Page 69 of On The Beach

Darcy strolled over, glancing from me to the table with a bemused smile. "Mick, you didn't tell me we'd be socializing tonight."

I introduced her to everyone.

A server discreetly moved our wine to Belle's table and added a chair for Darcy.

"I love your articles," Anna squealed. "Don't you, Belle?"

Belle looked at Darcy balefully. "I don't even know who you are, no offense."

"None taken. I'm hiscousin, by the way, so he's not ever giving me any orgasms," Darcy informed Belle, whowasdrinking water and spluttered some of it.

"Ah." I gestured to Darcy as Belle's sister and brother-in-law looked on with mild surprise. "Yes, Darcy is my father's sister's daughter. Well, stepfather, but he was my Dad for all practical purposes."

Anna's face lit up. "Belle said she hated you, but since you're a cousin?—"

"I'm going to go." Belle stood up. "You're all crazy. Nuts. Batshit?—"

"Sit your ass down." Anna grabbed her sister's hand and yanked, so she had no choice but to take a seat. "You know, you have to loosen up."

"You do need to loosen up," I added some fuel to the fire.

"I…I'm loose enough," she childishly replied.

"No, you aren't," Dan agreed with his wife and me.

"Are too," Belle protested, and then her shoulders slumped. She looked at Darcy. "Are you sure you're his cousin? He mentioned he isn't close toanyof his family and only talks to his mothersometimesand only out of guilt."

"Last I checked, I was…amhis cousin." Darcy laughed. "He's insufferably distant most of the time, but he's family. I see him when I see him…last time was, what, three years ago? After you ended your engagement with the Dirty Whore?"

"Dirty Whore?" Anna was curious. "I need to know more."

"His ex," Belle mumbled. "She cheated on him."

"I never thought I'd see him moving back to Boston." Darcy patted my shoulder. "I'm glad you're here. I've missed you."

Belle's expression soured further, if possible. "Moved back? You haven't moved back."

I shrugged, savoring her irritation. "Whatever you say, Babycakes."

She cringed at the Babycakes. I didn't do it in the lab because that was a professional place, but here, I was going to take advantage and do everything I could to make her see that we made afinepair.

"You live in Reef Harbor," Belle said touchily.

"What can I say? The city missed me." I flashed her a broad grin. "Besides, it's more fun when you're around."

Anna looked at us with barely concealed amusement. She turned to Belle, her eyes bright. "See, Belle, now you can tell Daddy he's not an unemployed bum."

Belle's lips pressed into a thin line, though her family was clearly enjoying themselves.

Dan raised his glass to me, smiling. "Here's to Dr. Augustus. Always good to see another man brave enough to win over a Volnay woman."

I let out a low chuckle. "Trust me, it takes work."

"Tell me about it," Dan let out a long-suffering sigh.

Belle glared at her brother-in-law, her voice tight. "He's not tryingto win me over, so can it."

I held up a hand, feigning surrender, but couldn't help the smug grin. "Now, Babycakes, you know I am here to woo you. Is it a challenge? Yes. Am I all in? Also, yes."

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