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“Burn.” The other guys in the group laugh good-naturedly.
“One day, Charlie Krause, one day you will say yes.”
“Don’t hold your breath. Oh, wait, do.” I shrug as if I don’t care either way. I don’t want harm to come to the guy. I just want him to get over himself and stop using me as his target. I know he’s not interested in me. He’s been asking me out for years just to get under my skin, and I continue to turn him down. It’s a game he likes to play, but he’s too old for it. You know, like the parents who pretend that sitting in the kiddie pool in their backyard is for the sake of their kids when really, they’re bringing back their childhood days.
Just like that.
Spencer Pennington will forever be the eighteen-year-old boy I met at freshman orientation in his mind. I don’t ever see a day when that will change. And if that works for him, great. Perfect even. It doesn’t, however, work for me. I’m twenty-eight years old. I don’t have time for games. I want to build a life with someone. I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but I want what my little sister has found. Not a Lincoln. Their relationship leaves a little something to be desired. But that’s just me.
No, I want a man who would move heaven and earth to be at every event of our wedding weekend. I want a man who is a hard worker, but also knows when the people you love need to come before your career. I get it, work can be hectic, and it’s easy to lose yourself in that, but on the weekend you marry your forever love?
Nah, not for me. I won’t settle until I find someone who wants to make me their world. I’m aware that my ideal unicorn may not exist, but I’m still hopeful that one day I’ll find him, and we’ll be able to have our very own happily ever after.
“Ladies, we’ll walk you back to your room,” Liam says.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Audrey tells him.
“We insist,” comes from Tyler.
We all chitchat on the way back to our suite. Once we reach the door, Audrey hugs each of them, and we all thank them again for dinner before disappearing inside.
“I’m beat. I’m going to go call Lincoln and go to bed,” Audrey tells us. She’s still smiling and upbeat, but it has to be bothering her that Lincoln isn’t here like he’s supposed to be.
We all agree that it’s been a long day with travel, and we’re all ready to get some sleep. However, once I’m in bed, I lie here for over an hour and can’t seem to fall asleep. I don’t know what’s keeping me up, but I do know that the beach will be quiet this time of night, and I’m not passing up this opportunity.
Sneaking out of bed, I don’t bother putting on a bra or even my flip-flops. I tiptoe out of our bedroom and make my way to the patio door that leads to the beach.
Downtime is not something I get much of, so I’m looking forward to just sitting in the sand, clearing my mind, and listening to the waves.
CHAPTERTWO
Spencer
Jasper is snoring so loudly, I can’t fall asleep. I’ve been tossing and turning for over an hour, and nothing is working. Slipping out of bed, I move to the couch in the living area of our suite, but as I walk by the patio door, another idea hits me.
The beach.
Living in Charleston, you’d think that I spent a lot of time on the beach, and trust me, I wish that were the case. My job is too demanding and life just has ways of keeping me from one of my favorite places. I love to listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and at this time of night, I’ll have the beach to myself.
Decision made, I slide open the door as quietly as I can and slip into the night.
Standing at the edge of the shore, I let the waves wash over my bare feet as I dig my toes into the sand. Tilting my head back, I stare up at the night sky and exhale, feeling my body relax. I make a mental note to thank Lincoln and Audrey for choosing paradise to get married as I feel the stress of life fade into the sound of the ocean.
My job is stressful. Nothing I can’t handle, but being CEO of a hospital takes its toll on you. It doesn’t leave time for standing under the stars, digging your toes into the sand. I know part of that is my issue. My career is my life. I’m a single guy with no other responsibilities. It’s easy to let my career swallow up all of my time. However, at this moment, work is the furthest thing from my mind.
Fuck, I love the ocean.
Not ready to head back inside, I decide to take a walk on the shore. I’m strolling along, enjoying the sound of the waves and nothing else, when I see a lone figure sitting on the sand. I continue my trek, planning to just wave and mind my own business. That plan gets tossed as soon as I see that dark auburn hair that, even in the moonlight, stands out like a sore thumb.
Charlotte.
Changing direction, I make my way to where she sits, just far enough away that the waves won’t reach her. “Charlie.”
She lifts her head, and the sneer that I expect isn’t there. “Spencer.”
“What brings you out here this time of night?” I ask.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
