15 Shades Of Pink (29 page)

“I always bring my stylist with me to the beach,” I said, with a pretend snobby accent.

Micki laughed and rolled her eyes. “She’s my most difficult client.”

Connor looked me up and down. “You do good work.”

I knew I was blushing. “Thanks.”

Cassidy let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, yes, we all know Natalie’s cute now.”

“Ready for the best crab cakes in the world?” Connor asked as we walked to our table.

“Natalie, you can’t have crab cakes. So fattening! Try something baked.” Cassidy sat down at the table next to Connor.

“Sit here, Natalie,” he said, patting the chair next to him.

Cassidy’s eyes widened for a moment.

I sat down and damn my heart for picking up speed. I didn’t know what he was doing. Was he trying to make Cassidy jealous? Or make Jared mad? I was so confused. Maybe hot men were just too difficult to handle. Did all good-looking guys play games?

After we settled in and started chatting, we placed our orders. Connor and I both ordered crab cakes. “I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”

“But you’ll be like, two pounds heavier tomorrow,” Cassidy warned. “Do I need to show you that hideous picture from last year again?”

Connor reached for his phone. “Actually, I have a picture I want to show you.”

Cassidy grabbed his arm and pressed up against him. “Ooh, is it one of me?”

“Nope, I asked my cousin to send this to me earlier today. What do you think of this guy?” He handed me his phone.

It was a picture of a heavy man in his early twenties. He was holding a drink and laughing. There was something very appealing about him. He looked like a fun, nice guy. That’s the kind of guy I should be looking for. Forget what he looks like. Isn’t that how I always wished guys would treat me when I was heavier? “He’s got a great smile,” I said. “Love those dimples. But I think he’s a little young for me.”

Cassidy reached over and grabbed the phone from me. “Let me see.” She swallowed back a laugh. “Maybe your cousin
would
be the right kind of guy for Natalie. Just in case she gets big again.” She passed the phone over to Micki, who was wiggling her fingers to grab it.

“What’s he, like three hundred pounds?” Cassidy asked.

Connor shook his head. “Two-seventy. And that’s me, not my cousin.”

Confused, Cassidy raised her eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”

“I used to be fat, Cassidy. And I was so ashamed that I moved away from home to start a new life and never told anybody what I used to look like.”

Swallowing hard, I looked down at the napkin in my lap and fiddled with the embroidered edges.

“You were fat and you didn’t tell me?”

He ignored her. “But meeting you, Natalie, made me realize how silly I was. You’ve handled Cassidy’s bitchy comments all weekend with poise and class. I really admire you for not hiding who you are.”

Cassidy held up her hand as if to stop the conversation. “Wait. I’m bitchy? I’ve been nothing but supportive and encouraging.”

“By showing everyone her picture to try and embarrass her?”

“To keep her on the straight and narrow. Literally. You don’t want to get fat again, do you, Natalie? I’m sure those pictures helped.”

Connor looked down at her. “It was mean and you know it. You can’t believe I didn’t tell you I was fat? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were a bitch.” He spit out the words at her.

She stood up and threw her napkin on the table. “That’s it. You apologize and take me home now or we’re over.”

Rolling his eyes, he took a drink. “I’ll take the second option.”

Her mouth flapped open and closed. I couldn’t help but think of a fish. “Fine,” she said. “We’re done and I’m going home.” She stormed off as the waitress came over with her food. No one moved to chase Cassidy.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked him, ignoring my crab cakes, which was incredible, really. But I was much more interested in what he had to say than in how the food tasted.

He reached for my hand. “I haven’t told anybody. Not anyone in my new life.

But I really wanted to show you that you’re not alone. And it doesn’t matter. Everyone has shit in their past. Some bigger than others.” He laughed at his unintentional joke, and so did I.

I squeezed his hand. “Thanks.

“Enough small talk, try the crab cakes.”

I cut off a chunk and took a bite. I sighed. “You were right. The best ever.”

After dinner, Micki and the rest of the guys left to go dancing at a club nearby. Connor and I stayed and split a piece of carrot cake.

“I’m going to have to run twenty miles to work this off tomorrow,” I said.

He nudged me with his elbow. “This is a special occasion.”

“Oh?”

“It’s our first date.”

“Hmm. And your last date with Cassidy all rolled in one. I feel a little guilty.”

“Don’t.” He set down his fork. “After so many years of being ignored by the hot girls, I forgot what’s really important and went out with someone like her. But someone like you—you’ve got it all, Natalie.” He leaned over and kissed me.

“I’m probably going to have to find another job now. I hated my cubicle anyway.”

He laughed. “If they were smart, they’d let her go and keep you. But let’s not talk about her. Let’s go walk on the beach.”

The shore was dark and deserted, save for the light from the slice of moon in the sky.

“I’ve never done this before,” I told him.

“What?”

“Walk along the beach at night with a gorgeous man. My dating life has been stunted.”

He stopped walking and turned me to face him. “Then we better catch you up fast.” He weaved his hand through my hair and brought my mouth to his for the most incredible kiss I’d ever had.

“Even better than the crab cakes,” I said, when we came up for air.

“Imagine that?” He grinned. “So, what else haven’t you done that I might be able to help you out with?”

I leaned against him. “I’ve done
that
, if that’s what you mean.” That had been a drunken mistake back in college. I’d never been brave enough to be naked in front of a man again. Even now, the idea worried me. “Today was my first day wearing a bikini. So that’s new.”
And that had been nearly naked, come to think of it
.

I looked out over the ocean and smiled at Connor.
You can’t
, I chided myself.
Oh, yes I can
. “And I’ve never gone skinny dipping.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Neither have I.”

I shivered and caught my breath. “It’s a dark night. No one’s around.” I lifted a shoulder suggestively. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to see everything was helping my bravery.

He tugged his shirt over his head and pulled me over for another kiss. “You sure about this?”

I nodded, and turned around so he could unzip my dress. He felt around for the tab, and then slowly pulled it down, running his thumb along my spine. I stepped out of it and turned to him.

He undid his pants and kicked off his shoes and we were both standing there in nothing but our undies.

“Ladies first,” he teased.

I sucked in a breath, slid off my panties and ran into the water, giggling and shrieking as I splashed into the waves. I sucked in a breath as the cold water spiked goose bumps on my skin.

Connor was right behind me and led me in deeper. He put his arms around me and held me tight. “You don’t want to do laps, do you?”

I gave his arm a little punch, feeling much warmer now.

I’d left a lot more besides my clothes back on the beach; I’d left my inhibitions and years of pain and hurt. I slipped from Connor’s arms and floated on my back under the scant light of the moon—and Connor’s appreciative gaze. I closed my eyes and smiled.

When we swam back to shore an hour later, my clothes and shoes were gone. The tide had come in and swept them away. So Cassidy’s shoes had gotten lost after a hot night on the beach, after all. I chuckled to myself, but reminded myself I was currently naked and freezing on the beach.

Luckily, Connor had kicked off his clothes further back on the beach. He slid on his pants and gave me his shirt.

We walked back to the condo. Cassidy’s car was gone. “That’s another thing I’ve never done. Stolen another girl’s boyfriend.”

“You didn’t steal me. That relationship was going nowhere.”

I wanted to invite him in, but Micki was there.

He must have known what I was thinking. “We can wait. I plan on seeing a lot more of you when we get back home.”

I tipped up my chin, feeling suddenly flirty. “There’s nothing left to see. I showed you everything tonight.” I was getting the hang of this after all.

He laughed.

The back patio door slid open and Micki stuck her head out. “Where did you two end up?” Her eyes widened. “And where are my clothes?”

My eyes widened and I shrugged. “Say hello to the new Natalie who loses her clothes at sea. Good thing you brought three suitcases.”

She walked out onto the patio. “And Cassidy’s shoes?”

I waved my hand goodbye.

She nibbled her lip and shrugged. “She lost her shoes and her boyfriend.”

I winced. “Bummer.”

“Hey, it’s called karma, and it’s being a bitch to Cassidy. She deserves it. Anyway, I’m headed up to Jared’s, so the place is all yours if you want it…" She raised an eyebrow.

I stepped back. “Jared?”

“I knew it the moment I saw him. But I thought you might be interested, so I held back.”

I slung my arm around her. “Can I move into your cubicle? I’ve been sitting by the wrong friend.”

She hugged me back and scampered up the stairs, while Connor followed the new Natalie inside.

It’s a girl’s beach week—until the hottie from high school shows up. So who gets Finn?

Girls Just Want To Have Finn

by Lisa Scott

Brooke held up the beautiful red sandal and sighed. “Poor little stranded Manolo.” She patted the shoe. “I’ve walked up and down the shore searching for its mate. So tragic.” She rubbed it against her cheek like it was a stray kitten.

“Seriously?” Catherine shook her head. “You could wear a stranger’s shoes?”

Brooke shrugged, her blond curls bobbing against her shoulder. “They’re half a size too small, but I’d make it work.”

I sighed. “I wonder if the girl who lost them found her prince. It’s like a seaside Cinderella story.”

“Or
Jaws
,” Monica offered, scanning the ocean, probably searching for a shark fin to prove her point.

“
Jaws?
” I looked at her, confused.

She fiddled with her long, brown ponytail. “You know, that woman at the beginning. I’m sure someone found her clothes the next day. Ooh!
Overboard!
Maybe she fell off a yacht!”

I finished my soda. “I’m sticking with my Cinderella theory.”

“Forget the fairy tale, girls. We’ve got a real life happily-ever-after headed our way. A solid eight, possibly a nine once I see his backside.” Catherine lowered her sunglasses and leaned forward as a bronzed god walked our way along the shore.

Brooke sighed. “Those thighs earn him a nine, for sure. And I’m sure those trunks are by Marc Jacobs. Nice.”

I dug my toes in the sand and watched the guy strolling by. He slowed as he walked past us and smiled. “He’d do in a pinch,” I said.

Catherine snorted, tossing her mane of shiny, black hair. “I’d like a pinch of that,” she said, loud enough to be heard.

“Shh!” hissed Brooke, blushing.

Boy-watching on the beach certainly brought out our lusty sides.

Monica waved at him. “I’m so glad Chad and I broke up last month,” she mumbled to us.

“When’s the last time the four of us have been single at the same time?” I asked.

“Freshman year of high school?” Brooke suggested.

The girls nodded thoughtfully, trying to remember back through our fifteen-year friendship that began when we met in middle school. I did a quick scan of relationship histories and shrugged, surprised. “It’s true. We haven’t all been single at once since high school.”

“Speaking of high school memories, doesn’t this guy look like that actor from that movie
Heartbreak Beach?
” Catherine asked, jutting her chin in the direction of a guy headed our way.

“Michael Sullivan?” I squinted at him. He had dimples and wavy dark hair, just like the 90’s teen heartthrob, but I wasn’t sure. “Maybe. More like his older brother.”

Monica frowned, shaking her head. “I watched that movie twenty-eight times. I’d know if that was Michael Sullivan.” Adjusting the straps on her bikini, she nodded, satisfied with her self-proclaimed title of
Monica Duncan, Movie Trivia Goddess
. Not that anyone fought her for the title. And not that she deserved it. Her facts were often wrong.

“Forget him, here comes Adonis himself,” Catherine said, taking her glasses off.

Brooke sat up, squinting. “Is that who I think it is?”

Monica sucked in a breath. “Oh my God … it’s…”

“Finn Donahue!” The three girls all cooed at once.

I looked at the six-foot-four specimen of man perfection coming our way. “Who’s Finn Donahue?”

Surprisingly, their gazes snapped from him to me. “You’re joking, right?”

I shook my head. “How do you all know him?”

They giggled, like we were back at a sleepover party and Dennis Hicks was outside throwing rocks at the window.

“Seriously? You don’t remember Finn?” Monica snapped her fingers. “That’s right. Your mother never let you go to parties across town with the prep school kids. Finn Donahue was only the hottest guy to ever walk the halls of St. Anthony’s Prep.” She started fanning herself with her hand.

Brooke nodded, retying her ponytail into a chic knot, just like Jennifer Lopez was wearing in the issue of
People
on Brooke’s lap. “It’s true. We looked at all the senior class pictures going back thirty years. He outshines them all.”

Catherine sucked in her stomach, stuck out her chest, and stood up as he came closer. Heading for the water, she paused and pretended she’d just spotted him. She shaded her eyes. “Finn? Finn Donahue? Is that you?”