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And then I take off into a line of palm trees right before the rest of the pie bombs start flying through the air.
“Kat!”
“Kathryn!”
“Grr!”
But it’s too late. I’m already gone.
Chapter 16
I shout after Kathryn’s fleeing figure after the first pie smacks wetly against my chest. Before I can move to give chase, I'm bombarded by a barrage of soaring baked goods. Blueberry bursts across my shoulder, lemon meringue splatters my arm, and apple oozes down my back. The chicken suit offers no protection from the ruthless assault.
Laughter and shouts ring out as Kathryn's family members emerge from every direction, flinging pies with gleeful abandon. I swipe banana cream out of my eyes just in time to see Wilder get nailed right in the face with key lime. Even Emrys grunts as a chocolate pie explodes across his barreled chest.
We're hopelessly outnumbered and surrounded. Kathryn is long gone, the little traitor. I remind myself this is meant to be good fun even as I spit out a glob of cherry filling.
"Tasty," Wilder grumbles good-naturedly, attempting to wipe the pie residue from his strong jawline. His cocky composure not at all a casualty in this battle. In fact, he seems to be enjoying himself.
Emrys just shakes his head, flinging bits of chocolate from his long mane of hair. I almost want to laugh at the unlikely sight of this hulking, intimidating figure splattered with dessert.
"It seems we've been initiated," I concede wryly, accepting my crusty, fruit-adorned fate. If this is what it takes to earn Kathryn's family approval, so be it. I catch a glimpse of her vibrant smile across the beach as she leans casually against a palm tree like a queen leaning against her throne, solely responsible for our current predicament. Yet, I find I don't mind one bit.
This fierce, fascinating woman is burrowing her way beneath my defenses, whether I like it or not.
The attackers have all fled into the trees or down the beach–back to wherever they came from–and I can’t help the quirk of my lips. She’s still lounging against the palm tree without a care in the world, but as I straighten my spine, she picks up on the subtle change and stiffens like a deer who just heard a noise in the woods.
I turn to Emrys and Wilder, both looking as absurdly dessert-splattered as I feel. "Gentlemen, I believe we have a mischief-maker to catch."
Wilder's eyes gleam, his grin dripping with blueberry filling. "Thought you'd never ask, buddy. Last one to grab Kat buys the drinks tonight!"
And with that, he takes off down the beach. Emrys rumbles his agreement and strides after Kat's trail purposefully, powerful muscles bunching. Never one to be left behind, I quickly join the chase.
Kat squeals before turning and racing off, but she’s far outmatched now.
My shoes sink into the sand as I run, weighing me down, so I fling them off with wild abandon. Up ahead, Emrys barrels forward like an unstoppable freight train. Wilder keeps pace, gliding smoothly across the dunes.
I grit my teeth and push harder. Sand sprays behind me as the shoreline whips by in a blur. The sun beats down, pie filling mixing with sweat, the absurd chicken suit plastered uncomfortably to my chest. Still, I won't let our elusive quarry escape so easily. I summon every last ounce of energy for one final burst of speed.
And there, running near the water's edge, is Kathryn.
Her vibrant yellow sundress hugs her curves enticingly as she splashes through the shallow surf, carefree and radiant beneath the tropical sun as she dodges the few meanderers on the beach. Chest heaving, I nearly trip as I take her in. Golden droplets cling to her sun-kissed skin and flyaway strands of her hair dance in the sea breeze. Joy emanates from her, pure and unbridled.
I gain on her and cut her off on her right, heading straight for the waves without hesitation. Her eyes widen comically as I scoop her up amidst her surprised squeal. "Wyatt, don't you da-"
Her threat dies as we hit the water in an impressive splash, submerging us both beneath the crystal surface. We emerge, sputtering and laughing. Kathryn swats at my shoulder indignantly but her eyes give her away, sparkling with amusement.
"You're absolutely incorrigible," she admonishes, but there's no bite to it.
I just grin back unrepentantly. "All's fair in love and war, darling."
Before she can respond, two additional splashes sound on either side of us as Wilder and Emrys join our impromptu ocean frolic. The sound of Kathryn's unrestrained laughter mingles with the gentle lap of waves as they both bombard her with splashing water. Even with my drenched chicken suit plastered uncomfortably to my skin, I can't help grinning at the absolute wonder in her sparkling turquoise eyes.
“You brutes are ruining my dress!” Kathryn protests amidst giggles as Wilder sends an arc of water splashing her way.
“Whoops, sorry darlin’,” he drawls, utterly unrepentant, he apparently lives to rile her up.
Unable to resist, I wade closer, leaving the waist-deep surf to shallower parts, and loop my arms around Kathryn’s cinched waist. “Here, allow me,” I murmur before letting us fall backwards into the crystal waters, submerging us both.
