Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
My aversion to pretense and privilege had only grown stronger since my time in Sea Springs. After all the attaboys I’d received, perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence my photo was taken. Maybe my father intentionally exposed me to all the publicity. The thought of his cunning manipulation made my stomach twist. My actions had harmed Beau.
However, my father still had the ability to help Beau’s family. I needed to be candid and ask for his help. Despite everything, my father wasn’t a monster.
“They’ll be shorthanded without me,” I said absently, but also didn’t argue for the integrity of working until they found someone to replace me.
“Your sister’s removed you from the schedule,” he said, while rolling the plans up. “Change quickly. They’ve prepared the leek and prosciutto quiche you enjoy. It’s best served fresh.”
All right. His clear joy had me taking a deep breath. I’d never seen him so happy.
I made quick work of changing out of my clothes, relieved to never have to wear my lifeguard’s uniform again. Instead, I slipped back into my usual attire—polo shirt and plaid walking shorts. I searched out my deck shoes, sliding them on before having a quick check in the mirror.
The smells coming from the interior of the suite had me moving faster. The last few weeks had me suffering from acute insomnia, and an advanced eating disorder. I was never hungry and had a general lack of motivation for anything other than being with Beau. Yes, after yesterday’s intimate encounter, I was now ravenous. My teenage guy appetite was back. I planned to eat the entire quiche by myself.
Besides, I needed fortification to be ready for the best birthday of my life. The sweetness of love overpowered everything. I was such a dork. Soon I’d be writing sonnets to Beau’s inner beauty.
“What would you like to drink?” a server asked, drawing me from my mental rough draft of said sonnet. My father was on another call, phone to his ear, gesturing me to the seat at an angle to his.
“What’re my choices?” I asked, glancing over the spread of food. My stomach growled a loud grumble.
“I believe we have everything available. If not, I can call down and have anything brought up,” she explained.
“How about some pineapple, orange, carrot juice?” My favorite juice from my travels overseas. I took my seat, with the napkin barely in my lap, before reaching for the quiche trowel.
I ate a few bites of the quiche, staying silent until my father ended the call and I heard the door click close behind the waitstaff. We were alone. “Is Mom joining us?”
“No. She’s planning our trip home. We’re leaving after the Fourth of July festivities. We’ll be home before nightfall.” He mirrored the energy I had toward our meal, digging in as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
“Can I keep the car?” I asked and went at my plate in the same way. With my mom not popping in at any moment, I didn’t have anyone to correct my eating habits.
“You deserve it. You were a natural out there and handled the press like a pro. I’m proud of you.” He reached for my hand, giving a soft squeeze.
The surprising caress caused me to accidentally swallow a bite the wrong way. I coughed and grabbed my glass of juice, my napkin in the other hand. Honestly, my father’s ensuing chuckle seemed a bit out of place for such a potentially hazardous moment.
“I’m sure we’ll have something for you to unwrap on your birthday. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.” He winked at me, reaching for his coffee.
I took a moment to compose myself and breathe properly again, then put forth my next request. “If everyone’s going home, I’d like to stay until school starts.”
“Why?” My father’s brow wrinkled, his expression confused. “I heard Chandler’s family’s returning early too. Why stay here?”
With no time to contemplate the various scenarios I could use to answer, I placed my fork beside my plate while Beau’s mesmerizing face occupied my thoughts. The time had come. Let the consequences fall as they may.
“Maybe Chandler can come visit me here, or not. But I have something I need to share with you. I’ve met someone special, who’s become important to me.”
Perhaps it was the seriousness of my tone or the way I relayed the information, but my father paused, placing his fork on the edge of the plate, watching me closely.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been preoccupied lately. Joy’s mentioned you’ve been using her car.” Curiosity set his brow as he reached for his coffee cup. “How did you two meet?”
“He’s from here. His name’s Beau, and I’m really into him.” The truth of my words left me suddenly vulnerable. “I like him so much. He’s different from anyone I’ve known. Intelligent, athletic, and very nice-looking. He captivates me. My world revolves around him. He’s all I think about. He took me fishing. I told him you’d be shocked he got me out there.” I kept my steady gaze on him as he nodded his understanding.