The kid scuffs his shoes on the floor. “This is the first time we’ll see the ocean.”
Oh, that cruel son of a bitch. He knows exactly how to pull my heartstrings.
Benji smiles, knowing he’s won. “Come on. They’ve been so excited.”
“Please?” Daphne adds.
And with four sets of eyes pleading at me, there’s only one answer I can give.
* * *
“Where are the turtles?” Dominic asks, kicking at the sand. “I thought you said they’d be here.”
It’s a beautiful day. While not shoulder to shoulder, the beach is busy. I mean, it’s Playa de Oro. If the tourists aren’t here for The Belle, they’re here for the ocean, and right now, it’s practically begging me to come play. What isn’t here is the event Benji mentioned.
He squats down, his shoes sinking into the sand. “Sorry, bud, I must have gotten the date wrong.”
We get a lot of kids in the shop. I love their enthusiasm, and Skye loves how easily they manipulate their parents into buying stuff. But, oh boy, I am not prepared for the impact of two disappointed frowns.
I drop down to their level. “Hey, have you guys ever played Seashell Shuffle?”
They both shake their heads.
“Oh, it’s the best. Skye and I play it all the time. All you have to dois find fifteen shells and bring them back here, and I’ll show you the game. Can you count to fifteen?”
“I can,” Dominic says proudly.
“Great! That makes you the shell keeper. Try and find different ones, too, so they’re all different sizes and shapes and colors.”
I’ve barely finished my sentence before Daphne is walking away, tugging her brother’s sleeve.
“Hurry up, Dom. I want to look for shells.”
“Stay where I can see you both,” Benji calls, then turns to me. “I’m not about to get a lecture from Isaac about gambling, am I?”
I smile as I toe my shoes off and squeeze the cool sand under my feet. There’s a fresh breeze wafting off the water, carrying salt and sea and every happy memory I own.
“No, it’s a—hey, Dominic, you dropped your hat.” I jog ahead and pick it up, but both kids are preoccupied.
Benji takes the cap from my hands and dusts it off, putting it backward over my head. His fingers brush my cheeks, and my eyes flutter closed.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says, skimming his thumb around the corner of my mouth. “I can’t believe I survived an entire year without these freckles. Don’t let me do that again.”
I thought about you every day, I almost say.I dreamed of you. But nothing compares to having you in front of me.
“I won’t.”
“Good.”
Neither of us moves, the heat of his hands hovering over my skin while he looks at me the way only he does.
When he left, I didn’t just lose a lover. I lost a friend and all the easy understanding we had.
Now it’s heated glances and picking our way around conversations so we don’t accidentally bite into anything sour.
I’m sick of it.
I drop my eyes, freeing myself enough to step away. Benji falls into step beside me, our hands brushing every few seconds.
