THE SUN PEEKED ITS HEAD through the clouds, sending a bright beam of light directly through my bedroom window.
“Fucking sun,” I groaned, feeling like death warmed over.
It had been years since I drank straight liquor. A rum and Coke? Sure. Wine? Hell yes. But straight whiskey from the bottle? That was something I’d attempted in high school and quickly given up right after. I was not a fan of hangovers.
The problem was I didn’t have an off button. I just kept going. Like the damn Energizer Bunny.
Binge-watching Netflix? Sleep in till noon? Nope. I was a get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-and-get-shit-done kind of girl. I didn’t have time to nurse hangovers and spend hours on the couch.
There were people depending on me.
Well, most days.
Today, however, as I pulled myself out of bed, I realized I was in a completely empty house.
No guests.
No family.
No Jake.
Just me and a pounding headache.
And then the doorbell rang.
“Who the hell comes visiting at—” I checked my watch. Ten in the morning? I’d slept in until ten in the freaking morning?
I did my best to smooth out my hair and settle my queasy stomach before I got to the door. I then said a quick prayer, begging God for mercy.
If this could just be a salesman or something, I’d really appreciate it. Anyone, except my mother. Or a guest. Okay, thanks.
Pulling open the door, I felt a mixture of relief and shock as a young blonde who nearly mirrored me in every way stood at the threshold.
“Millie!” I screamed, reaching forward to pull her into a giant bear hug. “Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? And why are you ringing the doorbell? This is as much your house as mine!”
She pulled back, smiling. “No, it’s yours now. Besides, I didn’t want to barge in”—she looked me up and down, clearly judging my appearance—“and interrupt your busy morning.”
I rolled my eyes, stepping aside so that she could drag in all the suitcases she had sitting behind her.
“It’s a long story,” I explained, taking my own judgmental appraisal of my appearance in the foyer mirror. “Good God, I look like hell.”
“I hear there’s a good reason for it.”
Her face said it all. Sympathy, understanding, warmth.
“Jesus, who told you?”
“Mom,” she confessed. “She called last night after getting a phone call from Mrs. Sutherland. Dottie was a mess. She felt terrible for what that boy had made her do.”
“So, you’re here for what? Reinforcements?”
“Obviously. After all, when you suffer a breakup, who better to pick you back up again than your sister? Mama thought she’d step back for once and let a professional handle this one.”
I gave her a long once-over. She’d most likely flown an early morning flight or a red-eye to get here, and she looked like she’d just stepped off the runway rather than a stuffy plane.
Where had all this sophistication come from?
“I can’t believe she called Mom,” I said.
Millie followed me to the living room. The bottle of whiskey I’d plowed through was thankfully gone.
But the memories weren’t.
I swallowed hard as my body remembered exactly what had transpired.
A bit of heat, some pent up lust and a whole lot of bad decisions.
Yep. That about summed it up.
“What do you expect?” she said, taking a seat on the couch beside me. “She was worried about you. It’s not like she wanted to come over here and spring this on you, and why wouldn’t she call Mom? Her and Dottie have been the best of friends for ages.”
“I know,” I agreed. “But I’ve barely had a chance to process it, you know? One minute, I’m engaged, and the next, I’m handing back the antique ring I was given to my fiancé’s mom. It’s just a lot to take in. I thought I’d have at least a day before it spread across the island.”
Her hand fell on my shoulder. “I doubt it’s gone that far yet.”
I gave her a dubious stare. “Really? Because even Jake didn’t seem surprised when I sprang the news on him last night.”
My baby sister’s eyes lit up. “Hanky-Panky Jakey?” she said, suddenly looking around. “He’s here?”
“No,” I instantly replied, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. “I mean, yes, he’s here on the island. But not here, here,” I explained. “And that is a terrible nickname.”
She laughed, a lovely lilt that I couldn’t emulate if I tried. It perfectly matched her designer jeans and blouse, as if she’d handpicked it right off a runway in Paris.
I’ll take that gorgeous silk blouse and the angelic laugh, please. Can that be delivered?
“It’s a joke between us.”
“I heard all about the lucrative deal you made with my ex. No wonder they call you the shark at work.”
She smiled wide, like a Cheshire cat. “He helped pay for my summer wardrobe that year.”
I rolled my eyes. “Who are you? Clearly not the lanky brat of a sister I had who once spent an entire night up in the trees just to prove a point to Mom and Dad.”
“The very same, and they had it coming.”
“Do you even remember what you were fighting for?” I asked, remembering my tiny sister way up in the tree with her pillow and stuffed unicorn.
“The slaughter of pigs, I believe. Mom served ribs one night, and a guest commented, saying it was the best hog she’d ever tried. Mom had never told me where meat came from. I felt like my whole life was a lie.”
“You didn’t last long. I seem to remember someone chowing down on a barbeque at the Fourth of July festival the following month.”
She shrugged. “Sleeping in a tree is no fun, and I realized I didn’t care much for protesting. Or being a vegetarian. I’m much more suited for the finer things in life.”
“Apparently.”
We continued our small talk, catching up on each other’s lives and whatnot. She’d been promoted within her company, taking on another territory.
“My goal is to one day gain parts of Europe. Wouldn’t it be awesome to travel to Spain or England for a career?”
“I guess,” I replied. “But doesn’t it get old? The never-ending flights and hotel stays?”
She shook her head. “I love it. My day is never boring. I’m not sure if I could ever adhere to a fixed schedule. I love being on my toes.”
“You always were the adventurous one,” I said, smiling at another memory of that pigtailed darling dangling above me in the old oak tree.
“You’re adventurous,” she insisted. “Look at this place! You took it all on by yourself. Even with Dad’s help, Mom could barely keep up. I don’t know how you manage.”
“I have no life; that’s how.”
“Well, that’s why I’m here!” she announced proudly.
“Oh, no,” I said, holding my hands up in a desperate plea.
I knew what my sister’s idea of fun was, and after last night’s hangover, I wasn’t sure I could handle any more.
“Oh, come on, Mols. This is why I’m here—to pull you out of this obvious funk you’ve drunk yourself into and to remind you how fun it is to be single!”
“I don’t want to go out into town today. Everyone will look at me with sad eyes. Poor Molly. She got dumped again.”
“Please,” she said. “With me in tow, no one would dare do such a thing. Besides, would you rather skulk around here all day?”
I looked around at my house, the place where I spent nearly every waking moment.
Cleaning, cooking, and bookkeeping.
I was exhausted.
“Sure,” I finally answered. “Why the hell not?”
“That’s the sprit!” Millie hollered. “Now, let’s go get you decent.”
Pulling on my hand, she dragged me toward my room, hell-bent on a makeover of epic proportions.
Dear Lord…I could use just a bit more help.
“So, this is day drinking?” I said, holding up my beer bottle. It was nearly half-empty, and I could see the blue horizon of the bay through its crystal-clear glass.
“Please tell me this isn’t your first time grabbing drinks during the daylight hours.”
I shrugged. “Does sneaking shots of vodka from the liquor cabinet after school count?”
She shook her head, a light chuckle under her breath. “God, you missed out on a lot.”
“That’s what happens when you don’t go to college.”
“You could have,” she pointed out. “You were accepted all over the state.”
“I know, but after…” I paused, remembering the lengthy fight I’d had with my parents.
“What do you mean, you’re not going?” my mom said, a look of horror flashing across her face.
“I mean, I’m not going,” I repeated. “Not everyone goes to college.”
“You think I don’t know that?” she shouted as my dad looked on in pure shock. “But you, of all people, owe it to yourself to try.”
“Why?” I asked. “Why me, of all people?”
“Because you’ve worked so hard for it. All those late nights of studying to make the grades. And the tears when you opened those acceptance letters. How can you walk away now?”
I shrugged. “Because I just don’t want to go.”
“Is this because of Jake? Because he left?”
I held up a hand, hating the sound of his name on her lips. “This has nothing to do with him,” I insisted. “I just think I’m better suited here.”
The hope died from her eyes in that moment. Every wish for a better life for me vanished as she realized my inevitable fate.
I was never getting off this island.
“After graduation, I just realized it wasn’t the right path,” I said, finishing my thought. “Besides, if I’d left, I probably would have married the first frat boy I saw, and then who would be running the inn for Mom and Dad?”
“I’m sure they would have worked something out. You’re not responsible for all of us, you know.”
“I know.”
“Are you sure?” she pressed, taking a sip of her own beer.
She’d changed clothes before we left the inn after forcing me into a gorgeous coral-colored dress from her bag. It was low-cut and short and made me feel all sorts of uncomfortable.
But I had to admit, it didn’t look half bad on me.
“I’m sure,” I said. “I mean, I know Mom and Dad would have found someone to take the inn on if it wasn’t for me, but I love what I do. Honest.”
“I know you do. It shows in the house. But try not to forget, a job isn’t your entire life. You have to have more.”
“I did have more. I had Dean.”
She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth. “Did you really? I mean, you guys were together for, what? Four years? And you were no closer to the altar yesterday than you were when you first got together.”
“Yes, we were,” I argued. “We were engaged!”
“With no plans for a wedding.”
I let out a small huff. “No, you’re right. It just never felt like the right time.”
“Perhaps because you were secretly waiting for something…or someone?”
I gave her a hard stare “Jake? I have not been waiting for Jake. Believe me. Especially now.”
Intrigue painted her face. “What do you mean, especially now?”
“I can’t believe Mom didn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what?” she asked.
“Jake was sort of staying at the inn. Well, until last night.”
Her interest piqued, she leaned forward, hoping for all the juicy details. “Oh my gosh, you totally slept together!”
My face blanched. “We did not!”
“Okay, but something happened.”
A flash of that singular moment from the night before came reeling back. His skin, so hot and familiar. The heavy breaths that floated between us. His—
“Whatever is going on in that head of yours right now…can I borrow some? ’Cause damn.”
Her words brought me back to reality.
“It meant nothing,” I said, repeating my words from the night before. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Good, so you won’t mind me inviting those sexy tourists to our table?” She pointed to a group of guys two tables over.
One of them, a seriously smoking-hot surfer type with sun-kissed hair and dark skin, gave her a smooth smile. I felt my insides flip upside down.
“Sure,” I said with as much confidence as I could muster. “Why not?”
Millie gave me a look that suggested she didn’t quite believe me, but she quickly replied, “Great. I’ll go invite them over.”
I was in awe of her confidence, her swagger. She rose with no hesitation, the sexy green halter dress making her stand out like some exotic creature out in the wild. Her hair, pulled into a loose side braid, blew in the breeze, tossing tiny pieces of blonde hair around her face. The messy look somehow only enhanced her beauty. No doubt she was the envy of every girl in a ten-mile radius.
I listened in as she approached the men. Their faces lit up the second she appeared, like they’d suddenly stumbled upon an angel. She leaned over, annoying the crap out of me as she flaunted her assets—one in particular. The men stared up at her in wonder, laughing, as she casually asked them where they were from. Her North Carolina drawl, something she usually watered down since moving to Florida, was out in plain sight.
“New Jersey,” one replied. “Out for a bachelors’ weekend.”
“Oh, and which of you handsome gentlemen is getting married?”
The three of them pointed to the fourth, a gangly sort of guy who reminded me of a kid I had gone to school with. He was the nicest guy in the world, but when it came to anything outside of a textbook, he was horribly awkward. The same could be said for the groom-to-be. He smiled up at her with a sheepish sort of grin, but held back when his friends were all but drooling by now.
“Sounds like you are in for some fun. Can we join you? Or vice versa?” she asked, adding a little Southern twang for effect.
It worked because, instantly, the three single guys were grabbing chairs and making room for us.
“Oh Lord, here we go,” I muttered to myself as she waved me over.
Following directions, I grabbed my beer and did my best sashay toward the other side of the patio. Not nearly making the impression my sister had, I still managed to get a few grins.
Not bad for a girl seriously out of practice with the art of flirting. And, in all honesty, I’d never really mastered the skill anyhow.
My sister, on the other hand? Total pro.
It was a wonder we were related.
I took a seat between two of the guys—the sexy surfer and his preppy-looking friend. My sister was already cozying up to the self-proclaimed leader of the pack.
“Jesse,” he said, holding out his hand to mine.
I politely took it, ignoring the territorial glances from my sister.
“You two local?” he asked.
The sexy surfer known as Gabe flagged down the waiter. I tried to hide my face as a guy I knew from high school sauntered over. Hitting on tourists was an offense likely to land me in the local gossip mill.
And as the butt of about a hundred different jokes.
Thankfully, Millie had this situation handled and took charge. “Hey, Billy. These are our friends from out of state. Think you could do us a favor and start a tab?”
Billy gave us a wry look, shaking his head with a smirk across his face. My sister wasn’t nearly as convincing as she believed.
“Sure thing, Millie. Good to see you,” he said, starting with one end of the table and working his way down.
“You, too,” she replied.
I ordered another beer as a cool breeze worked its way through the open patio. At anytime of the year, this place was packed. Even in the dead of summer when the air felt so heavy you could scoop it, tourists and locals alike would flood this place for the view alone.
It helped that they had amazing food, too.
“So, are you two twins?” Gabe asked, his eyes set on me.
“No,” I replied, “but I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m the oldest, by a few years.”
“Must be good genes because I can barely tell you two apart.”
“Well then, I guess we’ll just have to stick around, so you can stare a bit longer.”
I nearly choked on my beer bottle. Looking up at my baby sister, I gave her a hard stare.
She smiled innocently and mouthed the words, Loosen up.
I honestly didn’t know how to loosen up. Maybe back in high school when life had been simple and drinking beer from our parents’ fridge had been the most exhilarating moment of my day. But now? Now, my life was filled with bills and priorities.
Being an adult had sucked all the fun right out of me.
Another beer was set down in front of me, courtesy of Billy, and I took a moment to stare at the shape of it.
Loosen up?
Grabbing it with my left hand, I downed it, taking several large sips. I met my sister’s wide eyes, and she giggled.
“So, which one of you handsome gentlemen wants to buy a girl another drink?”
Sexy surfer guy laughed, eagerly holding his hand up.
Guessed I was jumping on board.
Time for some fun.