Page 103 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
Barrett took my cheeks in his hands. “Sweetheart, I love your kisses.”
As if to prove the point, he kissed me again. I smiled against his lips, a little drunk on the taste of him.Already, I love today.
After cleaning up a little bit, I found all three of the guys still in their boxers plus t-shirts in the main part of the house. Yawning again, I wondered which of them had the sense to rummage around in the laundry basket to find the t-shirts? Julian stood over a frying pan with sizzling eggs, while Jeremy watched over his shoulder. Barrett sipped coffee, watching his brothers from a safe distance.
“Want some help?” I asked, shocked to see them actually trying.
Itmight be okay to wake up like this every morning for the rest of my life.Eggs with the Lents.It could be an event.
As the sunglared off the water, I couldn’t help but mentally thank Phoenix for the sunblock reminder and appreciate my sunglasses. Gentle waves lapped at my thighs as we waded into the water together. It was cool against my skin and I gasped when it made contact with my belly in the black bikini. Compared to the hot sand, the difference jarred me. A glancearound again proved it seemed to be an entirely private beach, as though the stretch of perfection belonged specifically to the Lents, but I got to play in it today. The waves became rougher as we got deeper, every wave taking me slightly off my feet before gently allowing me to touch my toes to the pristine sand.
Julian splashed Jeremy, their laughter a beautiful sound. As water polo players, they were great swimmers. They showed off that strength as they dived under the water then arched above it, their abdomens sparkling in the sunshine. Barrett swam ahead, cutting through the water like a seal, reminding me how Jeremy admitted all rich, trust fund kids were good at water sports. I tried to remember his choice sport …crew?Regardless, he could swim, too. I didn’t try to keep up. I could stand when the waves weren’t moving me, and I enjoyed the weightless sensation. The ocean felt so different from a lake or a pool.
A noise caught my attention, so I turned to see Phoenix wading toward me. The vacancy in his gaze told me he wasn’t entirely there. I quickly got to his side, not wanting him to drown.
As soon as I got to him, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he grabbed my waist. He lifted me, hugging my body against him. I sighed, loving the sensation of his warmth after the chilled water.
“Missed you,” I admitted while Jeremy yelled something to Julian. “You missed out on your brothers cooking eggs.”
He smirked at me. “Did they burn down the house?”
“No, they managed.” A seagull flew overhead, calling out as it circled over us once, checking for something to eat. I glanced out, thinking of all the things that lived in oceans, and decided perhaps it might be better to remain in blissful ignorance.
Phoenix laughed a little bit too loud, but I tucked my nose against his neck.
“Did any of them remember?” he asked.
I didn’t follow his question, so I shot in the dark. “About the sunblock? Yes, thanks to you I have it on.”
“That’s good. But no, I meant did any of them remember that today is the anniversary?”
No one had mentioned anything of significance to me. “If they know, they didn’t tell me. What are we talking about?”
He spun me around, like we danced in the waves. “Today is the anniversary of the day I was taken. It’s the last day that Walt and River were ever seen alive.”
My smile crumpled, my hold on him going a bit tighter. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“I’m the only one who remembers anymore. I think the rest of them jumble it up as a generalit happened in June.Better than my parents, who like to pretend it never even happened. I wondered if anyone else thought about it, is all.”
I kissed his chin. “I won’t forget. I’ll always remember.”
He put his forehead against my shoulder. “Thank you. I can’t feel any pain right now. Just the sun and the sea and you.”
I held him tighter.
After I showeredand with a smile on my face, I found Dina waiting on my patio. She and Barrett apparently had decided on food and were discussing which place we would visit.
Barrett wanted pie.When was the last time I ate pie?
Dina smiled at me. “I’m planning to be out for the rest of the day, as I was telling Barrett. João’s mother’s taken very ill, and the poor dear is almost ninety now. Anyway, I’m going to see her, bring her some flowers, cheer her up. I’ll expect to be in Manorville the rest of the day, then return quite late tonight,because I’m meeting some of my favorites at the diner. Oh, and Alatheia, therewillbe punishment. Count on it.”
For a second, I thought she meant she intended to punish me. The night before rushed back, and I swallowed hard.Did the ocean just wash away my memory?
I shook my head, reaching out a single hand toward her. “Dina, it might be best to leave it.”
“No, dear, you’re wrong. There needs to be a response. Sometime soon, your family will be reminded who they tried to hurt.” She whirled around. “Ciao, my darlings.”
Barrett shook his head. “Did she just sayciao?”
