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

  “Logan!” Her dark hair was tied up in a bun, much like mine, and I was relieved to see she was wearing frayed denim shorts and a tank top. Without an introduction, I knew this was Logan’s sister.

  Just like I’d seen in the family picture at the penthouse, the resemblance between Charlie and Aubrey was even more uncanny in person. They had the same hair. The same nose. Even the same tilt of their upper lip.

  “Hi, Aubrey.” Logan smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “Good to see you. Meet Charlie and Thea.”

  Aubrey smiled at me first, then bent in front of Charlie and held out her hand. “Hi, Charlie. I’m your auntie Aubrey. Your dad has told me so much about you.”

  Logan nudged Charlie and she returned Aubrey’s shake hesitantly before hiding behind his leg.

  “We’ll get to know each other one of these days soon.” Aubrey winked at her, then stood again. This time she came right into my space for a tight hug. “Welcome. I’m so glad you’re both here.”

  “Um, me too.” I hugged her back, unsure what else to do. I’d been prepared for a thorough inspection, so her friendly gestures were taking me off guard. If all of Logan’s family was like this, I had nothing to fear for the weekend.

  “Well, I hate to say hello and run.” Aubrey glanced at her delicate gold watch. “But if I’m going to be ready for cocktail hour, I’d better get going. I need to change and return a couple of phone calls.”

  “We should probably do the same.” Logan kissed his sister’s cheek once more before she disappeared inside the house. “Come on.”

  He took Charlie and I each by a hand to lead us through a garden trail. At the edge of the garden, the path opened up to a huge lawn that stretched to a guesthouse set in a grove of trees at the edge of the estate.

  “Is that where we’re staying?” Charlie asked, wiggling free of his grip to run on the grass.

  “Yeah.” He let go of my hand and put his arm around my shoulder. “That is our spot for the weekend.”

  I leaned in close, tucking my hand into the back pocket of his jeans. “This place is incredible.”

  “It’s over the top but that’s Mom.”

  It was over the top but still beautiful. The guesthouse ahead matched the main house, but it was much smaller and less ostentatious. It even had a porch swing by the front door. The house resembled something you might see in the wealthier neighborhoods of Lark Cove.

  We walked along a paved path toward the guesthouse as Charlie ran ahead in the grass. She was making a beeline for the trees.

  “Charlie!” I shouted. “Don’t get too dirty!”

  “I won’t!” she called back over her shoulder.

  “She totally will.”

  Logan chuckled. “We’ve got time to clean her up.” He led me to the porch and toward the swing. “Come sit with me. We can let Charlie play for a little while.”

  “Okay.” I sank into the wooden seat by his side, letting him gently rock us back and forth. It was cooler today, so I leaned in close.

  “We need to talk.”

  I smiled. “You’re supposed to say that and then hand me a tequila shot. Remember?”

  “Sorry. I’m out of tequila at the moment.” He sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me about the emails? Or Giovanni’s?”

  I shrugged. “Neither is that big of a deal. I’m used to taking shit from people and letting it roll off.”

  “No, not anymore. You don’t take shit from anyone.”

  “I work at a bar, gorgeous.” I patted his stomach with my free hand. “It’s going to happen.”

  “Those emails are serious, Thea. We need to find out who is sending them. I won’t allow you to go back there if you’re in danger. You’ll have to stay here.”

  “Hold on.” I sat up straight, my temper rising. Those emails were not going to be his excuse to make me stay in New York. “Let’s not make this a bigger deal than it is, okay? So some asshole calls me a name or two. So some bitch thinks it’s funny to write whore on a napkin at the bar. It’s happened before, it will happen again. But just like always, it will blow over. I’m not in danger in Lark Cove. It’s my home, and I am going back.”

  His jaw clenched. “What. Napkin?”

  Shit. I hadn’t meant to let that slip in there. “It’s nothing. Totally unrelated.”

  At least, I hoped it was. There wasn’t someone in Lark Cove who could be doing all this, was there? I dismissed it immediately. I knew Lark Cove. I knew the people. This was not coming from someone local.

  “Sticking your head in the sand—”

  “Is not what I’m doing. If it keeps up, I’ll talk to the sheriff. Okay? But I’m sure they’ll stop and I don’t want to fight. Just let it go.” I stood off the porch swing, not wanting to deal with an overprotective Logan. “I’m going to go get ready for dinner.” But before I could retreat inside, he grabbed my hand.

  “If anything ever happened to you or Charlie, I’d be destroyed.”

  My anger evaporated. I stepped between his legs and put my hands on his face. “It’s just been one note from someone immature enough to think a nasty napkin was funny and a couple of mean emails to the bar’s account. I’m sure it’s just a guy I kicked out or something, and this is his way of getting revenge. Logan, nothing is going to happen to us.”

  He covered one of my hands with his, turning it to kiss my palm. “You don’t have any idea what you mean to me, do you?”

  Maybe I don’t.

  But I knew how much I loved him. It was enough to know that if we forced this—if I laid down an ultimatum for him to move or vice versa—we’d both end up miserable.

  “I better get ready.” I tried to pull my hand away, but he kept it pinned, holding my gaze for a few heartbeats, until finally letting me go.

  “I’ll bring Charlie in soon,” he said.

  I nodded, turning before he could see my quivering chin.

  With blurry eyes, I wandered through the guesthouse until I found the bedroom where Phil had brought our luggage. Alone and safe from being overheard, I collapsed on the bed, ruining the perfectly smoothed cream quilt. I dropped my head into my hands and let my shoulders fall.

  Was I making a mistake? No. Down to my bones, I knew going home was the right decision. Because unlike fairy tales, there was more to real happiness than just being with someone you loved.

  Loving yourself was just as important. So was finding a place where your soul was at peace.

  I let myself be sad for a few minutes, giving in to a few tears that ruined the makeup I’d applied this morning. Then I pushed off the bed and dragged my suitcase into the adjoining bathroom to get ready for dinner with Logan’s parents.

  I’d just finished zipping up my dress when Logan knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure.” I flipped the lock and opened it for him.

  “I just—” He stopped short, letting his eyes rake up and down my body. Then he stepped closer, resting his hands on my hips. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thanks.” I ducked my head, having no confidence that I’d bought the right dress.

  It was a simple green shift, nicer than anything I owned at home. And while I appreciated Logan’s compliment, his family might not be as quick to approve.

  “You look nice too,” I said, touching a button on his shirt.

  He’d pulled on black slacks and an ivory button-up. His newly polished wingtips matched his camel belt.

  I hated this. Hated. I hadn’t hurt him yet, but I hated that it was coming. This handsome, charming and generous man deserved so much more than the heartache I’d leave him with come Monday.

  “Where’s Charlie?” I asked, swallowing down the urge to cry again.

  “I told her to get dressed, but she’ll probably need some help.”

  “Okay.” I stood on my toes for a soft brush of our lips just as Charlie’s frustrated scream carried down the hallway.

  I stepped past Logan, rushing to her room two doors down. “Hey. What’s the matter?�
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  “I don’t want to wear this dress.” She balled up the light blue dress we’d bought and threw it on the floor. “Why can’t I wear my jeans?”

  “Sorry, honey.” I went to her side, picking up the dress. “We’re all going to dress up for dinner tonight.”

  “Don’t you like dresses, peanut?” Logan asked, leaning against her bedroom’s doorframe.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “No.”

  “Oh.” He came further into the room and sat on her bed. “I didn’t know that. Don’t girls usually like dresses?”

  When she glared at him, I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Not this girl.” I took Charlie’s chin. “But you can make it through one more dinner in a dress.”

  She turned her glare on me but stripped off her T-shirt.

  I slipped the dress over her head after she tugged off her jeans. Then I went to her suitcase and found her ballet flats. “Put these on and then let’s comb your hair.”

  Twenty minutes later, her hair was tamed under a thin headband and we were all back at the mansion.

  We followed Logan down a series of hallways until we reached a parlor filled with people.

  Elegant people.

  Aubrey was in the back corner. Her red dress was floor-length and nearly as fancy as the one I’d worn to the gala. Next to her was an older man who I guessed was Logan’s father. He was wearing a suit jacket and tie, drinking what was probably Macallan.

  “Logan, dear. You’re finally here.” A woman stood from a wingback chair in the corner, crossing the room in a teal lace dress and a champagne flute in her hand. Her brown hair was pulled back into a fancy twist, revealing strings of aqua jewels dangling from each ear. She kissed Logan on each cheek, then turned to me, her smile cooling as she looked me up and down.

  What I wouldn’t give to hide behind Logan.

  But I couldn’t because my daughter had already taken up that spot.

  “Thea, this is my mother, Lillian.”

  “Nice to meet you.” I smiled. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “It is.” She nodded, then peered around Logan to get a glimpse of Charlie.

  “Please come and say hello.” I touched her shoulder, but she didn’t budge. Come on, kid. Not tonight.

  “She’s just shy.” Logan laughed it off and stepped to the side, forcing Charlie into the open. Then he dropped to a knee at her side. “Charlie, this is my mom, Lillian.”

  Charlie’s brown eyes tipped up slightly to take in her grandmother.

  “Hello, Charlotte.” Lillian didn’t spare Charlie more than a glance before looking over her shoulder to her husband as he approached.

  Charlie cringed at her full name, but with Lillian backing away a few steps, I didn’t correct her.

  “Hello, son.” Logan’s father held out his hand as Logan stood. “Thea. Welcome. I’m Thomas.”

  “Thank you for having us.” I shook his hand as he gave me the same cautious inspection as his wife.

  “This must be Charlotte?” He gave her a small smile.

  “It’s Charlie,” Logan and I corrected at the same time.

  “Right. Well, come on in.” Thomas gestured for us all to join him at the small bar at the back of the room.

  “Hi, again.” Aubrey appeared at my side, giving me a reassuring smile, then winking at Charlie.

  With the hand not holding Logan’s, Charlie actually waved back.

  We followed Thomas to the back of the room where two other women were standing by the bar. One I recognized as Sofia from Logan’s family photo. She was wearing a strapless navy gown, just as formal as Aubrey’s, and much like her sister, she was beautiful. She didn’t look as much like Charlie, especially with all the makeup and her long hair dyed black, but the family resemblance was still there.

  I had no clue who the other guest was, but Logan knew her. His jaw ticked and he shot Sofia an angry glare as we reached the bar.

  “Sofia, what do you think you’re doing?” he snapped.

  “What do you mean? I’m just standing here talking to Alice. We’re allowed to bring friends here, aren’t we?”

  Alice pushed away from the bar at the mention of her name, strutting right up to Logan in a pink minidress and six-inch sequined heels. “Hey, stranger.”

  The way she purred made me want to vomit. I had no idea who she was, but by the sultry gleam in her eye, she was quite familiar with Logan. Could this be the woman he’d seen briefly after Emmeline? It had to be. Clearly, Alice hadn’t gotten the message that they were over.

  “Alice,” he clipped. “Meet Thea, my girlfriend. And my daughter, Charlie.” He gave Alice a tight smile before pushing past her to the bar.

  “What can I get for you?” Thomas asked, taking up post behind the bar.

  “She should make the drinks,” Alice snickered, returning to her place next to Sofia. “She’s the bartender.”

  Ohh-kay. I’d never heard my occupation said with such condemnation.

  As she and Sofia giggled like eighth graders, I looked up at Logan.

  “Alice,” he warned.

  “What?” She pretended to be clueless. “Isn’t she a bartender? That’s what Sofia said. I was just thinking if she knows how to make good drinks, we should let her.”

  “Don’t—”

  “No, it’s fine.” I cut Logan off and gave both Alice and Sofia a sugar-sweet smile. “What do you like?”

  Logan tried to grab my hand, but he was too slow. I made my way around the bar and stood at Thomas’s side.

  “A cosmopolitan.” Alice smirked. “You know what that is, right?”

  “Of course.” I was going to make this bitch the best cosmo she’d ever had in her life.

  “Thea, put that glass down.”

  I shot Logan a shut-up look and went about making the cocktail. “Aubrey? Sofia? Would you like one?”

  “Sure. That’s so sweet of you.” Aubrey came behind the bar, making her allegiance clear. “Dad does his best, but he’s never mastered the cosmo. Sorry, Dad.”

  Thomas chuckled. “I’m better at making Logan drinks than I ever was you girls.”

  It took me no time to fill three martini glasses, then pour a Macallan for Logan. As I handed him a tumbler, I smiled at his mother. “Mrs. Kendrick? More champagne?”

  “No.” She raised her champagne flute to her lips, finishing the glass.

  I looked down at Charlie and smiled. She knew something was wrong, but it was too big for her to comprehend. “Want a Jackson Special?”

  “Yeah.” She grinned and left Logan’s side to come behind the bar.

  I picked her up to sit on the edge as I made her the mocktail her Uncle Jackson had invented when she was four. It was basically a Shirley Temple but he’d splash in some orange juice and double the cherries.

  “Both hands. Be extra careful not to spill.” I set her down and handed her the glass.

  The cream carpets wouldn’t recover from a Jackson Special, at least not without a lot of trouble. Since I knew Lillian didn’t do the cleaning, I didn’t want to cause any hassle for their staff.

  “I’ll make yours.” Logan came behind the bar, setting down his tumbler and practically knocking me out of the way.

  Meanwhile, Alice and Sofia had retreated back a few feet to whisper to one another, probably about me.

  “What would you like?” Logan asked.

  “Vodka and soda with a twist, please.”

  After all, vodka was for the particularly bad nights.

  Thea

  The cocktail hour was the longest hour of my life.

  As Charlie and I huddled together, sipping our drinks, conversation with the Kendricks carried on as if we weren’t here. I flip-flopped between listening to the business conversations between Aubrey, Logan and Thomas, then to Alice and Sofia gossiping about their friends. Meanwhile, Lillian stood quietly, watching me with a careful eye.

  Charlie had traded Logan’s legs for mine, leaning against me as she kept her
eyes on the floor. I hated that she was so uncomfortable, and I was pissed that her grandparents hadn’t tried at all to get to know her. It made my own misery even more difficult to bear.

  “Am I late?” The conversation stopped as an elderly woman waltzed into the parlor, then answered her own question. “Of course not. Granny is never late. You’re all early.”

  She crossed the room wearing cream slacks and a matching sweater. She was dripping in gold and diamonds, but the fact that she wasn’t in an evening gown made me feel much more comfortable about my own attire.

  She paid no attention to anyone other than Charlie as she came our way with a warm smile. Her eyes flickered to me briefly but went right back to my daughter as she bent at the waist and held out a hand.

  “You must be my most special great-granddaughter, Charlie. My name is Joan, but everyone calls me Granny.”

  Charlie looked past her to Logan, who gave her a smile and nod. With a hesitant step, she moved closer to Joan to return the handshake.

  “Now.” Joan stood up, not letting go of Charlie’s hand as she walked toward the door. “You’re going to want to sit with me at dinner. The cook knows to skip the vegetables on my plate, give me twice the potatoes and three times the dessert. I requested his special french fries tonight so we can pig out.”

  When Charlie giggled, I let out a huge sigh.

  Joan had the same presence as Logan and his father did. They shared an air of confidence and command. But Joan’s was warmer. And she still hadn’t acknowledged anyone else in her family because she was so focused on my daughter.

  Logan chuckled as he came to my side, placing his hand on the small of my back as we left the parlor. “Watch out. Granny might try and kidnap her.”

  “I don’t think Charlie would mind.”

  Ahead of us, Granny was hunched to the side, listening as Charlie told her about something, most likely her fort.

  I glanced over my shoulder to see Logan’s parents behind us. Lillian and Thomas were both watching me. Behind them, Aubrey was rolling her eyes at Alice and Sofia, who were still giggling.

  “I’m sorry,” Logan whispered as we walked. “I had no idea Alice would be here.”