The spongy sand remained cool and damp as dawn broke into day. Tori held a sandal in each hand as they walked along the moon-shaped beach. Tori’s excitement of sharing their first experiences together intensified.

“Can I see those,” Zee asked, pointing to her sandals.

That was an unusual request. “Sure,” she said in a surprised tone, handing him her sandals.

He took them into one hand, then slid his fingers between hers with the other. Ignoring the rising heat ignited by his touch, she looked up at him and smiled. He knew how to make a girl unsteady, and he was using those skills.

Zee squeezed her hand lightly. “Annie is beside herself that you’re here for her wedding. She left a dress in your closet for the ceremony. And a tux for Ethan.”

“A dress? But I brought a…” Tori rethought naming the designer of her gown. She’d worn it at the opening ceremony for a repertory hall years ago. “Am I a part of…” She didn’t know how to ask.

“You’re a bridesmaid.”

“But I’m…” She stopped herself from saying it, or looking down at her wedding band.

“You’re family now.”

“Family?” Tori couldn’t hide her anxiety.

“She’s grown close to your entire family over the past several months. She can’t stop talking about your mom, and what a strong woman she is.”

“Oh, I see.” Tori sighed. “I’d be honored.”

“You know what I see?” he asked, turning in front of her, which stopped their progression down the beach.

Internally shaken, she hesitated momentarily before soliciting a response. “Hm?”

“Your mother’s strength in you.”

It was a touching compliment, but one that deflated her spirits. She allowed her face to visibly fall. “Thank you, Zee. That was kind of you.”

Zee took a step toward her. “Why the long face?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Nothing is a scary place to be.”

Tori shuddered as Zee’s hands found their way along her back and pulled her into a sheltering embrace.

“I’ve been there.” His breath warmed her cheek.

As Tori’s heart softened, so did her will. She’d forgotten how sublime it felt to be held this way. She submitted to the spirited tingling now flowing through her body like effervescent water. She rested her lips on Zee’s neck and inhaled his peppery scent. His smell was intoxicating, but she suddenly remembered her full day of travel, and her noxious odor.

“You smell like aromatic spice,” she said, pulling away. “But I need a shower.”

“You smell amazing. You smell real.” He stepped back. “Want to know what beautiful is?”

She tilted her head down, batting her eyelashes with a raised brow of disbelief. “Real?”

“Beautiful is the confidence to allow your weaknesses to be seen by others, not hidden beneath make-up and pretense. Yes, beautiful is being real. Beautiful is being happy.” He slowly took her hands in his. “Beautiful is you. Right here. Right now.” He waved his hand in front of his nose. “Stinky and all.”

“Hey! I’m not—”

She caught his devious smile just before his laugh trembled the inner corners of her mouth. The listless words she muttered were drowned in his moist kiss. Tori’s fingers curled together behind Zee’s neck, pulling his lips firmer against hers as she contemplated her absolute state of happiness.

“Zee!” Ethan called from the balcony.

Zee lifted his head from hers. Tori’s sense of propriety struck her like a whip across the cheek. She took in a deep breath and turned to face her son, who was now leaning against the railing of their balcony.

“Do you think he saw us?” Tori asked between closed teeth.

“Not a chance,” he said, shaking his head. “And I don’t think he can hear us either, unless he’s Superman’s progeny. Or Pax’s. Paxton has this crazy supersonic hearing. Be careful what you say around him.”

Tori’s mind flew back to all her conversations in Paxton’s presence, hopefully she hadn’t said anything incriminating.

“Ready to surf?” Ethan yelled.

Zee threw his hands in the air. “Always. Let’s do it!”

“Zee, it’s okay. You don’t have to.” Tori took Zee’s arm as they walked back toward the hotel. “Why don’t you get some sleep first?”

“You’re not getting out of this. I only have you here for two days. I’m taking you surfing, then on a canopy zipline. Then tomorrow is wedding all day.”

“Don’t you sleep?” Tori asked in a hopeful voice, because she could sure use some sleep.

“Sleep can wait,” he said, placing a piece of her windblown hair behind her ear. “My time with you can’t.”

Sleep and a bath were on Tori’s agenda. “Shower?”

“The ocean is Mother Nature’s shower. She’ll do you right.”

They stumbled into Annie as she adjusted her camera on a tripod where the sand met the sidewalk.

Tori!” Annie wrapped Tori in a country embrace. “I’m so happy you could come to my wedding!”

“Thanks for inviting us. What a beautiful venue.”

“Meri insisted on making all the arrangements. How could I say no to that? Do you mind if Paxton and I tag along with you ziplining?”

“Of course not.”

“Great,” Annie said, jumping up and down. “I’ve never been. It’ll be a first for me too.”

Tori pointed to Annie’s camera. It looked like it could zoom in on the South Pole. She tilted her head to one side and furrowed her brow. “Is that the same camera that you had in St. George? Looks fancy. Where did you get it?”

“Oh, this old thing?” Annie laughed. “It is actually a few years old, ancient in today’s tech world. It takes high quality video as well. I bought it off a friend of mine who’s an Irish photographer.”

“Irish photographer? Is he based in Ireland?”

“No.” Annie shook her head. “He’s Irish. I mean, he pretends to be Irish. Actually, he’s not Irish, or a photographer. He’s a physician, but his wife buys him camera equipment. When I say that out-loud, it sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”

Tori enjoyed Annie’s happy demeanor and unique flair for life. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Anyway,” Annie waved her hands in the air, “you’ll meet them tonight at the family dinner, and I hope to have a few photos for my next book cover by then.” She tapped her camera.

Annie adjusted her camera tripod as they approached the hotel. “Getting some good shots?” Zee questioned.

“Fabulous! You’re going to love these. Paxton did a sky dive to the beach. I was pleasantly surprised to get more than I’d asked for.”

“That’s dedication.” Tori was impressed. “Can’t wait to see them.”

Zee gave Annie a sideways glance. “What are you up to, Annie?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” she said with an innocent smile. “See you guys at Playa Conchal.”