Jared

“So what do ya think?” Caroline asked settling onto the couch next to Jared. She curled her legs under herself and wrapped her long fingers around her mug of coffee.

Jared was sitting in front of the fireplace watching the snow silently fall. He hadn’t been able to sleep. All night his mind was overrun of thoughts of Beth. The guilt was really starting to get to him. Eventually, he’d given up on the idea of sleep and decided to come enjoy the stunning views from one of the many sitting rooms while the house was quiet.

“I think Aspen’s beautiful,” he replied.

Caroline smiled. “I know, right? I wish I could just live out here permanently.”

“Why don’t you?”

“Trying to get rid of me already?” she teased.

“That’s not what I meant,” Jared replied defensively.

“I know. I’m just joking, geez. Maybe I was wrong.”

“About what?”

“Maybe you and Beth are a good match.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you’re just as uptight lately.”

“And whose fault is that, Car?”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “It takes two to do what we did, Jared.”

“Yeah and you certainly like throwing it in my face.”

She shook her head and took a sip of coffee. “I’m just trying to make sure we don’t hurt Beth anymore than we already have.”

“By dragging me out here?”

“I told you why I did that. And don’t act like it’s so awful. I saw the way you were gazing out the windows.” She stood up. “Ya know, if you’d stop letting your guilt rule your life maybe you’d actually have some fun. Do you remember that word? It’s what attracted me to you in the first place.”

Caroline stormed off, leaving Jared alone to bask in the quietness of the sleeping house. In the silence, Jared couldn’t escape Caroline’s words. He hated that she was right. He hadn’t been much fun lately. He felt too guilty to even let himself enjoy anything. But there was nothing he could do to change the past. What was done was done. He needed to start living.

That’s what this week was supposed to be about—having one last hurrah with his boys. If things worked out with Beth, Jared wouldn’t have many bachelor weekends in his future. It surprised him how okay he was with the idea of that. But it also spurred him to make the most of his time while he was in Colorado. It’s not like free trips to Aspen were a normal occurrence in his life.

With that in mind, Jared went downstairs to roust the guys. Daylight was burning and he was itching to hit the slopes.

Beth

“Parker, we have to get these stupid wedding favors filled with sand,” Beth complained as he parked his Range Rover in front of Seaside Sweets. She’d already conceded to drive to Tybee Island’s beach instead of walking across the boardwalk to the private beach at Bellemora. At this rate they’d be lucky to have time to get everything done before dinner.

“I know, but we can’t do that on an empty stomach.”

Beth’s stomach was already growling. Seaside Sweets made the best chocolate pecan turtles she’d ever had and its gelato was to die for.

“Come on,” Parker taunted. “You know you want some.”

“Don’t use your powers for evil,” Beth teased, climbing out of the car.

“I can’t help it if your weakness for sugar is to my advantage.”

She smirked. “You’re evil.”

“I prefer evil genius,” Parker replied opening the door for Beth.

She immediately felt transported back to her childhood upon entering the sweet shop. It was filled with jars of penny candy and cases of sugary delights like ice cream, gelato and delicious handmade chocolates. The nostalgia only continued when, Mrs. Smith, the shop owner walked out from behind the counter, eyes shining with recognition.

“I’ll be. Parker and Bethy! I haven’t seen you two in years,” Mrs. Smith crowed. “Let me look at ya.”

Beth and Parker smiled at the steely old woman as she pinched their cheeks and gave them each a hug. “Let me guess, pistachio gelato for Parker and a chocolate dipped vanilla for Beth?”

“You got it,” Parker answered, anticipating that was exactly what Beth would order.

“You two haven’t changed a bit,” Mrs. Smith said.

Beth smiled even though in her heart she had a sudden fear that wasn’t true at all. Ever since she woke up in Parker’s arms things felt different. The trouble was, Beth didn’t know if it was a good different or not. What was she supposed to do with these feelings? And why was she having them now, when she had a boyfriend?

As Mrs. Smith prepared their treats, Beth gave herself a peptalk. Just shove it down, Beth. You’ve done it before. She suspected her feelings for Parker were resurfacing now because they were back in Tybee Island. Beaches always made Beth feel wistful and romantic. Plus, Beth’s adolescent summers here were when her crush on Parker was at its height. She told herself it was only natural that her feelings would return in such a setting. Not to mention that though Beth wasn’t excited about the drama that came with Brenna’s wedding, it was still a wedding. And weddings were dreamy.

Beth berated herself. Why do I have to be such a sappy romantic? She knew it was the damn actress in her. She always kept her emotions close to the surface. Handy for acting—not so much for scenarios of unrequited love.

“Here we are,” Mrs. Smith said handing over Beth’s cone and Parker’s cup of gelato.

Parker picked out two chocolate turtles, saltwater taffy and a pack of candy cigarettes, slapping a crisp hundred-dollar bill on the counter.

“You know your money’s no good here,” Mrs. Smith argued.

This happened every time they tried to pay at Seaside Sweets. Luckily, Parker and Beth had devised a plan for it long ago.

“Mrs. Smith,” Beth interrupted before the old woman could go on a rant about not accepting money from the Bennetts because back in the day Beth’s great, great so-and-so had helped make the sleepy beach town what it is. “Did you do something different with your hair?” Beth asked even though Mrs. Smith’s hair was in the same steel gray bob it always was.

“My hair? No.”

“Huh. Well it looks extra pretty today,” Beth complimented.

Mrs. Smith smiled. “You hang onto this one, Parker. They don’t come any sweeter.”

“Don’t I know it,” Parker replied.

They said their goodbyes and walked out of the shop. Beth took Parker’s cup of gelato while he quickly drove down 16^th Street to find beach parking.

“Where’d you leave the money this time?” Beth asked.

Parker could barely contain his grin. “Tip cup.”

“Oh, that’s not even clever.”

“It’s sneaky clever.”

“How?”

“It’s like hiding something in plain sight.”

“Mrs. Smith will totally know it was us.”

“We’ll be long gone by then, kid,” Parker said in an old-timey actor voice Beth loved.

“Have you been watching ‘Casablanca’ without me?” she asked suppressing a giggle.

“Never.”

And just like that, things were back to normal between them.

Parker

Parker and Beth enjoyed their sweets on the pier overlooking the ocean. The waves were calm and soothing, and the air was full of the unmistakable flavor of summer. That and the scent of Beth’s shampoo. Every time the wind caught her hair a waft of citrus and coconut washed over Parker and he was instantly back in bed with her, limbs entwined, fingers in her silky hair. What would’ve happened if Brenna hadn’t barged in?

He pushed the thought away. That’s not why he’d come on this trip. He was here to be a good friend. And make sure Beth’s last spring break was fun, even if it involved torturing himself. “So, shall we start our indentured servitude?” Parker asked.

“Do we have to?” Beth whined.

“We could share a smoke first,” he offered, pulling the pack of candy cigarettes out of his pocket.

Beth immediately smiled. “These bring back memories.”

Parker put the cigarette in his mouth and puffed imaginary smoke like it was a bad habit.

“Remember when Nana saw us smoking them on the beach and thought they were real?”

“How could I forget? She went crazy!” Parker laughed at the memory. “She was fast for an old lady.”

Beth had tears in her eyes from laughter. “And strong,” she admitted. “She smacked you good before I could convince her they were only candy.”

Parker’s hand went to his cheek. “I think I can still feel it,” he teased.

Beth’s face fell as she took a bite of her cigarette. “I miss her,” she whispered.

“Me too,” Parker replied, putting his arm around Beth’s shoulder.

She leaned her head against him and sighed. “It’s weird being here without her.”

“You’re not without her.”

Beth smiled up at him, eyes watery. “It does kinda feel like she’s still here, doesn’t it? Like her memories are, anyway.”

Parker nodded. “It does.”

“I just wish it didn’t hurt so much to remember her.”

“I know,” Parker murmured. “But you’re lucky to have so many great memories of her. You should hold onto them as long as you can.”

“Park . . . I’m sorry . . . I wish you had more memories with your mom.”

Parker smiled and kissed Beth’s head. “Me too,” he whispered. “But don’t worry about me. I’m a pretty lucky guy.”

She looked up at him in disbelief. “How?”

“You and your family have filled my life with some great memories, Beth.”

She smiled at him. “Yeah, I guess we’re both pretty lucky when you think of it like that.”

They sat in silence staring out at the ocean while their candy cigarettes melted away into nothing. After a while, Parker pulled Beth to her feet. “Come on. The faster we get it over with the more time we have for fun.”

Beth groaned. “This is gonna take us all day.”

“Actually, I have a plan.”

She arched an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”

Beth

They stood on the beach with a shovel, the box of glass bottles and a handful of trash bags. Beth held the trash bags and frowned at Parker as he spouted off numbers.

“So since we know how much sand one bottle holds we can figure out exactly how much we need and fill the trash bags with it.”

“Okay mathlete, I get it, you’re a genius. But that seems like a lot of extra work.”

“Not really,” he said heaving the shovel into the sand. “By my calculations we only need thirty-three gallons of sand to fill all the bottles. Fill up three of these trash bags and we’re golden.”

“But why are we putting sand in a trash bag when we only need to put sand it the bottles?”

“Because if we put the sand in the bags, we can bring them back to Bellemora and work on filling the bottles there, in the air-conditioning and maybe even with some of your mom’s famous sweet tea and pecan cookies. And I bet your sisters will even help us.”

“I take it back, you are an evil genius.”

He winked. “Told ya.”

In a matter of minutes Parker had the three trash bags filled and back in his car. Beth was grinning. Take that Brenna! Maybe if her sister had spent more time studying math instead of boys, she would’ve known she hadn’t given Beth and Parker an awful task after all. Although, if it weren’t for Parker, Beth would be walking five hundred bottles of sand back and forth between the beach and the parking lot. Of course she’d never let Brenna know that.

“So what now?” Beth asked when Parker put the last of their supplies back in the car.

“How ‘bout a walk on the beach?”

“Perfect,” Beth replied linking her arm with Parker’s.

They walked together in comfortable silence. The beach was mostly empty at this time of year. Only a few local surfers braved the chilly water. Every so often they passed a jogger or someone walking their dog, but for the most part, the beach was theirs. Beth smiled. She loved moments like these. When it was just her and Parker. P and B together again. The world always felt like a better place when Parker was by her side.

Beth turned to him. “Thank you for coming here with me.”

“You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me.”

“I know. But I’m really glad you’re here. I couldn’t do this without you.”

Parker slung an arm around her shoulder. “Well, luckily you don’t have to.”

She smiled up at him. The sun was already beginning to bronze his skin and his cheeks were flushed in the hollows. Beth had always been envious of that trait. Her cheeks only flushed when she was embarrassed, but Parker’s retained a healthy glow whenever he was outdoors or exercising. She particularly loved the way he looked when he came back from a run—glistening with sweat, cheeks aglow, chest heaving.

Beth felt her own cheeks warm with color as her mind carried her away with images of a stripped down Parker jogging in slow motion on the beach. Get a grip, Beth! This isn’t ‘Baywatch’.

Parker whistled through his teeth drawing Beth’s attention.

“What?”

“Did you just see that guy wipe out?” he asked pointing to the waves. “Surfers have a death wish.”

“You’ve surfed,” Beth countered.

“In the summer. That water’s gotta be freezing still.”

“Oh come on, we’re from Boston. This water has nothing on ours.”

“I don’t see you getting in,” Parker challenged. “Plus, look at the sky.”

In the distance, dark rain clouds hung ominously low.

Beth shrugged. “I could get in if I wanted to.”

Parker barked a laugh. “Right.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I mean . . .” he trailed off, but the grin on his face said it all. He didn’t think she’d do it.

Beth didn’t know why, but she had a sudden urge to prove him wrong. Because he was right, she was always the safe one. She never did wild or crazy things like her sisters or Caroline. But she could, and just to prove it to herself, she pulled off her cover up and tossed it at Parker. “Hold this.”

“Beth, I’m not challenging you to get in the water.”

“Maybe I’m doing it because I want to.”

Parker

Parker watched Beth saunter towards the water. He was mesmerized by her beauty. Her pale skin glowed in the sunlight, almost as bright as the glittering surface of the ocean. Her hips swayed back and forth as she marched on with determination. But then her feet met the surf and she froze. Parker’s lips quirked into a smile. She wasn’t gonna do it.

He didn’t blame her. The water was probably freezing. All the surfers were in full wetsuits. But as if she’d heard his thoughts, Beth turned to look over her shoulder at Parker. She pulled her hair out of her ponytail in one swift move and then ran into the waves shrieking wildly. She looked so free and joyful that he shrugged off his shirt and raced in after her.