Page 7 of Sand in My Boots

I fly my hands to my ears, shutting out the rest of the conversation by humming. I don’t want to think about any of what we’re talking about. Not even a little. A shudder flows through me, sending a chill down my entire spine.

“Juliana!” Eyes wide open, Jonah and Erica are standing in front of me, a seductive smirk on Jonah’s lips, Erica’s face still red. “We’re going to go. Catch up with you tomorrow?”

“Sure, yeah. Text me.” Erica nods, and they walk away, Erica’s bag slung over Jonah’s shoulder, their hands interlaced.

My heart twitches in my chest. Despite our conversation, I’m happy for her. I know relationships are a lot of work, but it’s what I want for myself. A man to be there by my side. To carry my towel for me. Heck, to make our friends embarrassingly awkward when we talk about sex. Yep, sign me up for it all.

It’s too bad all the guys I’ve ever dated have not been long-term boyfriend material. Hell, so many of them have barely lasted a month.

My mom tells me I’m closed off, not open for love, but I don’t believe her. If I found a man like Jonah is to Erica, I’d definitely be open to it. The all-encompassing, sickeningly sweet kind of love. The one that withstands the test of time. The man to who you say “I do.” Is that too much to ask for?

“Jude.”

“Came.” It doesn’t register what I’m saying until the word is out of my mouth. “Shit. Cameron. Sorry.” What is wrong with me? Why does he make me so nervous?

“Doing a little day-drinking?”

I tilt my glasses down. “I’m on vacation. It’s allowed.” Oops, my tone has a little edge to it, and that may have been harsh.

Cameron waves off my apology. “No judgment here. As long as you don’t get sloppy drunk, you’re good. You wouldn’t believe the guests we’ve had to clean up after. Well, not ‘we’ as in me, but the staff. Not pretty. Not. Pretty.” He shakes his head as he lowers himself onto the lounger. I’m still sitting with my legs spread wide on each side of the chair, and his knees are awfully close to my left thigh. “What’s in your glass?” He swipes it off the table and takes a swig. My mouth agape, I can’t push any words out, so I sit and continue to stare at him. “Oh, mai tai. Good choice. Though if you want to know a secret, go see Natasha at The Drift Bar & Grill and ask for a Bushwacker.” His lips smack together, his eyes roll slightly back in his head. “Not on an empty stomach or you’ll definitely be one of those guests we’re cleaning up after.”

I have no words, no comeback for what he suggests. I stare at him through my glasses, unable to see his eyes behind the dark lenses of his aviators. The longer we sit and stare, the higher my pulse spikes.

Cameron finally breaks the trance. “Do you like badminton?”

“Huh?” My mouth finally works, but that’s the best I can do.

“Badminton. Net. Racket. Birdies. Kinda a bit like tennis, but slower and definitely not as fast-paced as volleyball, though the object is similar.”

Between three mai tais, the late afternoon sun beating down, and Cameron so close to me, my brain is scrambled. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I’m certain I don’t understand the appeal of it, but nonetheless, there’s a tournament starting up in about ten minutes. And I’m kinda in charge of it. I don’t have to play, but you could if you want to.”

“Play what now?” I’m so lost. It’s a wonder I’m still standing upright.

Scratch that, sitting.

He playfully slaps my thigh. “Keep up, Jude. Badminton. On the beach. Come with me.” As if the chair was burning his ass, he hops up onto his feet, his right arm outstretched for something. When I make no move, he hums the Jeopardy tune under his breath, loud enough for me to hear. “Well, you coming or what?”

I’m not sure what I’m agreeing to, but my head slowly nods. For more liquid courage, I gulp down the rest of the contents of the drink, too tipsy to care he sampled it. “Ready.” I walk away, forgetting all my stuff. I slap my forehead. “Hold on.”

I momentarily halt in place. Because wouldn’t you know it, Cameron Fairbanks strides around to the opposite side of my lounger, picks up my bag, and slings it over his shoulder.

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it to be true.

Chapter 4

Cameron

Being in such proximity to Juliana is messing with my head. And I’ll deny it if asked, but other places as well. Because she’s wearing a skimpy, two-piece bikini.

Red.

With white polka dots.

On her ass.

The one I get to see now that she’s taken off the leggings and hoodie.