“Bliss! Over here!” Ashton calls out. He’s standing by a huge blanket, a cooler holding it down.
The hot sand hits my leg as my flip-flops melt into the grains. I grab on to my hat as a huge gust of wind blows from the ocean. Even from this distance, Ashton looks amazing.
Sun-kissed skin stretches over curved muscles. His board shorts barely cover the deep V he flashes everyone. It’s almost enough to make my knees weak.
“Hey, beautiful. How was your morning?” He greets me with a kiss on the cheek as he reaches out to take my beach bag.
“Uneventful. I slept a little, ordered room service, and watched trashy TV until it was time to come meet you.” I give him a smile and remove my shoes, squishing my toes deeper into the sand.
“That sounds like a perfect morning to me. I, on the other hand, had to save a kid who decided it was a good idea to jump in the water without his parents. The current dragged him so far out. Thank God he knew how to float.”
“Is he okay?” My heart has jumped into my throat. How can he do this job knowing that one day he might not be able to save a life?
“He had some difficulty breathing, but other than that, I’d say he’s fine.”
He begins to unpack food from a picnic basket I didn’t see stashed on the opposite side of the blanket. Cheese, bread, wine, fresh olives. All my favorite things.
I take off my cover-up and watch as his eyes go wide at the sight of my mostly naked body. I wore this suit specifically for that reaction—for him or Carson, I’m not sure. Then I think about the way Carson treated me this morning, and the smirk on my face disappears.
“You did this all for me?” I ask, taking a seat next to him. He hands me a plate and napkin from the basket. Taking it, I start to plate my food.
“Well, I kind of have a thing for picnic food, so I selfishly did it for me hoping you’d enjoy it.” He begins to uncork the wine bottle. His ease and playfulness are everything I need right now.
“Are you usually selfish when it comes to girls?” My voice is a bit heated. The pop of the cork has me jumping, and his smirk makes me melt a little.
“Not when it counts.”
Putting the first bit of cheese in my mouth, I look out over the water. It’s a beautiful day—the sun warm against my skin, the sand hot under the blanket. I try to breathe, to take in this moment and relax, but the impending wedding looms over my head like the blade of a guillotine.
“Where did you go?” Ashton asks, pouring wine into a plastic cup and handing it to me.
“The thought of having to go to this wedding. I’m not sure I can make it through. It’s all so daunting.”
“I’d think being at your brother’s wedding would be a celebration, not a chore.”
He isn’t mocking me but seems genuinely curious. I take a deep breath, figuring this would be an excellent time to tell him about Tilly. I didn’t intend to share her, but I have a need to confide in Ashton like he’s been my best friend for ages.
“My sister died of cancer two years ago. Since then, I haven’t been the best I can be, especially to my family. They made some choices that I can’t easily forgive. I chose to be away from them and not confront my feelings.”
Watching him, I wait for judgement. He gives me none. I’m almost happy that he isn’t taking this time to assess what I’ve become.
“I’m sorry you lost her. I imagine you were close?” He takes a sip of his wine and stares off into the distance as if he’d spotted someone.
“She was my little sister. Someone I thought would be in my life forever. Share all the important memories with.”
“How old was she?” His concern and gentleness make it easier to talk to him.
“Twenty-one. She had breast cancer, and it spread. She shouldn’t have even been a candidate since she was so young. It was shitty luck.”
He takes my hand in his, and I focus on his warmth instead of the past. “I’ll try to keep you busy enough to not think about the wedding.”
Flirting with him comes so naturally, even if it doesn’t feel real. I appreciate Ashton in every way, especially his hotness and great personality, but there’s something off. Not with him, but with me, which makes me think I might be broken.
“Thank you. I’d really like that.” Offering him a smile is the least I can do.
“What are you guys doing?” I don’t need to turn around to know to whom the gruff voice belongs to.
“Carson! What’s up, bro?” Ashton’s signature smile plasters across his face as if we weren’t just having an in-depth conversation about dead siblings.
“Saw you here and figured I’d see what the hell you were still doing with her.”
I feel heat rise into my cheeks, and then I start to see red. Fuck this asshole and his pompous attitude.
I’m standing before I know what’s happening. “If you have a problem with me, why don’t you address it now instead of being an asshole and talking about me as if I’m not here.”
“Dude, you’re being a dick. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but Bliss hasn’t done anything to you. We talked about this.” The pleasant expression on Ashton’s face turns into one of annoyance. I take it these guys don’t fight often.
“She doesn’t belong here. She’s a rich princess, more concerned with her money than your feelings. I’m just looking out for you.” With that, he turns and leaves.
Tears wet the skin beneath my eyes, and I swipe them away with a trembling hand. Suddenly, a
