South Beach

  “That sounds nice,” Holly said. She could hang with Tyler for a little while and then go back to her room. It would make for a funny story to tell Alexa later on.

  She followed Tyler to his New Jersey Nets towel, which was big enough for both of them to sit on comfortably. He had a cooler with two bottles of vitamin water, which he opened for each of them. He and Holly sat side by side, sipping their water.

  “Have you ever gone running at night?” Tyler asked. “It’s awesome. I bet you’d like it.”

  Holly liked the way Tyler said “awesome”—with so much energy and verve. She was surprised at how nice he was to be around. She’d never have guessed he was so down-to-earth.

  “I actually haven’t been very disciplined about going for runs since I’ve been down here,” Holly admitted with a smile.

  “You run track at Oakridge, right?” Tyler asked.

  As they sat there, finishing their waters, Holly told Tyler about the team, and he told her about lacrosse. They discussed their respective plans to go to sports camps that summer. Holly always loved talking about sports with Meghan and Jess, but she’d never imagined she could have the same sort of conversation with a boy. She and Tyler seemed to have so much in common that Holly forgot to feel even remotely tense around him. She didn’t notice the time passing, until she looked up at the moon. The sky was very dark, and a hush had settled over the beach. It must have been pretty late now, but Holly didn’t care. She gazed contentedly out at the moonlit sand and water.

  “It’s so pretty here,” Holly whispered, almost to herself. She didn’t want to go back to boring old Oakridge. How could she leave this tropical oasis?

  “I know,” Tyler said. “Makes me not want to go back to New Jersey.”

  Holly grinned. “My thoughts exactly.”

  “I’ve only been here a day, but I think I’ve figured out what makes South Beach so awesome,” Tyler said. “It has this feeling of possibility. Like the most unpredictable thing in the world could happen, and it would seem normal.”

  The most unpredictable thing in the world. Holly smiled. A week ago, she never would have predicted that she’d be sitting on the beach at night, having a great conversation with Tyler Davis. Which, now that it was happening, felt perfectly normal.

  “So what’s happened to you so far?” Holly asked, a teasing lilt to her voice. “Did you have, like, a crazy night or do something really wild?”

  Tyler smiled sweetly, shaking his head from side to side. “I like to go out now and then, but the whole clubbing vibe can be too intense. Besides, I’m not big into…” He blushed again. “You know, random hookups or whatever.”

  “Me, neither,” Holly said, also blushing and banishing all thoughts of Shane and Aaron from her mind. There was a moment of silence so she rushed to fill it. “Anyway,” she added, trying to sound understanding, “you’re probably still thinking about Alexa.” Holly didn’t want to break it to Tyler that his lost love was most likely getting it on with another guy at that very moment.

  “Actually, I’m not, anymore,” Tyler admitted. “Alexa’s great, but we didn’t fit well together. I only saw that after she ended things.”

  “But sometimes you can’t help who you fall for,” Holly said, remembering herself with Diego. “Even if it’s not the right person for you.”

  “That’s true.” Tyler smiled at her. “But sometimes, if you’re lucky, you do fall for the right person. The one you should be with.”

  Holly felt her pulse flutter in her throat and at her wrists. Was it her imagination or did Tyler’s voice suddenly seem different—deeper, more serious? Why did she sense this crackling energy between them? Was she just sleep-deprived? Maybe she was still buzzed from the mojito.

  “But how do you know?” Holly asked carefully. “I mean, is there any way to be sure that a person is…fated, for you or…whatever?” She laughed to cover her embarrassment, but Tyler was studying her intently.

  “I’m not sure,” he said, his warm brown eyes searching her face. “You almost have to believe in destiny, I guess.”

  “Do you believe in destiny?” Holly asked Tyler, before she could stop herself.

  “Maybe.” She saw his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “Sometimes stuff is too strange for it to be a coincidence.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well…” Tyler gave her a shy smile. “Like if some guy came down to Florida to find a girl…but ended up falling for her friend.”

  Holly thought about how she’d come down to Florida to find Diego. But he’d ended up falling for her friend. She shook her head, but then, with a jolt, realized what Tyler had just said. It almost seemed as if he were talking about himself.

  Am I that friend? Holly wondered. It couldn’t be. This was all in her head—again. She had to be careful not to blow things out of proportion. She gave a little shiver, suddenly feeling the nip in the night air.

  “Are you cold?” Tyler asked. He handed her his sweatshirt, and she wrapped it around her shoulders, inhaling the clean, crisp scent. His scent. With his sweatshirt against her skin, Holly felt suddenly safe and, at the same time, brave. She didn’t know what Tyler had meant with that friend comment, but she was too curious to let it go.

  “But what if…” Holly said, continuing Tyler’s earlier train of thought. “What if the guy who came down to Florida didn’t even know the girl’s friend? How could he like her?” She bit her lip, waiting for his response.

  Tyler moved his hand so that his fingers were lightly grazing the back of Holly’s hand. Holly felt a shiver of pleasure at his touch. “Well, maybe this guy sort of knows this friend, since they go to the same school and all. Maybe he’d always secretly thought she was cute, but then he ran into her outside of school and knew it for sure.”

  Holly’s face flamed as she glanced away. Okay. He definitely meant her. She couldn’t believe this moment. But it wasn’t in Holly’s imagination. This was completely real.

  “Maybe the guy met this girl on the beach at night, and they started talking,” Tyler went on. His fingers continued caressing Holly’s hand. “Would that be destiny or coincidence?”

  Oh, my God, Holly thought as his words fully sunk in. Tyler Davis…and me?

  She turned to look at Tyler. Maybe it was a combination of the sultry night air, the confidence Holly had gained during the past several days, or the intensity in Tyler’s eyes, but suddenly Holly Jacobson decided to take the plunge. She wasn’t feeling reckless the way she had last night; she knew she just had to follow what her intuition was telling her to do.

  “Hmm,” Holly said softly, returning Tyler’s gaze. “Maybe there’s only one way for the guy to find out.”

  “What way would that be?” Tyler murmured, taking Holly’s hand in his.

  “Well…let’s say he kissed her or something,” Holly whispered, trembling.

  Tyler’s eyes widened, and then he grinned in surprise, as if he couldn’t believe his good fortune. He lifted Holly’s hand to his lips and kissed it, very gently. Holly wanted to die. She’d never seen anyone do that, except in Jane Austen movies.

  Then, Tyler gently put his hand under Holly’s chin and inclined his head, bringing his lips to hers. His kiss was slow and soft, almost teasing. Electric. Holly felt a spark race down her body. It was the smoothest, most delectable kiss she’d received in her short history of kissing.

  Tyler slowly ended the kiss, and rested his forehead against Holly’s, his expression rapt. Boldly, Holly slipped her arms around Tyler’s neck, and pressed her lips against his, and they were kissing again, seriously kissing, Tyler cupping Holly’s face in his hands and she massaging the back of his neck. As their kissing intensified, Tyler lightly bit Holly’s bottom lip, then pulled back.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Did that hurt?”

  “No,” Holly managed to reply, dizzy with desire. But, before they resumed their kiss, she wanted to ask him something.

  “Tyler,” she whispered, running her fingers throu
gh his hair. “Does this feel strange to you?”

  “You mean us kissing?” Tyler asked, his warm breath tickling her ear.

  She nodded. “I mean, I feel like it all happened so suddenly.”

  “I know,” Tyler said with a grin. “But sometimes that’s how the best stuff in life happens.” He put his arm around Holly and drew her into his chest. “It doesn’t feel strange at all,” he whispered. “It feels awesome.”

  “Awesome,” Holly echoed, and they started kissing again.

  This is awesome, Holly thought. Their being together felt so natural that she didn’t hesitate for a second as Tyler laid her back on the towel. They snuggled warmly, holding each other tight.

  For the briefest instant, Holly wondered if Alexa would be upset if she knew what they were doing. But, no; Alexa had ended things with Tyler. Holly couldn’t help but wonder why. He was amazing. Holly felt a little sorry for Alexa—maybe she just didn’t know how to fully enjoy herself. Holly hoped that her friend would one day experience the exquisite happiness she was now feeling here, on this beach, under the full moon.

  Funny. The moon had also been full that night when Diego had kissed her all those years ago. But Holly felt older and wiser now. Kissing Tyler felt meaningful, but Holly wasn’t going to turn this sweet moment into anything more than it actually was. And no matter what happened between her and Tyler down the road, Holly would never let it change the memory of this magical night.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Forever

  The sun was rising over the ocean, streaking the horizon pink and gold, as Alexa stepped out of Diego’s car onto a silent, serene Ocean Drive. She shut the car door, blew Diego one last kiss, then waved him on. She watched, clutching a bunch of orchids to her chest, as the dark-blue Honda slowly pulled away from the curb and drove into the misty dawn.

  As Alexa walked under the Flamingo’s arch and pulled open the door, she gave a sigh that was equal parts sadness and satisfaction. She was missing Diego already. She crept up the stairs, almost tripping over a stray can of Bud. Her hallway was utterly still. Alexa figured that her neighbors were either conked out, or still drunkenly weaving their way home. And Holly, Alexa thought as she turned the knob to Number 7, is probably sleeping peacefully after her chill dinner with Ida. Alexa quietly opened the door and tip-toed into the room.

  Holly lay on her bed, sleeping in her tank and skirt from the night before. And, nestled at her side, his arms holding her gently, was a boy with dark-blond hair. He, too, was fast asleep, and his bare, muscular chest rose and fell at the same time as Holly’s. Alexa froze in the doorway. The sunshine peeking through the shade cast dappled shadows on the couple’s blissful faces. If Alexa hadn’t known the two people on the bed, she would have thought they made the sweetest, most adorable couple she’d ever seen.

  Instead, all she saw was her ex-boyfriend cuddled up with her oldest friend. And all she felt was pure, hot astonishment—and rage.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Alexa demanded, effectively killing the idyllic moment.

  Tyler and Holly were jolted awake at the same instant. Tyler sat bolt upright, his hair mussed and his cheek bearing the pillow’s imprint. He looked from Holly to Alexa in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Holly rubbed her eyes and struggled to sit up, also clearly surprised to find herself in the current situation. They both seemed totally vulnerable and caught off guard, but Alexa didn’t care. She wanted some answers.

  “I—did we—we must have fallen asleep,” Holly mumbled to Tyler, then glanced at Alexa, who was still standing by the open door.

  Alexa crossed her arms over her chest. “You move fast, don’t you?” she asked Tyler snidely.

  “It’s not like that,” Tyler protested, his face reddening as he sprung off the bed.

  Alexa couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Tyler and Holly, together? They hardly knew each other. Alexa wondered, with mounting anger, if Tyler had hooked up with her old friend out of pure spite. Not that Holly had exactly turned him down.

  “Yeah? Then what is it like?” Alexa spat. “Oh, wait. I’ll tell you. It’s gross.”

  “Alexa, don’t get mad,” Holly added quietly, standing up. “We didn’t mean for you to see us like this and—”

  The way Holly said we, as if she and Tyler were an actual couple, only added fuel to Alexa’s fire.

  “I can’t believe you would do this to me, Holly,” Alexa snapped. “After everything we’ve been through on this trip. Some friend you are.”

  Holly jerked back, surprised by the venom in Alexa’s voice. Then she felt her own anger flare up. Alexa was, once again, tainting one of Holly’s perfect memories. Did she always have to act like such a diva?

  In one fluid motion, Tyler reached for his T-shirt and hoodie on the floor, pulled them on over his track pants, laced up his sneakers, and made straight for the door.

  “I’ll call you later,” Tyler said, giving Holly a soft smile as he turned to go. Then he glanced awkwardly at Alexa. “And I’m, uh, really sorry about this, Alexa. I’ll, um, see you, I guess.”

  And he was gone.

  Alexa slammed the door behind Tyler and faced Holly again. Alone in the sun-drenched room, the girls glared at each other, their eyes narrowed and their mouths set in stubborn scowls.

  “Why did you freak like that?” Holly asked. “You didn’t even let me explain—”

  “Did you have sex with him?” Alexa cut in.

  “That’s private,” Holly replied, turning cherry-red. “But, if you must know, we didn’t, okay?” She rolled her eyes, irritated by the accusation. “God, Alexa. Do you always assume everyone is like you?”

  Alexa gritted her teeth. Did Holly have to go flinging that issue in her face again?

  “No,” Alexa hissed. “I’m just realistic. I walk in here, see you on the bed with my ex-boyfriend—how am I supposed to react?”

  “But, look, I’m still fully clothed,” Holly said. “We met down on the beach, and started talking, and then we came up here to talk more. That’s all…” Holly’s face warmed at the memory of how she and Tyler had cuddled on her bed for hours. Drifting off in his strong arms had felt so comfortable. “Stop jumping to conclusions,” Holly added, narrowing her eyes at Alexa.

  Alexa paused. So this is how Holly must have felt that night at the Delano, Alexa realized with a twinge of guilt. She must have had the same involuntary jealous-girl reaction: He’s mine!

  But Tyler isn’t mine, Alexa reflected. I dumped him. And, despite her moment of weakness the other night, Alexa knew she didn’t have feelings for Tyler anymore. She remembered how Holly had selflessly urged her to call Diego yesterday, putting aside her own raw emotions. Who’s being the baby now? Alexa thought, suddenly feeling a little silly.

  Holly watched as Alexa’s face softened, and her own anger subsided. She sympathized with how surprised Alexa must have felt, seeing her with Tyler; after all, Holly had been in that same position herself only a few days ago.

  “Listen, we’re being stupid,” Holly said quietly. “We can’t get into another fight.” It was their last full day in South Beach, after all; Holly didn’t want their trip to end in more hostility.

  Alexa relaxed her shoulders. “Especially not over a boy,” she agreed. She felt a smile tug at her lips. “I’m sorry I overreacted,” she added.

  “Truce?” Holly offered, smiling back.

  “Truce,” Alexa affirmed. She leaned against the dresser, setting down her orchids, as Holly sat on the edge of her bed.

  “So…” Alexa said after a moment. “How did you and Tyler start talking last night?” Now that she was less pissed, Alexa was extremely curious.

  Holly blushed, folding her hands in her lap, as she told Alexa about running into Tyler on the shore, and their instant chemistry.

  “But I don’t know if it’s anything serious,” Holly concluded. “I mean, it might have just been a onetime thing.” Though she couldn’t help but remember the way Tyler had looked at her while he
was making his swift getaway. They’d exchanged cell numbers last night, and he was still staying at the Flamingo—they could easily see each other again. And, of course, there was school. Holly shook her head. She had to be careful not to get too invested.

  “Well, you never know,” Alexa said. She tapped a finger to her lower lip, thoughtful. Of course. Holly and Tyler—it suddenly made perfect sense. They had the whole sports obsession in common. And they were both—sometimes annoyingly, sometimes adorably—innocent. Alexa remembered that when she and Tyler had broken up in Oakridge, she’d assured him he would find the right girl for himself. Maybe, in a totally unexpected way, Tyler had done just that.

  “The whole thing’s so surreal,” Alexa said. “I mean, it’s Tyler. And it’s you.” She shook her head, then gave Holly a half-smile. “And at the same time, it works. Though it’ll take some getting used to.”

  “That’s how I feel about you and Diego,” Holly said. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it.”

  Alexa laughed at the absurdity of it all. “I guess we kind of…swapped boys, huh?”

  “The great spring break switch.” Holly giggled. She looked at Alexa affectionately, thinking about how far they’d come together. Naturally they were both weirded out by their respective boy situations—who wouldn’t be? But they weren’t going to let the weirdness ruin their bond.

  A knock sounded on the door. When Alexa opened it, there stood a wilted-looking Daisy. Barefoot, she wore a tube top and hot pants and held in her hands the red flip-flops Alexa had loaned her on their first day in South Beach.

  “Hey,” Daisy whispered. “I wasn’t sure if you guys were up but I thought I heard you laughing in here. I just got back from Mac’s Club Deuce, and I remembered you guys were leaving this morning, so I wanted to return the flip-flops.”

  “Thanks,” Alexa said, accepting the flip-flops. “We’re actually leaving tomorrow morning.”

  “Great!” Daisy said. “So can you guys come to the bonfire and concert on the beach tonight?”