’ll survive. Hop in.”
Summer glanced at Ivy. If steam could come out of her ears, it would. With a deep breath, Summer flashed her a smile. “Thanks, Blake. I’d love to.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
BLAKE
THE CAR PULLED into a spot on the edge of the public beach. Blake killed the engine and turned in the seat. “I’m sorry if Ivy gave you a hard time. She was out of line.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.” From the way she crossed her legs away from him and how she wouldn’t look him in the eye, Blake knew she was nervous. Unsure. He wanted—no he needed—to change that. Fuck her insecurities and doubt. After last night? She wasn’t running away. Not again.
Blake ground his teeth together. Half of his body—the one with the raging hard-on every time he glanced her way—wanted to lunge across the seat. Pin her to the damn leather headrest and kiss away every ounce of resolve.
He cracked his knuckles instead. “What is it?”
Summer shifted in the seat and looked out the window. Her fingers ran over the edge of her dress, folding the yellow cotton up and down. “So Ivy and Devin. They dated?”
Shit. Isn’t that a mood killer. He eased back in his seat and ran his hand through his short hair. “Where’d you hear about that?”
“Where do you think?”
Brake frowned. “Ivy.”
“You betcha. She acted like she still had some claim on him—like she’d dated him and now he was off-limits.”
Blake snorted. “That woman’s psycho.”
Summer turned to him. “Then why are you in business together?”
“We’re not. Not officially. Ian gave us the capital to open the bar. But Ivy trots along like his little sidekick, fawning all over him every chance she gets. Now he’s brought her in to decorate.” Blake rolled his eyes. “It’s a bit of a challenge.”
“What’s Devin think about it?”
Blake shrugged. “I don’t know. When you left—” Fuck. He hadn’t wanted to go there. Talk about the past? What happened after Summer fled to New York? No way in hell.
But one look at her bottom lip as she worked her teeth back and forth. The rise and fall of her chest as she waited for an answer. Summer was the worst type of truth serum.
“What?”
“We—took it hard. Really hard. Devin shacked up with Ivy pretty quick. I don’t know why. I guess she was in the right place at the right time.”
“You mean at Swallow Tail?”
“Yeah. With us living here and commuting to school, Devin saw her all the time.”
Summer nodded. Her green eyes darkened and she glanced at Blake’s hands. “And you? Did you hook up with anyone?”
Blake focused on the gear shift. “I never connected with anyone long term.”
“But there were others?”
He bit the inside of his cheek. “Yeah.”
“How many?”
“Enough.” The tension in her jaw said it all. Me and my damn big mouth. “We didn’t think you were ever coming back. Summer, I—”
“It’s okay.” She tried to smile. “I get it. I don’t have any claim on you. Either of you. I’m the one who left.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t—”
She shrugged. “It’s been four years. It’s not like I didn’t date. I get it.”
“No, you don’t.” He reached out and took her by the chin, turning her face to him until her green eyes found his. “You don’t get it at all.”
Fuck words. All they ever did was add barriers and misunderstandings. Fear. He leaned forward, fingers holding tight, forcing her to stay put. To accept him. Blake’s lips crashed into hers and there it was—the spark. The electric current blasting through both their bodies. He ran his hand up her face and into her hair.
Yes. This. Lips and skin. Searing heat. He couldn’t tell her what she meant to him, but damn it he could show her. One kiss at a time.
Summer hit his chest with a fist. He kissed her harder. Deeper. Tongue swiping across her plump lips. Teeth scraping her skin. She hit him again.
At last, he backed off. “Do you still want to push me away?”
Her breath came hot and fast on his cheek. “I should. I’m no good for you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m all messed up. I don’t know what I want.”
“Yes, you do.”
“What about Devin?”
Blake flared his nostrils but kept his voice even. “What about him?”
Summer’s lips fell open and she blinked. Once. Twice. Her voice barely registered over the sound of Blake’s heart. “I don’t know.”
He could work with that. One touch of his keys and the doors unlocked. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”
Blake opened the car door and walked around to help her out the other side. It didn’t matter how many times they’d replay the same conversation. How many times Summer hesitated. She was his. It was only a matter of time.
For years, he’d tried to ignore it. Bury it. But it didn’t take a damn rocket scientist to figure out why he’d never had another girlfriend.
A quick fuck after closing? Yeah. A booty call for a week or two? He’d done it. And few other things he’d rather not remember, too.
But Summer? She was his girl—his forever. She stepped out into the bright noon sun and took his hand. Step by step, down the rock stairs to the sand. The same beach where it’d all started. The same beach where Summer and Blake and Devin gave in to the rush.
Devin. Blake glanced at Summer as she looked out over the ocean. His best friend. The only other man he’d shared a woman with. Summer fit them both so well. If she couldn’t accept it—a relationship with both men…Blake pushed the what ifs aside.
They’d cross that bridge when they came to it. He had work to do first.
Summer slipped off her shoes and walked out into the tide. Foamy water washed over her feet and Blake smiled. The ocean and a beautiful woman. He couldn’t ask for anything more.
No matter how many times he came down to the water, the Cove spoke to him. It wrapped around his heart and pumped his blood through his veins with the crash of each wave. He wished Summer felt it. The pull of the current. The rush of the water. She’d never leave if she did.
Blak
e kicked off his flip flops and joined her in the surf. “Tell me about New York.”
She glanced up and the ocean sparkled in her eyes. “I’m sorry?”
“The last four years. How has it been?”
“The truth?” She looked out over the water. “Lonely. I live in a city surrounded by millions of people and I can’t find a single one I connect with. Not one person who’s more than a caricature. A prop. It’s like they’ve all been set up—actors on a stage walking in on cue. No substance. No feels.”
She shook her head. “But that’s crazy, right?”
“No, it’s not. It’s honest.”
“What about you?”
Blake shrugged. “I can’t say I’ve done any better here.”
She turned to him. “But you’ve got Devin. And the bar and your shop.”
“I don’t have what matters.”
She swallowed. “What are you saying?”
“You know exactly what I’m saying.”
“Blake—”
“Shh. I’m done talking.”
Blake wrapped his hands around her waist and in an instant, she was airborne.
“Put me down!” She thwacked her open palms on his shoulders, but he just laughed her off.
No way. She wasn’t leaving the beach before he’d made it clearer than the blue sky above how much he wanted her to stay. “Stop fighting, Summer. Give into what you want. What you need.”
He hoisted her up until she grabbed hold of his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist. “That’s better.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
“No. It’s sexy as hell and you’re done arguing.”
She pouted, but Blake just smiled. “I’ve missed that pout.”
“Hmph.”
He laughed and climbed over an outcrop of rock before ducking into a hidden sandy inlet. From either the parking lot above or the main beach below, they were hidden. Secreted away from the rest of Midnight Cove with nothing but the sound of the ocean and the sand for company.
“We can’t do this.”
“Yes, we can.” Blake took Summer by the waist and she slid down his body.
“Someone will come by.”
“Then I’m not wasting any time.” He wrapped his hands around her, pressing her close and backing her up. Her feet slid through the sand and in three steps, they’d found the side of a boulder. Smooth from high tide crashing against the side, it was perfect.