by RC Boldt
Turning his gaze toward the lower deck and finding no one, he looked further and saw a familiar figure making her way along the walkway heading toward the ocean.
Zach couldn’t have explained it if he tried, but there was something, a pull of sorts, that made his feet follow in that same direction.
* * *
Laney was happy for her friends. She was, truly. But, for whatever reason, she couldn’t suppress the feeling of overwhelming sadness. Like she was losing her best friend who was moving on without her.
Ugh. She was so selfish to be feeling this way. On her best friend’s wedding day, no less.
But, that feeling had made her chest tighten, like she could hardly breathe and she knew she had to make a quick escape. Just for a moment. To compose herself and shake off this selfish funk so she could get back to celebrating with her friends and family.
Standing alone, arms folded against her chest, Laney stared out at the low tide, waves gently lapping at the shore. The sun had just barely set, the sky having the faintest amount of light remaining, a nearly full moon already beginning its rise. The mid-December weather was mild and typical for Florida, with a hint of humidity still lingering in the air.
Laney heard the slight shifting of sand behind her, indicating someone was walking nearby, and she hoped to God it wasn’t her mother. She wasn’t in the mood to get lectured for leaving her best friend’s side for a few minutes.
The person came to stand beside her in silence. A few minutes passed while she simply basked in the tranquility surrounding her before turning to see who had joined her on the beach. Laney couldn’t suppress the slight panic at seeing none other than Zach Mayson.
Please don’t be an ass to me right now. Please don’t be an ass to me right now.
He watched her closely. “You okay?”
Laney wasn’t quite sure what happened, but the gentleness in his tone, the tenderness she saw in his eyes made her own fill with unshed tears. Turning away abruptly, she stared, unseeing, at the ocean.
“I’m fine,” came her quiet answer.
She widened her eyes to try to keep the tears from falling, but one or two still escaped. Laney hoped the darkening sky helped to disguise it, even though the moon—thanks a lot, Mother Nature—was unusually bright tonight.
She was startled when she felt a strong, firm hand grasp her own. He gave a slight squeeze and this caused some more tears to trickle down her face.
“Laney.” His voice was husky.
Ashamed, she couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. She should be ecstatic and shouting with joy that her friend had found happiness, had found love after going through so much … crap. Instead, she was a depressing, hot mess and anyone observing her probably thought she was begrudging her friend for getting married to the man of her dreams.
Yep. Her name was moving to the top of the ‘World’s Worst Best Friend’ list. All she needed now was a few cases of boxed wine and a Fiona Apple CD to complete this whole pity party she was having.
Zach stepped in front of her, one hand coming up to her face—wait, was that a handkerchief?—and he dabbed ever so gently at her tears.
Huh. Zachariah Mayson carries a handkerchief. Who knew?
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she asked quietly.
He pocketed the handkerchief before reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear that had come loose from her up-do, letting his fingers glide tenderly over her jaw.
“Because you’re letting me,” came the simple reply.
Laney let his response wash over her, feeling the confusion it brought. His kindness threw her off balance, her emotions overwhelming her. As another tear began to trickle down her cheek, she felt even more pathetic, if that were even possible at this point.
Not likely.
She gave a wet laugh. “You’re probably gathering a ton of material to harass me with later, right? Especially after finding what I’m sure seems like the most selfish friend on earth, weeping pathetically during her best friend’s wedding party.” Laney shook her head in self-disgust and ducked her head, embarrassed, swiping quickly at the stray tear.
“Laney.”
The hushed quality of his voice made her raise her eyes, bracing to meet his usual mocking gaze. Instead, she saw … tenderness?
He shook his head. “You’re not remotely pathetic. In fact …” He trailed off as his gaze slid over her in what could only be described as a caress. Those slate-colored eyes took in her hair, her face, her dress, and the feet which were now bare as she had removed her heels before walking onto the sand. When his eyes came back to hers, the intense heat in them made the breath catch in her throat. “You’ve got to be the most breathtaking sight I’ve seen in a while.” His lips curved slightly before he nodded his head in the direction of the now moonlit ocean. “Aside from that, of course.”
Swallowing over the lump in her throat, she numbly said, “Of course.”
Brilliant response, Laney. Just brilliant. How she had managed to get through life with these amazing social skills was a miracle. But, that was all she could muster for a response. Because had Zach really just called her breathtaking? And compared her to the beauty of the ocean?
Music playing at the party, less than a hundred yards away, drifted over them and Laney noticed it was Christina Perri’s slow ballad, “A Thousand Years”.
Zach held a hand out to her. “Dance?”
“Here?” She could hear the apprehension in her voice.
His eyes flickered with something. Disappointment? He shrugged, looking away, his hands about to slide into his pockets. “Nevermind. It was stu—”
“Yes.” She wasn’t sure who was more startled by her interrupting response. Her or Zach.
His eyes darted to hers, surprised. “Yes?”
Attempting to find her usual sassiness, she gave him a look. “Did I stutter, Mayson?”
With a chuckle, he slid a hand around her waist and tugged her to him so fast she wasn’t able to respond with more than a surprised gasp. He took her left hand in his right one, other arm wrapped around her waist, fingertips lightly brushing against where the cut of her dress dipped low, baring her back, making her shiver.
They swayed to the song, moving their feet ever so slightly over the packed sand. And, Laney had to admit, in that moment, everything about that dance was absolutely … perfect.
Including the man holding her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ZACH COULDN’T BELIEVE SHE HAD said yes, had agreed to the dance he’d offered up on a whim. He sure as hell hadn’t expected her to say yes, to let him actually touch her in any way. But, here they were, his arm wrapped around her, holding her utterly soft hand in his, both of them swaying slowly to the song. The music, the melodic voice of the singer, washed over them, almost making it seem like they were in their own little world.
And that dress of hers. Damn it, he was having a difficult time not accidentally-on purpose brushing his fingertips over the bare skin of her lower back. How was her skin so soft? Was she soft like that everywhere?
Fuck. Don’t think about that. Don’t get hard when you’re holding Laney this close. Don’t. Fucking. Ruin. It.
“What’s with the scowl? You don’t like this song?” Laney peered up at him suspiciously. “Or your dance partner?”
Startled, he blurted out, “I like the song and my dance partner just fine. I’m trying not to get a hard-on from all your soft skin.”
Oh, shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuuuuuck. Did I really just say that out loud? He closed his eyes with a horrified groan. They both stopped abruptly.
Bracing for what would be a well-deserved slap, he opened his eyes in a squint to see Laney staring at him. Just as her lips parted to speak, she was interrupted.
“Why wasn’t I invited to the romantic dance on the beach? Damn it, Mayson! You’re breaking my damn heart!” a male voice whined loudly.
Zach stepped away from Laney, running a hand over the back of his neck, looking up to the dark
ened sky in frustration. Damn Lawson and his shit timing. He turned to Laney, watching as she faced their friend, hands on her hips.
“Really, Laws? You have a thing for him, now?” Laney gestured in his direction. “I thought I was your girl,” she teased.
“You were. Up until I saw this man’s slick moves on the beach. I mean, let’s be real. Once I saw Lothario, here, holding you close and start dancing, I fell.” Lawson mimicked slow dancing with an imaginary partner, humming to the song that had just played. He stopped abruptly and placed a hand over his heart. “I fell hard.” Tipping his head to the side, he added, “Speaking of hard …”
Zach’s tone was full of warning. “Laws.”
Lawson threw his head back in a laugh. “Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re going to say. And I love you, too, snuggle muffin.” He turned to return to the party, waving for them to join him. “Now, get your hot buns up here, both of you, and enjoy this romance.” Lawson walked away, once more humming the song’s tune.
Zach took a step and stopped at Laney’s side. Shaking her head, she watched Lawson return to the party. With a slight smile, she laughed. “He’s something else.”
“He’s something, all right,” Zach muttered. He briefly hesitated but then gave in to the urge, holding out an arm. “Need an escort to the party, Cinderella?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You planning to make jokes once it gets close to midnight?”
He had a look of mock outrage. “Me? Have jokes? I wouldn’t dare.”
She eyed him suspiciously and he noticed her white teeth biting the edge of her lip in an attempt to suppress a smile. “Riiiight.”
Laney stepped forward and linked her arm through his as they made their way up the stairs to the walkway back to the decks of the house. The white outdoor lights illuminating the party created an ethereal-like glow. They walked in comfortable silence, the sounds of the ocean waves lapping at the shore, the music from the party getting louder as the neared.
Once they rejoined the others, Laney released her hold on his arm, offering him a smile before heading off in the direction of the other women. Zach couldn’t deny the warmth that lingered where she had been holding his arm.
And he knew, without a doubt, later on that night when he returned home, he was going to lie awake in bed wondering what might have happened, what she had been about to say before they had been interrupted by Lawson.
* * *
Laney should have known better than to think her friends wouldn’t give her shit.
“Oh, my dear Laney. Wherever have you been?” Raine asked with sham curiosity. Because, apparently, now Raine spoke like a Disney princess. Cue major eye-rolling.
Tate had a serene smile. “I went to look for you, but Lawson told us to leave you and Zach to fornicate amongst yourselves.”
Laney choked on the champagne she’d just accepted from her brother in passing, nearly aspirating it. Once her coughing was under control, she placed her glass on the nearby table, turning to stare at Tate. “Fornicate? Really, Tate?”
Tate nodded. “Yeah, but … oh, I forgot. Sand gets in yucky places. Never mind.” Then, she snapped her fingers. “Wait! There’s always the steps on the walkway.”
“Or the railing on the walkway,” Raine suggested to Tate. “Just have to watch out for splinters in certain places, though.”
Tate made a face. “Eww. Good point.”
“Wait, did I miss Laney and Zach doing it? Damn it! I swear, I miss all the good stuff.” Adam had just walked up to join them, a pout on his face.
“Do I even need to be here for this conversation?” Laney asked in exasperation.
Raine grinned. “We just got excited, that’s all.”
“Then you really need to get out more,” came her dry response.
“Come on, Laney. It’s you and Zach. Not killing each other but acting nice to one another? That’s a pretty big deal. Huge, even,” Tate said.
“Speaking of huge, I would bet hard—pun intended—money that man is verrry—”
“Stop!” she cut off Adam, holding up her hand. “I’m going to need more champagne. A lot more.” Laney looked at her friends accusingly. Just as she turned to head in the direction of where the drinks were set up, she nearly slammed into a broad chest. Leaning back, startled, she looked up, up …
“Ma’am. May I have this dance?” A familiar, handsome face smiled down at her.
With a laugh, she stared up at her brother’s friend, Hendy, who stood at six feet four, by far the tallest guy she had ever known. Hendy, whose last name was Henderson—no one actually knew the man’s real first name—was one of the few men who could grow a beard for his missions and still remain ruggedly handsome.
When he was clean shaven, he had the kind of face that dropped panties. Literally. She could, unfortunately, attest to this from the time he had come to visit and they’d all gone bar-hopping. She still remembered encountering random pairs of panties the next morning in the apartment she had shared with her brother. Ewwww.
Hendy was currently sporting the start of a new beard, the dark black emphasizing the contrast of his tanned, olive skin. The beard didn’t take away from his pronounced square jawline, actually bringing more attention to those baby blue eyes of his. The man was painfully attractive and, yet, there was no attraction between them. He was like another brother to her. Just a lot less annoying than Foster. A lot less.
“Did you grow even taller since the last time I saw you?” She pressed her finger to his abs, which were disgustingly hard, no spare fat to be found. “Actually, I think you’ve gained some weight, buddy,” she teased.
“You wound me, gorgeous,” he pouted. “But you can soothe my wounded pride by dancing with me.”
She gave an exaggerated sigh. “If that’s the only way to make you feel better, then I guess so.” He held out his hand and once she placed hers in it, she was startled by the sudden realization.
When Hendy had grasped her hand in his own, she didn’t feel anything remotely similar to how she had felt when Zach had taken her hand. Odd. Especially since it had been Zach’s hand. The man who annoyed the ever-loving shit out of her on a daily basis.
“Is that furrowed brow because you’re overwhelmed by dancing with such a smokin’ hot guy like myself? Or is it because of that dude over there who’s probably killed me a dozen times in his mind?” He tipped his head, indicating someone over her left shoulder.
She tossed a glance over her shoulder but saw no one aside from Adam, Lawson, and Zach talking and laughing with the happy newlyweds. She turned back to Hendy, curious as to whom he was talking about.
“Ah. He’s a slick one.” Hendy looked impressed. Then, with a critical eye as if cataloguing intel, his eyes scanned whomever he had been speaking of. “Earlier, I classified him as a surfer. Got the lean, muscular build.” Nodding to himself, he muttered, “Yep, that stance screams surfer.”
Laney was baffled. Because the only one in their group who surfed was Zach. But there was no way in hell Zach was the one Hendy was speaking of because … well, for obvious reasons. Reason numero uno would be for the simple fact that he hated her. Well, aside from that whole encounter on the beach earlier. She chalked that up to the romantic wedding vibes flowing around them.
Confused, she asked, “Who are you talking about?”
“Your admirer. The one who doesn’t want to be caught checking you out. Nor does he like the fact that my hands are on you. Which reminds me. I love stirring the pot. Hold on tight.”
“Wha—” she started to ask, but didn’t get to finish before Hendy dipped her low, dramatically.
CHAPTER EIGHT
IS THIS FUCKING GUY FOR real? Zach felt his fingers, jammed into the pockets of his khakis, begin to curl into fists before he caught himself.
No. He was not going to be taunted by some gargantuan-sized man. He had thought Hendy was pretty cool. Hell, Hendy was a cool guy … until he’d put his hands all over Laney. Inhaling a calming breath, he ran a h
and over the back of his neck, feeling the tense muscles. He needed to get a grip.
“I should probably let you know,” Lawson leaned in close to speak quietly, “there’s no way in hell I’ve got your back if you decide to take on that behemoth.” Straightening, he shrugged at Zach’s dirty look. “Just sayin’. That’s a death wish waiting to happen.”
“Some friend you are.”
“I’ll lie at your funeral and say you were totally winning.”
Zach considered it a moment. “Fair enough. We’re cool, man.”
“Righteous.” Lawson reached out to bump fists with him, Mac and Raine standing beside him. The newlyweds were so ridiculously happy they were both actually glowing. Shit. Now, he was waxing all poetic. He really needed to get a grip. Mac was eyeing him with a smirk and Raine had her trademark wide, infectious grin.
“Congratulations, again, you guys.” Zach winked at Raine. “Glad this guy finally came to his senses.”
Raine turned to smile adoringly up at her new husband. “Me, too.” Mac’s arm tightened around her waist as he pulled her in closer to press a quick kiss to her forehead. Zach watched as Raine’s eyes closed ever so briefly as if to savor that brief kiss. What he wouldn’t give to have this connection. His eyes found Laney out in the middle of the deck, still dancing with Hendy.
Mac spoke quietly. “It’s possible, man.” Zach’s gaze met his, as if to verify Mac was telling him what he suspected.
Returning his gaze to the couple on the dance floor, he shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“Do you not remember how we saved his ass? We helped him get back his girl, dude. If we managed that, then anything’s possible,” Lawson declared adamantly. He slung his arm around Zach’s shoulders. “You’re just a lone stud muffin searching for your cupcake.” He sighed dramatically.
“What’s this talk about stud muffins?” Adam joined them, beer in his hand.
“Please don’t ask. You’ll only encourage him,” Zach groaned, tossing a thumb in Lawson’s direction.
Raine laughed, nudging Lawson with her shoulder. “Yeah, you shouldn’t encourage a grown man who wears an undershirt like this one.”
