by Aimee McNeil
“You look delicious.” Ashton said when she stopped in front of him. He reached down and scooped Sophie up in his arms before she could respond, heading for the water. She screamed as he splashed through the waves. Sophie clung to Ashton’s neck as he walked in deeper.
“You wouldn’t throw me in,” she said with wide eyes. The waves splashed, sending water to spray over them.
“Wouldn’t I?” Ashton laughed.
Sophie tightened her grip around his neck, holding herself tight to his body as they playfully struggled. “That’s it.” Ashton dropped down in the water, submersing them both completely into its cool embrace. They both came up laughing. Sophie brushed her hair out of her face as Ashton held her close. He looked down at her with eyes the same color as the water that surrounded them. His tanned skin begged for her touch as she ran her fingers over his chest. “Can I do that to you?” He smiled. Sophie giggled before Ashton leaned down and kissed her slowly at first, testing her reaction of the display of affection in public. He deepened the kiss when she responded to him. He tasted of salt and his own enchanting flavor.
Their moment of sweet indulgence was broken when they both turned toward the shore where Dustin was chasing Mel into the water. They both crashed into the waves and went under the water only to resurface, splashing water on each other.
All of them enjoyed the water until the girls decided to lie in the sun for a while. Dustin asked Ashton to show him how to surf and the girls were entertained watching Dustin struggling to stand on the board. Ashton’s movements were so controlled on the board. Sophie found herself mesmerized by him. Since she had met him she wanted to know what it would be like to be his object of affection and now, since last night when they finally told each other how they felt, he looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Every time their eyes met he grinned like an excited kid and it made exhilaration course through her, making her feel weightless, like she could float away in the slightest breeze.
“You got it bad,” Mel said as she sat up to flip over.
“Look who’s talking. I see you flirting with Dustin every chance you get.” Sophie sipped her water bottle while watching Ashton.
“I flirt with everyone, remember? But with you…you look at him like he’s everything you have ever wanted wrapped up into a very attractive package,” Mel said dreamily. “It’s magical.”
Sophie turned around to see Mel’s face. Her large sunglasses covered most of her face. “Magical? Okay where did my Mel go?”
“Come on. You fell in love with the guy when you first met him without even knowing it and then you find out that he felt the same way all this time. What’s more magical than someone who was supposed to be the enemy to be the one to prove love exists for the girl who never believed?”
“Quiet, and he didn’t say he loved me, by the way. He just told me he didn’t hate me.” Sophie gave her a warning look.
Mel rolled her eyes. “Oh Ashton, you have shown me the light,” Mel said in mock dramatization, her hand against her heart. “I love you soooooo much.”
“Stop before he hears you.” Sophie tackled Mel to try and silence her. Sophie tried to cover Mel’s mouth but she was too evasive. They both ended up in a fit of giggles, tangled on the towels.
“As much as I hate to break up this incredibly hot display, your ice creams are melting,” Ashton said from the edge of the towel. “And I think you’re drawing a crowd.”
“Yum!” Mel lit up as Dustin passed her a cone and sat down next to her.
“Thank you,” Sophie said, taking the cone.
“So I saw you watching us out there, do you want me to give you a lesson?” Ashton sat down beside Sophie and leaned back on his elbows. He looked sexy with his large muscular form stretched out beside her. It made her picture him back in her bed and the wonderful evening they had shared together. Sophie looked over when Mel screamed because Dustin had made her smear her ice cream on her face.
“I think I’m better on the beach. It looks like it could be potentially dangerous for me.” Sophie laughed.
“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Ashton nudged her with his shoulder.
“Oh yeah? Well, I have a confession to make. There is a reason that I practice the arts and not physically demanding activities. I’m not the most coordinated person,” Sophie admitted. “It looks like it takes more skill than I am capable of.”
“I have a confession to make as well.” He moved closer to her so their shoulders touched and it sent a tingling heat through her. “I am jealous of your ice cream.”
“Why would you possibly be jealous of my ice cream?” she asked in mock innocence as she seductively licked it and moaned in enjoyment.
“You’re gonna get it now,” Ashton teased.
“What are you gonna do, because you already threw me in the water.” Sophie raised her brows.
“This.” He leaned over and bit Sophie’s bottom lip. The pull caused heat to rupture within her. She reached up to stop him from pulling away and kissed him deeply.
“Get a room!” Mel yelled.
***
The intense heat shone down upon them as Sophie lounged on her towel. Ashton had lain down next to her and his breathing had slowed to a deep, even pace. She watched his peaceful physique, the perfect lines of his muscles and how they moulded his skin in the most enticing ways. Will I ever tire of looking at him? I can’t imagine.
“Who’s that walking this way?” Mel asked.
“Xavier.” Sophie frowned in surprise. “I met him at the charity auction the other night.”
“Wow. Another hot admirer?” Mel whispered with her eyes locked on his approaching form. His skin glistened from the lingering water upon his tanned flesh. His wet dark hair hung around his face. Sophie thought it suited him more than the swept back style he had sported at the charity auction. His features were almost menacing but he was definitely handsome, and his smile softened his features. Sophie heard Mel’s hum of approval as he neared their towels.
“Ladies.” He welcomed them before turning toward Sophie. “What a pleasure seeing you again, Sophie.”
“You too.” Sophie offered. “These are my friends Mel and Dustin.” Mel flashed one of her brilliant smiles. Dustin, who was lying on his stomach, only lifted his hand in a lazy wave, nowhere near as enthusiastic as Mel’s welcome. “And you know Ashton.”
“You’re blocking our sun with your fat head. Why don’t you move to the other end of the beach, or better yet leave?” Ashton said suddenly. He turned over and sat up.
“I came to speak with Sophie. I didn’t have a chance for a proper goodbye when we met the other night.”
“Goodbye,” Ashton bit off coldly, wrapping his arm possessively around Sophie.
Sophie gently hit his arm before turning to address Xavier. “That was my fault. I wasn’t feeling well,” Sophie said, fully aware of the tension between the two.
“Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling better now.” Xavier smiled sinfully, watching the interaction between Sophie and Ashton.
“Yes, I am, thank you.”
“Well, I’m off to take advantage of the waves. If you care to join me…” Xavier’s words were cut off by Ashton.
“Not gonna happen.” Ashton gave him a cold stare that translated even through his dark sunglasses.
“Another time then, Sophie.” Xavier winked at her before turning to leave.
“Fuck off,” Ashton added.
“Oh, Ashton, I hear that you and Lucinda have been spending time together recently. Just can’t get enough of her, I guess, right?” Xavier grinned slyly. “Well, I’m sure you would be interested to know she just arrived.” Xavier nodded toward the parking lot. Everyone turned to see where he indicated. Sure enough Lucinda was heading toward the beach. Sophie hadn’t seen her since the day she had graduated high school. After all that time she still got a bad taste in her mouth at the very sight of her. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Sophie loo
ked at Ashton, whose eyes were watching Lucinda approach, his expression unreadable as he stood up. Her high that she had been experiencing since last night was suddenly brought to an abrupt end. What did Xavier mean by spending time with Lucinda?
Lucinda sauntered up the beach, her figure barely concealed under a very revealing string bikini. “X,” she called to her cousin. She dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around Xavier. When she pulled away her eyes fell on Ashton. “Hey, Ashton.” She snaked her arms around his waist. Sophie couldn’t stop the shocked expression on her face. So many scenarios ran through her mind and the one that stood out above all others is maybe this had all been a sick joke played on her. In her mind it was suddenly high school all over again.
Ashton stayed rigid in Lucinda’s hold. “You know Sophie.” He waved his hand toward Sophie. “And these are her friends, Mel and Dustin.”
Lucinda turned to observe the three of them. “How cute.” She waved dismissively.
“You didn’t mention you were coming to the beach.” Lucinda ran her hand down his chest, with the sweetest of smiles that Sophie had only ever seen Lucinda direct at Ashton.
“Come on, Luce,” Ashton stated irritably, pulling her hand off his stomach.
“Well, I’m suddenly feeling like maybe I got enough sun today.” Sophie stood up.
“Sophie, wait,” he said, stepping out of Lucinda’s embrace.
“Let her go. We have so much to talk about and she was always such a bore, anyway. Don’t you remember what you used to call her? What was that again?” Lucinda didn’t even turn around to look at Sophie.
“What the fuck are you doing, Luce?” Ashton said impatiently.
“Now that you mention it, Sophie…” Mel grabbed her towel and flung it up into the air, spraying sand over Xavier, Lucinda, and Ashton. “I’m ready to go now.” Mel smiled evilly.
Lucinda screamed out, “You bitch!”
“No, actually, I think you have proven to be the bitch here.” Mel stalked forward. Dustin grabbed her by the waist before she could get too close.
“Time to go,” Dustin said quickly. “Come on, little firecracker.”
“Let me go.” Mel struggled against his hold.
“Sophie, don’t go.” Ashton tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes.
“The beach is too crowded for me and I really would like to be alone right now.” Sophie tried to keep the tears from falling, taking deep breaths. She took off across the beach toward Dustin’s car. Luckily the door was open and she slid into the backseat.
She heard Mel’s angry bellows float in the air around the car. “I will gouge your eyes out if you come any closer.”
“Better listen to her, man. Just give her some time,” Dustin offered. His strengths as a bouncer surfaced and he tried to find a peaceful resolution.
“Fuck!” Ashton cursed. “Sophie, just let me talk to you!”
Sophie grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. She stepped out of the car and captured Ashton’s frantic gaze. They all stopped talking and watched her.
“That was just Xavier being the ass he is. I didn’t know she was gonna be here,” Ashton called to her.
“I don’t think I can trust you, Ashton. The scars are just too deep.” Sophie slid back into the car before her eyes started to water.
Mel slipped in next to Sophie. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…I just want to go home. I have seen enough Lucinda to last a lifetime.” Sophie sighed.
Dustin started the car without a word. “Thank you, Dustin. Sorry about the drama,” Sophie spoke quietly.
“I had four sisters. That was drama. This is just keeping it real.” Dustin flashed her an easy smile.
Mel grabbed her hand. “You were too kind when you spoke of Lucinda before. That girl is a supremo bitch.”
“What have I gotten myself into? I should had stuck with my original plan and intended on being a spinster for the rest of my life. Stayed far away from Ashton and all the trouble he brought into my life. I knew I was gonna end up being hurt. Seeing them both together again just set me off.”
“He was a very enticing package.” Mel squeezed Sophie’s hand. “I must admit he seemed pretty upset just now.”
“Good,” Sophie said, deflated, as she watched the scenery pass by her window. The only place she wanted to be was home. “I guess maybe I overreacted but what are the chances that Lucinda would just show up today?” Sophie looked out the window. “Ashton makes me act like a crazy person and that scares the hell out of me.”
Sophie floated through work that evening. Things with Sam seemed somewhat normal except for the sad smiles she received on occasion but it didn’t feel awkward. She was just grateful he wasn’t angry with her. Megan, on the other hand, refused to speak to her. She suspected Sophie and Ashton had become more than the enemies they had claimed to be. Sophie didn’t bother trying to engage to deny or confess anything to Megan. She let her think whatever she wanted because Sophie lacked the heart and energy to deal with it. Everyone else was oblivious to the chaos in Sophie’s life, making them all the more appealing to deal with. Time flew by and before she knew it she was heading home to her apartment.
Sophie shuffled through her text messages as she opened the door to her apartment. There was a voicemail from her mother asking her to call and a handful of texts and voicemails from Ashton asking her to call him. She took a deep breath when she walked in her apartment.
“What’s that smell? Is it…”
“Cookies!” Mel finished Sophie’s sentence. She rounded the corner from the kitchen covered in flour. It was streaked across her cheeks and dusted on her clothes. The display brought a smile to Sophie’s face.
“Come try them.” Mel skipped back toward the kitchen. “I thought it would be a good idea to have a stock pile of comfort food after today.”
“They smell delicious.” Sophie praised as she observed the cookies spread out over the counter. “How many did you make?”
“Didn’t know what you would feel like so I made lots of options.”
“Wow.” Sophie took a bite of the cookie Mel waved in front of her. It was a buttery shortbread with an icing glaze that melted in her mouth. “Wow. These are amazing,” Sophie gushed.
“I know. Wait till you try the double chocolate.” Mel made Sophie try every kind, which she obliged eagerly. They were all delicious and Sophie found it hard to pick a favorite.
“How did I not know that you could bake like this?”
“I am a girl of many talents.” Mel winked before her smile fell from her face. “I worked in my parents’ bakery for years until my Dad decided to treat himself to one of the girls that worked there. She was actually younger than me. After that everything went to shit. I haven’t spoken to my piece of shit father since and my mom is angry at the world. I can’t stand to be near her. My family is all around, upside down, inside out, and all colors of fucked up.” Sophie hated seeing the pain in Mel’s expression. Mel slowly started opening up to Sophie more and more and Sophie looked forward to the moments when Mel let her close.
“We all have our issues. Sometimes a messy past makes us better equipped to handle the future. When I look at you I see someone who has the strength to take on the world.”
“What would I do without you, Sophie?”
“We make a good pair, don’t we?” Sophie smiled. “Why don’t you sell your cookies? These are so amazing.”
“I have always loved to bake. It makes me happy.” Mel looked lost in thought for a moment. “You really think I could sell them?”
“Yes. They’re delicious.”
“You’ve given me something to think about.” Mel twisted her lips. “Mel the baker? Oo la la. I like it, especially if I get to wear a hat. Maybe I should work on my French and try and pull off the whole French pastry chef persona with a cute little outfit.”
“Maybe you should start with a business plan first and pick out the outfit later.” Sophie laughed.
“You’re
no fun, but you have to admit I would look cute in a baker’s hat.”
“Of course. No argument there,” Sophie agreed with a smile, taking another bite of cookie.
After Sophie had eaten an obscene amount of cookies for her supper, she decided she should respond to Ashton’s messages that had repeatedly lit up her phone.
Sophie: I just need some time.
Ashton: I promise that I didn’t know she was going to be there.
Sophie:…I want to believe you.
Ashton: Don’t let it ruin last night. It meant a lot to me. You mean a lot to me.
Sophie: Then give me time.
She just needed to unwind from the events that had taken place in the last twenty-four hours. It was a whirlwind of highs and crashing lows and she needed to sort through the emotions. She told him she needed to finish her mother’s dress and that they would sort things out later. He didn’t seem very pleased, but finally accepted her request.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
The next day Sophie wasn’t scheduled to work. She took advantage of the time to finish the intricate details of her mother’s dress. The dress was piecing together nicely and she could envision what her mother was going to look like as she walked down the aisle. Sophie’s fingers caressed the smooth, lush material and the lacework as she made every stitch. She took her time making sure that the seams were flawless and as perfect as her mother deserved.
Mel woke up earlier than usual. She was slowly adjusting to more regular hours since she was no longer working late nights at the club. She curled up on the sofa with her laptop, keeping Sophie company as they both worked on their projects. Soothing music was playing in the background and they each took turns making tea. It was almost noon when Sophie stepped back and admired her work.