Page 90 of Meant to be Mine

“Talk about short and sweet,” she teased.

“No one gives a shit about what I have to say. They just want to see the models/”

“I care about what you have to say.”

“Only when I’m talking dirty.”

“Busted.” She grinned.

The music changed to something sultry and upbeat. The models emerged one by one, dressed in pieces from the Blackwell summer collection. They weren’t walking a traditional runway—we’d learned from the beach club event that this method was far more impactful. They filtered into the crowd, mingling, letting people see the clothes up close in natural light.

I watched the guests’ reactions. The way hands reached out to touch fabric. Women were snapping pictures of the dresses they liked. And to avoid the models being manhandled, there was an actual QR code tag strategically placed for a would-be buyer to scan.

“They look incredible,” Kensey murmured beside me.

“They do.”

One of the models walked past us wearing a linen suit in cream, perfectly tailored. I imagined Kensey in that. She’d look good. Another followed in a flowing maxi dress that caught the ocean breeze. That would also look amazing on her. But my favorite outfit on her was her birthday suit. My absolute favorite and I was craving a glimpse.

The music picked back up, something with a good beat that had people moving toward the open deck area. I held out my hand.

“Dance with me.”

“I would love to.”

I led her onto the dance floor. Hollis and Micah were already there, each with one of the women from earlier somehow back in their orbit. I caught Hollis’s eye and he grinned.

Kensey fit against me perfectly. Her arms went around my waist in a lazy hold that was completely comfortable. We weren’t going to win any dance competitions but that wasn’t the goal. I just wanted to hold her. Sway to the music under the hot sun.

“This is nice,” she said.

We moved together easily, finding a rhythm that had nothing to do with the music and everything to do with knowing each other’s bodies. I forgot about the other guests. I forgot about everything except the woman in my arms and the way she looked at me like I was the only person on this yacht.

“Drew,” she said softly.

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad I came home this summer.”

My chest tightened. “Me too.”

I pulled her closer, my hand sliding up her back. She tucked her head against my shoulder. We swayed like that, barely moving, just holding each other.

A loud voice shattered the moment.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

I looked up. The blonde—the one who’d been dancing with Hollis—was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at my brother. The brunette beside her looked equally furious.

“What’s up?” Hollis said, clearly confused.

“You just called me Sarah!”

“Yes, it’s a beautiful name,” Hollis said, nodding.

“Yeah, but my name is Sophia! We’ve been talking for an hour, you prick!”

Micah, standing a few feet away with his dance partner, tried to stifle a laugh and failed. That was a mistake.