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“You like them,” Ali teased.

Charlotte’s gaze swept slow and hungry over her figure before she stepped in close. “Actually,” she said, eyes darkening. “I love them.”

The shiver that rolled through Ali was immediate.

She didn’t have time to say anything before Charlotte uncapped the sunscreen and misted cool spray across her exposed skin. Then those elegant hands were on her, rubbing lotion over the tops of her breasts, her shoulders, the small of her back, and the generous curve of her ass.

Ali could only grin, because Charlotte’s obsession with her ass only seemed to grow as time went on.

Natasha and Zuri didn’t linger long, but Ali and Lilah stayed on the beach until the sky turned to dusk. Together they built an extravagant sandcastle, decorated with every shell they scavenged. As they worked, they’d traded beach stories from childhood, sunburn and jellyfish disasters, and the family beach traditions. By the time they finished the last turret, Ali felt as though she understood who Lilah was. Bright, kind, wickedly witty, and unexpectedly creative. But she was also drifting without purpose and passion.

She wasn’t given long to dwell.

Imani appeared first, arm linked with Charlotte who corralled the two of them into posing with their creation, insisting Diana would adore the photo. More people filtered out and started to move down the shoreline toward a restaurant.

Ali and Lilah dusted each other off, pulled their cover ups back on, and sprinted after everyone.

“You’re it!” Lilah declared as she streaked past Natasha, smacking her square on the behind.

Ali’s laugh burst free, bright and uncontrolled. Something effervescent rose in her chest, lightness and joy all tangled together and reminiscent of childhood before the weight of loss and responsibility snuffed out the youthful spark. The younger third of the bridal party erupted into an impromptu game of tag while the over-thirties watched with various degrees of amusement and horror.

“They’re making me feel old,” Lizzie murmured, Charlotte nodding sagely beside her.

“Just wait,” Sasha groused, pulling huffs of amusement from her sister Jasmine and sister-in-law, Giselle.

Victoria, however, looked sour as she tracked the path Lilah charted through their group to evade capture. “Aren’t they too old to act like children?”

Lilah faltered mid-stride, cheeks already rosy from the sun and their play. Ali skidded to a stop beside her, slinging an arm over her shoulders as they both caught their breath.

“What’s the matter, Vicki?” Ali drawled. “Your joints already riddled with arthritis?”

Zuri exhaled a delighted gasp as she came up alongside them. “Oh, I love you.”

“I can prescribe some joint supplements if you want,” Lizzie called, her face the picture of faux concern, right before she launched herself onto Ali’s back.

Ali staggered under the sudden weight, but managed to plant her feet in the sand, letting out a startled giggle as she caught Lizzie’s legs and secured them around her waist.

“Drop me in the sand and you’re toast,” Lizzie threatened playfully against her ear.

“I’d never,” Ali groaned, shifting to balance Lizzie’s lanky weight. Once stable, she started forward again in slow determined steps.

Charlotte walked beside them, wind whipping her dark hair into disarray every few seconds. She kept tucking the loose strands behind her ears, a futile gesture though it was.

After dinner, the bachelorette party migrated toward the fire pit, flames licking the cool night air as Ali and Lilah assembled s’mores for the group. Ali eventually settled beside Charlotte, tucked snugly under her arm, both of them half-shielded against the persistent sea wind. Charlotte was still fighting a losing battle as she twisted her long strands round and round her fingers for what had to be the fifteenth attempt.

Ali bit back a laugh as she got up and ran inside to grab a spare hair tie from her bag.

“Here,” she murmured, stepping up behind Charlotte. “Let me braid it back for you.”

A quiet ripple passed through the group, curiosity lurking at the edges. Ali ignored it, gathering Charlotte’s wind-tossed curls. Night-dark strands slipped through her fingers like silk. The sea air drew out her natural curl. The new definition providing a picture of just how wild they must have been in her youth.

Braided into a loose plait, she secured the end with her spare tie, then pressed a soft kiss to the crown of Charlotte’s head.

“That’s better. Thank you,” Charlotte hummed, attempting to turn and look up at Ali.

Without thought, Ali tugged gently on the braid, guiding her head back. A soft sound escaped Charlotte’s throat, a faint, needy hum. Her eyes fluttered closed, body going pliant.

Ali’s other hand trailed up her back, curving over the warm line of her neck, thumb resting just beneath her jaw. She dropped her mouth to Charlotte’s, pressing a slow deliberate kiss to her lips. Charlotte melted, responding with equal fervor, making Ali’s pulse spike. When she finally pulled back, she let her arms drape around Charlotte’s shoulders.