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Darcy smiled. “He sure did.”
“And?” Haven pushed her sunglasses farther up on her petite nose.
Darcy bit her lip. “A lady never tells.”
“That good, huh?” She nudged Darcy. “I’m really happy for you.”
Darcy turned toward the water just as Carter threw the ball again. His gray t-shirt lifted and shared enough of his taut stomach for her to spot a dimple of a scar near his belly button. She had noticed that scar the first day at the beach. What could have caused the scar? She thought of her own scar from the kidney transplant, but it was lower down on her abdomen. She was careful to wear modest bathing suits to hide it, and she was grateful that vintage bathing suits were in style.
Could Carter’s scar have been caused by an injury or a surgery? The thought dissolved when Derek threw the ball back to him and he caught it.
Soon the guys headed over to a blanket spread out on the sand, then dropped down onto it. Carter pulled a bottle of water from their cooler and took a long drink. Then he stood and pulled off his shirt before taking Darcy’s hand and lifting her to her feet.
“Swim with me?” he said.
She moved her finger over his jawline. “How can I ever say no to you?”
He lifted his eyebrows before tugging her toward the water, and she laughed.
Darcy let him pull her to the waves, and they ran in together, splashing just beyond where the waves met the shore.
When they came to a stop, he towed her over to him and kissed her until she was breathless. Darcy lost herself in the kisses that nearly buckled her knees.
When he released her, he splashed her, and she laughed. Then he pulled her against him and kissed her again.
***
Carter spent the following morning with Darcy and her parents on her father’s impressive sailboat. Derek and Haven had left after breakfast, leaving the four of them to enjoy the day together.
The sky was bright-blue and cloudless, and the air of the Coral Cove bay was warm and sweet. Carter and Darcy talked and laughed with her folks, but even though her parents clearly went out of their way to make him feel comfortable, he couldn’t escape the notion that he didn’t belong with her. He also couldn’t stop his secrets from burning his insides. He had to tell her the truth himself before it ate him alive.
Carter looked out over the bay toward a group of seagulls calling out to each other. He owed Darcy the truth, and if she decided to break up with him after he told her, he would be left gutted. Yet as much as the idea of losing her scared him, he couldn’t continue to live this lie. It would be better to get the truth out in the open before he and Darcy got in too deep.
“Hey.” Darcy’s voice was close to his ear. “Are you okay?”
“Everything’s fine.”
Her green eyes were wide with worry. “You don’t look like everything is fine.”
“I promise it is.” He kissed her cheek. “In fact, I’m having the time of my life with you.”
She smiled, and relief filled him. “I am too.” She linked her fingers with his.
He kissed her, and when she rested her head on his shoulder, he hoped she’d still care about him when she found out his truth.
Chapter18
When they arrived back at the beach house after sailing, Josie and Ross disappeared into their bedroom on the far side of the house. Then Carter took Darcy’s hand and pulled her into the family room.
“Could we go for a walk before we leave?” he asked, anxious to get his secret off his chest.
“Sure.” Darcy’s eyes seemed to search his. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I need to talk to you, and I don’t want to do it while I’m driving.”
She nodded slowly. “I’ll let my parents know where we’re going, okay?”
When they reached the boardwalk, Carter was relieved to find their bench empty. They took a seat, and he brushed his sweaty hands down his shorts.
