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Fuck. Did I say that out loud? I go to make an excuse, but our eyes flash to a loud motor sound coming across the ocean. It’s a plane flying across the surf. They mostly advertise restaurants or events on the island. However, this time it’s the carnival. The same carnival that we used to go to when we were kids. I watch it and smile, remembering back to all the times we spent there. When we were little, my parents let us ride all the rides and have all the sugary treats that only carnivals can provide.
Once we got older, it was “Here’s some money, go play.” Those were the days we brought Derek with us. The times we spent raising hell and having fun, playing games, riding the rides, and staying out as late as we could. My parents would still make an appearance at the carnival but only to hang out with their friends and see the exhibits. They would check in on us and make sure we had enough money or that we weren’t on too much of a sugar high, or worse yet, in some kind of trouble. We never were in any trouble, but they always teased us that trouble would find us wherever we went. More like trouble would always find the boys. I was just along for the ride. And if Derek was there, I didn’t care if it was going to get us in trouble with Mom and Dad—I was in. I would do whatever involved spending time with Derek.
“Look at that. We’re both here at the perfect time for the carnival,” Derek remarks, pointing at the sky.
“I enjoyed those so much,” I reply.
I catch him watching me, a wide smile on his face.
“What?” I ask.
“We should definitely do anything that makes you smile like that.”
“I was just remembering all the good times we had there together.” I wonder if it that was a bad idea. Did I make him think of Aiden and how he might not like this interaction that’s been happening between us? But I don’t necessarily care. I’ve lusted after Derek Walsh for as long as I can remember.
“We did have some good times, which is why we gotta do it. Plus, I think you could use a good night out to get your mind off things. You keep staring off into space, like you’re not quiet in the same room as me. Maybe this will help.”
“Absolutely,” I say with a laugh. But the selling of this house isn’t the reason I’ve been so distracted in his presence. It’s the man whose sweating body is in front of me.
“What? What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I reply, but I don’t sound very convincing.
He advances on me and gets into my space. “You can tell me.”
I want to lean into him and lick the sweat lines running down his chiseled chest. “I’m okay,” I finally get out.
He smirks and backs up, and I can feel my pride deflate a little bit. That might have been a chance to try something with him. Maybe get him to see me as more than his best friend’s little sister.
He chuckles. “You just let me know if that changes.”
We stand there chugging down the water and staring out at the sea.
“So, the carnival—that’s a plan for tonight, right?” he confirms, looking over at me.
“Yeah, I think it’ll be fun.”
“You and I could both use some fun.” He wiggles his eyebrows in my direction, smiling.
I flush as my gaze travels up and down his body. I look up to see he’s staring at me with raised eyebrows, seemingly waiting for me to say something. Instead, I just bite my lower lip, and his eyes dart down to them. I swear his breath hitches just a bit, but he looks away first and breaks the moment.
CHAPTER NINE
I loved the carnival as a kid—the cotton candy, the smell of fried foods, the rides, and of course, the fireworks display. There weren’t any concerts like some venues had. Corolla is small and has a nice hometown feel to it, which is a little out of character for a beach town. But I think that’s what makes it that much more special.
Now here I am many years and carnival trips later, getting ready to head there with Derek. Even though we’ve gone together before, something about this feels different. I definitely spent a little extra time on my appearance. I’m wearing jean shorts that are just a little tighter and shorter than what I’ve been wearing around him so far. My white tank top is tight across my chest and grazes the top of the shorts, bearing just the right amount of skin. My long hair hangs long and straight down my back. The humidity of the night air will make me pull it up, I’m sure. But for now, I want to leave it down.
“You ready?” he asks me, knocking on my bedroom door.
“Yeah, let’s go.” I head toward the door, tripping on a sneaker in my path. “Crap,” I yell as I fly forward.
Derek steps into action and grabs my forearms. He steadies me, snickering. “You okay there, Aud?”
“I’m fine.” I turn fifty shades of red.
“Still so graceful.” He’s still teasing me, and I loathe it.
I didn’t want to make an ass out of myself in front of him. I wanted him to see cool, fun, and sexy Audrey, not the one who also trailed after him as a kid hoping for some attention.
