Page 108 of Flirting with Trouble

“I’ve got your weenie right here, sweet thing.”

Shivers of heat race through me as laughter and commotion erupt around us, and I see about a dozen guys running into the group as Wells turns me in his arms and says, “There you are,” and kisses me.

Something hard presses against my chest. I break the kiss and look between us. Laughter bubbles out. “Why are you wearing a coconut bra?”

“It’s the Bra Brigade, isn’t it?” We laugh, and I realize all the guys are wearing some kind of bra.

Leni’s voice cuts through the air. “Is that a Dora the Explorer backpack?”

“I told you I’d do whatever it took to find you.” Raz holds up binoculars and turns to show her the picture of Dora the Explorer on his backpack.

“You guys are nuts,” I say.

“Your brother led the charge.” Wells motions to Flynn, with his arm around Sutton. He’s wearing a black bra and has a compass and binoculars hanging around his neck and a map in his hand.

“Point me to the single ladies!” Fitz hollers, strutting around in a coconut bra and shorts.

“Yoo-hoo, Fitzy!” Lenore calls out, as she and a group of older ladies beckon him over.

Fitz makes a show of untying his coconut bra and tossing it to the sand as he saunters toward them. We all laugh.

Alexander waves as he and Margot head our way. I quickly try to untie the rope around my waist. “I can’t believe the first time I’m going to see your dad as your girlfriend I’ve got a weenie between my legs.”

Wells laughs.

“Now, that’s a great sight,” Alexander says, and claps a hand on Wells’s shoulder.

The knot is stuck, so I pull up the rope and say, “The embarrassing weenie dangling between my legs?”

Alexander’s laugh is deep and carefree. “I meant my son’s smile, but that weenie will make a great story to tell our grandchildren. It’s wonderful to see you again, Victory, with or without your weenie.”

He wraps his arms around me in a warm embrace, and I can’t help but laugh. “It’s nice to see you, too. I heard you and your buddies were the masterminds behind the island pranks.”

“We haven’t always been old fuddy duddies.” He drapes an arm around Margot.

“We are not fuddy duddies,” Margot insists.

“And we never will be.” Alexander leans down for a kiss.

“Jesus, you two,” Wells says. “It’s like watching teenagers. Get a freaking room.”

I take Wells’s hand and say, “Now I know where you get it from.” That earns a wolfish grin.

“You’re welcome,” Alexander says. “Are you ladies still playing with those weenies, or are we going to fire up the hibachis?”

An hour later the beach is teeming with people of all ages, and laughter and conversation fill the air. Leni’s brothers Jock and Levi came with their children, and dozens of other Bra Brigade families did, too. We roast hot dogs, eat coolers full of food, and toast to Leni and Raz’s upcoming nuptials, all while Tara, a photographer, stealthily captures the fun on film.

As the afternoon wears on, Wells and I play Frisbee with Fitz, Keira, and a handful of other friends, while kids dart around us. Jock shouts as he tackles Brant in a football game on the other side of the beach, and the people around them cheer.

“Heads up, Vic!” Fitz hollers as the Frisbee leaves his fingertips and flies in my direction.

“I got it!” I sprint to my right and jump up to catch the Frisbee. It bounces off my fingertips, but I catch it before it hits the ground.

“Yeah!” Wells shouts. “That’s my girl!”

I take a bow and throw the Frisbee to Keira, but it flies past her. As she runs for it, I spot Margot and Alexander sitting in the sand. Margot is holding Stevie, talking to him, I assume, as she touches his belly. Alexander has his arm around her, and he’s looking at her like she’s his whole world. I know she’s not. I’ve seen the way he looks at not just his kids, but all their friends, too. What a feeling it must be to go through life with your best friend by your side. I thought I lost my chance at having that.

“Hey, sugarplum,” Wells calls out, heading toward me with a devilish look in his eyes.