Page 27 of Better Than the Beach
I stick my phone in my pocket and follow everyone down the aisle to deplane, then make my way to the exit. I was hoping my excitement for this beach vacation would reignite by the time I stepped outside and breathed in the salty sea breeze, but instead all I feel is disappointed. I try to ignore the quiet longing I feel for a charming Bed and Breakfast and snowcapped mountains.
“CASSIE! Over here!”
I look up to find two of my friends waving at me from a topless Jeep, so I head toward them and climb into the back seat. Kaia grew up here, so it makes sense that she’s driving, and she turns to give me a big grin.
“I’m so glad you made it! My mom’s been worried for the last week, so now she can stop obsessively checking the weather app.”
Kaia pulls away from the curb and starts driving. I keep my eyes glued on the scenery. It’s beautiful, no doubt, but I find myself frowning at the palm trees and angry with the heat. I give my head a little shake and slip on my sunglasses.
I am here to have fun, not mope over the end of my holiday fling.
“And you’re just in time, too,” my other friend, Penny, chimes in. “We’re going to have a party on Kai’s beach after the Christmas feast.”
I send Kaia a grin in the rearview mirror.
“You have your own beach?”
“It’s the beach close to my house,” Kai says with a laugh. “But it’s mostly just us and the neighbors. Not very well known to tourists.”
“Speaking of neighbors,” Pen says, then turns all the way around in the seat to look at me. “Kai’s neighbor is gorgeous,andhe surfs,andhe bartends.”
Pen wiggles her eyebrows, no doubt remembering my lose the V-card plan for winter break. My stomach flips remembering just how that plan turned out.
“Abartending surfer, Cass,” Pen stresses when I don’t react, and I force myself to smile.
“A bartending surfer,” I repeat, and without meaning to, my hand clutches at my phone in my pocket.
* * *
“Let’s go, Cassie! We’re going to be late!”
“Coming!”
I give myself another glance in the mirror while I listen to the phone ring. It goes to voicemail just like it did the last two times I called, but this time, I decide to woman-up and leave a message.
Hi. You’ve reached the voice mailbox of Mallory Evans. Please leave a brief message and I will call you back as soon as I can.
“Hey Mal, it’s Cassie. Just calling to let you know I landed safely, and I’m finally putting my sundresses to use. I’m not sure if my texts have gone through, but um, I figured I’d call.”
I hesitate, contemplating whether or not I should mention Nolan, but then I decide against it.
“Anyway, give me a call when you get this. And tell everyone I said Merry Christmas. Talk to you soon.”
I hang up with a sigh, then pull up my group chat with Ivy and Bailey.
Me
How many texts are too many texts at this point?
Bailey
How many have you sent?
Me
Three texts. Three unanswered phone calls. One voicemail.
Ivy
