She wasn’t there but the rest of the gang was zipping up and fastening their ankle tethers.
“Where’s Ash?” I asked donning my own wetsuit.
“Dunno,” Dominic replied. “Haven’t seen him since last night.” He straightened and moaned. “My head hurts.”
“Told you not to mix beer and hard liquor,” Ramon told him before scooping his board off the sand and heading into the surf.
“You work things out with Simone?” Dominic asked me as we followed Ramon out.
I shook my head. “She won’t talk to me.”
“Bummer,” he accented the second syllable.
I nodded. It was that for sure.
Once beyond the break point, we separated each waiting for our wave. We were out early as we were most days and had the ocean to ourselves. I popped into my stance when I spotted a wave with good height. I got some real good air on a full round house, linked the flat to another wave and milked that till it disappeared. I heard the guys cheering and I acknowledged them with a wave, going back out to wait for another one, but my heart wasn’t in it and that wasn’t a good thing. I had Fiji coming up. I needed the points. Half the qualifying year was gone already. If I didn’t place in the next event it was going to be hard to make the championship cutoff.
I forced myself through the motions riding wave after wave until I was exhausted. When I finally waded out, Ash had shown up and he was pacing the shore.
“Where have you been?” I raised a curious brow wondering why his hair was slicked back and he was wearing a button down and khakis instead of swim trunks.
“At a job interview.” He grinned. “I heard a position just opened up at Napoli’s. So I got it.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
* * *
Simone
I discovered it was harder to face the morning knowing Lincoln Savage’s smile wasn’t going to be on the other side of the night. Infinitely harder knowing that it might never be. Oh and the fact that my life was on complete lockdown.
No phones.
No friends.
No free time.
No beach.
Resigned I went to work earlier than usual with my dad. We took inventory and went to the discount warehouse to purchase supplies to restock the kitchen after the busy weekend. On the way back to Napoli’s we drove past the ocean. Unable to stop myself I scanned the shoreline for his familiar form.
I saw a lone surfer on his board in the water.
My heart wanted to believe it was Lincoln but logic said that it was unlikely. He was always with his friends.
“I really don’t understand what the fascination is.” My dad’s voice rattled the fragile silence between us. He’d been watching me. His gaze returned to the front windshield, his fingers wrapping tighter around the steering wheel as we turned into the alley behind the restaurant. “They’re bums. Marijuana smokers. Street people with suntans. Why you would want to waste your time on one I’ll never understand. I always thought you were the steady practical one. The one with ambition and drive. I’d hate to find out that you have your head as high in the clouds as your mother.”
I kept silent, gaze straight ahead, hands clasped together in my lap, the dutiful daughter.
“Am I making myself clear, Simone?”
“Yes, Daddy.” Dutiful, reprimanded daughter.
“Good. It’s about time you showed some sense.” He turned off the ignition and removed the keys. “Grab a couple of the bread bags, run in and tell Edgar to send some of the guys to help me unload.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I unlatched my belt and popped open my door.
“Oh and Simone.” I turned to look back at him. “I hired a new busboy this morning to replace your surfer.” My throat closed as my mind flashed with a memory of Lincoln, his black Napoli’s work shirt snug around his toned torso, his biceps flexing and his eyes twinkling as he cleared a table and caught me watching him.
“I want you to cross train him,” he continued. “He seems like a good kid. His mom’s on the city council. His dad works as an adjuster. He has experience waiting tables at the Deck Bar. I’ll start him in the kitchen, but my plan is to move him into service.”
“Sure, Daddy.” Plastic bread bag handles threaded three deep on each arm, flip flops slapping against the concrete, I pulled open the heavy steel door and entered the building. The short hallway was still dark and the only activity in the restaurant this early was in the kitchen.
I threw my shoulder into the two way door and pushed it open. The blast of warmer air was pleasantly layered with garlic and basil. The trays of hand rolled meatballs lined the counters awaiting their turn inside the large commercial oven that dominated one side of the kitchen.
I almost didn’t notice him at first, a cloud of steam semi-concealing him, his toned arms up to the elbows in suds and a teetering skyscraper of dirty dishes from the night before waiting to be washed beside him.
I went completely dormant. Feet rooted to the floor. Edgar said something to me but he had to call my name twice and repeat his request for it to register. The busboy, his platinum hair tucked into a backwards Napoli’s ball cap, turned his head toward me. Eyes a darker blue than Lincoln’s locked with mine for a moment before he looked away.
Ashland Keys was the new hire?
I blinked, my brain coming back into focus as Edgar removed the bread bags from my arm. “My dad’s in the alley. He says to send the guys back to unload.”
Edgar barked instructions in both English and Spanish and the prep chefs moved past me on their way to the Suburban. Ash turned off the water and dried his hands before following. His eyes slid to me again as he casually bumped into me. I felt him press something into my hands. “Sorry, Miss Bianchi,” he apologized. “I slipped on the mopped floor.”
“It’s ok,” I managed casting my gaze furtively toward Edgar to make sure he hadn’t noticed anything to report to my dad. He hadn’t. He was busy loading meatballs into the oven.
I had no idea what was going on but I knew I didn’t want to give my father any more reasons to sanction me.
I backed out of the kitchen glancing down at my hand once I was in the dark hallway. It held a greeting card sized envelope with Mona scrawled on the front.
Nerves on edge, I jumped and tucked the contraband behind my back as the rear door reopened, light streaming inside like an interrogator’s spotlight. The crew marched back inside their arms laden with groceries. My dad led, followed by the two prep chefs, then Ash. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Read it. Don’t throw it away.”
Numbly I watched him catch up to the others. When I was alone again, I stared down at the envelope.
Reason clamored loudly. The plan. Remember the plan. There’s no place for Lincoln and the heartache that comes with him.
But my fingers seemed to be governed by my heart. They slid open the lightly glued seam. There were several photographs and a note inside. Linc’s face was on the first photograph only he wasn’t smiling. My chest got so tight I couldn’t breathe. I staggered backward ducking into the storage room.
What would it hurt to take a peek at the rest?
I could return it. Who would know if I looked?
My secret. My choice.
I suddenly felt less trapped inside my life. Linc had that effect on me even when he wasn’t physically present. Breathing a little easier, I went through the contents. The next picture was the pier and the final one was of Linc on his board. I wondered if Ash had taken it. Tears pricked my eyes. I could almost hear the familiar soothing roar of the ocean and feel the warmth of the sun that was sparkling on it.
Good morning, Mona, Linc wrote and I could hear his perfect voice in my mind. The beach is not the same without you here to share it with me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
* * *
Linc
“Tell me everything she said. Everything she did,” I grilled Ash the minute he got off work. Dude looked exhausted. First the early morning interv
iew after the late night talking. Then being on your feet all day, not even a minute to breathe. I knew what it was like working for Alberto Bianchi. But it had been worth it to me just to be near her. Knowing Ash had taken the job for my benefit meant the world. I told him so. Repeatedly.
He dropped onto his bed flopping backward, forearm over his eyes. He didn’t even bother taking his shoes off. “She didn’t say anything. Her father hardly lets her out of his sight. It’s weird.”
“Did she read the note?” I leaned forward elbows on my knees.
“I’m not sure, Linc.” He removed his arm. “I gave it to her. She slipped the envelope back to me right before we closed. I can’t really tell if she opened it and she didn’t say anything about it.”
Shit. My gaze dropped to my bare feet on the rug. I heard the rustle from Ash’s side of the room and knew he’d sat up.
“Hey,” he called, tapping my knee with his fist. I looked up to see eyes like my Aunt Maggie’s brimming with empathy. “Number sixteen and the best small wave surfer on the qualifying circuit doesn’t give up when the ocean looks flat. You need to be patient. Winds change. You know she’s not immune to your charms. But you hurt her, so she withdrew. Right now she’s probably wondering whether loving you is worth the risk of getting burned.”
My eyes widened at his insight and at his use of that particular word.
“C’mon, Linc.” He noticed. “I love you like a brother. You think I can’t see how it is with you and her?”
I didn’t confirm or deny it.
“Do another one. I’ll pass it on. Don’t press about the Kit thing. You said your bit about it. She’ll either believe you or she won’t. Just show her how you feel with the pictures and tell her with words. She needs to know why she should put herself out there for you.”
I mulled that advice over finally leaving Ash alone. Honestly he fell back on his bed and crashed the minute I stopped pimping him for details about Simone.
I left the house, my mind playing the final part of our conversation as I wandered by the restaurant Hurley cap and hooded sweatshirt shadowing my features hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
I remembered the first time I had seen her there. How she’d looked at me as if she really saw me, as if she admired me, maybe even needed me in her life.
Ash had mentioned that she seemed different to him.
“How so?” I had prompted.
He had shrugged a far off look in his eyes. “Conflicted,” he had finally admitted. “At a loss.” He had gotten quiet and I had thought he was finished when he added, “Like maybe she’s got all these intense feelings rumbling around inside of her that she doesn’t know how to express.” His voice was low as if the words vibrated from somewhere deep inside his chest. “Feelings that maybe she’s never felt before. Maybe she’s afraid to unleash them because maybe they won’t be reciprocated and she’ll lose the things she has for just a chance to have the one thing she’s always dreamed about.”
• • •
Simone
I moved from table to table checking the salt and pepper shakers and refilling the sugar and artificial sweeteners that were running low, tasks that the servers performed but that I was doing today because I needed an excuse to be busy and because I was hoping to run into Ash before my father returned from his errands.
A week had passed since Ash had started working at Napoli’s.
A week of deliveries from Linc.
A week for my resolve to be chipped away.
After all, what good was a plan for escaping this life when I might miss out on a man I was pretty sure I wanted to share it with me?
It was all so wickedly seductive.
My beach. Him on it.
Telling me how he felt about me in a lyrical fashion. I had memorized every word.
I watch the sunrise
The dark transforming to soft grey then lavender
I hear the ocean’s steady roar
But my souls a lonely island.
The pure gold of your eyes
Is more beautiful than the blue water
Your smile had more allure
Than the ebb and flow of the tide
If only you were here.
Your laughter refreshes
Renews
And energizes.
The shore
The sea breeze
The rip and curl of the perfect wave
Nothing is as it should be without you here.
I sighed then jumped as Ash’s voice sounded behind me. I hadn’t heard him come in.
“Hey, Mona,” he greeted. “You’re here early today. Waiting for me?” He leaned close. I could smell the ocean on him the same as Lincoln. “Or maybe just the postman?”
I spun around. His eyes were glinting with teasing humor but there was something else in them lately, something that seemed a little sad. I hadn’t said anything about the envelopes though I readily took them every time he offered, perusing the contents over and over again any time I could get a minute alone until the end of his shift when I returned them to him seemingly unopened. But I was pretty sure my fingerprints were all over everything.
Could the sadness he hid so well have something to do with Lincoln?
Did he think I was going to end up hurting someone he obviously cared so much about?
“You missed a table,” he said meaningfully setting his cell on the linen draped surface.
I immediately covered it with my hand and slid it into my pocket.
“Don’t leave him hanging much longer.” His eyes met mine, his expression all serious now. “He won’t say anything but it’s tearing him up. He’s off to the beach every morning by himself, staring off into space. Waiting.” He frowned. “Make a decision.” He stalked away his shoulders stiff, his movements abrupt.
I had never seen him so worked up. But he was right. The summer was slipping away. Soon I would have to return to college.
I ducked into the ladies restroom, clicked the latch closed on the stall and remembered the last note. Tears burned my eyes and fear surged in my heart. I knew what I was going to do.
I found his number on Ash’s Nokia and called it.
“Ash. What’s going on? Has anything happened?”
Hearing his voice and the eagerness in it almost brought me to my knees. Only the fact that it was the public restroom and the restaurant kept me from doing it. Leaning heavily into the partition, I cleared my throat and spoke. “Linc. It’s me. Simone.”
“Mona,” he exhaled and I heard the sound of running water being turned off. Was he getting ready to take a shower? My throat went even drier than before.
“Where are you? How are you? It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Yours, too,” I admitted. “Listen I’m at work.” I didn’t want to tell him I was in the women’s restroom. “I can’t talk long. I just wanted to say that the things you wrote…that you…” I trailed off realizing there was no way I could manage this over the phone. Woman up, Mona. I straightened from the wall. “I need to see you.” Touch you. Feel you. “Can you meet me at the beach? The stairs where we met the first time?”
“Sure. Absolutely. The sooner the better.”
I told him a time and he agreed. My hands were trembling when I ended the call. I only hoped it would be late enough. That my mom would be passed out. That my dad would choose to remain home this evening instead of returning at dawn.
I had good reasons to be afraid.
My father would probably find out that I had defied him once again. Even if he didn’t, I might very well get my heart broken in the end.
I knew those were both legitimate possibilities but I didn’t care. Not really. Not anymore. Not as much as I cared about Lincoln.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
* * *
Linc
I headed to the sandstone beach at the base of the stairs to her street an hour early.
She hadn’t given me any indication about what she was thinking but I was
n’t going to leave anything to chance. This was about choice. I had chosen her. Now I needed her to choose me.
I quickly quashed any thought that she might choose differently.
I went all out on the presentation.
And then she appeared. My water nymph, an otherworldly creature, the light blue gauzy dress clinging to her curves like sea foam. She had a silver band around her upper arm that I assumed had her house key on it and flat sandals strapped to her delicate feet.
Spellbound I stood at the bottom of the steps grateful I had my hand on the steel railing because I wasn’t feeling all that steady on my bare feet all of a sudden.
She seemed hesitant as well until her eyes drifted past me to my preparations. She smiled brilliantly, that inner light of hers beaming out, warming my soul.
“Mona, you look incredible, but you’ve been too far away for too long. Won’t you come closer and talk to me for a while?”
She bobbed her head in reply her eyes glassy. Happy tears I hoped. I couldn’t help myself. As soon as her sandals hit the last step I swung her up into my arms and kissed her, just a touch, just for a heartbeat, my firm lips to her lush ones. A fleeting reminder of just how sweet it might be.
“You can put me down,” she said when I lifted my head.
“No thanks. I like you right where you are.” I hugged her tighter to my chest not thinking it could get any better but then it did as she placed her palm against my cheek. I leaned my face into her soft touch. Eyes full of wonder, their honeyed depths reflecting the glow of the hurricane candles I’d lit and arranged around the blanket, she stared up at me.
“This is so beautiful, so romantic. And the notes and photos took my breath away.”
“You are my breath, Mona and you take it away from me every time you leave. But,” I grinned to lighten the heavy, “don’t tell anyone about the hearts and candles. Ash already knows how far gone I am for you. But I’d rather not give Dominic and Ramon any ammunition.”
(Complete Rock Stars, Surf and Second Chances #1-5) Page 11