Take Me To The Beach

by K. L. Grayson, Karina Halle, A. L. Jackson, Marni Mann, Monica Murphy, Devney Perry, Kristen Proby, Rachel Van Dyken

  I know for a fact that Stella’s first kiss was an awkward peck at the movies, and they somehow bumped foreheads before he was able to sneak in there and actually touch her lips with his. She still cringes over that story, and since everyone at this table has heard it at one point or another, we all still cringe too.

  “I’m with Stella,” Eleanor says, her sweet voice breaking into my thoughts. “You should go for it. We only live once, you know?”

  “I know.” I enjoyed spending time with Alex. He was easy to talk to. He’s waaaay easy on the eyes. There’s definite chemistry between us. I was so relieved he didn’t try and kiss me when he dropped me off after dinner, but then again, I was disappointed.

  “Let’s take a vote,” Sarah says, clearing her throat before she announces, “All in favor of Caroline continuing to see Alex, please raise your hands.”

  Everyone raises their hand, including myself, which makes them all laugh.

  “It’s unanimous then,” Eleanor says with a grin. “You should keep seeing him.”

  “Perfect. Now let’s hope he actually wants to continue seeing me,” I say, the sarcasm in me strong.

  There’s more laughter, and we move on to other subjects, such as Eleanor’s lack of available men in her everyday life. Being a hairstylist who is also an excellent colorist, the majority of her clients are women. She has a few men who come in for a trim, but most of them are the husbands or fathers of her female clients.

  “I’m tired of looking on dating sites,” she says. “They all either want to hook up for the night and that’s it, or they’re complete losers.”

  We all nod in agreement. Been there, done that.

  “Some of my older clients have sons my age, and they offer to set us up, but I don’t know. What if I click with one, we date for a while, and then we break up. That client will end up hating me for life,” Eleanor says.

  “Yes, but what if that son is your future husband?” Sarah asks, blinking innocently at Eleanor. “You could miss the opportunity of a lifetime.”

  “True.” Eleanor appears as if she’s seriously considering this.

  “Losing a client versus possibly finding your future husband? I say it’s worth the risk.” Sarah is Miss Romantic today for sure.

  And on it goes. Our food arrives and we stop counseling each other and moan and groan over how delicious our meals are instead. There’s a slight breeze in the air, and birds are chirping in nearby trees. Colorful spring flowers are everywhere—in pots, hanging planters, in a small arrangement in the middle of our table. Traffic is light this morning in downtown Carmel, as it normally is on a Sunday, and as I absently look around, I notice the patio seems to be filled with mostly locals, some I even recognize and know.

  My gaze lands on one person in particular, and everything inside me curls up, withering like it wants to die.

  Tiffany.

  Panic zips through me, and I’m tempted to leap from the table and run screaming out of the restaurant, but I can’t do that. Making a spectacle of myself is not the way to handle this. I’d only draw attention to myself and that is the last thing I want to do.

  Anger replaces my panic. What the hell is she even doing here? This is my place. She’s encroaching on my territory, and I don’t like it.

  She’s across the patio, at a small table on the other side, sitting at an angle where she can’t see me unless she looked behind her, but thank God, I can clearly see her. Meaning I can keep tabs on her.

  Grabbing Stella’s wrist, I tug her close so I can whisper in her ear. “I need to leave.”

  Stella rears back, frowning at me. “Why?”

  I lean in to whisper again. “Tiffany’s here. Sitting on the other side of the patio.”

  “Oooh, where?” I indicate with a tilt of my head where she’s at, hoping Tiffany doesn’t notice me. Stella cranes her neck to check her out, yet somehow still manages to be stealthy about it. “You’re lucky we’re sitting behind her,” Stella says.

  “She’ll spot me eventually. She has a sixth sense when it comes to me.” I glance in Tiffany’s direction once again, finally noticing who she’s sitting with. The same guy I saw her with in Alex’s house that fateful afternoon, so I’m assuming it’s Ed. “I have to go, and I don’t want to make a big deal about this either.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to leave.”

  “No way.” Stella grabs me this time, her hand gentle on my arm. “Don’t let her drive you out of here. Don’t give her that power!”

  “I don’t want any drama, Stel. And that chick is chock full of it.” I smile at her, patting her hand with my own. “I’ll just slip out, okay? Tell the girls after I’m gone, and we won’t make a big deal about it. That way, no one is screaming bye at me and catching Tiffany’s attention.” That is the very last thing I want to do.

  “Fine.” Stella rolls her eyes and ducks beneath the table, grabbing my purse for me. “Sneak out. The minute they’re gone, I’ll tell them what’s up.”

  I take my bag from her. “Thanks. I’ll pay you back for breakfast when you get home.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Stella waves her hands and I rise to my feet, thankful they’re all focused on Sarah, who’s telling stories about her weird customers. None of them even notice when I leave.

  Thankfully, Tiffany doesn’t notice either.

  I’m exiting the restaurant, ready to head up Ocean Avenue, back to my apartment, when I hear someone call my name. Glancing over my shoulder, I spot—OMG—Tiffany standing in front of the restaurant, her arms crossed, her stance downright hostile.

  Saying nothing, I face forward and pick up my pace, heading into a home goods store that’s on the nearest corner of the street. I know most everyone who works there, and today the owner’s daughter is standing behind the cash register, a pleasant smile on her face.

  “Caroline! You look pretty this morning,” Mary says in greeting.

  “Hi. Thanks,” I say weakly, skirting around a giant farm table laden with merchandise. I tuck myself into the corner on the left side of the giant window that faces the street, peeking outside so I can keep watch when Tiffany walks by.

  And thankfully, she does walk by within a couple of minutes of me hiding inside the store, oblivious to where I’m at. She pauses at the open front doors, waiting for a second, and my heart trips over itself, it’s hammering so hard.

  If she walks in here, she’ll spot me. And I’ll have nowhere to go.

  Someone was smiling down upon me today, because she keeps walking, crossing the street and disappearing from view.

  “Are you okay?”

  I turn to find Mary watching me, a frown marring her fine features.

  “Seems like you’re hiding out,” she continues.

  “I’m okay,” I say, smiling brightly. Too brightly. The relief that washes over me is heady stuff, and I swear I’m a little dizzy. I blink Mary into focus, my mind scrambling to come up with a reason when I slipped in here. “Just—there was something I wanted to grab, but I can’t find it.”

  The frown disappears, replaced by a helpful smile. “What exactly are you looking for?”

  “That French soap you guys always carry. I want to get it for a mother’s day present.” I wince the moment the lie falls from my lips. I only ever send my mom a mother’s day card every year. She definitely doesn’t get a gift.

  The woman doesn’t deserve one.

  “Oh, we just moved the soaps upstairs. Come on, I’ll take you up.”

  I follow her, thankful for the distraction, annoyed with myself that I have to buy some useless yet expensive French soap.

  Nervous that Tiffany actually came after me.

  Chapter 20

  Alex

  Sunday dinner at my parents’ house and it usually plays out like this:

  My sister Meredith shows up earlier than scheduled with her husband Kevin and their two year old twins, Hildy and Harry. Our younger brother James, who’s twenty-three and has high f
unctioning autism, loves to play with them, and they love Uncle James because he will do whatever it takes to make them laugh.

  Whatever it takes.

  This usually means lots of loud noises, chasing through the house, and peekaboo games. My father grimly tolerates it. My mother exclaims a lot, watch out for this and that, always afraid something is going to get broken, which has happened once or twice. James is having the time of his life, as are the twins.

  Meredith uses the hours long chaos to claim the children are exhausted and they need to go to bed early. This means they are out of the house by six o’clock at the latest. Dinner has barely been served—Sunday dinner is typically served around five—so I’m the one who’s left to chat up good ol’ Mom and Dad by myself. James by this time is also exhausted, and he retires to his bedroom, usually around seven, and that’s pushing it.

  In other words, it’s a type of semi-hell that I suffer through maybe twice a month. Once, if I’m lucky.

  Tonight’s dinner was no exception. The twins are especially loud, Hildy screaming with joy at the top of her longs every time Uncle James scares her. Dad has retreated to his study, where he claims to be working, but we all know he’s avoiding us. Mother is supervising staff in the kitchen—otherwise known as hiding out and having a giant glass of wine to calm her frazzled nerves.

  Kevin couldn’t make it to dinner since he’s out of town. He also works for Wilder Corporation and is currently supervising a renovation in Beverly Hills. This has been a months-long project, and normally he comes home on weekends, but this weekend he got stuck there due to some structural issues with the building. He claimed he didn’t feel right in leaving the crew and coming home to relax while they’re all still working on site, trying to take care of the problem.

  I secretly think Kevin is avoiding Meredith and the kids, though I’m not exactly sure why. This is supposedly what he wanted. A wife, children. A family and a career. The last few times I’ve seen them, he seems disinterested in the kids, in Meredith. Work could be a distraction, he doesn’t handle stress well, but I can’t help but be suspicious.

  Especially after what happened with Tiffany. Like an idiot, I was clueless.

  My sister and I are in the sitting room, enjoying a glass of wine while we wait for dinner. All Meredith wants to talk about is Tiffany and how she’s so glad I broke it off with her. I’m tired of talking about Tiffany. I don’t want to think about her anymore. It was a huge mistake I don’t particularly care to revisit over and over again, so I try my best to reroute the conversation.

  “How’s it been this weekend, without Kevin around?” Kevin is Meredith’s relief during the weekends. Having him around makes her feel less like a single mom, which is a common complaint she’s had these last few months.

  “Him not coming home Friday night was the last straw. I finally hired a live in nanny,” Meredith confesses. “I tried my best to do this on my own. To only use the babysitter and no one else, but with Kevin not around much, it only got harder. So I did what I had to do. The children love her, and so do I.”

  “Good for you.” Meredith takes everything upon her shoulders and rarely asks for help. It’s one of her best, and worst traits. “So I’m guessing she works weekends.”

  “She does, and she’s marvelous. You’ll have to come over sometime and meet her. She’s also young, and very attractive.” Meredith laughs, but I don’t.

  “I have no interest in dating your nanny,” I say bitterly.

  Her laughter dies. “Oh, lighten up. I was just joking. Heaven forbid you don’t want to get involved with the help.”

  “Now you make me sound like a classist asshole. Her being your nanny has nothing to do with it. I don’t want to date anyone right now.” Well, that’s an outright lie. I am interested in Caroline.

  But I’m definitely not interested in dating someone who’s linked to my family. If I dated the attractive nanny, and then it doesn’t work out, where does that leave me? Screwed yet again.

  I’m tired of making poor choices when it comes to my personal relationships. This is a hard fact to face, but that’s my reality. When it comes to women, I have terrible judgment. I’m either blinded by a pretty face, or too distracted by work to give a woman the attention she craves. I’m still young, I firmly believe I don’t necessarily have to find a woman to share my life with, but with Caroline in the picture, I’m rethinking everything.

  As much as I’m loathe to admit it, Caroline has the potential to have that much power over me.

  “I’m still so relieved you ended it with Tiffany. I knew she wouldn’t be faithful to you,” Meredith practically crows. How she could tell Tiffany had cheating potential, I’m not sure, but whatever.

  “Jesus Meredith, can we please stop talking about her? It’s over. Let’s move on,” I tell my sister, sounding like the irritated older brother I am.

  “Gladly. I just can’t help but throw in the ‘I told you so’. It’s the know it all sister inside of me,” Meredith says with a little smile.

  I ignore her, checking my phone for any texts. None from Caroline today. Like at all. I sent her a good morning text earlier, but she didn’t reply. I sent her another one before I left for my parents’ house, and still no response.

  Strange.

  Our father suddenly strides into the room, stopping in front of the couch where we’re both seated. “Alex. It’s imperative that you go to Paris right away.”

  I blink up at him, surprised by his belligerent tone. “I plan on going to Paris in less than three weeks.” We just discussed this trip only a few days ago. And now I don’t have to go with Tiffany, thank God. Her not accompanying me probably saved me thousands of dollars.

  “You need to go over there now. This week. Another company is trying to make an offer on our building, and we can’t let it get away.” He already thinks the building belongs to us, which is typical for my father. Once he makes a decision, it’s done in his mind. And he’s a man who doesn’t like to lose.

  Neither do I.

  I’m weary though, just thinking of rearranging my schedule so I can leave for Paris earlier than planned. Kelsey is going to have a fit when I tell her this, not that she’d ever let me know her true feelings. She’s the epitome of professionalism. “Can’t this all be discussed over the phone? Or via video conference?” Modern technology is a beautiful thing, and we need to use it in situations like this.

  “No, that won’t work. You need to be there, in person. We’re still only in negotiations, and the other corporation is trying to swoop in and steal our deal by offering them more money.” He runs his hand through his hair, appearing genuinely stressed out. And he’s not one to let stress get to him. His confidence is what’s gotten him—and the Worth Corporation—so far. “We have to prove to them we’re the better company. I want that building. It’ll be the jewel in the Worth Corporation’s crown, the beginning of our growth in Europe.”

  We have no foothold in Europe. We’re in negotiations for this particular building and already scouting London to find a location there. Italy is next, then Spain. We have a five year European plan. And he’ll be pissed if we screw it up with the first planned purchase.

  Exhaling loudly, I realize there’s no point in me arguing. Looks like I’m going to Paris in a few days. “When do you want me to leave?”

  “I’d say tomorrow, but I know that’s impossible, what with your busy schedule.” His expression is grim. “Wednesday at the latest.”

  That is barely enough time for me to get my shit together. “Can we bump it to Thursday?”

  “If you leave Thursday, you won’t even land in Paris until Friday and by then, it could be too late.” He shakes his head. “Wednesday has to work. Leaving Tuesday night would be even better.”

  “I’ll have my assistant look into flights, and I’ll have her start working on pushing out my schedule.” I start texting Kelsey, promising I’ll pay her overtime for working on Sunday night.

  “Take the private j
et,” Dad offers. We use it sparingly—we try out best to be a green company—but we purchased the jet years ago, and when it’s needed, it comes in handy, I can’t deny it.

  “No one else is using it?” I’m surprised.

  “Your brother in law tried to use it yesterday to come home, but I told him no.”

  “Daddy!” Meredith is clearly outraged. I wonder if Kevin even mentioned to her he tried to use it to come home. “You should’ve let him use it.”

  “It’s too expensive for a less than an hour plane ride. Your husband can stay where he’s at.” His voice is firm.

  I can practically feel the anger shimmering off Meredith as she sits beside me. But our father doesn’t even notice. His focus is now redirected at me.

  “You know, it’s a damn shame you broke off that engagement of yours.”

  I glance up at my father, mouth open in surprise. “What are you saying? That you liked Tiffany?”

  He grunts. “I didn’t like her at all.”

  Gee thanks, Dad, for the vote of confidence in my choices.

  “But you being engaged looks good to the company we’re buying the hotel from. They have strong family values.”

  “We do too, so I’m sure that won’t be a problem. We are, after all, a family run business,” I remind him.

  “So are they. And you appeared solid in their eyes, what with your recent engagement. They even mentioned it to me, during one of our discussions. Now that the engagement is off, you might appear…unstable.”

  Meredith giggles, thankful his attention is off her, no doubt. At my father’s irritated glare, she presses her fingers against her mouth to stifle the sound. “This isn’t a laughing matter,” he tells her.

  With a sigh Meredith rises to her feet. “I need to go check on the children.” With that, she’s gone. I’m glad. This is a discussion I don’t want to have in front of my sister.

  “Remaining with that woman would’ve made me completely unstable, so it’s a good thing we split,” I explain. “She would’ve ruined me. She could’ve ruined the business’s image, at the very least. Having her out of my life isn’t a bad thing, I promise.”