Page 68 of The Beachgoers
Until, in the shadows, Nick taps Shane’s shoulder and cuts in on his dance.
Leaving Shane high and dry on the dance floor.
But only for a few seconds. Only until he spots Celia sitting alone in a booth. When he turns up his hands to her, she joins him then. And, funny thing, Kyle thinks. She presses her face to Shane’s shoulder as though she’s maybe done this before. As though maybe she can sneak in that touch in the room’s dark shadows—where everyone’s preoccupied with their own whispers, their own moves.
Heck, even Elsa lets loose tonight. First with Cliff, until he goes outside to help set up the dessert table. Then with Mitch—who gets everyone to try shagging when the next record drops. Feet shuffle and they all romp along, dancing pretty much from the hip down as Mitch busts hissouthernmoves on the dance floor. Oh, but Matt gives him a run for his money, matching him dance step for dance step with Eva.
Kyle and Lauren get in on the action, too. As they shag together, their feet skim through each turn—their steps small as they dance close, then back away.All right, Kyle thinks.Doesn’t get much better than this.
* * *
The thing is? It does get better. All it takes is Elsa and Celia inviting everyone outside for dessert. The whole gang crosses the lush lawn and walks through the secret path to the beach again. Dune grasses whisper; a crescent moon rises; distant waves lap at shore.
Emerging from the dune grass, guests kick off sandals and shoes on the way to a canopied dessert table on the sand. It’s a table like none Kyle has ever seen. Sheer curtains are loosely tied back around it. Tea-light candles flicker in Mason jars hanging from the top of the canopy’s framework. More candles illuminate the long dessert table—a table covered with wine bottles and frosted wedding cake and salted caramel cupcakes and Mitch’s Coca-Cola cake—its chocolate frosting dotted with flecks of white marshmallow. There are china plates and crystal goblets and sparkling silver flatware, too.
Then there’s the jazz combo set up on the beach now. Bass notes rise like the mist, while brushes sweep over the drums and a keyboard brings in the melody.
Lauren stands at the entrance of the curtained table. A breeze blows wisps of her hair as the guests gather around. “Kyle and I are so thrilled to have you all here tonight. It means the world to us.” As she steps aside, she motions for everyone to have a seat. “So come on in. Because the sweetest way to enjoy dessert is at the edge of the sea!”
Apparently true, Kyle thinks as the party moves seaside.
As Jason drapes his suit jacket over Maris’ shoulders.
As Shane pulls out a chair for Celia while whispering near her ear.
As Nick taps his fork on a crystal goblet, getting everyone else to do the same.
As the crystal-clinking doesn’t stop until Kyle leans close and kisses his bride.
And kisses her again.
As someone calls out for them to get a room.
As Vinny challenges anyone interested to a night swim race.
As all the guys wave him off.
As Mitch makes Elsa laugh, which gets her to sputter on her Coca-Cola cake.
As wine is poured.
As talk flows.
As everyone moves outside the canopy to stroll the beach.
As the stroll turns into the guys trying to lift Kyle and throw him into the water.
Until Kyle escapes and leads them all back to that draped table for more food and drink.
As Kyle, to himself, tallies which of tonight’s moments are the absolute best.
* * *
“Oh, this salt air,” Kyle says around a mouthful of caramel cupcake. “Gives me such an appetite.”
“Me, too,” Matt chimes in, forking a hunk of dessert off his plate. “I can’t get enough of this cola cake. What the hell’s in it?”
Mitch sits back in his chair and draws a hand along his goatee. “Secret recipe, boys.”
