Sunlight over Crystal Sands: A gorgeous uplifting romantic comedy perfect to escape with this summer

by Holly Martin

  Lyra stared at him with wide eyes, her breath catching in her throat. She didn’t know whether to be scared or excited by the prospect of something big and life-changing. This conversation had taken a very unexpected turn.

  ‘So yes, I agree,’ Nix went on. ‘We had an amazing night, we had this crappy misunderstanding which hurt us both, we’ve apologised and neither of us is ready to start something serious so we draw a line under it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.’

  She hesitated before speaking because being just friends suddenly didn’t seem like enough.

  But she knew this was for the best – she wasn’t ready for a relationship. And they had to work with each other. After the angst of the last two days, if they pursued a relationship and it came to an end, it was quite obvious things would be awkward between them at work.

  She nodded. ‘I think I’d very much like to be friends with you, Nix Sanchez. This tension between us is exhausting and it turns out you are rather lovely after all.’

  He smiled and stuck out his hand. ‘Friends then.’

  She took his hand, and shook it, ignoring the spark that flashed between them as they touched. ‘Friends.’

  Chapter Twelve

  Lyra was sitting at her desk early the next morning when Nix walked in carrying a bunch of yellow roses. He came over to her desk and offered them out to her.

  She couldn’t help smiling. ‘What are these for?’

  ‘Well, yellow roses symbolise friendship and I thought we should celebrate our new arrangement,’ Nix said.

  She took them. Some were just starting to bud; others were in full bloom. ‘Thank you, they’re beautiful. I brought you something too.’

  He grinned. ‘You did?’

  ‘Friendship brownies. Although I can’t take any credit. My sister makes them, but she makes the best brownies in the world so you’re in safe hands.’

  ‘Thank you, I can’t wait to try them. I was also wondering if, as friends, you’d let me take you out for lunch today.’

  She hesitated. Flowers and lunch seemed a bit more romantic than friendly, but she was keen to put the angst of the last few days well behind them. She was determined it wasn’t going to be awkward any more. ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘OK then.’

  Nix smiled as he walked back towards his desk and she watched him as he opened the tin of brownies, carefully unwrapping them and taking out one with pink sprinkles on the top. He took a bite and moaned with appreciation. ‘These are amazing. Thank you.’

  ‘Almost as good as your sausages with homemade chutney.’

  He grinned. ‘Better, I think. Please pass on my compliments to the chef.’

  Lyra focussed her attention on the roses for a moment. She’d had a hard enough time that morning getting Michelle to part with her brownies once she knew who they were for. Lyra had tried to explain how it had all been a complete misunderstanding but her sister hadn’t been convinced. If anyone hurt Lyra, there were no second chances. She decided to change the subject.

  ‘What were you doing up at the field last night?’

  He paused for a fraction too long. ‘I was checking on George.’

  ‘Oh, you made it look like you were up to something when you asked if I’d seen what you were doing.’

  He laughed. ‘I promise you it was nothing dodgy. Just Countryside Trust stuff.’

  She studied him for a moment, but he was so open and honest that she knew she believed him.

  ‘I’ve been thinking about the competition,’ Lyra said. ‘I think your idea of liaising with each other about what we intend to do on our respective days is a good one.’

  He looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘OK. Let’s share what we have.’

  She nodded. Nix grabbed his chair and pushed it over towards her desk and then went back and took a small file from his desk before coming over to join her.

  ‘OK, hit me with your brilliance,’ he said.

  ‘Well, I have quite a few ideas, but I need to narrow them down. I thought it should be a classy event. We’re showcasing the hotel and what a great place it is now. I thought we could have some old black and white photos of how the hotel used to be so people can see the transition. For the party I thought we could have some ice sculptures, maybe a champagne fountain. I was thinking we could have a ball, maybe even a masked ball, so the guests can dress up in their finest clothes. We’d have a cocktail bar and people can even design their own cocktails. I thought for the entertainment we could run a casino or a horse-racing event too, one of those with videos of old horse races on the big screen so that people can bet on it. We can give them some fake money so they can spend as much as they want but the person with the most money at the end of the night can win some prizes.’

  She looked down her list of ideas. She had a few more she could use, but she couldn’t go crazy with her ideas. Clover had said there was a budget, after all. Lyra had spent most of her years in the events business organising parties, weddings and events, but to the clients’ specifications, and while she was good at coming up with different suggestions to help the clients get what they wanted, she’d never before been given completely free rein to organise something from scratch. It was a bit scary and she had to make sure she got it right.

  Nix was nodding as he studied her list of ideas. ‘This all sounds great but…’ he trailed off.

  ‘But what?’

  He brushed his hand through his hair. ‘When I was talking to Sylvia the other day she was telling me all about the different events that are held on the island. There’ve been lots of new ones since the hotel renovations, like the autumn and Halloween fair, but some traditional ones too, like the festival of lights. And in the spring this year they brought back the tradition of a pudding parade, which they used to hold on the island seventy-odd years ago. The hotel is a big part of the community and the islanders are all heavily involved in the events being held here or down in the village.’

  ‘OK,’ Lyra said, slowly. ‘What did you have in mind?’

  ‘Whatever we do needs to involve the villagers, and I think the celebrations need to be in keeping with the island and the hotel. This is a seaside resort so I’m wondering whether we should do something simple like a beach party, or a barbeque on the beach or in the gardens overlooking the sea. But I also think we need to do something in the day too, something for families and children. Maybe something fun like one of those inflatable obstacle courses or a fair or an outdoor cinema. We can get some of the shops in the village to man stands selling their goods. There are lots of things we could do to keep it casual.’

  Lyra thought about it for a moment. Nix was right: involving the villagers was important.

  ‘I like your suggestions. I love the idea of doing something fun for the families. What about some kind of treasure hunt? I used to do stuff like that when I was a kid.’

  ‘Oooh, I like that idea. There’s certainly a place for your kind of classy celebrations. And we have got two days to fill. So I think it’s great we’re bringing something different to the table.’

  She nodded. They both had different styles but they might complement each other.

  ‘I’d also really like it if we could work together on the other events rather than separately, pool our expertise,’ Lyra said. ‘I think it’s a good idea if I stick to weddings and you do other events, but we can help each other.’

  ‘I’d like that too.’

  She nodded. ‘OK, good.’

  Nix watched her for a moment.

  ‘I’m very much looking forward to working with you, Lyra Thomas.’

  His eyes were locked on hers and she forced herself to look away. Why did she get the feeling she was going to be really bad at being just friends with Nix Sanchez?

  Nix had just popped to the restaurant to get some drinks for him and Lyra when Sylvia and her huge dog collared him.

  ‘Hello, Snowflake,’ he said, crouching down to give the dog some love.

  ‘Nix, I need a
word with you,’ Sylvia said, sternly.

  ‘Is this about the party? Let me just nip back to the office and get your file,’ he said, wondering what he could have done to deserve such a sharp reprimand. He’d only spoken to her about the launch party two days before.

  ‘It’s not about the party, it’s about you and Lyra.’

  ‘Oh,’ Nix said, smiling to himself at Sylvia’s audacity. ‘Shall we take a seat?’

  She ushered him into a nearby booth. Thankfully the restaurant was currently closed because this looked like it was going to get interesting. She’d tried to pin him down on his first day in the job as to what had happened between him and Lyra but he hadn’t said a word. He’d soon managed to distract her with talk of her party, which she was very excited about. But it looked like he wouldn’t be able to deflect her so easily today; she was clearly a woman on a mission.

  Sylvia settled herself into the booth opposite him. ‘Right young man, do you like Lyra?’

  He smiled. ‘Very much.’

  ‘Well you have a funny way of showing it.’

  ‘I don’t know, she seemed to like the roses I bought for her this morning.’

  Her eyes lit up in delight. ‘You apologised?’

  He wondered how much she knew about his relationship with Lyra and what had happened between them the week before.

  ‘What would I apologise for?’

  ‘For leaving her!’ Sylvia said, in exasperation.

  She’d certainly wheedled something out of Lyra. Sylvia would be good at torturing people for information, she was completely relentless.

  ‘In actual fact, she left me,’ Nix said, deciding he was going to mess with her rather than capitulate.

  She frowned in confusion and Snowflake put his head on Nix’s lap, probably hoping that if they were sitting at a table there must be some food around. Nix stroked his soft velvety head.

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Sylvia said. ‘She was upset because you left her.’

  Nix relented. ‘It was a big crappy misunderstanding, Sylvia, but we’ve sorted it all out now.’

  Sylvia’s face lit up with a big smile.

  ‘Yes, we had a long chat about it last night. We both apologised and drew a line under it all and we’ve decided to be friends.’

  Her face fell. ‘Friends?’

  ‘Yes, neither of us are ready for a relationship.’

  Nix had lain awake for most of the night thinking about their agreement to stay just as friends. It was true that he didn’t feel ready for something serious. After what happened with Emily, he wasn’t sure if he could face a proper relationship yet, but it was always going to be hard moving on and starting anew with someone else. He had to take that step some time and there was something about Lyra that he just couldn’t walk away from.

  ‘What’s there to be ready for?’ Sylvia said, apparently not happy with this answer. ‘It’s not like running a marathon where you have to train for months to be ready for it. You either want to be together or you don’t. And judging by the fact that Lyra said the sex was the most incredible she’d ever had, I’m pretty sure she wants a repeat of that sometime soon.’

  Nix felt the smile spread across his face. ‘She said that?’

  ‘Yes, but if you tell her I told you, me and you are going to fall out. Trust me, you don’t want me as an enemy, I know people,’ Sylvia said, ominously, which made him smile even more. She was so small; the threat could hardly be taken seriously.

  ‘I’m sure you do.’

  ‘I mean it. She threatened to put my gold cloak through the shredder if I told you and it’s my favourite one.’

  ‘I won’t say anything. If it makes you feel better I thought the same about making love to Lyra. Best sex I’ve ever had. And that comes from someone who was happily married for over seven years. I feel guilty for saying it, but it’s true, me and Lyra had an amazing connection I’ve never felt before.’

  ‘So why are you accepting just being friends with her?’

  A question he’d asked himself – and he’d been the one to suggest it. But after the amazing night the week before, he’d needed something more than just being work colleagues with Lyra Thomas, so being friends had seemed like a good compromise. Or a good start.

  ‘Were you ever friends with any of your husbands before you married them?’ Nix asked.

  Her face softened. ‘My current husband and I were friends for three years before we got married. Best thing I ever did. I know he is my forever now.’

  Nix nodded. ‘I think being friends will be good for us, it will allow Lyra to trust me, for us to become comfortable with each other rather than jumping straight back into bed again. We can focus on really getting to know each other when sex is out of the equation. And I have a plan. She doesn’t like who she really is, and she keeps that part locked away. I want to show her that that part of her isn’t something to be afraid of. If she learns to love herself, maybe she’ll let someone else love her too. And then, maybe in time, we’ll both be ready to take that step.’

  Sylvia nodded. ‘Don’t take three years though. This is one wedding I’d like to be invited to.’

  Nix laughed. ‘I promise, if it gets that far, you’ll have front-row seats.’

  Nix put his menu down after giving his order to the waitress and watched Lyra as she tried to decide what she wanted. The morning had been a huge improvement on the day before. They’d laughed and chatted and worked together on the upcoming events. She had a keen mind for detail and clearly had a ton of experience in event planning. They got on well, and the more he talked with her, the more he regretted his offer of just friendship. But like he’d said to Sylvia, it was for the best – he just wasn’t ready for something serious.

  Finally Lyra made her decision and placed her order. The waitress smiled and walked off to the kitchen.

  ‘For someone who makes brilliant snap decisions at work, I expected you to know what you wanted as soon as you walked in here,’ Nix said, noticing that her hand was on the table just a few inches from his. He had an overwhelming urge to bridge the gap and entwine her fingers with his own.

  ‘Ah, food is very different. I’m very good at making decisions for other people, not so good at making them for myself. And when it comes to food I don’t want to miss out on something wonderful.’

  ‘I get that.’ Although he was starting to think he’d done just that by agreeing to draw a line under that perfect night. He had hurt her and she had gone scuttling back inside her shell again. He had to get to the bottom of her fears if he was going to coax her out again. ‘So, Lyra, you know a little about my past, and I know a little about yours – about your parents abandoning you and why you prefer control over spontaneity. But why are you guarding your heart so fiercely?’

  She let out a heavy breath, tracing the condensation on her water glass. Eventually she spoke. ‘I’ve dated a few men in my life. Most of them ended it before it really started, probably because the men I date seem to only be interested in having a bit of fun and I’m always looking for something more than that. I’d like to say that these men didn’t matter, that I wasn’t hurt by getting dumped repeatedly, but I was. I always give my heart away very quickly and easily and always get hurt.’

  She picked up a bread roll and started picking at it. ‘I’ve had three semi-serious relationships, if you could call them that, which lasted a few months. The first two cheated on me; I literally walked in on Mitch with another woman in my bed.’

  ‘What? That’s a bit… crap.’ That was putting it mildly. Nix had a lot worse he could say for a man like that but he didn’t want to ruin their lunch.

  ‘I know,’ Lyra went on. ‘He was almost living at my house because after he’d split with his previous girlfriend he’d moved back in with his parents, so he preferred to spend his time with me, although it was never official. One day, I came home from work early and there they were. I suppose he couldn’t sleep with her in his own bed at his parents’ house – his mum adored m
e, she would have given him hell – so he probably thought my house was the better option. But it made the situation so much worse.’

  ‘I can imagine. That’s really shitty. And the third boyfriend?’ Surely it couldn’t get worse.

  ‘Greg, well everything seemed pretty damned perfect to start with. Although he was away a lot with his job, we made it work when we were together. Things were good. Turned out he wasn’t away with work; he was going home to his wife.’

  Nix swore under his breath.

  ‘I certainly know how to pick them,’ Lyra said. ‘I was so upset over Greg, because I was the other woman and I had no idea.’ She stared at the table. ‘I threatened to tell his wife, I thought she should know, but Greg got really nasty and spiteful about it all. He said some really unpleasant things, like how bad I was in bed and that nobody would ever want me, let alone get married to me. That he’d only slept with me out of pity. It was really awful. He became really angry and threatening. So I never told his wife, I suppose out of fear of what he would do if I did. And I just wanted to get as far away as possible from him. But it really showed me that I didn’t know him at all, because I would never have gone out with someone who was so horrible. I must be a terrible judge of character, or just gullible, because I was taken in by him completely. And it just put me off dating altogether and, well, I haven’t been with anyone since. I do wonder if I’m just not loveable. I’m not someone who men see as long-term, marriage material. Even my parents didn’t want to stick around.’

  Nix instinctively reached across the table and took her hand. She looked up at him in surprise. ‘Lyra, I’m so sorry you’ve dated such awful, crappy men. But please don’t take those men’s issues or your parents’ issues on yourself. You are very very loveable.’