Let Me Burn (Angel Sands 1)

“It’s tough being single,” Ally said, wrinkling her nose. “We’re not getting any younger, and single guys are getting fewer. And I should know.” She rested her chin on her palm, sighing loudly. “I think I’ve dated every single guy in Angel Sands.”

“Every single guy?” Brooke questioned. “Or every single guy?” Ember’s eyes met Brooke’s and they collapsed into another fit of giggles.

“Doesn’t every girl want to find the right guy?” Ally’s face was flushed, and Ember couldn’t tell if it was from emotion or the sun. “It’s okay for you two. Brooke has Nicholas, and we all know he’s the love of her life. And you’ve had a long-term relationship, Ember.”

Leaning forward, Ember covered Ally’s hand with her own. Any remnants of their giggling fit had disappeared into the sea air. Sliding her fingers between Ally’s, she squeezed her hand tight. “I’m sorry, honey.”

She really was; Ally had always been a romantic at heart, even if she hid it with an armor of thick skin. How many times over the years had Ally told her she wanted what Will and Ember had? How many times had they sat up late at night and talked about her hopes and dreams over an almost-empty bottle of white wine?

“I just want to know what it feels like,” Ally said, her fingers still gripping Ember’s. “To have somebody who is totally there for you. Someone who’s your biggest fan, someone to hold you whenever you’re down.”

Ember felt a deep pang in her stomach. She tried not to think about what she’d lost, because even if the hurt of splitting up with Will had lessened, it still hadn’t disappeared altogether. It was more of a dull ache than a sharp pain, but it throbbed nonetheless.

“You have us,” Brooke said, leaning forward to put her hand on top of Ember and Ally’s. “We’ll always be here for each other. When we’re happy, when we’re sad. No matter what.”

Ally nodded, then gave them both a watery smile. “I know. Thick and thin, right?”

“That’s right,” Ember agreed. “We’ll never let each other down. When you need me, I’ll be there. And you’ll find the right guy one day. I know you will.”

Ally’s smile grew, her expression brighter. “You know what we need to do?”

“What?” Ember asked.

“Download a dating app. If I can’t find the right guy in real life, and you’re refusing to look, it might be the only way to stop us becoming old maids.”

Ember shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m really not great with technology.”

“It’s simple, even you could do it.”

“But what if I’m not looking for another relationship?” Ember asked. “What if I’m happy being on my own?”

Ally tilted her head, staring at her. “If you were happy on your own how come you were with Will for so long? And anyway it’s the Sizzle App, not a marriage certificate. You don’t have to commit to anybody, but you can still see what’s out there.

“I don’t know…” Ember trailed off.

Ally’s voice softened. “Are you afraid?” she asked. “It would be understandable after everything you’ve been through.”

“Of course not. I’m just not sure I want to find a relationship using an app.”

“It’s not about finding another relationship,” Ally said. “It’s about seeing that you’re an attractive, beautiful woman that most guys would beat the door down to date.” She shrugged. “It’s about having some fun and showing Will he hasn’t won.”

Ember sighed, but she pulled her phone out anyway and placed it in Ally’s open palm. Her better judgment had long since left the building.

“It’s okay,” Ally reassured her. “I’ve done this before. There’s really nothing to be scared of.”

* * *

The ocean was flirting with them this morning, if you could really call it morning. Though the

sun was slowly rising, the darkness of the night still lingered, the deep blue of the sky reflected in the undulating water. They’d met here at six a.m., ready to make the most of the empty water.

Lucas had always loved the beach at this time of day. In spite of the crashing waves, there was a stillness to the air that you didn’t get when the sand was full of sun-worshippers. It was as though nature was slowly waking up and stretching her muscles, letting only the fortunate see her in her full glory. It had been too long since he’d experienced this feeling of being at one with nature – more often than not he was fighting against it. He was thankful that he’d called Griff and Jackson last night, and they’d agreed to meet this morning.

He was stomach-down on his board, his thin wetsuit the only barrier between him and the ocean. The smell of saltwater filled his senses, along with the rhythmic sound of the waves as they crashed into the shore. Like a hunter stalking his prey, he kept his eyes on the horizon, waiting for the one wave that was going to power him back to where he needed to be.

Not every wave was meant for surfing. As a boy, he’d learned to read the ocean, looking for the telltale signs of a closeout, when the wave toppled over before it was near the shore. He knew how to read the direction of the waves, how to estimate when they’d reach their peak. He’d grown up with the water, it was a part of him.

He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed it.