We got up for dinner and I took in the sight of Remy in his board shorts that hung low on his hips. He wore nothing else as he watched something on TV and I almost stopped breathing. Brinley strolled by, so we could help with dinner and I followed, staring straight ahead. We plated the chicken and rice and took everything to the dining room table, telling the guys that the food was ready.
Brinley talked about our informal plans over the next several weeks as we ate, and I let her drone on. I was good at that and I ate slowly as Melinda smiled at me. Remy seemed lost in thought and I met his eyes a few times over the meal as he shook his head at me. Remy always said that Brinley talked too much and sometimes he was right.
After dinner, she got a call about a party at a friend’s beach house. She told me about it and I said that I’d rather stay in tonight. She could sleep there if she couldn’t drive home. Brinley asked me if I was sure and I smiled and nodded. I was more of a once a month party girl and she had plenty of friends here.
She showered and dressed, hugging me before she left. I loved Brinley and kissed her cheek before she walked out of the door. I wore a pair of leggings and a t-shirt to fall asleep in later and walked out to the back deck to look over the water. It was just a few steps down to the private beach and I looked around at the blue sky and wispy clouds.
I headed down in my sandals and stood at the edge of the sand for a moment. San Francisco had nothing on this place. I slipped my shoes off and walked towards the waves slowly, letting the peace of the ocean take me over. I’d spend some time out here tonight and then read a book upstairs until I fell asleep. That was a perfect night.
I wandered through the waves as I lost myself in everything around me. My parents loved the ocean, and I always felt closer to them on the beach. We loved each other and knew it when they died. I never doubted that but regretted that I didn’t return Mom’s call that afternoon. I was busy with Brinley and planned to do it later but instead, I got a call from the police.
I moved into her house after that. Her mom handled the sale of the house and helped me with the inheritance while I recovered from my loss. I’d never forgetten it. I looked forward at the long stretch of sand and breathed in the ocean air. Something made me turn around, and I noticed Remy standing on the deck looking in my direction.
There were times that he looked at me that made me wonder if he remembered our night together. His gorgeous blue eyes could get so intense but then he’d look away from me. I didn’t want him to remember even as I longed to sleep with him again. I stared for a moment and then turned to look at the beautiful sunset as the sun dropped behind the horizon. When it was dark, I headed back to the house and smiled at Melinda as I walked in. “Are you okay, sweetie?” Her voice was soft, and I nodded.
“I am just relaxed for a change. It feels great.” I dropped onto the couch and leaned back as she found a movie on the flat screen.
“That’s what this time is for. You have plenty of money to tide you over until you decide what to do. They made sure of that.” She patted my hand, and I smiled as I thought back to all she did for me.
“I need to do something with my degree.” I watched the movie for a moment and glanced towards the stairs as I heard footsteps. Remy walked down in the same shorts, staring at his phone.
“Are you staying in?” Melinda asked him as he looked up in surprise, his eyes resting on me.
“Yeah. I’m still tired from the drive,” he told her as I raised a brow. He was as into going out as Brinley was on a normal night. Something got him down and possibly made him come back here. He wandered into the kitchen and sat down to send a message after getting some water. I shared a look with Melinda and she smiled as she shrugged. I watched part of the movie before excusing myself to go upstairs. I propped myself up on the pillows with the windows open, pulling up my newest book on the kindle.
I woke up later in the dark as Brinley bumped around the room. “Hey. Were you okay to drive home?”