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Cassidy
Iwalkalongtheboardwalk toward my favorite pub. My white sundress flutters in the cool breeze, and my long auburn hair is pulled into a high bun.
The sun sets over the horizon, painting the sky in a beautiful array of oranges and pinks. The salty air carries with it the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the laughter of tourists on their way to dinner.
"I still can't believe Ivan is Evan from the club," I moan.
"Girl, you almost went home with him," Shae replies over the phone.
I shake my head and thank God I had enough self-control not to go home with him that night. If my first time had been with my dad's best friend...I don't even want to think about that. My first time will be with a man who is committed to me. Not some playboy with a different woman every night.
"Did you have any idea Evan was Ivan? Did he seem a little familiar?"
"Hell no," I say loud enough to attract looks from tourists. "Ivan is a playboy who spends his free time between the legs of any willing woman. I don't want to be connected to a man like that." I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. "I never read gossip columns or keep up with the tabloids. If I did, then I probably would have recognized him."
"You never met him?" Shae asks.
"No, I was away in boarding school when they met. During breaks, it never worked out that I could meet him." I sigh. "I wish I had."
“It shouldn’t be too awkward,” Shae reassures me.
I bite my lip. "He arrives today, and I made it a point to leave the beach house early this morning. Dad wanted me to stay and have breakfast with him and Ivan, but I made excuses."
"I still don’t see what the problem is… he's hot, and you two definitely connected on the dance floor. So what?"
Heat crawls up my neck. "It can't happen. He's my dad's friend."
"A couple of things," Shae points out. "You are a grown ass woman, he's not as old as your dad, and you met him for the first time at the club. It's not like you've known him since childhood."
As I round the corner, the pub comes into view. It's a cozy establishment between two large buildings and just as inviting as ever. The outside walls are covered with ivy, adding to its warm, welcoming atmosphere. A few wooden benches line the entrance, and a pleasant aroma of grilled seafood wafts out of the open windows.
"I know, but Dad would be furious, and besides, Ivan is a jerk."
Shae laughs. "You didn't think he was a jerk when you were grinding on him at the club."
"That was different. I didn't know who he was."
The memories of that night come flooding back, along with the instant spark between us. I need to put those memories out of my mind because nothing can happen between Ivan and me.
I enter the Lighthouse Pub, and the inside is just as inviting, with dimly lit walls and a long bar that takes up most of the room. The decor is simple but comfortable, with wooden tables and chairs scattered around the main floor and booths tucked away in private corners. Several patrons are sitting at the bar, and one looks familiar.
"Shae, I'll call you back."
"You better."
I laugh and disconnect the call.
"It's been a while," I say, walking up to the woman.
She turns around and smiles at me. "Hi, Cassidy! How are you?"
I smile back. "I'm doing well."
The woman is an old family friend, Sarah, whom I've known for nearly ten years. I haven't seen her in a couple of years.
"May I join you?"
"Yes, of course."
