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Lana blew out a breath. “God, my mother. I can’t believe she just showed up out of the blue. I haven’t seen her in I don’t know how long—eight years, maybe? Then there she is, no warning at all, acting like it’s no big deal. Like, what the fuck?”
I bit my bottom lip, a sudden tightness in my chest. This scenario sounded all too familiar to me.
Except Hudson’s mom never came back.
“I’ll bet that was a shock,” I said, stroking the smooth skin of her thigh. She relaxed under my touch, inching closer to me, the scent of coconut and something floral from her shampoo wafting over on the light breeze.
“It sure was. I thought I was over it, you know?” Her voice broke, her lower lip quivering. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head.
“It’s okay. She’ll be gone soon, then I can resume normal programming. It’s just weird how she showed up out of the blue, you know? Like, so odd. And you know what?”
Lana pulled away, her brows furrowed, her lips a tight line. “She actually had thenerveto give me advice.”
“Hmm,” I said, for lack of a better statement. “Was it any good?”
“No. I don’t know. I don’t think so. Maybe?”
I laced my fingers with hers. “What’d she say, Lana? It seems like she really got to you.”
Lana shook her head, a stray lock of hair falling over her eye. “No. Her advice means nothing. She knows nothing.”
“What’d she say?”
Lana shrugged. “It’s not important.”
“Oh-kay. But if it’s that insignificant, just tell me.” I took a sip of my drink, my throat
dry all of a sudden.
“She told me not to get tied down, that’s all. To leave Starlight Bay, travel, experience life. She said the same thing to Beth, so it’s not like it was specific, individual advice.”
My gut contracted as if I were sucker punched.Lana’s mom thought she was making a mistake with me, and we’d interacted on the beach for less than two minutes.
What the hell was I doing with a girl like Lana? What did she want with someone like me? Too old, too damaged, with a kid and real-life responsibilities.
And how could I have let myself fall under the spell of someone like her, a living, breathing ray of sunshine? I was jaded, bitter. Unworthy of someone as shiny and perfect as Lana.
And everyone knew you couldn’t hold a beam of light, it was only an illusion.
I was an idiot. This beautiful being sat in front of me, conflicted. I should do the right thing and walk away now, before we hurt each other.
But God, I didn’t want to. I wanted to be with her again, feel her body warm against mine.
I leaned in, my lips grazing hers, the bourbon sweet on my tongue. Silencing my thoughts, I plunged in and she greedily accepted what I offered, falling into rhythm with me.
Everything felt so right with her. Maybe this time I could make it work.
Lana
Grant was freaking perfect and the absolute best thing to happen to me in ages.What the hell did my mom know anyway?She barely knew me anymore, let alone him. And she certainly was in no position to be doling out life advice, that was for damn sure.
So, whatever. I slept with Grant—again—and it wasa-maz-ing. Then, as soon as the first weak rays of light peeked through the shutters, I tiptoed through the living room and let myself out. No sense having Huddy walk in on us. Besides, I didn’t want to wear out my welcome and I had swim lessons to teach this morning.
I biked through town, enjoying the slight bite in the air, the wind blowing my hair behind me. Parking on the side of our house, I crept up the walkway and eased the screen door open slowly.
Note to self: oil the damn door.
