Page 29 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
Chapter Eight
DRAKE AWOKE TO the sound of his cell phone vibrating on the nightstand. He bolted upright, disoriented after being awake for most of the night. He’d been in a state of euphoria when he’d left Serena’s cottage, having finally let her feel his emotions instead of hiding them. But when he’d gotten home, he’d been swamped with worry. He’d done the exact thing he’d sworn he wouldn’t do. He’d beenthis closeto making love to her. Even without that next level of intimacy, he’d crossed every line he’d ever drawn between them—and despite his worries, he didn’t regret a second of it.
But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t worry like crazy.
He snagged his phone, hoping not to see the worddelete. Relief swept through him as he read Serena’s message.Thanks for the best night of my life. And for making me more confused. xoxox.She added a smiling emoji.
“Best night, huh? Nice to know I’m not alone in that.” Before he could type a response, another message popped up.And don’t you DARE textDELETEor I’ll come back and punch you in your wonderful mouth! Love you.
A kissing emoji popped up.
Another message bubble appeared.I meant I love you like I always say to you and Rick and Dean. Not I love you like a boyfriend.
He sat up on the edge of the bed, smiling as another message came through.That sounds bad. You know what I mean. See? You definitely confused me! Goodbye! See you this weekend to work on the shop.
“What have I done to you, Supergirl?” he mumbled as he typed a reply.So…you like my mouth, huh? Love you too, Supergirl.
Drake pulled on his running clothes and texted Rick.Ready to run?
Rick’s response was immediate.We thought you blew us off. Hurry your butt up.
A brisk breeze, sunshine, and the sound of the bay kissing the shore were welcome companions as they ran down the beach. Drake looked forward to their morning runs, even in the winter, when the bitter cold brought them to the streets rather than the beach. Running took all the starch out of him before work each day, and catching up with the guys was always a nice way to start the day. They knew when to give each other space and when to push—emotionally and physically. Drake caught up to Rick and Dean about half a mile down the beach.
“You don’t look like a guy who finally got his girl,” Rick said.
Before Rick and Dean had fallen for their significant others, they’d dish about the women they’d gone out with. There was no way Drake was going to share any intimate information about Serena. “Yeah? Well, you look like a guy who’s about to get his butt kicked.”
Dean snickered.
“Tabling this discussion,” Rick said with a smirk. “Moving on to more important things, like why didn’t anyone warn me that there was so much stuff to plan for a wedding?”
“Emery said you were having a simple beach wedding,” Dean said. “What’s so complicated? Get someone to officiate, throw on some nice clothes, and get hitched.”
“You’d think so,” Rick said. “But Desiree is arrangingtasting sessionswith Brandy up in P-town. Tasting sessions. It’s a cake. It could come from the grocery store and no one would care.”
“Brandy’s doing the catering for our grand opening, too. Don’t you remember Serena and I doing a tasting with her last month? And that’snota wedding. You really don’t understand women,” Drake said. “Desiree’s probably been dreaming of her wedding day forever, like most women. She wants everything to be perfect.”
“I’m glad you understand, because she wants all of us, guys and girls, to go to the tasting. She said our wedding plans should include all our friends.” Rick smirked.
“Great,” Drake said flatly.
Rick chuckled. “And flowers? Who knew picking them out could be so hard? Desiree set out pictures of different bouquets all over our bedroom. She said she needs to see which onefeelsright.”
“I knew I liked her,” Dean said. Having previously owned a landscaping business, he was all about flowers and plants. Now, not only did he manage the grounds of the resort, but he also maintained the gardens at the hospital where he’d once worked as a trauma nurse, as well as at LOCAL, where his grandmother lived.
Rick scowled. “You just wait. When are you and Emery going to tie the knot?”
They split up to run around a couple sitting on the beach, and while Dean and Rick talked about weddings, Drake’s mind traveled back to last night, to the moment he’d lifted Serena into his arms and had finally kissed her—and then he revisited every touch, every taste, every one of her sweet sounds. He’d made a liar of himself. But now, in the light of day, listening to Dean and Rick talk about their weddings, when he should feel selfish and apologetic, he didn’t. And given the chance, he’d do it all over again. That probably made him even more of a selfish jerk, especially since he’d been right. On the cusp of what should be the most exciting time of Serena’s life, he’d confused her.
“Drake!” Rick grabbed his arm and yanked him around a log he’d nearly run into. “Whoa, dude.Nowyou look like the guy who got the girl. What happened? You zoned out for that last two miles.”
“Serena,” he said absently as the resort came into view. Wow. He really had zoned out. He hadn’t even registered turning around. “She happened to me.”
“It’s about frigging time,” Dean said.
“Does that mean you’ve given yourself permission to be a mere mortal?” Rick asked.
Drake was not in the mood to be given grief. “What…?”
