Page 87 of Beachside Kisses With My Enemy

“I’m on it.”

“You’re an absolute gem, Lucy. Thank you.” Then she clips northward, presumably toward The Purple Seashell’s private beach, where the fireworks will be held in just a few hours.

Okay, no worries. I will just locate Dallas—or one of his many sisters or brothers—and solve this problem for Chloe before jumping in my car and heading for L.A. Though first I need to get Blake’s address from Marilee, because of course, I never got it from him. No problem. I’ll just look for her while I’m searching for Dallas.

Ha. Apparently, I really am an optimist, because it’s much harder to find someone in this crowd than I thought. I do manage a glimpse of Marilee while I’m searching for Dallas, but by the time I find him, she’s long gone. I huff out my frustration. At this rate, I’ll get to Blake by Christmas.

As I’m weaving and looking, I realize I can’t abandon my post anyway. The food line has gotten utterly ridiculous, so I sigh and head back to the tent, asking Thomas where I can pop in. He gives me brownie duty and sprints off to the kitchen for more chips, and I spend the next several hours greeting festival goers, handing out crumbling, delicious-smelling chocolate goodies, and pretending like my thoughts are right here in Hallmark Beach.

They’re not, though. They’re with him.

The sun sinks farther down the horizon line, and the sky’s now streaked with reds and yellows. People start to move toward the northern tip of the beach, and I can see them carrying blankets with them to set up and watch the fireworks display. We finally close the food tent at eight, and I trudge alone—along with a crowd of people—toward The Purple Seashell beach, rubbing the back of my stiff neck. My entire body drags, and I know already that it wouldn’t be smart to drive the four hours south to Los Angeles tonight.

But first thing in the morning? You bet your boots.

“Lucy!”

I want to duck my head and hide, because who needs something from me now? But then I see it’s Marilee waving at me from the spot where she’s sitting with Jordan and Ryder. Ryder is in Jordan’s lap rubbing his eyes and yawning in between bites of brownie.

Mare says something to Jordan, then hops up, brushes off her shorts, and walks toward where I stand, too tired to take another step. “I’ve been looking for you all day,” she says as she leans in for a hug. “Well, in between playing volleyball and eating and keeping Ryder entertained.”

First April, then Mare? “You played volleyball too?”

She smiled, something sad in it. “Ryder wanted to play in the parent-kid game, but Jordan was busy running the whole thing. He started to cry because his mom couldn’t be here”—her eyes fill with tears—“and so I offered, even though I’m obviously not his parent.”

If that isn’t the sweetest thing. “Wish I could have seen that.” My friend has such a heart of gold, especially where it concerns that little boy. “I’ve been looking for you too. I was wondering…do you have Blake’s address? The one in L.A.?”

Her nose scrunches. “I think so. Why?”

I kick at the ground with my sandaled foot, and some sand falls under my toes. “He left town already—and I have to get him back.”

Marilee’s eyes widen. “You want him back?”

“I know I said I couldn’t do this, but…Mare, I’m miserable. I made a mistake. And it might mean that I move away to L.A., and I hope you’ll forgive me for that but I lo?—”

She claps a hand over my mouth. “Don’t you dare tell me before you tell him.” Her eyes sparkle, even in the waning light of day. “And you’re such a goose, Lucy. He didn’t leave town. Well, he did. But just for the day. He’s back.” She points behind me. “And I think he’s looking for you too.”

“What?” I whip around so hard I almost fall over. And there, on the top of the cliffs, Blake’s standing in shorts and a button-up, short-sleeve casual shirt that’s whipping with the breeze. His hand is at his brow and he’s scanning the crowd.

My whole body lights up the second our gazes collide. He holds up a finger, as if telling me to wait right here. But I’m not waiting anymore. I shake my head…and start to run.

“Thanks, Mare,” I toss over my shoulder.

“Love you!” she calls back as I rush up the sand, rounding the rocky outlay and climb, climb, climbing until I reach the top.

Until I reach him.

When I’m only a few feet away, my steps slow, and my vision narrows until it’s filled only with Blake. The breeze sends his scent my way, and I’m enveloped, bathing in the citrusy notes of his cologne. The intensity of his blue gaze heats me slowly, and I find that I’m completely fine being scorched by him.

Is he a mirage? Is this a dream?

But no. He’s here and so am I, standing right on the edge of the cliff, together in the dark. The only light now is the stars above. Below us somewhere, thousands wait with bated breath for the firework show to begin.

Yet I only care about the fireworks sparking here, between us.

“I thought you left.”

“I did.” His eyes flit over my face, like he’s drinking me in. I know the feeling. “But not for the reasons you might think.” Then Blake’s wrapping his big hand around my waist, lowering his head to mine so our foreheads are touching. “I decided that I didn’t want to be like my dad, choosing to focus on regret and all the what ifs instead of embracing the gifts I’ve been given.”

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