Under the Boardwalk

by Carly Phillips

  Ariana glanced out the window. Quinn was on his way to the front door. “I promise I’ll look at the family’s plans in the morning, okay?” Though why they needed Ariana’s approval when they’d never had it before was beyond her.

  Disappointment flickered in her mother’s eyes at the same time the doorbell rang.

  “I’ve got to go. We’ll talk in the morning?” Ariana kissed her mother on the cheek.

  “Of course we’ll talk in the morning.” Elena strode around her and grabbed the door handle, taking control. “But I want to meet your friend before you go.”

  Ariana let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m over eighteen.”

  But it was too late. Elena opened the door and came face-to-face with Quinn. “I remember you,” she said, a welcoming smile taking hold.

  Quinn grinned right back. A warm greeting that, for Ariana, was devastating in its intensity. Heaven help her if he ever turned that warmth and happiness her way, and her stomach did a triple flip at the thought.

  “And I remember you. How has Damon’s best dancer been?” Quinn asked Elena.

  “You flatter me.” Her mother bought into his charm and actually blushed. “I’d be fine if it weren’t for Zoe’s situation. But you know that.”

  Quinn winced, his discomfort over the mention of her missing sister obvious.

  “Come in from the cold.” Grabbing Quinn’s hand, Elena pulled him inside.

  Ariana glanced at her mother and, for the first time, realized that Elena wasn’t dressed as Morticia. Instead she wore black pants and a black turtleneck sweater. Relief washed over Ariana.

  Her mother wagged a scolding finger her way. “Ari, you didn’t tell me you met Quinn. Shame on you.”

  Unsure what to say, Ariana merely shrugged, and over Elena’s continued chatter about how she, Zoe, and Quinn knew one another, Ariana met Quinn’s gaze. His eyes appeared darker, his expression upset. Obviously he was uncomfortable with conversation that included talk of her sister.

  Well, damn him, if he could ease her mother’s pain and chose not to, he should be uncomfortable. If Ariana had proof to back up his claim, she’d tell her mother that Zoe was alive herself.

  “Come inside,” Elena said to Quinn, finally changing the subject.

  Ariana shook her head. “We need to go or we’ll be late for our reservation,” she said pointedly. Her mom didn’t need to know she’d taken a job at Damon’s and have reason to worry about another daughter’s safety.

  “We have a few minutes to catch up,” Quinn said.

  Ariana shot him a dirty look.

  “I always liked you,” Elena said to Quinn.

  “The feeling’s mutual.” He clasped her hand, the genuineness in his gaze all too real.

  He obviously liked her mother, which didn’t surprise her. With her warmth and effusive personality, everyone loved Elena. It was the family’s overall dynamic that Ariana wanted to avoid.

  As if reading Ariana’s thoughts, her mother said, “Come meet the family.”

  Ariana cringed, but nobody seemed to notice as Quinn allowed himself be led into the kitchen. Ariana followed behind them, the dread in her stomach reminiscent of the times she’d brought friends home. Their laughter and snide comments would linger in her heart and mind long after the girls had left. Not for Zoe, who seemed both oblivious to her family’s idiosyncracies and untouched by teen angst. She’d always envied her twin that ability.

  The chatter got louder as they approached the kitchen. The family remained huddled around the table, looking at plans. Aunt Dee had a book open in front of her, but Ariana couldn’t see what she was reading.

  Elena clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like you all to meet our guest. Everyone, this is Quinn, a friend of Ariana’s,” she said, pointedly omitting her own connection to Quinn. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

  Since she’d kissed that gorgeous face, Ariana was doubly mortified. She glanced at Quinn, who stood beside her, and realized he’d turned red in a full-blown blush. Ariana would take gratification where she could find it. At least she wasn’t alone in her embarrassment.

  Quinn waved a general greeting and glanced around at the people in the kitchen. He’d obviously intruded on a family gathering, and an uncomfortable edge gnawed at his stomach. He glanced at Ari, who didn’t appear particularly thrilled either. His attention was divided between the people around him and the woman he’d kissed. He had spent long hours last night reliving that kiss and deciding how to deal with Ari. Around dawn, he’d decided that keeping her off balance and aggravated was his best plan. Anything to prevent her from getting too close-or him from wanting to get even closer.

  Before turning his attention to meeting each person individually, he leaned closer to Ari and put his plan into action. “Miss me, babe?”

  “Like a bad habit,” she muttered.

  He grinned. “For a college professor, you’ve got a lot of spunk.”

  Before she could reply, her family pushed her out of the way. They all gathered close, speaking to him at the same time. He couldn’t hear their names, which was fine since it wasn’t likely he’d remember even if they’d all been individually introduced.

  Despite Zoe’s preparing him, Quinn was shook up now. Coming from foster homes where no one gave a damn who came or went, he found this huge conglomeration of interested faces was disconcerting. He glanced at Ariana for reassurance, but she’d been moved to the outside of the group, and damned if she didn’t look more uncomfortable than he felt.

  Then again, she was the twin who’d hightailed it to Vermont and hadn’t looked back until now. Though a part of him could understand the need for space, a bigger part of him wondered why she didn’t value this family unit she was so lucky to have.

  “Quinn.” A large, bald man stepped toward him. “Irish?” he asked.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Dad, leave him alone,” Ari said.

  “That’s okay.” Quinn turned to the older man he’d met once or twice before at the casino when Elena was dancing there. “I’m honestly not sure. I don’t know much about my heritage.”

  His mother had been the quintessential cliché, a drug addict whose bed had been a revolving door for men who paid for her services, which supported her habit. He supposed his father had been one of her paying clients, with no name, no forwarding address. His mother had OD’d one day, which came as no surprise to Quinn, considering the life she’d lived.

  Ari’s father shook his head. “A damn shame, not knowing your roots. But lack of knowledge means there might just be Greek blood in you yet.” Hope and pride infused his tone. “What’s your last name?”

  “Donovan.” At least that’s what his mother claimed on his birth certificate.

  “Good to meet you, Quinn Donovan. I’m Nicholas. Ariana’s father. Welcome to my home.” He slapped Quinn on the back in a way that made him feel accepted, especially since the rest of the family looked on, nodding their approval.

  All except Ariana, who shook her head and shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot.

  An unfamiliar lump of emotion welled in the back of his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

  In reply, Nicholas pulled him into a bear hug. Another gesture so different from any Quinn knew well. Before he could become too complacent, he felt a tingle in the area of his back pocket, and a sense of disappointment pricked him deep inside, in his heart. Though he’d been forewarned of their tendencies, he still couldn’t believe they’d turn their tricks on an unsuspecting guest of their daughter’s.

  Once Nicholas released him, Quinn stepped back and studied the family, wondering how to confront them. With a shrug, he opted for the direct approach. “Whoever took my wallet, I’d appreciate it if you’d give it back now.” Quinn held out his hand and waited.

  Elena sighed. “I told you it was too soon, Nicky.”

  A woman with her dark hair in long braids shrugged and said, “Back to the drawing board.”

  But no one seemed as upset at b
eing caught as they were by the fact that whoever’d done the deed still hadn’t perfected their technique.

  “Well?” Quinn asked. “My wallet?”

  Ari moaned. “Turn around, Quinn,” she said, her voice dull and resigned.

  He turned and came face-to-face with a grinning monkey holding his leather billfold in its hand.

  “I don’t know why they insist on saying men are descended from apes.” Uncle John, another man who’d crowded Quinn earlier, spoke up. “This one’s not the brightest bulb in the box.”

  Quinn shook his head in disbelief. He’d had his pocket picked by a monkey that resembled Marcel on Friends. Quinn wondered if it was possible to arrest the animal or if Ari’s family had managed to pull the ultimate con. He wondered what they’d say if they knew he was a cop. And then he pondered what the hell he was doing analyzing so much when he was having such a damn good time watching these people in action.

  He accepted the wallet and slipped it into his front jeans pocket. “Don’t try reaching in there,” he warned the smiling monkey.

  “We really should go,” Ari said, her eagerness to leave almost palpable.

  He wasn’t in any rush himself, but she was so mortified, he decided she deserved a break. “We do have to get going.”

  “But Ari hasn’t seen our plans for the new family business yet,” Elena said.

  “There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”

  Her mother shook her head, all that long hair whipping around her. “I’m sure your sister thought the same thing and where is she now?”

  Quinn shut his eyes. He didn’t know how much longer he could take lying to Ari’s entire family when he could so easily put them out of their misery. But then he’d jeopardize two years’ worth of carefully laid undercover work. He’d already been stupid enough to confide in Ari enough to ease her suspicions.

  He reminded himself that his reasons for keeping silent were just. If he could hold out a little longer… He opened his eyes in time to see Ari hugging her mother tight.

  “Tomorrow’s Friday,” Elena said. “I’m planning a big meal and I expect you here with the family. We’ll talk, fill you in on our project… it’ll be like old times.”

  Ari nodded. “I’ll be here.”

  Quinn, feeling like an outsider, took a step back toward the door. Then another, and another. He was used to being on his own, but being alone in a close-knit crowd reminded him too much of all he’d missed out on in life. Finally he reached the door.

  “And Quinn, you be here at four, too,” Elena called out. “Living at the hotel, you could use a good home-cooked meal.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I have a business meeting.” He refused to accept their pity.

  “So cancel it,” Nicholas ordered. “When Elena speaks, people listen. And when she cooks, they eat,” he added, laughing.

  “You’d better listen or else Yiayia will put a spell on you,” Ari whispered, coming up beside him.

  “Who?”

  “That’s Greek for Grandma.”

  “Can I take that as an indication you want me here, too?” he asked.

  She shook her head, the newly cut strands swaying sassily around her cheeks. “I’m just looking out for my mother. She’s had more than her share of disappointment lately. For reasons I can’t seem to fathom, she likes you and wants you around.”

  Her glossed lips glistened and his body tightened, yearning for another taste. “I think her daughter does, too.”

  “Arrogant man.”

  He chuckled, then turned to the family. “Thanks, Elena. I’ll be here. Nice meeting you all.” He followed Ari into the living room and back out the front door.

  A stubborn woman with her own share of secret pain, a bizarre family of con artists, and a pickpocket monkey. And he thought his life had become routine.

  • • •

  Ariana awoke, stretched, and every muscle screamed in protest. If this morning was painful, last night had been no better. Her first shift at Damon’s had been a crash course in hell instigated by one angry coworker named Maria. Quinn had put the experienced cocktail waitress in charge of teaching Ariana the ropes, then left her under both Connor and Maria’s watch. It didn’t take long for Ariana to pick up the sexual undercurrents between the two of them and realize she was a point of contention between them. Connor’s constant flirting with Ariana didn’t help the other woman’s attitude, even if Ariana did suspect he was doing it on purpose, to aggravate Maria.

  And speaking of aggravating, Quinn had made himself suspiciously scarce last night. Though Ariana should be grateful he wasn’t underfoot as he’d threatened, she’d found herself watching for him all evening and was disappointed he hadn’t shown up, except to drive her home. She suspected he’d tapped Connor as his eyes in the casino while Quinn himself made sure she didn’t snoop around before or after her shift.

  Which left her with only one way to get information about her sister. She needed to make friends with Maria. Ariana had an idea or two about how to take care of the other woman’s sour opinion of Ariana, and it involved using Quinn. Quinn, who’d tried to maintain distance by not talking during the trip to and from the casino. Quinn, who’d walked her to the door, and whose hazel eyes had golden sparks as they’d stared into hers beneath the porch light.

  He’d leaned forward, coming close. She’d seen the conflicting struggle going on in his mind, the desire to kiss her again as all-consuming for him as it was for her. He’d been about to give in. She knew it, and then the damn monkey had tapped on the window and waved, a big grin on his ugly face.

  Aunt Dee had pulled him away, but the damage had been done. The moment had passed. Quinn had had time to think and regain control, while Ariana realized her family had been spying on them the entire time. Déjà vu all over again, she thought wryly.

  Rolling to her side now, Ariana checked the clock on the nightstand, shocked to discover it was almost noon. She hadn’t slept so late since… well, since the last time she’d pulled cocktail waitress duty back in college. But she didn’t have all day to luxuriate, because some shopping was definitely in order. Though Damon’s had a uniform, she needed a comfortable pair of shoes or she’d never make it through her second shift.

  The buzz coming from downstairs told her that her nosy family was already up and about. She wasn’t anywhere near ready to deal with them yet. She had no idea what they had planned, but she’d find out soon enough.

  Ariana showered and slipped out the door before her mother could interrogate her about the trip to Damon’s, or worse, her daughter’s dealings with or feelings for Quinn.

  • • •

  So maybe she was a coward but Ariana stayed out all afternoon, coming home close enough to four o’clock that she didn’t have time to talk to anyone before Quinn’s arrival. After a quick change of clothes, she packed up her uniform in an overly large handbag, smoothed her black skirt, took a deep breath, and headed down the stairs to face the troops, only to find out someone had already let Quinn inside and led him to the kitchen.

  Ariana joined them, watching as each family member welcomed Quinn as if he were an old friend, which he might well be, since he’d apparently worked with Zoe at the casino. Despite the warmth flowing through the room, Zoe’s absence was obvious to Ariana, not just physically, but in the forced way her family pushed themselves through their day.

  As for Quinn, though he seemed wary about the family at first, he warmed up quickly, and it was obvious her relatives liked what they saw. So did Ariana. Faded denim molded over his behind, and his broad shoulders were covered by the same leather jacket he’d worn last night. His hair was just long enough to skim the collar and make her fingers itch to run through it. He was a man comfortable in his own skin, while in contrast, here she was in her parents’ house, uncomfortable in hers.

  “Hi.” She spoke over the loud voices.

  Quinn’s gaze met hers. Pleasure and happiness flickered in his normally dark gaze. It lasted a second, but long e
nough to fill her heart before her mother pulled her into her family’s midst. “Ariana, we have a surprise for you. Look at what we’ve got planned.”

  Feeling off balance from Quinn’s reaction, she focused on the table where the plans she’d seen the other day had been unrolled again. “What is this?” she asked.

  “A day spa,” Aunt Dee answered. Today Ariana’s aunt was wearing a brightly colored kimono. Unlike Elena, when Aunt Dee wasn’t in character as Wednesday Addams, she refused to wear the color black. Waving her hand toward the plans, Aunt Dee asked, “So, what do you think?”

  Ariana thought she was in another dimension. “What do you all know about running a spa?”

  “Nothing we can’t figure out from some good old-fashioned research. See?” Uncle John pulled a book from beneath Aunt Dee’s hands.

  “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Self-Healing with Spas and Retreats,” Ariana read aloud. “Oh Lord.”

  Quinn’s chuckle reverberated around the room but no one seemed to notice. They were too preoccupied to care about his reaction.

  “What we don’t know, we’ll learn,” Elena said, joining in. “We’ll join the Day Spa Association. Did you know it’s located in Union City, New Jersey?”

  Ariana assumed that was a rhetorical question, and said nothing.

  Aunt Dee picked up where Elena left off. “We’ll research and decorate. Oh, and we’ll hire only appropriately credentialed employees, of course.”

  “Like Spank here?” Ariana pointed to the monkey, who today wore a sundress.

  Ariana hadn’t realized he was a she. And she reached for and kissed Ariana’s hand. Ariana tried to pull her fingers free, but the monkey held on tight.

  Elena shook her head. “Be serious, Ari, will you?”

  Ariana blinked at the absurdity and looked to Quinn for backup. Surely any sane man would be looking for an escape, and she’d be happy to give it to him.

  But he was studying the plans with concerted interest. “This looks like a workable option,” he said, glancing up from the table.