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“Oh, Aaron! You have to take Sierra crabbing tonight,” Em said as she bounced around in her seat.
“What?” I asked.
Em tilted her head and looked at me with a smile that said she knew exactly what I was thinking about. Smirking at her, I rolled my eyes and looked at my father.
What. The. Hell. He was looking at me the same way.
“Crabbing! Aaron, Sierra just told me she has never been crabbing.”
Looking at Sierra, I laughed. “You own a house on South Padre. How have you never gone crabbing?”
Shrugging her shoulders, Sierra smiled. “I dunno. Just never have. Never had anyone to show me.”
Em let out a little squeal. “Now you do!”
I was about to say something when the waitress came over with a large pot. Dumping the food on the table, my mouth watered at the shrimp, crab legs and boiled potatoes.
Glancing over to Sierra, she looked like she had just seen a ghost. “Jesus H. Christ. They have the heads on still,” Sierra whispered as she grabbed onto my leg and stared at the food on the table. “You like shrimp, right?” I asked as I picked one up and ripped the head off and handed it to Sierra. She swallowed hard and then looked at me. Something inside me knew she was about to get sick.
Jumping up, I yelled out, “Oh, shit!”
Sierra put her hands over her mouth as I quickly pulled her up and hauled her outside with my parents and Em all calling out for us. Something kicked in and the idea of Sierra being sick had me wanting to do anything I could to take it away.
Pushing the exit door open, I picked up Sierra as she cried out, “Put me down! I’m going to hurl!”
Taking her around the building, I put her down. “Are you okay? Sierra, take a deep breath in and slowly blow it out.”
Then she did it. That move you do when you’re attempting not to throw up and your whole body jumps and your cheeks puff out. Shaking my head, I said, “Hold it in! Hold it in!”
Shaking her head, Sierra turned and let it all go. Reaching for her hair, I pulled it back as Sierra threw up. Turning away, I gagged a couple of times until I got myself under control by singing an AC/DC song out loud to drown out her throwing up. Who would have thought, badass Sierra couldn’t take the head being pulled off of a shrimp?
Sierra had a weak stomach. I was going to have to remember that little detail for future torturing.
WALKING BACK INTO THE RESTAURANT with Dodge took every ounce of strength I had. The moment we stopped at the table and I looked down, I covered my mouth and ran back out the door.
Less than thirty seconds later, Dodge had me in his arms as he carried me to his truck. Burying my face into his chest, I slowly breathed in his scent. My stomach settled, but my heart took off in a frenzy.
Smiling slightly, I let it sink in. Dodge had me in his arms. What I wouldn’t give to have that every single day.
“Are you okay, baby?”
Oh God. I’d never let him know that moan was from him calling me baby and had nothing to do with the fact that I just puked my guts out in the parking lot of his mother’s favorite restaurant. Grabbing a hold of his shirt, I let out a moan. Chuckling, Dodge skillfully opened the door of his truck and placed me inside. Brushing the hair back away from my face, Dodge smiled. Feeling like a complete idiot, I shook my head. “I’m so sorry I ruined lunch with your parents and sister. Please go back in and enjoy lunch, I’ll just rest my eyes in the truck for a bit.”
Dodge’s eyes lit up as he looked down to my lips. Damn it all to hell. Why did I have to just throw up? I wanted him to kiss me more than anything. Tapping his finger on the tip of my nose, Dodge gave me a wink. “Do you feel like trying something else to eat?”
“Does it involve ripping any body part off of said food?”
Laughing, Dodge shook his head. “No. I promise.”
“Then I’m down for it.”
“Let me tell everyone we’ve had a change in plans.”
Nodding my head, I whispered, “Okay.” Shutting the door, Dodge ran back into the restaurant and was back in his truck in record time.
“I have a special place I like to go to that I have never told anyone about.”
Smiling, I felt a happiness bubble up inside of me. “Not even, Em?”
“Well, Em knows about this special place, but I sneak there so I don’t have to share it with her.”
“I feel so special right now,” I said with a wink.
Dodge started his truck and headed out of the parking lot. “You should. This is the best-kept secret on the island. I expect you to keep this to yourself.”
Using my fingers, I crossed my heart. “Cross my heart, I won’t tell a soul.”
Smirking, Dodge handed me a pack of gum. I took that as I hint and pulled out two pieces, but not before grabbing the bottle of water sitting in the cup holder and taking a few drinks.
Glancing over to me, Dodge said, “I’m going to need something more ironclad than just you crossing your fingers over your heart.”
Raising my eyebrow, I stared at him. “Is that so?”
“Yep. It’s that big of a secret.”
“Fine, whatever you want. Is it okay if we stop at a store so I can buy a toothbrush and brush my teeth?”
Letting out a chuckle Dodge laughed and pulled into Walgreens. Running in, I grabbed a toothbrush and some travel toothpaste. After paying, I made a beeline to the bathroom.
After leaving Walgreens, Dodge drove another five minutes. He pulled into a driveway that led to a little, white beach house. The flowers planted outside the house were stunning. In the back, I could see a garden that I was sure would be filled to the max with veggies come this summer.
Opening the truck door, I jumped out as Dodge walked up to me. “This is Minnie’s house. I’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember. She used to take care of Em and me when we were younger. Cleaned my parents’ beach house up until two years ago when she retired.”
Smiling, I looked back at the house. “The house is so charming. I love it!”
“You’re going to love what’s inside more.”
Before I knew it¸ Dodge had me pushed against his truck with his body pressed against mine. My chest instantly began heaving as I felt his tight body on mine. “What in the hell are you doing?”
Dodge stared me in the eyes. “I mean it, Sierra. You cannot tell a soul we were here. Especially, Em.”
Nodding my head, I whispered, “O-okay. I won’t tell anyone. But what if she asks where we—”
Dodge placed his finger over my lips. “Not a word.”
Dodge glanced down at my lips and I had never been so grateful for making him stop and let me brush my teeth. Holding my breath in anticipation for what I prayed Dodge would do next, I wet my lips.
Dodge pressed his lips against mine as I opened my mouth to him. His tongue slowly began to explore my mouth and it didn’t take long before I had my arms wrapped around his neck and I was totally lost in the kiss.
Pulling back, Dodge’s eyes were on fire and his breathing matched mine. Deep and fast. “You won’t tell anyone, right?”
Wait. What are we talking about again?
“Um . . . I um . . . I won’t say a word. To anyone.”
Dodge flashed me a smile that had me fighting to keep my hand out of my pants. “Good girl. Now let’s go.” Grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the front door, Dodge chuckled.
Bastard.
I sure as hell hope that kiss affected him as much as it did me. The door opened and an older woman stepped out. She had to be in her early seventies and she wore the most breathtaking smile I’d ever seen.
“Minnie!” Dodge said as he dropped my hand and dashed up the stairs. Gently pulling her into his arms, Dodge picked her up as she let out a small laugh.
“Oh my! Put me down you crazy boy!” Minnie said. Letting out a giggle, I watched the scene unfold.
Dodge kissed Minnie on the cheek as he slowly put her back down. “Minnie, it’s
so good to see you.”
“You too, my boy. It’s been too long since I last saw you and young Emily.” Minnie looked over to me and the smile that spread across her face caused me to return an even bigger. Her smile was infectious. I pictured her running around on the beach chasing after a younger Dodge and Em. My heart instantly warmed up to this woman standing before me.
Dodge held his hand out for me as I walked up the stairs. Taking my hand, Dodge pulled me to his side, which surprised the hell out of me. “Minnie, I’d like you to meet my very good friend, Sierra. Sierra, this is Minnie.”
Minnie glanced at Dodge and raised her eyebrow before turning back to me. Reaching her hands out, I placed my hands in hers as she pulled me in for a quick kiss on the cheek and a hug. She smelled exactly like my grammy. My heart hurt for a second before I regained my emotions.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Minnie,” I said as I tried like hell not to think of the memories Minnie’s perfume was bringing back to me.
“The pleasure is all mine, Sierra. What a beautiful name. I like it!”
Giggling, I nodded my head and said, “Thank you. I’m kind of fond of it as well.”
Minnie looked between Dodge and me before she said, “Are you hungry?”
Dodge slapped his hands together, causing me to jump. “Yes!”
“Enchiladas?” Minnie asked Dodge as he licked his lips.
“Yes. Oh please, yes.”
