Page 251 of Castleton Hearts Boxed Set

The clear winner was the cutout black suit that made my body look incredible and showed just enough skin.

I added a gauzy pink caftan for a cover up, and Natalie’s floppy hat again. I mean, she wasn’t using it.

Suit selected, I deep conditioned my hair and put on a face mask to give me glowing skin.

I couldn’t figure out why I was so nervous about the beach day. I mean, Alivia had seen me at the beach before, but having her come with me for the entire day was different. I wondered what kind of swimsuit she’d wear. Something athletic, probably. I couldn't picture her in one of my frilly suits. No frills for Alivia. She was all about clean lines.

Bag packed, I spent the rest of the night trying to find a movie to watch and imagining Alivia in a bunch of different swimsuits.

If I was honest, I also pictured what she looked like under those swimsuits.

* * *

Natalie, Em, and I stopped at the bakery to get breakfast for us all before we picked Alivia up. Esme and Paige were running a little late. Linley and Gray had a day date, so they already had plans.

“I should have asked Alivia what she’d want. I got a cherry tart because she liked the other one,” I said as I looked into the box of breakfast items. I’d gotten myself a strawberry-frosted donut with sprinkles, as well as an egg, bacon, and cheese croissant. There were other donuts, sandwiches, and even a bagel with tomato, avocado, and hummus on it in case anyone was so inclined. Paige and Esme were bringing iced coffee and tea for everyone. Brunch at the beach was pretty much the best thing on a Sunday that I could think of.

“Wait, what other cherry tart?” Natalie asked. “When did you see Alivia eat a cherry tart?”

Oh, shit.

“Oh, uh, she got one once at the bakery,” I said, trying to cover my ass.

I wasn’t going to tell Natalie that I’d brought one to her at the inn. That would be weird.

She seemed satisfied with this answer and then pulled into the parking lot at the inn. A gardener was out front, watering the flowers before the sun was too high in the sky.

“You should tell her we’re here,” Natalie said.

“I don’t have her number,” I said. I hadn’t gotten it last night.

“If you don’t have her number, then how did you ask her to come to the beach?” Em asked.

“I, uh, ran into her at the bar last night when you asked me. She was right there, so it worked out,” I said. Another lie. I was racking them up.

“Good timing,” Natalie said. I couldn’t look at her or Em.

“Yeah,” I said, my eyes on the porch.

“See if Linley has her number,” Natalie said, but the front door to the inn opened and Alivia walked down the steps.

She had a pair of aviators resting on her nose, ripped shorts on her legs, and another tank from the inn that was too tight to be decent.

One of the inn’s tote bags hung over her shoulder.

“Good morning,” Natalie said as Alivia got in the back with me.

“Thanks for giving me a ride, and for inviting me,” Alivia said.

“You’re really representing the family business,” I said.

“I’m not going to turn down free clothes,” she said. That was a good point.

“I guess I can’t talk. I wear stuff from the bakery all the time.” In fact, I had a sweatshirt from the bakery in my beach bag, in case I got cold.

“The inn even does towels,” Alivia said, pulling one out and showing it to me.

“I should do that for the bakery,” I said, making a mental note. We could do ones with patterns on them and then the bakery logo stitched prominently.

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