15 Shades Of Pink

by Scott, Lisa

  She tossed it aside with a sigh, and pulled back the curtain of her bedroom window. She looked out at the beach, and saw their families gathered together. Someone stopped and talked to her Dad, walking off a few minutes later with two hats.

  She dropped back on her bed, and finally fell asleep. She woke with a start when someone rapped on her door. It was dusky outside; she’d been asleep a while.

  “Honey, Nick is out here to see you. He says he won’t leave until you do. Honest, I had nothing to do with this,” her mother said.

  If she knew Nick, he meant it. Once after a fight, he had stood on her parents’ front porch for an hour, waiting to be let in. She shivered, wondering what he was going to say.

  She pulled on a sweater. Nights along the seashore could be cold. Plus, she didn’t want to risk brushing her skin against his. She knew there’d be a spark, and she didn’t have any interest in feeling it.

  She walked up to him waiting on the deck. Without saying a word, they walked down to the shore. “Max was the one giving me shit about never being with another woman.” He shook his head. “He always had a thing for you.”

  “I know. He called me to see how I was. It seemed like a good way to get back at you. I was hoping you’d find out.”

  “He’s not stupid enough to tell anyone. I would’ve killed him.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “So, do you hate me?”

  He stopped. “For what? Sleeping with Max?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I hate him. But how could I hate you? I called off the wedding. I had no say in anything you did. As far as you knew, we were done forever.” He reached for her hand, and pulled her toward him. She buried her nose in his chest. She breathed in the smell of him; it was the same as it had always had been. He must still be using the same detergent.

  He kissed her head. “But Heather, I want you. Can we try again?”

  Her heart jumped up like a little puppy dog shown a bone. But the hurt was there saying, ‘Settle down, little one.’ She sighed. “I just don’t know if I can trust you again. How do you know you want to be with me? How do you know it’s not just seeing our families together, and thinking, ‘Hmm, this would be nice?’ That’s not reason enough to be a couple, just because it suits our families.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve had a year to feel what it’s like to be without you, and it sucks. Hell, just one day without you hurts. And it kills me knowing we could have been celebrating our one-year anniversary this week instead of doing our best to avoid each other.”

  “Not that that has worked out so well,” Heather said with a laugh.

  He smiled at her. “Good thing we have families who care.”

  She looked up at him, never taking her eyes off him. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. It was just the lightest brush of his lips against hers, like he was remembering how they moved together. But her heart swirled and her blood rushed just from that slow, sweet gesture.

  He pulled away. “I love you, Heather, and I want you back. If you want me to get down on my knees and beg, I will. Give me another chance. Marry me.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Nick, I don’t know if I could go through that another time, wondering if you’d leave me again. I’d be a wreck until the wedding.”

  He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer, so tight she couldn’t imagine him ever letting go.

  He sighed. “We can work something out. But you’re willing to try again?”

  “The only thing more miserable than being without you this past year is seeing you now and being without you.” She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him. “We’ll have to figure out how to have a wedding so there’s no time for either of us to get cold feet.”

  “Not gonna happen. Not for me at least.”

  She heard whispers and snapping twigs in the sand dunes behind them.

  She dropped her head on his shoulder. “I think we’re being followed.”

  “Did you father finally get his Eavesdropping Ear to work?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so. But mama radar works better than ever.” She frowned, hearing an odd, mournful birdcall. She groaned. “Mother, that sounds like a loon. Loons are in Maine, not Cape Cod.”

  “I’m impressed,” Nick whispered to her.

  Silence, then “Ca-Caw! Ca-Caw!”

  Heather rolled her eyes. “That’s a crow. A very sick crow.”

  Nick shrugged. “For once you’re right. That does sound like a crow.” He screwed up his face. “Sort of.”

  Heather stepped back from Nick. “I don’t know what we should do. Let’s head back. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  “Bock-bock-bock,” she heard behind her.

  Heather groaned. “That’s a chicken.”

  “Exactly!” hissed someone from the dunes.

  ***

  The next morning, before heading out for a walk, Tina pulled Heather onto the deck while everyone else was eating Mom’s blueberry pancakes.

  “So how are things with Nick?”

  “Mom didn’t tell you? She was following us last night.”

  Tina leaned against the railing. “She said you two are getting along great, but I thought maybe that was wishful thinking.”

  Heather shrugged. “I can’t help it. I still love him.” She looked up at her sister. “Do you think I’m stupid for giving him a second chance?”

  Tina reached for her, and Heather let herself be hugged by her big sister. “I think it’s wonderful. I can’t imagine you with anyone else.”

  “Me neither. I’m just not sure how to make this work.”

  ***

  After spending the rest of the day alone together—with several hot kisses in the sand dunes—she slept in the following morning like Sleeping Beauty. And she did feel like a princess who finally got her prince. Turns out, he was better than a crab, after all. But another wedding? She didn’t know if she could handle it. Maybe they should just live together.

  She rolled over in bed, wondering what she and Nick would do later, when her mother came in. “Honey, it’s eleven a.m. Don’t you want to get up?”

  She yawned. “I’m on vacation.”

  Her mother fiddled with the scarf wrapped around her shoulders. “Your father has a big lunch planned at noon. He’s going to be handing out free hotdogs and selling hats.”

  Heather sat up and stretched, the cozy veil of sleepiness slipping away like the cool sheets around her.

  Mom scurried toward the door. “Oh, and dress nice. Maybe your nice white sundress? Daddy wants us all looking our best.”

  Yes, my sundress will look great with my orange hat. At least with the gang all there, she could tell them the news: she and Nick were a couple again. Their wonderful day together had sealed the deal.

  The house was empty when she finished getting ready. She spotted a group of orange heads along the shore and nodded, impressed. Dad had outdone himself, with white balloons and a big arch. She would have opted for orange, but those were probably hard to find.

  Everyone was milling about and she crossed her fingers that Dad would sell out his stock. Not just because it would be nice to put the whole Port-A-Party marketing blitz to rest for now, but it’d make him so pleased. The Hicks had been a huge help, selling more than fifty hats between them, and the hats had been selling well at Scoopy’s, too.

  She walked down to the group and everyone turned to look at her, making a path so she could walk to her father. He held out his arms. “You look beautiful, honey.” A tear slipped from the corner of his eye. Then he took his hat off.

  Her mom walked over, sniffing, and handed her a bouquet of blue hydrangeas and pulled off Heather’s hat, fluffing Heather’s hair. Then Dad walked her over to Nick.

  She looked around at all the people in their families. Some were smiling, some dabbing at their eyes. “I don’t understand. What’s going on? Did you sell all the hats already? Is QVC showing up or something?�
��

  A man in a dark suit approached them. “Hello, Heather. I’m Rich O’Reilly, Justice of the Peace here in town.”

  Few words could’ve had such an immediate impact on her. Her knees wobbled, and her stomach plummeted. She thought of the gulls swooping down to snatch fish from the ocean. Did they ever dive straight to the bottom? she wondered, because that’s what it felt like. Nick grabbed her to steady her. “Did you do this?” she whispered.

  He shook his head. “I think it was the birds snooping in the sand dunes the other night. I’m just finding out about this myself.”

  Her father stepped toward them. “I sold the justice a bunch of hats yesterday and we got to talking. Well, your mother did most of the talking. He has a marriage license with him.” Dad lifted a shoulder in a don’t-blame-me shrug.

  “Your sister said this is what you wanted, but you didn’t know how to make it work,” Mom offered, quietly. “I know we’ve been a little pushy, but I thought this was the right thing to do.”

  An odd mixture of anger, excitement, and fear swirled through her. She gripped Nick’s hand and looked at him.

  “If you want to be together, I’m ready to make it official right now. If you don’t, I understand. I really do.” He rested his other hand on her lower back.

  Her fingers fluttered over her throat. Could she do this? Could she trust him? She looked around at her loved ones and their hopeful looks. This was exactly what she’d wanted a year ago. Well, with a dramatically nicer dress. Nibbling on her lip, she looked at Nick and his caring eyes and his smile that still sent her knees knocking. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but he did. She had wanted to hurt him, but he’d forgiven her. She had to be willing to do the same.

  She let out the breath she’d been holding. “It would be really hard to wait for another wedding.”

  “That’s why we did this,” her mother whispered behind her.

  “Plus, everyone’s here,” Nick’s mom added. “Although I wish I had brought my mother-of-the-groom gown. It still fits perfectly, even a year later, you know.” She patted her hip.

  “Well?” Nick asked.

  She looked at him and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  Their families cheered and a few beachgoers stopped to watch. The justice of the peace cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

  Heather gripped Nick’s hand. Was she really doing this? She barely heard the vows; hopefully he hadn’t slipped anything objectionable in there, like yearly trips to the arctic to study penguins. Finally, it was her time to say ‘I do.’

  “Heather Melissa Parker, do you take this man to be your husband in good times in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

  She looked up at him. She couldn’t find the words.

  He took a deep breath. She heard a few others do the same. Her mother covered her mouth with a shaky hand.

  Heather tried to swallow but couldn’t. We’ve already seen the bad and made it through, she thought. Sucking in a deep breath, she smiled at Nick. “I do.”

  The collective sigh felt like a breeze against her back. Then the applause broke out, along with whistling and catcalls, as Nick took her in his arms and kissed her like…like she was his wife.

  “We’ve got a lobster bake being delivered in half an hour,” her father said. “Thank God you kids went through with it this time. Don’t think I could afford another cancellation.” He fanned himself with his hat.

  “Yes, sorry about that, sir,” Nick said.

  “You got it right in the end.” He held up a finger. “And I happen to have your wedding present right here.”

  He handed them each another Port-A-Party, with Mr. & Mrs. Nick Hicks written on front.

  “Aww, thanks Dad.” She put it on and smiled at Nick as he did the same.

  “Where are we going to honeymoon?” she asked.

  “I know this little island in the Atlantic with no one around but a couple hundred puffins.”

  She jabbed him with her elbow. “Don’t make me kill you on our wedding day. I haven’t taken out life insurance on you yet.”

  “There’s my practical girl.” He kissed her nose.

  Then she tossed her bouquet over her shoulder and kissed her ex right there on the beach. Vacation Of A Lifetime. Yeah, that was the right title.

  She’s not used to the attention…but now Natalie’s the hottie on the beach.

  Can she handle the heat?

  She’s Hot Now

  by Lisa Scott

  Micki and Cassidy ran along the shoreline, kicking up a spray of sand and foam. “We just crashed a wedding on the beach!” Micki held up a bouquet of blue flowers.

  “Looks like you’ll be next,” I teased.

  “The only relationship I’m interested in is a fleeting one—with fries and a hot dog.” Micki tossed the bouquet to Cassidy and ran off toward the concession stand. Cassidy chucked the flowers at me like they were on fire. “Better you than me, girl! I’m too young and hot to get married.” She rummaged around in the cooler for a drink.

  After catching the bunch, I admired the blooms. But I couldn’t picture myself walking down the aisle, either. I didn’t even have a boyfriend—although Cassidy was doing her best to change my Facebook relationship status this weekend. I glared over at the pack of hung-over men in the sand next to us and set down the flowers. Nope, no wedding in my immediate future.

  A seagull landed to inspect the bouquet, and strutted off arrogantly after discovering I hadn’t tossed aside any food. I wished I could do the same. I’d felt equally duped. Had I known Cassidy was going to invite her boyfriend and all of his hot friends to the beach, I wouldn’t have come. I thought it was going to be a girls’ weekend away from the office. She certainly wasn’t my best friend, but it seemed like a relaxing getaway. I figured I’d read a book, watch the surf, and maybe down a few fruity drinks. She wanted to play beach-blanket-boy-bingo—and there were plenty of players to choose from. Even though she had a boyfriend, the girl flirted like it was a part-time job—with plenty of benefits.

  I should’ve known she was up to something when she’d shown up with full makeup, blown-out hair, and a fresh pedicure. We were staying for two nights and she’d brought three suitcases, because who knew what she’d be in the mood to wear? I’d been looking forward to not worrying what I looked like for a few days. To say I underpacked was an understatement.

  “Six pair of sandals is hardly excessive,” she’d told me while unpacking. “What if I lost a pair on the beach at night having crazy sex with Connor?” She giggled. “But I suppose someone with your… history wouldn’t know about the importance of dressing cute.”

  Truly, the two of us wouldn’t be hanging out if not for our side-by-side cubicles—and the fact that I’d moved to town two years earlier and hadn’t made many friends.

  I dug my toes in the sand and enjoyed the warm sun on my skin after years of hiding it under long pants and skirts. I didn’t mind spending time by myself. I found me to be quite good company.

  A tall, blond guy wandered over from the group of guys next to us. “Who’s your friend?” he asked Cassidy.

  She twisted off the cap of her wine cooler. “This is Natalie from the office. You’ve met before. Natalie, remember Jared from Carlton Services?”

  I looked up at him, shading my eyes. “Oh, yes. Nice to see you again.”

  “I don’t think we’ve met.” His eyes roamed over me.

  My throat tightened and I regretted not wearing a baggy t-shirt over my bathing suit, even though it was a modest one-piece. “It’s been a while.”

  Cassidy pointed her wine cooler at him and laughed. “That’s right. You wouldn’t recognize her, of course. Natalie lost tons of weight since last summer, like, one hundred pounds.” She readjusted the sunglasses holding back her hair and shrugged. “She’s hot now.”

  Cassidy liked to announce this news to anyone who would listen, as if she had something to do with it. Or maybe she ju
st liked to make sure people knew her “hot” friend hadn’t always looked this way. It was her version of an asterisk next to any compliment that came my way.

  I smiled, wishing I had the nerve to add, “I’m also healthier and more energetic!” But no one really gave a flying leap about those things. Those were girl add-ons no one needed, like an extra large cup holder in the back seat. Appearances—that’s all that seemed to matter.

  Jared’s eyes swept over me, as if to double-check that I looked as good as he first thought after hearing that news. Then he stepped back, like maybe I wasn’t quite over my case of “fatness” yet. “You look really good.” He returned to his buddies and cracked open a beer. Two of them were wearing orange drinking hats, with the cans right on their heads, so I wasn’t too upset by his quick departure.

  Cassidy swatted me with her magazine. “You have to be more friendly if you’re ever going to get together with anyone. I’m trying to help you, here.”

  “I don’t want your help.” I looped my hands around my knees. “And besides, I’m not used to the attention.” I rested my cheek against my knees and closed my eyes, listening to the surf. I’d spent a lifetime ducking my head, hiding my thighs, and keeping my mouth shut. Not around food, of course. That had always been the problem. Food seemed to make everything better—even the good times.

  But now everything was different and I didn’t have the flirty comebacks or coy smiles to keep up. How was I suddenly supposed to be this social butterfly, fluttering her wings seductively, when I’d been curled up in my cozy cocoon for years? The closest I’d ever come to flirty banter with a guy was “Pass the ketchup, darlin’.”

  Micki wandered back from the concession stand with two hot dogs and a plate of fries. “Want one?”

  Cassidy wrinkled her nose and I held up one hand like a traffic cop signaling stop. “No, thanks.” I’d joined an online weight loss support group the year before and logged in every day. It took thirteen months to lose one hundred and eight pounds. I wouldn’t be gaining an ounce back. The daily support of friends online helped me stick to it.