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Chapter Four
Addi
It’s a perfect night for a beach party. The weather isn’t too hot yet at the beginning of June, which leaves the nights cool. Leigh was right; we’ll need our sweaters.
Several bonfires line the beach, some bigger than others, with a huge one in the middle at the central zone of the party. The flames reach high into the sky, the brightness lighting up the night.
Leigh pulls on my arm, my drink sloshing over the side of my red plastic cup. “Come on, girl. They’re playing some bean bag game over here. And there’s a game of horseshoes!” She giggles and slurps her drink. She’s toasted. I’m buzzing pretty hard myself.
The burning smell of wood tickles my nose while I listen to the crackling of twigs as they burn away to nothing.
“Can’t waste good alcohol,” I mumble, and I lick the sticky sweetness off my arm.
Leigh pulls me forward, and my bare feet sink into the warm sand, still hot from today’s sun. I concentrate on my walking. I don’t want to lose any more of my tasty beverage. This shit ain’t easy.
So far, the night is fun. We were half lit when we got here. Several frozen margaritas went down between the two of us while we dressed. We both decided on cute flowy sundresses with pretty floral patterns. Fancy sandals complete our look, and our cardigan sweaters match too. After adding a few light touches of makeup and some fun beach jewelry, we were out the door.
I hear Leigh’s yelp before I feel the impact. It’s like I hit a brick wall. My drink goes flying, and my ass lands in the sand.
“Fuck!” I laugh and fall back as I rub my sore ass.
Leigh’s face hovers above me, covering her mouth with her hand, but the giggles escape. “You okay, babe?”
Before I have a chance to answer, a handsome face comes into view, and I blink a couple of times. My belly clenches. Shit, he’s hot. My mind goes blank.
“I’m sorry about that. Need a hand?” His deep voice rumbles as his hand reaches down.
I look at Leigh, but she’s smitten and practically drooling while she stares at this mysterious sexy as fuck being. Is he what I just ran into?
Turning my head back, I smile like an idiot and place my hand into his warm, large one. Tingles run up my spine, and my heart picks up speed. He grips my fingers and pulls me to stand. When I lose my balance and stumble, his hands grip my waist and steady me. Sand sticks to my legs, hot and itchy.
“Wow,” Leigh whispers and licks her lips. I can’t help but giggle. We’re like dogs in heat who’ve never seen a hot piece of ass before. She begins to back away, and I give her a look that screams, “What are you doing?”
She grins. “I’m wanted for a horseshoe game.” She points down the beach before she throws me a wink and stumbles off. “Meet me later, Addi.”
What? Did my ride-or-die bitch just leave me high and dry?
What is going on?
My hazy brain tries to make sense of the situation and piece it all together.
We used to do this when we were younger—one of us would meet a hot guy, and the other would take off—but I didn’t think we did this anymore, now that we’re much more mature adults (ha!). Honestly, it doesn’t sit well with me to separate from her, so I watch her for a moment. A group of girls surrounds her, and laughter fills the air. She looks back at me and waves.
“Addi, is it?” The deep, sexy voice fills my ears, and my head turns. His eyes look me over as he throws me a heart-stopping grin. A shiver runs down me from head to toe. Get a grip, Addi. You don’t even know this guy.
“Yep, that’s me.” I should ask him his name, but I’m too distracted taking him in. Many hemp bracelets line his wrist, and a tattoo of a surfer riding the waves runs up his arm.
He looks like a local, his skin tan from the sun, his hair light in color and a bit shaggy. A dark-colored T-shirt fits him nicely, complementing his sexy Hawaiian board shorts.
We’re still holding hands when he gives me a firm handshake before dropping his grip. “Cole. Nice to meet you. Sorry we met this way.”
The absence of warmth from his hand is felt instantly. I want it back. “I’m not sorry.” I throw him a sexy smirk and put on my best flirty face. “I’d pick you to rescue me any day.”
Cole chuckles. My cheeks flame red. I can’t believe I just said that out loud, but I’m glad he’s amused. The sound of his laughter is contagious, and I can’t help my own giggles.
“Let me get you another drink. It’s the least I can do.”
I can’t say no to that, so I follow him to the drink station.
