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He studied Darcy’s beautiful profile, taking in her high cheekbones, her gorgeous lips, and those green eyes. His palms itched with the desire to kiss her. He touched her shoulder. “This is really nice, Darcy. I’m so glad you invited me.”
“I’m grateful you’re still talking to me after I woke you up at eight thirty this morning.”
He looped his arm around her waist and towed her to him. “I meant it when I said you could wake me up at any time.”
The waves lapped against the shore as their gazes met. She rested her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as her expression became serious.
His blood heated as he moved his hand over her cheek, and he thought he heard her breath hitch. The urge to kiss her nearly overcame him. “Darcy,” he began, his voice sounding rough, “I wanted to—”
“Carter!” Derek bellowed from inside the house. “Are we hitting the beach or what?”
Darcy spun out of his arms and started toward the door. “That’s a really good idea.”
Carter bit back a groan. He should have just told her how he felt about her and kissed her, but the moment had been stolen by Derek—again!
He was determined to gather up his courage this weekend to tell her what she meant to him—and if she felt the same way, he would kiss her. But he had to find that perfect moment.
Darcy stood in the doorway and beckoned him. “Come on, Carter. We shouldn’t waste this perfect beach day.”
He joined her in the bedroom and unzipped his duffel. “You’re right. I’ll change into my suit.”
“See you downstairs,” she sang before disappearing through the door and closing it behind her.
He dug out his suit and a t-shirt, then hid his daily pill holders in a dresser drawer. He planned to keep the medications tucked away so he wouldn’t have to explain why he took so many.
He changed into black swim trunks and a white t-shirt sporting a Chevrolet logo. As he jogged down the stairs, Darcy’s and Haven’s voices floated toward him from the kitchen.
He took in the pine cabinets, white-and-gray granite, matching white-and-gray backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances. A long oak table surrounded by six chairs sat in a nook, and through the sliding glass door, he spotted Darcy’s parents still sitting on the deck.
Darcy and Haven were at the large island in the center of the room, filling a cooler. He couldn’t keep his eyes off Darcy, clad in a modest, vintage-style black two-piece bathing suit under a sheer floral cover-up. Her blonde hair was styled in a long French braid that fell to the middle of her back. She turned toward him and smiled.
“Give me something to do,” he said.
Haven pointed toward the doorway. “You could go tell my boyfriend to get moving. He was in such a hurry to go swimming, but now we’re waiting on him.” She wore a large sun hat that matched the pink lacy cover-up hanging loosely over her pink bikini.
Carter jammed his thumb toward the doorway. “I’ll light a fire under him.”
“Hey, no need for that,” Derek announced before walking into the room in gray swim trunks and a tank top. He rubbed his hands together. “Are we ready?”
Darcy closed the top of the cooler. “Let me just grab some towels and a blanket.”
“Is the umbrella still in the utility room?” Haven asked.
“Yup.”
Derek crossed the kitchen. “I remember where it is.”
While Darcy collected a blanket and towels, Derek grabbed the umbrella, and Carter carried the cooler as they stepped out onto the deck.
“Enjoy your time at the beach,” Josie said.
Ross pointed to the large grill near the table. “I’ll grill up some steaks for us later.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Darcy said, and everyone chimed in their own thanks. Then they started down the length of deck that stretched out over the dunes.
“Is this your parents’ beach, or is it public?” Carter asked.
“It’s a public beach,” she told Carter. “They only own the lot where the house sits.”
