Page 70 of Taming Waves

We spend the next forty-five minutes scraping plates and loading the dishwasher while the guys return to the beach to remove debris, gather the oyster shells, and fill in the holes left by the fire and roasting station.

After everything is settled, everyone gathers in the living room, where Lennon has the enormous television tuned to a football game. Wade, Eden, and Dillon decide to call it a night because her feet are beginning to swell.

“I’ll be at your place around nine to check on the crew’s progress,” Wade tells Parker before he and his family say their goodbyes and leave.

“What’s he checking on?” I ask.

“I’m remodeling the bathrooms in the condo,” Parker says.

“I thought that was a rental.”

“It was. I purchased it from my aunt and uncle and closed on it last week.”

“Really? You’re a homeowner? Be careful; someone might mistake you for an adult,” I tease.

He shifts over to the spot Eden just vacated, sitting next to me on the sofa. “I’m trying to be,” he replies.

“I can see that,” I murmur. “Congratulations on the condo, by the way.”

He rests his head on my shoulder, and I run my fingers through his silky hair as we watch the game. It’s familiar, it’s comfortable, and it’s terrifying.

“You guys are welcome to stay the night. Fresh linens are on the bed in the guest room upstairs to the right, and there are towels in the closet in the bathroom,” I hear Amiya whisper through the fog of sleep I’m in.

“Thanks,” Parker replies quietly.

“See you all in the morning,” Lennon adds.

I blink my eyes open, and the living room is dark, except for the glow from the television, which casts a low light. I’m curled up against Parker, wrapped in a blanket, and his hand is mindlessly caressing my side as he watches the movie.

He feels me stir and looks down at me.

“Hey,” I say, my voice hoarse from sleep.

“Hey, you,” he whispers back.

“What time is it?” I ask.

He reaches for his phone in his pocket. “It’s a little past two in the morning.”

I sit up and glance around the room. “Where did everyone go?”

“Sebastian and Avie left about an hour ago. Anson just went to pick up a friend from Whiskey Joe’s,” he replies.

I groan. “It’s not Heather, is it?”

He chuckles softly. “No, I think he’s scared of Heather. It’s someone else.”

“Good. I’m afraid they’d kill each other,” I say. “I should probably go.”

His arm around me tightens. “You’re exhausted, and you’ve been drinking. Amiya said we could crash here.”

“I didn’t drink that much, and it was hours ago. And I don’t want to impose,” I say.

“Well, I do. We’re down to one bathroom, which means I have to share mine with Anson and his guest. The last thing I want to wake up to is his naked ass in the middle of the night. Besides, it’s not imposing when it’s friends.”

I make a disgusted face.

“Exactly. You see my dilemma,” he says, tapping my nose. “Now, curl back up and watch this movie with me, okay?”

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