Because of Lila

  more verbal, but he seems to be a bit hungover,” Bliss said with amusement in her tone.

  I waited. I wasn’t sure what we were going to do here. My guess was we weren’t going to share with these two we’d had sex on the beach. At least I hoped he wouldn’t.

  “We’ve met,” he said a smile finally touching his face. The smile I remembered from last night. “At least I think we did. I drank more than I should have last night so it’s all a little fuzzy, but you’re the girl from the bar last night. Live Bay? I talked you into eating the potato skins?”

  He sounded incredibly convincing. I went with it. “Yes. That was me,” I replied.

  “So that’s where you were last night,” Nate said. His voice sounded surprised and almost impressed. “Explains a lot.”

  I didn’t look at him. I also stopped looking at Eli. Instead, I decided to study the food on the table. This was me being awkward. I was good at awkward. I was a pro.

  “Those potato skins are delicious,” Bliss said with pleasure in her voice. “I’m so happy you two met last night. Nate and I will get the rest of the food in here. Y’all get comfortable. We will be right back.”

  Bliss was a little too happy about this. I realized that this might have been a setup after all and her reaction made it clear she thinks we made it easier by meeting last night. Once they were out of the room, I chanced a glance at Eli. He was still studying me.

  “My memory was correct. I’m a little surprised. I thought for sure it was the alcohol vision making you appear as perfect and prim as you are. I see that it wasn’t.”

  I blushed and fidgeted with my hands. That was nice of him to say. I think?

  “If I’d known you were exactly what I thought I was seeing I’d have figured out a way to get you to leave with me. But I’d had too many whiskeys to make any smooth moves. I regret that now.”

  There was a friendly tease to his voice. But that wasn’t what made me pause. It was what he’d said. He would “have figured out a way to get me to leave with” him. As in, I didn’t leave with him. Surely he was just saying that in case Bliss and Nate could hear us. He wasn’t that drunk. Was he?

  “Oh,” I replied needing to say something.

  “The dancing was nice. Real nice,” his voice lowered. “I could still smell you on my skin when I woke up this morning.”

  Was he talking figuratively or in code? I glanced back at the door, and neither Bliss or Nate were anywhere in sight. This was confusing.

  Before I had to think of something to say to him Nate appeared with a fruit tray. “If you two aren’t planning on hooking up, just tell her. She’ll drive us all crazy with the matchmaking if you don’t get to the point.”

  Nate was blunt. I’d always liked that about him until now. Right now, it was not the time. He didn’t know that though. Thank goodness he didn’t know what had happened.

  “Although you look like shit and this one got in late looking a little messy. So, I have my suspicions, but I won’t pry. Just keep it to yourselves,” Nate said with finality. Then he waved his hands at the table. “Y’all sit. I’m starving.”

  I took the chair closest to me. Nate sat at the end near the door that led toward the kitchen. Eli sat across from me. His gaze was serious at times while he looked at me like he was trying to remember something. I was afraid that something was what happened after we left the bar. The more he stared with that confused frown the more convinced I was he didn’t remember the beach at all. Sex with me had been that forgettable. My happy thoughts this morning were gone.

  “I did savory and sweet. Eli, I have some healthy for you,” Bliss looked at me. “He may have talked you into the potato skins last night, but normally he eats like a health nut. It can be annoying.”

  I forced a smile as if I cared.

  Eli Hardy

  SHE HADN’T BEEN a dream. But the flirty girl from last night with the shy smiles and gazes was gone. This one was tense and obviously uncomfortable with the situation. She even seemed upset. I for one thought I was still dreaming when I walked in and saw her there. All fresh faced with hair damp from the shower looking as damn perfect as I remembered.

  I tried to get her to look at me, but she kept focusing on her food that she barely touched and only looked up to speak if asked a question by Nate or Bliss. It was becoming obvious to everyone that she didn’t want to be at this table with me. Bliss had even begun giving me questioning looks like I’d done something wrong. Hell, I was drunk last night. I just remember her eating the potato skins with a fork and how good she felt in my arms while we danced, and then things went black. The one time my never drinking much has kicked me in the ass. I decided to get drunk, and my low tolerance knocked me out.

  I needed to call Larissa when I got home. Ask her about it. She’d know. She knew it all working behind that bar.

  “Where are you headed next, Lila Kate?” Bliss asked too cheerfully. I also noticed they were calling her Lila Kate. Not just Lila. She’d introduced herself as Lila. That I was sure of. Lila Kate was cute but sounded childish. Was that annoying her? Because it was bugging me. I was ready to correct Bliss.

  “I’m not positive. I was going to study a map today. Make a decision. I have a few ideas. Friends I’d like to visit.”

  So, this adventure she’d spoken of hadn’t been something I dreamed up.

  “You’re traveling alone?” I asked. I still didn’t think that was a good idea.

  She barely glanced at me and gave a tight nod. “Yes.”

  “Is that safe?” I asked.

  She went very stiff. Her shoulders went back, and her head tilted suddenly in a very regal pose. Interesting. She looked like a Kennedy as she answered, “Yes.”

  “Lila Kate can pull a pistol and not miss under pressure. She’s unassuming but lethal,” Nate said with a crooked grin.

  “You carry a gun?” I asked incredulously. I didn’t even carry a gun, and I was a male in Alabama.

  She gave a dainty lift of her left shoulder. “Of course.”

  “You must have brothers like Bliss,” I offered thinking that had to be the only excuse.

  “No. I’m the only child.”

  “My mother gave her lessons. Harlow, Lila’s mother, was nervous when Lila Kate started driving. So my mom offered to teach her how to handle a gun,” Nate added.

  I looked at Nate. “Your mom carries a gun too?”

  Nate chuckled. “Oh, yes. My mother is feminine, beautiful, and a complete badass.”

  Bliss laughed with him. “Yes, she is,” she agreed.

  “Story goes, my mom’s first night in Rosemary Beach she pulled her gun on Lila Kate’s dad. Scared the shit out of him,” Nate was smiling as he said it.

  That brought a small tug at the corners of Lila’s mouth. She liked the story too. I watched hoping she’d smile that bright smile from last night where her eyes lit up. But it never came.

  Bliss and Nate began laughing over his first meal at her parents’ house when one of her brothers brought a gun out to threaten Nate. I listened to them talk, but my attention stayed on Lila. Once she finished her meal, she told Bliss how delicious it was and that she would clean the kitchen. She then excused herself to make a couple of phone calls. One was an important call to her mother.

  After she’d left the room, Bliss glared at me. “What did you do to her?” she whispered.

  I shrugged innocently. “I didn’t do anything. I swear. We ate, drank and danced a couple of dances. That was it.”

  Bliss didn’t look convinced. “She was quiet and nervous. Very uncomfortable.”

  “That’s just Lila Kate. She’s not a big talker. She doesn’t draw attention to herself. She listens but rarely joins in. You’ll get used to it,” Nate explained. But I disagreed with him. The girl from last night hadn’t been like that. Something had been wrong this morning. I just didn’t know what.

  “I want her to enjoy her stay here,” Bliss said her voice sounding sad.

  “She will, baby. I
swear Lila Kate is just quiet. I’ve known her my entire life, and that’s just her.”

  Bliss sighed then nodded. “Okay. Well, it’s obvious she doesn’t care for you,” she said looking back at me. “Maybe I could take her shopping and invite Crimson instead. I bet she’d like your sister.”

  This was starting to annoy me.

  Nate gave Bliss a smile that said he adored her and wished they were alone. Normally, that made me uncomfortable or nauseous, but right now I couldn’t seem to care. I needed to know why I’d pissed off Lila. I didn’t like Bliss being frustrated with me either. Or let down.

  “If you’re finished eating you’d better go. So she’ll feel more comfortable coming out here,” Bliss said with an apologetic frown.

  I was done. I needed to talk to Larissa anyway.

  “Yeah, I’m finished. Thanks for breakfast,” I said although I hadn’t wanted to eat in the first place. So now my stomach felt even worse. “It was delicious.” I stood and looked at Nate. “I didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable. Last night I thought we got along fine.”

  “No worries. Seriously, that was typical Lila Kate. Bliss just doesn’t know her yet. She’ll get used to it.”

  Again, I disagreed and felt like maybe Nate didn’t know her that well. I’d seen a much different girl last night . . . didn’t I? Was that all an illusion from the drinking? Had I thought she was different because I’d been so sloppy drunk?

  But damn if I could make up that smile and laugh. That had been real. I know it had.

  “Okay, well, thanks for having me,” I said again and then headed for the door. I wanted to find Lila and talk to her alone. But with these two in the house that wasn’t going to happen. I could just hope I found her again before she took off on her trip.

  Closing the door behind me, I walked out to my truck. Before I got in, I paused and glanced up at the windows. I’m not sure why, but I had sensed her. Sure enough, there Lila stood watching me in the window to the left looking down. She had her arms crossed over her chest defensively, and there was hurt in her eyes I could see from all the way out here. That was going to bother me.

  I waited there. Staring back at Lila. Wishing she’d come out here but knowing she wouldn’t. Finally, the curtain swung back, and she was gone. I didn’t leave right away. I waited a moment to see if she was gone or just hiding from me. When nothing happened I finally climbed into my truck and left. I needed to some answers.

  Lila Kate

  I WATCHED THROUGH the curtains until he left. Our encounter shouldn’t be a big deal. I’d thought he was a one-night stand. A guy I’d never see again. Just because he was too drunk to remember me that well or that we’d had sex—which was blatantly obvious—shouldn’t bother me. Besides, I’d be leaving here in a couple of days. It wasn’t like I was going to see him again.

  He was in love with Bliss. I imagined most guys were in love with Bliss. She was the kind of girl guys fell in love with. Beautiful, smart, outgoing, confident, and still kind.

  I had watched Nate Finlay date so many females over the years I’d lost count. Even when he was engaged, I hadn’t seen him look at a woman like he did Bliss.

  It still stung. I hadn’t been a wild one-night stand. I had been a drunken rebound. If I had truly had sex with a guy I would never see again, then I wouldn’t have known exactly what it had been for him. What I did know were the things he had said to me, the way he’d made me feel desirable and sexy had all been crap. He had just been drunk, and apparently a master with words while intoxicated.

  I couldn’t hate him for that. I could, however, keep my distance. That was best. I didn’t think Bliss would be scheduling any meals with him again while I was here. She’d hoped for something with that setup. I guess deep down Bliss knew her best friend was in love with her and was trying to move his attention elsewhere.

  A knock on the door to the bedroom I was staying in interrupted my thoughts. That would be Bliss coming to check on me. To see if I wanted to do something. I was expecting that.

  “Come in,” I called turning to face her as she entered the room.

  Her smile was genuine. She was the sort of person that you saw the kindness in their eyes. I didn’t know many people like that back home. At least, not females. If they weren’t close friends or family, they were rather vicious. A curse that came with growing up among the elite.

  “I hope I didn’t interrupt. I know you needed to call your mother.”

  I still needed to do that. “No, not at all.”

  She looked relieved. “I thought maybe we could do some shopping, have lunch at Nate’s grandfather’s place, and visit a few friends of mine. All girls this time,” she blushed as she said the last part. I was glad we weren’t going to recap that breakfast and my night with Nate. Bliss wasn’t the nosey type. I liked that about her, too.

  “Okay, yes, that sounds nice. I don’t want to keep you from anything, though. Don’t feel as if you need to entertain me.”

  Bliss beamed at me then. “When Nate said you were coming to visit I took off work. I wanted to have plenty of time to show you around.”

  If I lived here, I think Bliss and I could be good friends. But I wouldn’t live anywhere for a long time. This was just my first stop.

  “Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you. I felt as if I sprung this on you and Nate. It was very last-minute planning.”

  Bliss’s eyes seemed to understand more than I had told her. “I had to get away too once. I didn’t get far, but it was enough. Sometimes space from what we know is needed.”

  I simply nodded. Because she was correct. Although there was much more to mine. I didn’t imagine she needed to recreate herself. Find a new Bliss. She seemed perfect as she was. My mother was perfect like her. My father was outgoing and handsome. Everyone loved being around him. How had I turned out so . . . so . . . different?

  I couldn’t blame them. They’d do anything to give me a full life. We were a close family. They’d been excellent role models. But I was the odd little duckling. I preferred books and solitude. I was proper and polite. That I did blame on my mother. However, my mother appeared dainty and elegant when she did things like eat potato skins with flatware.

  “I’m ready whenever you are. Just come on down when you’re ready to leave.”

  I wasn’t about to have her waiting for me downstairs. That was rude. And although I was trying to be less of a rule follower and more carefree I wouldn’t be rude.

  “Let me brush my hair and find some shoes, then I’ll be ready.”

  She seemed pleased with that, then left the room closing the door behind her. Nate’s mother, Blaire, had come over for coffee the morning after Nate had brought Bliss for a visit to tell us all about her. She’d been thrilled for Nate. She loved Bliss, and she had been right. Everything she raved about. The dinner party Blaire held at her house the last night of their stay I had met Bliss. I’d even spoken to her a few moments, but that was all. She’d been whisked off by Ophelia, Nate’s sister, to meet other guests. I was surprised Nate even allowed his mother to plan an event like that. He seemed protective of Bliss.

  But then he had never really been able to control his mother. If he tried to say no to her about something, his father would step in. Bliss seemed to enjoy herself that night though. It had been no problem at all that she was cast into a large, close-knit bunch.

  I went into the private bathroom that was connected to my room and finished drying my hair with the dryer. Then added some lip gloss. I thought about doing more but didn’t. I left the bathroom to find some sandals and slipped them on. After a quick inspection, I put on a pair of small silver hoop earrings and a few of my favorite bangle bracelets.

  Satisfied, I left the room and went to find Bliss. The house was lovely inside. Bliss had obviously done some decorating of her own. It had a homey feel even if it had wide hallways, tall ceilings, elaborate crown molding and chandeliers in most rooms. Somehow, she’d given it a touch of comfort. I respected that. r />
  When I arrived at the foot of the stairs, Bliss was walking out of a backroom with a smile on her face that was somewhat dreamy. I didn’t need to know she had been in there with Nate. I’d seen that look on my mother’s face many times. I guess some people did get fairy tales. Even if they had to live through tragedy first.

  I had no dramatic tragedy in my life. I had nothing. My life roadmap was bare. No excitement, just the same thing. Every day. I should be thankful for that I guess. Tragedy wasn’t exactly something to wish for.

  “Oh, you’re ready. That was fast. Let me grab my purse and we’ll go.” Her tone chipper and her cheeks a little flushed.

  “No rush,” I said hoping I hadn’t been interrupting anything. Having me stay here during the newness of their engagement was probably difficult for them. I hadn’t considered that. I should spend some time tonight figuring out my next stop and get moving along. So far, there was nothing keeping me here in Sea Breeze.

  Eli Hardy

  I DIDN’T CALL Larissa. I knew she’d be awake. Jilly, her daughter, was three and she woke up with the sun, even after Larissa worked late nights. She refused to leave her with a sitter until the next morning. She sent the sitter home when she got there, and she was Mom until she had to work again. Sometimes I wondered if she had superhuman powers.

  I rang the bell, and heard sounds of kid’s shows coming from inside. Then I heard Jilly call out, “Someone is here!”

  The kid was cute. It was a shame her dad was missing out on her life. The guy had been a complete jerk. I’d told Larissa that when she was dating him. When he left, though, I didn’t say I told you so. That was cold, and I knew Larissa was hurt enough. She was a great mother. She never needed his sorry ass. Neither did Jilly. It was his loss.

  The door opened and Larissa stood there with her hair in a messy knot on top of her head and a cup of coffee in her hand. She looked wide awake. Guess getting up at six gives you plenty of time to drink the coffee.

  “Surprise, surprise, if it isn’t the drunk Romeo,” she said with a