Page 22 of Beautiful Place By the Sea

I make a few more aimless passes across the table, then I head through the front door. Rachel and company are already huddled just outside, looking more than a little uncomfortable.

Oliver joins us a minute later, flicking off the remaining light switches and locking the door behind us.

“Shall we?” I address the group, but I’m only looking at him.

Everyone starts to walk down the sidewalk toward the beach. Maddie is telling a raucous story about a time when she got sick from too much champagne. She keeps stealing glances at Oliver, oblivious to the fact that one of the younger guys is eating up her every word.

“Do you like champagne?” She leans in toward Oliver’s face, way too close.

Before he can respond, I grab his arm and wrap it around my shoulder, holding his hand against my bare skin. “Oh, he loves it. You should have seen him back in college.”

The girls are staring at me. I’m pretty sure Oliver is, too, but he doesn’t move his arm.

Their energy drops significantly, and they start whispering amongst themselves. One of the other guys, who looks like he wrote the book on yachting apparel, drapes his arm tentatively around Maddie’s waist.

“Ivy,” Oliver whispers in my ear. “What exactly are you doing?”

“Helping?” I turn my head to face him, but all I can really see are his eyes glittering in the twilight. The sun has dropped much lower in the sky since I left Beach Haven, and my vision is still adjusting from the bookstore’s fluorescents.

“I see.”

“I mean, it’s sort of my fault you’re in this situation.”

He leans toward my ear. “At least you’re willing to admit it.”

I snicker, attracting attention from Rachel, who turns around and glares at me again. I lower my voice even more. “It seemed like you needed an out.”

“I had a plan,” he retorts.

“Right,” I nod. “Sneaking out the back like a criminal.”

I think he’s about to toss a smartass retort my way when Maddie pivots and looks at us expectantly. “Hey, we’re going to go to the dance hall. Harbor Lights? Ben has a flask in his pocket.” She indicates Mr. Yachting Apparel. “Want to come?”

“Nah.” Oliver shakes his head. “I’m just going to head home with my girlfriend. See you around.”

My heart executes a perfect triplet of palpitations. His what now? I can’t see him very well in the encroaching darkness, but I’m almost certain he’s smirking at me.

The others wave their goodbyes and split off, heading along Shore Road toward the dance hall. It’s probably the only club-like place in town that they can get into, being below legal drinking age.

As soon as they’re out of sight, I throw Oliver’s arm off my shoulder.

He bursts out laughing. “I’m sorry touching me was so horrible for you.”

“It was.” My skin cries out for his warmth as the frigid night air sweeps in to take its place. I tell myself I’m a strong, modern woman who doesn’t need a man to keep me warm.

I probably do need a sweater, though.

“Also, way to take the ruse to the next level and pretend I’m your girlfriend.”

“I thought that was the point?”

I shake my head. “No way. I was just another woman, lusting after your particular brand of grumpy snark.”

“Oh, well, if that’s all.” I can’t really tell in the low light, but I think he’s smiling.

“Well, I should head home. I’m just down the beach.” I gesture over my shoulder.

He looks concerned. “Do you want me to walk you home?”