Page 108 of Bayside Heat
Drake didn’t miss the hesitation in Rick’s voice, and he had a feeling he knew why. “I know I just sold you on moving back home, but what can I say, Rick? She’s my home. I didn’t realize that then, but I know it now.”
“Right. Of course,” Rick said. “I’m not worried about me. Can you be happy here? You’ve never wanted to leave the Cape. You hated being away for college.”
The girls’ voices floated up from the cabin, chatting excitedly about the Perpetual Bliss doughnut as Serena climbed the stairs in her crocheted bikini top and cutoffs. Their eyes locked, and her luscious lips spread into a mile-wide grin that reached into his chest and caressed his heart.
“All I know is,” he said to Rick, “I can’t be happy without her.”
THE BALMY AFTERNOON was perfectly breezy out on the water. They went tubing, whipping over the water at breakneck speeds, as carefree as summer afternoons were meant to be. They swam in the frigid sea, and Serena clung to Drake as he teased her about being shark bait and how one tug of her bikini string would make him a happy man. She baked in the sun with the girls, giggling about their men and talking about weddings and futures. The guys tossed teasing barbs, their hearty laughter filling the air. Hagen was back and forth, hanging with the girls as much as the guys. When Mira got too warm, they went into the cabin, where she put her feet up, and the girls took turns rubbing her shoulders and feeling the baby kick. Desiree talked about having babies with Rick, and Emery said she could wait on little ones. The day could only be more perfect if Chloe, Harper, and Violet were there. But the girls said Chloe had been called into work, and Harper’s screenplay had finally been optioned. She was preparing to leave for Los Angeles later that week, and she didn’t know when she’d be back. They were all very excited for her, and she promised to keep them updated on movie news. The timing was perfect, since Daphne would be on board at the resort.
Everyone’s life was moving in new directions.
Serena’s life had taken a new direction, too, as exciting as it was difficult.
As the sun began to set, she sat on the deck with Emery, soaking it all in. Rick and Dean were fishing at the far end of the boat. Mira’s and Desiree’s voices floated up from the cabin, where they were busy cooking dinner. Matt was in the cabin, too, plucking away at his laptop, working on his next book. Serena looked across the deck at the man who had made today possible. Drake had Hagen slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, earning infectious little-boy giggles. He glanced over, and the jubilation in his eyes made her heart sing. Drake needed these people, their family, as much as she did. She might feel like she was in a constant state of overdrive, racing from one location or one client to the next. Trying to keep up with the demands of some annoying clients and others who brought sheer pleasure, while building a relationship with Drake and trying to maintain treasured friendships. But being on overdrive wasn’t so bad when she had the best friends, and the best man a girl could hope for.
After dinner, they docked the boat and went for a walk along the harbor. Serena told them about the pub where she had gone out for drinks with Gavin last night and where they’d sang karaoke with their other friends from work.
“Do we need to check out this Gavin dude?” Rick asked Drake.
“Nah. I’ve met him. Seems like a good guy.” He kissed Serena and said, “Besides, my girl doesn’t cheat.”
“She doesn’t have to. When you’re not around, you send her Chocolate Orgasms,” Emery said with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. She grabbed Dean’s hand and said, “I feel a need for one of those coming on.”
“What’s a chocolate orgasm?” Hagen blinked wide eyes up at Matt.
Mira looked at Emery and mouthed, Thanks!
“I think Emery meant to say chocolate organism,” Matt answered. “She really wants a chocolate doughnut.”
“Yes, organism,” Emery confirmed.
“I want a chocolate doughnut, too, but I want the one named after Drake and Serena.” Hagen took Matt’s hand, his brows furrowed in concentration. “Dad, I think we need to take Auntie Emery to the aquarium with us next time so you can teach her about organisms. Doesn’t she know they have to be alive?”
