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Authors: Jamie Beck

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BOOK: Worth the Wait
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“So, rocks or sand today?” she asked while they strolled toward the house, with David and Cat trailing along somewhere behind them.

Jackson rubbed his hands together and flashed another grin.

“Sand. Of course, if a big storm passes through, the beach could get rocky again.”

“Then let’s take advantage of the good conditions now.” She lightly brushed a Persian blue hydrangea bloom with her open palm. Her artist’s eye noted the blossom’s variegated shades of blue and purple—the colors of her bruised heart.

Once inside, she followed Cat downstairs while David and Jackson trotted up the half flight to the main living area. David’s temporary departure came as a relief. A new experience for her.

After hoisting her luggage onto one of the twin beds in Cat’s room, she tossed her clothes randomly across the pastel-pink coverlet. An indigo-colored tankini swimsuit, comprised of snug boy shorts and an underwire halter, landed on top of the pile. She grabbed it and changed her clothes.

She tugged the wheat-colored, windblown rat’s nest some might call hair through the back opening of her worn Yankees baseball cap, shoved her feet into orange drugstore flip-flops, and grabbed her yellow beach towel. The outfit was inelegant, but she loved wearing bright colors, especially when her mood needed a boost.

Grinning, she spun toward Cat. “All set.”

Only then did she notice Cat sitting on her bed, fully dressed and cross-legged, reading her phone with her brows tightly drawn together.

“Justin?” Vivi sighed aloud. Cat’s preoccupation with her roller-coaster romance seriously interfered with their friendship these days. Worse, the unstable relationship made Cat edgier and more impatient. One way or another, Vivi planned to uncover the reason behind all the melodrama during this trip.

“Go ahead.” Without looking up, Cat mumbled, “I’ll catch up in a bit.”

“Don’t sit around waiting for his calls. Being too available for a man never served me well.” Vivi snickered at herself. “One of us should learn from my mistakes.”

“Ha, ha.” Cat rolled her eyes and waved off her friend.

Fudge. Now she’d have to face David and Laney on her own. Of course, she’d had lots of practice confronting awkward occasions throughout her life. She’d survived them all, sometimes even with her dignity intact. Resiliency was the silver lining afforded by her many disappointments. Drawing a deep breath, she crossed the ground-floor hallway.

Voices descended from the kitchen. An unfamiliar velvety baritone rang out, which she presumed was Hank’s.

“So who’s Vivi?” he asked.

“David’s shadow.” Vivi actually heard the impish smile in Jackson’s intonation, even as her stomach knotted.
His shadow?
“Actually, she’s been Cat’s best friend since middle school. But she’s had a massive crush on David since we were all kids.”

Oh, God.
David hadn’t been surprised by that horrid nickname. Had they often
joked
about her behind her back? She stood, frozen and breathless, on the fourth step.

Hank’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Is she hot?”

“How would we know? She’s like a sister to us,” Jackson said. “I guess she’s pretty cute, in an unconventional way. A little sprite. Blond, blue-eyed, big smile.”

David remained mute on the subject. A hot mixture of agony and self-disgust washed through Vivi while she acknowledged the time she’d wasted on a man who apparently only ever considered her a member of his family.

Of course, in the very beginning she’d understood their differences had been insurmountable. David had been eighteen, the captain of the lacrosse and debate teams, and perpetually besieged by perky, uninhibited cheerleaders. On the other hand, she’d been a thirteen-year-old stick figure with a camera hanging from her neck and fingers stained with brightly colored oil paints.

Regardless, she’d been undaunted. Wearing her heart on her sleeve, she’d been certain her love would eventually win him over. Now she had to face facts instead of cling to delusions. Refusing to hide in the stairwell like a mouse, she resumed her ascent, but then the men continued talking.

“What’s she like?” Hank asked.

Simultaneously, Jackson answered, “Quirky,” while David stated, “Exceptional.”

“Cute, quirky, and exceptional. Well, if you’re not interested, David, can I have her?” Hank teased.

His shadow.
Seized by the need to wrest control of her situation, she charged up the last few steps, two at a time, and abruptly entered their conversation.

“I think that’s a question better directed to me. After all, David’s not my pimp.” She smiled cheerily, as if this were a normal discussion, and prayed her flushed cheeks wouldn’t betray her.

All three men stared. Reddening necks broadcast their embarrassment at having been caught gossiping. Jackson covered his laughter by coughing.

She stole a glimpse of David, who stood in silence, staring at her with his typical intensity mingled with something she couldn’t quite identify.

His stiff demeanor proved he still suppressed his deep well of emotion, which made her insides melt. Her heart thudded in response to his quiet, powerful energy.
Look away.

In order to convince everyone she’d finally outgrown her
crush
on David, she began flirting with Hank.

“Hi. You must be Hank. I’m Vivienne, but my friends call me Vivi.” She shook Hank’s hand and flashed a coquettish smile. “So, to answer your earlier question, I’d say you have an uphill battle since I’ve typically preferred brunettes.” She winked at Jackson and then resumed smiling at Hank. “Of course, I dated Alex in college—a hot blond, like you—so you never know.”

On that note, all three men’s jaws dropped. Wrapping her makeshift ponytail around her hand and then setting it free, she laughed and crossed to the refrigerator to find a soda. She hid behind the open door, letting the chilled air cool the heat in her cheeks. Having gained a toehold on her pride, she shut the door and turned to face them.

“Cat’s texting Justin, so she could be a while. Is anyone heading to the beach yet, or am I on my own?” She popped the tab of the Diet Pepsi can and took a swig. Her nose wrinkled at the tickle from the released carbonation.

“I’m ready,” Jackson said. For the first time, Vivi noticed how shaggy he’d let his wavy hair become.

“Me too.” Hank wiggled his brows, causing her to laugh.

His tanned, square jaw and celadon eyes made him look like the quintessential lifeguard. An old, soft T-shirt hugged his muscular chest and emphasized his swimmer’s build. Most women would go crazy for this guy, but Vivi’s knees weren’t weakening. Nope. Despite his good looks and evident testosterone, Hank barely registered a blip on her radar. Clearly she’d procrastinated visiting a shrink for far too long.

At least the tension had eased. She tipped her chin and raised her brows at David, silently questioning whether he’d be joining them.

“Laney’s changing upstairs.” He studied her as if to gauge her reaction to the idea of meeting Laney. “We’ll be down later.”

“Super. Looking forward to meeting her.” Vivi smiled sweetly, lying through her teeth. Threading her arm through Jackson’s, she thrust her can of soda toward the back door. “Let’s go!”

Hank picked up the cooler and followed them outside.

They crossed the yard and came to the first of the 163 rickety steps leading from the top of the cliff to the beachfront below. Vivi paused to survey the sandy beach, which stretched along the base of the cliffs several hundred yards to her left. The few homes scattered across the top of the bluff shared this spectacular view.

She fixed her attention on the sun-bleached staircase, which twisted its way down the face of the bluff. The worn wooden structure resembled the framework of old-fashioned roller coasters, and equally terrified her, too. Concentrating on avoiding splinters, she firmly gripped the railing and followed Jackson and Hank down to the beach.

While helping the guys set up umbrellas and beach chairs, she managed to conjure up distinct images of David in the kitchen. His high cheekbones, thinly sculpted nose, and square jaw made him striking beyond compare—just masculine enough to avoid being labeled a “pretty boy.”

Countless daydreams had peppered so many days since they’d first met. His analytical nature and calm demeanor had been a fixed point around which she’d bobbed and whirled while battling her chaotic life and emotions throughout the years. She’d entrusted him with her secrets and fears. In every circumstance, he’d made her feel understood—known and accepted.

She’d thought they’d shared an unbreakable bond. But whatever did or didn’t exist had ended when he went to Hong Kong. Laney’s move proved, once and for all, David would never belong to Vivi.

Blinking back tears, she resented the inability to mourn the loss of her dream. Here she’d be forced to bury her disappointment under false laughter while interacting with him and his lover. No ice cream overload, no chick flicks, no tissues. Could there be a worse nightmare?

Paging Tim Burton
.

The burn of the sun’s scorching glare was nothing compared to the shattering pain inside. Watching the waves collide against the rocky outcroppings in the sea, she conceded the scenery in her personal hell was magnificent.

C
HAPTER
T
WO

D
avid released the breath he’d pent up since he’d first laid eyes on Vivi. He hadn’t wanted her to learn about Laney that way. But, except for a flash of surprise, her periwinkle eyes had sparkled like always.

Her diminutive appearance wasn’t as elfin as he’d remembered, despite her pleasantly upturned little nose and gap-toothed smile. She’d matured and grown into her huge eyes and expressive mouth. Though not voluptuous, she filled out her swimsuit and wasn’t shy about putting her lithe body on display for Hank. Not that she’d ever been very shy.

Generous Vivi had arrived brimming with energy, as always. Her presence never failed to infuse a room, or its occupants, with warm vitality—in his opinion, anyway. Proximity roused the familiar pull of their seasoned friendship, though the ties were now as fragile as the threads of a spiderweb.

He hadn’t seen her since his mother’s funeral. Her tearstained cheeks had mirrored his own grief that day, although he’d tried to conceal his shattered state. It was the only time she’d ever behaved with uncertainty around him, as if she’d known he’d been utterly broken.

What she hadn’t known—what
no one
knew—was how he’d effectively lost his mother
and
father at that funeral. David’s discovery of the torrid affair his once-beloved dad had been carrying on while his mom had battled cancer had demolished his illusions of his father, his family, and love.

The hole his mother left behind had been magnified by the deathbed promise she’d extracted from him for the sake of keeping her family united after she passed. Honoring her plea to keep the affair a secret had conflicted with David’s yearning to expose his father, so he’d secured a transfer to his firm’s Hong Kong office to escape temptation.

Unfortunately, time away hadn’t diminished his anguish, thanks, in part, to his father’s unrepentant attitude. Worse, David’s retreat and secrecy had screwed up his relationship with Cat and Jackson, and probably Vivi, too. If he couldn’t somehow mend fences with his father, he feared permanent estrangement from all of them.

If only they knew the truth.

“Lighten up, David. We’re on vacation. Leave the office behind for one week.”

Laney’s voice interrupted the bleak direction of his thoughts. She sauntered into the kitchen looking like a trophy girlfriend, wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat, a beach cover-up with a gold-sequined border, and a designer gold-lamé bathing suit. Holding Armani sunglasses in her hand, she tipped her head and stared at him.

He knew she hadn’t the slightest idea what he’d been contemplating. He’d never confided in her. Laney was sexy and whip-smart, but theirs was not a love affair. United by common interests and careers, they’d fallen into a comfortable relationship of compatibility and mutual respect, which he now valued over unreliable emotions like love. In this regard, they were well matched.

“Nice bathing suit.” He flashed a brief smile. “Looks good.”

He had no doubt she’d dropped a few hundred dollars on the racy bikini peeking out from under her glittering wrap.

She grinned and kissed him. “Well, that’s better.” Glancing around the empty kitchen, she asked, “Where is everyone?”

“Cat’s downstairs talking on the phone. Jackson, Hank, and Vivi went to the beach.”

“Who’s Vivi?”

“Cat’s best friend since middle school.” He hid the grin that formed upon recalling the first time he’d met her, pink hair and all. “You’ll like her. She’s fun, creative.”
And a whole lot more.

Vivi had turned into a flirt, but not with him—not any longer. Her infatuation had never embarrassed him, despite Jackson’s goading. If anything, David had admired her courage. Unlike him, she freely exposed her vulnerabilities. It provoked his protective instincts, although she’d probably never needed him as her champion. Vivi had always been brave.

He’d greedily absorbed her fawning. Looking back, perhaps he’d unintentionally treated her like a beloved family pet, doling out playful attention while assuming she’d always wait for his return with open arms. Apparently her arms got tired.

“Oh, so we’ve got even numbers now.” She cocked her head. “Have Vivi and Jackson ever dated? He’s fun and creative, too, in his design-build kind of way.”

“No.” Frowning, David waved his hand dismissively. “She’s like a sister to him.”

He’d never considered his brother’s compatibility with Vivi, although he’d known they were close. Despite acknowledging their history and shared traits, the idea of pairing his brother with Vivi agitated David.

Straightening his shoulders, he twisted his neck to dispel his disquieting reaction.

“Let’s go.” He reached for Laney’s hand before striding toward the back door.

When they arrived at the beach, they found Jackson seated near the cooler drinking a cold beer. Hank and Vivi strolled along the rocky edge of the water fifty yards away, then stopped and leaned in toward each other to inspect whatever she was holding in her hands. The dramatic effect of the cliffs rising up from the sand created a disturbingly romantic picture.

“Where are they going?” David squinted while peering down the beach.

“Vivi wanted to explore.” Jackson closed his eyes and rested his head against his reclined beach chair. “Hank volunteered to wade through the surf with her.”

“They look cute together despite the height difference.” Laney studied them. “Their hair is even an identical color. Maybe they’ll hit it off. He seems like a nice guy.”

“What’s hair color got to do with anything? You’ve got red hair and mine is black. Is there some special meaning in that?” David snapped, surprising himself with his terse tone before he tore his gaze away from Hank and Vivi.

Laney and Jackson viewed him through narrowed eyes. Ignoring their stares, he inhaled slowly and snagged a bottle of water from the cooler.

“What would you like to drink, Laney?” David asked, noting the visible waves of heat rising from the sand.

“Diet soda, please.”

He handed her an icy can and sat beside her. Beads of perspiration gathered at his hairline within minutes. He guzzled half of the contents of his water bottle without stopping.

David sat back in his chair and tried not to notice Vivi gleefully stooping to discover ocean treasures. He also tried not to wonder how much more interesting it would be right now at that end of the beach with her. Hank would soon learn Vivi was never dull.

Unwittingly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Seeing her evoked so many memories.

When he’d left for college, she’d stowed a secret love note in his computer case. To this day, her brazen declaration of affection remained the sweetest gift he’d ever received from any girl. He’d kept it tucked away in his wallet for years as a sort of talisman.

Throughout his college and law school years, she’d routinely mailed him care packages. His roommates had devoured the snacks. He’d enjoyed her colorful letters most—rife with indignant opinions of high school gossip and gamesmanship, which she’d navigated poorly. Sometimes she’d included a sketch she’d drawn, or a photo she’d taken, to remind him of home and what, or who, eagerly awaited his return. He’d cherished her reminders more than he’d ever admitted to anyone.

Of course, now their attenuated relationship was yet another victim of his damned promise. But Vivi’s presence offered an unexpected opportunity to reconnect. An opportunity he’d gladly embrace. For once, Justin’s bullshit might yield a positive outcome.

Cat arrived on the beach and tossed her mammoth silver tote bag next to David’s chair, kicking sand up against his leg.

“Nice.” He peeked at her from over the top of his sunglasses and grinned. “Thanks.”

“So what’s with the beard, by the way?” She rested her hands on her hips. “I barely recognize you.”

“It’s hardly a beard.” David rubbed his hand along the day-old stubble on his jaw before introducing his sister to Laney.

“Hi, Laney. I’m the pain-in-the-ass sibling, or so I’m told.” Cat winked at David. He watched his sister size up Laney’s attire, physical attributes, and disposition. “How long have you two been dating now? Five months?”

“About seven, actually,” Laney replied.

“Oh. Well, it’s nice to finally meet you. What’s your accent? Midwestern?”

His sister’s direct approach made him smile until Laney shot him a miffed glance. Was she angry he hadn’t told his family much about her?

“Yes,” Laney replied. “I’m from Chicago.”

“Nice city,” Cat said. “Now you’ve moved to New York, right? Are you on the Upper East Side?”

Cat’s transparent fishing expedition drove a prickle of annoyance down David’s spine.

“I’m undecided,” Laney replied. “Acclimating to the new office, partners, and clients has been exhausting, so I haven’t spent much time looking.”

“Huh. That must be why I haven’t seen much of David, either.” Cat turned toward David and shoved his shin with her toes.

Before he could respond, Laney intervened. “Yes. It’s quite a coup to make partner at a top firm by his age. The expectations are pretty daunting. Maybe you should cut him a little slack until he settles in at the office.” She smiled pointedly at Cat.

David watched his sister’s mental retreat from Laney’s admonishment. Shielding her eyes with her hand, Cat turned to scan the beach and spotted Vivi and Hank. Her bothered expression echoed his discomfort with their apparent attraction.

“Is Hank hitting on Vivi?” She leaned over and lightly batted the top of Jackson’s head. “You’d better have him back off. We don’t need any sexual complications this week.”

“Settle down. Hank’s not her type,” David chimed in without thinking.

He shuddered at an image of Vivi and Hank engaging in any kind of intimate behavior, a first for him. Suddenly the weight of his sister’s amused glare landed on his shoulders.

“Why isn’t he her type?” Cat scoffed with smug satisfaction. “Just because he’s not
you
?”

Jackson laughed, David groaned, and Laney became exponentially more interested in Vivi.

“What’s that mean, David?” Laney drew her glasses down her nose and locked eyes with him. “Did you date her?”

“No,” he said. “I never dated Vivi.” He cast Cat a warning glance.

Jackson settled back in his chair with a smirk. Cat paused, appearing pleased to lord power over her oldest brother. The creases in David’s forehead deepened as she opened her mouth.

“Vivi’s not David’s type. But since he believes he’s God’s gift, he thinks no woman could ever be interested in anyone other than him.”

Laney’s suspicious expression remained firm despite Cat’s lopsided grin.

“Yes, I’m God’s gift, Laney. Lucky me, or I’d never have had a shot with you.” David smiled tightly in spite of Cat’s teasing, or the fact that Hank and Vivi continued their journey farther down the beach.

“Yes, lucky you. And don’t you forget it.” Laney tipped her chin up and resumed her reading.

Cat plunked herself down under the umbrella beside David. After slathering SPF 90 sunscreen on her body, she hugged her knees to her chest and stared across the ocean. The distant aspect of his sister’s gaze tugged at his heart.

Leaning forward, he whispered, “I know I haven’t been the best brother lately, but if you need to talk, or vent, about whatever happened with Justin, I’ll walk with you.”

She studied him and then let her gaze drift back to the horizon.

“Not now, thanks.” Her posture stiffened. “Maybe later.”

Even if her rebuff was a defense mechanism resulting from his apparent indifference during the past year, it still smarted.

He tugged on her ear. “Whenever you need me.”

He watched her, resolving to regain her trust, knowing it would take months of effort, not days. He could live with her and Jackson’s displeasure more easily if it weren’t for the fact that his father’s relationship with them was as close as ever.
Utterly unjust.

He stretched his neck once more to rid himself of mounting tension. Unable to recall the last time he’d relaxed, he’d desperately hoped returning to his favorite place would help him unwind this week. But now Cat seemed preoccupied with her Justin, Laney’s antennae were training on Vivi, and Hank was sniffing around Vivi like a dog in heat. Only Jackson appeared to be enjoying the sun and surf.

David wished he could be like his brother, who accepted things more easily. Unfortunately, he viewed the world in black-and-white terms, having never quite learned how to deal with the gray. That trait was probably one reason he couldn’t forgive his father.

He inhaled deeply and then consumed the rest of his water. Closing his eyes, he daydreamed about prior weeks spent on this beach.

Like his mother, he’d always treasured this island and the long summer days spent here with family and friends. Well, most of his family, anyway. His father had never stayed for more than two or three nights before rushing back to Connecticut. Now David doubted work was the reason he’d left them so often.

His father’s duplicity proved a loveless but pleasant relationship was the smartest choice. Shared goals and interests mixed with attraction left no risk of a broken heart on either side of the equation. David’s idea of the so-called match made in heaven.

He absentmindedly crushed the empty plastic bottle in his hand; the crackling sound wrenched him from his thoughts. Feeling exposed, he glanced around. No one else seemed to notice.
Huh.
He’d become invisible.

A little while later, Vivi and Hank returned to the group. Clutching a cup containing small sea creatures, Vivi kneeled beside Cat.

“Look what we found.” She inched closer to Cat, eyes gleaming in anticipation of the torment she seemed to be planning, and brandished a small crab in her right hand and a starfish in her left. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Ew, Viv.” Cat shielded herself with a magazine. “Put those back in the water!”

David had often wondered how two near-polar opposites maintained their friendship for so long. Then again, he and Vivi also shared a bond despite her personality being the antithesis of his—because of it, in fact.
Yin and yang.

BOOK: Worth the Wait
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