by Kay Lyons
He made his way up the beach and lowered himself onto the massive beach towel beside her to dry out. The chairs were beneath the umbrella shade and more comfortable, but he liked being able to turn his head and see her. Limiting his vision and focusing on her face rather than the beautiful length of her stretched out for the sun wasn't such a bad thing, either.
"Did you have a nice swim?"
The corners of his mouth lifted at her muffled question. She sounded sleepy and it was adorable. "Yeah. You should come in."
"I don't do the ocean."
A huff of a laugh left him. "How do you not do the ocean? You live at the beach."
She lifted her head enough to prop her cheek on her folded arms. "It's pretty simple, actually. I love the beach, walking along the shore, fishing, and boating, but I don't swim in the ocean. That's for the fish—and the sharks. I like pools, where I can see what's swimming with me."
He rolled to his side and propped himself up, giving in to the temptation of enjoying the view. "Anything else you don't do?"
"Skydive. Planes and flying are fine, but jumping out of a perfectly good plane makes no sense at all."
"Mm. On that we agree. What else?"
"Raw sushi. Have you seen the videos of those tapeworms they've found?"
He chuckled as he lowered himself again and rolled onto his back, closing his eyes behind his sunglasses.
"What do you like to do in Atlanta?"
"I'm pretty boring. I work. A lot. Once L—" Realizing he was about to be that guy on a date reminiscing about his late wife, he stopped himself.
"Dominic, you can talk about her. It's okay."
"No, it's not. Lisa isn't fun, first-date conversation."
"Yeah, well, I think we both agree we're beyond that, and today isn't normal for either of us, practice date or not. Besides, we're not kids. Adults have a little more to deal with baggage-wise, and it has to surface sometime."
She'd removed her sunglasses to lie on her stomach and used her hat to shade her eyes. Now he stared into the depths and fought the battle between his guilt over Lisa and intrigue for the woman beside him. "That may be true, but you deserve a man's full attention, Ireland. Don't ever forget that."
Her eyes brightened in color, and it took him a moment to realize it was from tears. She blinked rapidly and shoved herself upright, onto her knees, lashes low over her eyes while she readjusted her hat and found her sunglasses. "Thank you. For saying that. I didn't feel that way in my marriage. Once the novelty wore off, his interests were always elsewhere." She brushed the sand from her thighs. "There. See? Now you're not the only one talking about our pasts on a date."
"Time for a change of subject then. How about a stroll on the beach since you don't get in the water?"
"Are you sure you're not going to drag me in once we get there?"
He got to his feet and held out his hands to help her up, liking the feel of her palms in his and the way she fit against his side when he pulled her close. "Guess we'll have to wait and find out."
* * *
They spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach, sitting beneath the umbrella talking about everything from favorite sports teams to favorite foods and pet peeves and dozing a bit before taking another stroll along the water's edge.
"Time to go," he said as they approached their spot.
"Mmm. I hate for the day to end. It's been so nice."
Ireland's eyes widened when he growled at her and used an old high school wrestling move to take her—gently—down to the towel. "Nice? Is that the only word you know?"
He tickled her, and she laughed, head back, gasping for air, hands grasping at his to try to still them.
"Okay! I'm sorry! Uncle!"
He planted his hands on either side of her shoulders and leaned low. "Today has been better than nice. Admit it."
She breathed heavily from the tickling, and he'd have to be blind not to be aware of her chest rising and falling from the exertion or the way she smiled up at him. "It's been wonderful, Dominic. Thank you for insisting I allow you to be my first date."
He wanted to kiss her. He had the feeling she wanted him to kiss her, but the beach was summer-season crowded, and he'd never been one for PDAs, so he suppressed the desire to take initiative. “Come on. Let's get moving. We can't be late."
"You have a reservation?"
"Something like that."
"Oh, but I need to stop somewhere and change."
"We can do that there."
"Where? On the ferry?"
He stood and pulled her to her feet once more. "So many questions. Don't ruin the surprise. You'll see."
Thirty minutes later, they returned the rented golf cart, and Dominic watched Ireland's expression change from confusion to one of sheer pleasure when she spotted the captain of a rather large yacht waving at them.
"We're going on that? Really?"
"I called in a favor from a client who always offers the use of it if I was ever in the area. We can shower and change on board."
"Where's it taking us for dinner?"
He loved her enthusiasm and the excited smile she wore. "You'll see."
"You're not going to tell me? Seriously?"
She reached out and grasped his hand in hers, her other hand sliding over his forearm and squeezing. He smiled down at her. "It won't be a surprise if I do, and I'm beginning to realize you love surprises."
"I do. This is amazing," she said, hugging his arm to her body and pressing her face against his biceps while she peeked up at him. "This is the nicest practice date ever."
Chapter 20
Ireland inhaled and held the salt air in her lungs for a long moment before releasing it, trying to still the frantic beating of her heart.
Practice dating was dangerous for her equilibrium.
Throughout the day, she'd laughed and flirted and talked with Dominic. He had proven himself to be intelligent, articulate, not to mention funnier and more playful than she'd thought a stuffy patent attorney might be.
Now after a shower and slipping into the dress she'd brought with her, she wondered how wise it had been to accept Dominic's invitation. Because this Dominic? The Dominic she'd seen and experienced firsthand today was someone she could fall for. And how stupid would that be to fall for a friend still mourning his wife? A friend who would leave when his stay was over.
Was it even possible to fall for someone so quickly? "Breathe," she whispered. "It's a practice date, not a real one."
"Are you talking to yourself or the sunset?"
Dominic emerged from the boat's interior, his hair wet but neat, a short-sleeved polo clinging to his broad shoulders. He'd exchanged the swim shorts and tee for khaki slacks and looked very much the successful Atlanta law partner that he was. "Myself."
"And you were saying?"
She shivered in the breeze and caught her breath when Dominic noticed and slid his warm hands down her arms from shoulder to elbow and back up again, sharing his warmth. "Just something I need to remember," she whispered. His skills didn't seem all that rusty to her.
"The crew has dinner ready on the top deck. Are you hungry?" He stepped back and held out his hand.
Ireland let him lead the way to the stairs. Along the way, she picked up the sweater she'd brought with her to combat the breeze.
On the upper deck, a string of lights twinkled overhead, soft music played from an unseen speaker, and dinner consisted of a salad and shrimp scampi and a rich, smooth wine.
Like earlier today, they discussed general topics. The latest books and movies, events taking place the upcoming weekend. She asked more questions about his kids and told stories from Samuel's school year that left Dominic laughing so hard his eyes watered.
"That kid could rule the world one day."
"I know, right? But it's just so normal for him. I listen to some moms talk about their kids playing video games all day, every day, and I can't help but think they're so boring. Oh, my— I shouldn't have said that. Th
at's an awful thing to say about someone's child."
"No, you're right. At least he's active and involved. And Samuel is a good kid. That's the most important thing."
Ireland held her wineglass to her lips and sipped, unable to wrap her mind around the day. It would definitely go down as the most romantic date she'd ever been on, but it also made her wonder how others would ever compare. Today would be hard to top both in location and company.
"Look."
Dominic pointed a finger and she gasped. The sunny blue sky had faded to reds and oranges and deep, deep purples while they'd eaten, and now the sun's last rays filled the horizon with spectacular color.
"The red makes me think of your hair. When the sun hits it a certain way, your hair turns fiery."
"My mom's a redhead, too, so there's definitely plenty in the mix."
"How did your parents meet?"
"My dad was stationed overseas and my mom was studying abroad for the summer. She was having coffee at a bistro and he walked by. They both swear it was love at first sight."
"You don't believe in that?"
"Do you?" she countered, not sure she wanted to answer that since the original question involved her parents and no child of any age wanted to visualize their parents in the alternative lust-at-first-sight stage.
"Certain aspects, yeah."
"Really?"
"You sound surprised."
She gazed out at the water, pondering his words. "I guess I shouldn't be. At least not anymore. You didn't strike me as romantic, but after today, you most definitely qualify."
"Was it too much?"
Her denial was automatic and truthful. "No. No, it was perfect. A woman would have to be crazy not to enjoy a day like today."
"Does that mean you'd consider trying it again?"
Another date? With Dominic? "Um, yeah. Of course. P-practice makes perfect. Isn't that the saying?"
The music playing on the speaker changed to a slow song, and she watched as Dominic scooted his chair back and stood, holding out his hand to her.
"Shall we?"
And he dances, too?
She was wearing her flat, strappy sandals, her head barely coming to his chin, and she loved the way his height made her feel small and feminine.
Dominic pulled her into his arms beneath the twinkling lights, beginning a slow dance that stole what was left of her defenses. Enjoy the time like Carolina says. Be in the moment. If it happens, it happens. "Dominic?"
"Mm?"
"Lisa was blessed to have you as a husband."
He tugged her closer and lowered his lips so that they brushed her ear. She shivered, tilting her head so that her cheek slid against the five-o'clock shadow of his chin. A non-kiss that was as close as you could get to a kiss without actually kissing.
"Your husband was a fool."
Chapter 21
"You're falling in love with him," Holland said a week later, her words carried away by the wind.
Falling?
As hard as it was to believe, it was too late for that. She'd fallen. Like all of the hooks, lines, and sinkers tossed off the pier into the water below. She’d jumped in with both feet and was still sinking.
Ireland sat on the beach between London and Frankie, who had lain back on the sand. It was late, going on midnight, and the lights of the pier and the moon up above danced atop the rolling waves as they crashed ashore. Carolina and Holland sat opposite them, backs to the water and worried expressions revealed by the moonlight.
Dominic had dropped her off at the house, and she'd stepped inside to find Holland had returned. Her sister had taken one look at her and sent a quick text to the rest of the sisters to meet at "their spot."
A little ways down the beach from the pier house and inn was a mailbox labeled Dream Catcher. The beach near that mailbox had become their place from the moment their parents had moved onto the island with five emotional girls in tow who needed a place to express themselves. Over the years, it had held more than a few of their anonymous notes.
"Wait, where's Sammy?" London asked.
"Sleepover at a friend's house," Holland said.
"Ireland? Is she right? Are you falling for him?" Frankie asked, rising up to her elbows to stare at her.
"I told Carolina it was a bad idea," London said, shaking her head.
"It's not her fault." It was hers. She had broken the unspoken rule of practice dating.
"I had a feeling this would happen. You were too vulnerable to handle that. Besides, a date's a date."
And they'd gone on them. Every single day of Dominic's stay. Sometimes with Sammy, sometimes alone. They'd gone to a pickup game and cheered Dominic on from behind the fence. Attended church at the pavilion and fished the pier again. Toured the Battleship North Carolina and stayed in town, wandering around the historic district. They'd gone to the aquarium, had lunch and dinner at various restaurants around Wilmington, walked the river walk, and danced to the live music. Held hands and strolled along the shore with the waves rolling over their bare feet. Walked out to the T and gazed silently into the distance. It was those quiet moments she'd miss the most. The ones where no words were needed or necessary.
"What are you going to do?"
The lump in Ireland's throat choked her, and she didn't take her gaze off of the water in response to Carolina's question. She gazed at the waves crashing onto the shore, tumbling the shells and sand until it receded back into the ocean like the wave had never happened. Dominic would leave, go back to Atlanta. Like nothing had ever happened. She cleared her throat and blinked away the sting of tears she blamed on the wind. "Nothing."
"What? You're not going to tell him how you feel?" London placed her hand on Ireland's arm. "Ireland?"
The touch broke her out of her trance, and Ireland cleared her throat and focused. "No. Of course not. Dominic is… vulnerable. Telling him would pressure him, take advantage of him, in the worst way. It's my decision," she said to London. "And if any of you say anything to him, I will throttle you," she said to Carolina, "like I did when we were little and you read my diary. I won't do that to him," she said to Holland. "So you're not to say a single word," she said to Frankie. "Dominic and I agreed to hang out. We had rules and he's kept them. He… hasn’t even kissed me again, because we agreed to take it a moment at a time, and obviously he hasn’t felt moved to. He's leaving tomorrow. I've known him two weeks. I'm not even sure it's possible to fall in love in two weeks."
"But you did,” Carolina said softly.
“And Mom and Dad did," Holland added. "It's possible if he's the right man for you."
The right man? Did they even exist? She was too afraid of getting her hopes up, too afraid of believing Dominic might feel the same for her as she did for him to consider taking that kind of risk.
The way she felt now? Here? This was him not knowing. Not responding. This overwhelming, stomach-churning, sick feeling inside of her was better than watching him leave her aware that she loved him. She wasn't sure she could survive that happening a second time.
"When are you going to give him the letter?" London asked.
The other sisters looked at London in confusion before turning toward her, but Ireland supposed it didn't matter now if they knew. "I'll give him Lisa's letter when he checks out tomorrow. Just like she asked me to do."
Frankie slipped her arm through Ireland's and leaned her head against her right shoulder. London did the same on the left, while Holland and Carolina scooted forward on the sand and enveloped her legs until they were all connected.
Ireland kept her eyes on the water, blinking hard, head tilted back to inhale the salt air as she drew strength from them to face what came with the sunrise.
They sat there for a long time without moving, without talking. "We need to get back," she murmured after a while. "We have church in the morning."
One by one, they got to their feet, brushed the sand from their clothes, and turned for the walk back. Ireland waited before she pulled the
hastily written Post-it from her pocket. She opened the lid of the mailbox and tucked it into the back. Catch that, Dream Catcher.
Chapter 22
Dominic loaded his suitcase into the Porsche and battled the war raging inside of him. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but sometime during the last few weeks, his thinking changed from wondering if he was ready to date to wanting his practice dates with Ireland to be the real deal. The lasting, this-could-grow-into-something kind of real that blended families and began another family tree.
As it always did, guilt surfaced, because his marriage to Lisa had been a good one. A loving one. They'd had their share of arguments over the years but nothing that ever made them want to toss in the towel. Marriage was something to be taken seriously. Vows were meant to be revered, and both he and Lisa had worked hard to keep that commitment to each other strong.
But she wasn't here any longer, and he found himself craving that kind of relationship again. The laughter and fun, the companionship of a wonderful, loving woman.
The trip to Bald Head Island had ended with the yacht dropping them off at a marina in Carolina Cove. He'd walked Ireland home, her hand in his, and left her at the door with a hug when he'd wanted so much more.
There were women he could date. There had always been women offering to comfort him after Lisa's death, but he hadn't been the slightest bit interested. Until Ireland.
But what could he offer her when she'd made it clear she didn't want a long-distance relationship? He was due back to work in Atlanta on Monday. His two weeks there had gone by slowly at first, but after their first practice date, the days hadn't lasted long enough, while the nights had lasted too long. Time he'd spent staring up at the ceiling in his hotel room or sitting on his balcony watching the waves while trying to come to grips with whatever was happening to him. Between them.
"Mom's sad, you know."
He looked up and met Samuel's direct gaze. "I know. I am, too. I'm going to miss you."
