Tina looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Lucy. Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes, thank you. The bed was very comfortable.” Heat rose in my cheeks, and not because I was standing near the stove. “Can I help you with something?”
“Thank you, sweetie. I just kicked Gretchen out and told her to go eat before the men devour everything.” She smiled kindly. “You’d think my only daughter would know that by now. She used to say that growing up with four brothers was the best weight-loss plan.”
I smiled. “I’m here now, so if you want to go eat, I can finish.”
“Nonsense.” She flipped the omelets onto a plate and turned the knob on the stovetop. “I’m all done. Let’s you and I go eat.”
Tina carried the omelets, and I brought a plate of bacon into the dining room. Once I got to the doorway, I stopped and took in the scene in front of me. The rectangular table was set impeccably. Three low vases full of colorful flowers marched down the middle of the table. I counted four chairs on each side, and one on each end that his parents occupied. Gretchen sat between Jack and Dane on one side, and Drake was sitting next to Josh on the other.
They were all laughing and teasing each other while enjoying a meal together, a family dynamic that was unfamiliar to me and so very special.
Drake looked up and caught my eye. His brows drew together in a questioning look. I relaxed my shoulders and stepped forward to place the plate on the table. We all exchanged morning greetings as I sat next to Drake.
“Have you ever been to the Outer Banks, Lucy?” Rick asked while his wife and kids looked at me, waiting for my reply.
I took a sip of orange juice Drake had poured for me. “No, this is my first time, but from what I’ve seen, I love it.”
He nodded. “Then I’m glad you’re here.”
“Where are you off to next, Dane?” Jack asked him.
“There’s a tournament in Myrtle Beach, then Atlanta.” Dane slid a piece of bacon in his mouth. When he was done chewing, he said, “After Georgia, I head north and try to secure my sponsorship if I win the next two events.”
Tina beamed at him. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
It was evident she was proud of all her children, and with good reason. They were wonderful, and for all of them to still come together at their ages for a family getaway spoke volumes.
Gretchen said, “I can’t wait to go on the boat today. I need to catch some rays.” She examined her pale skin. “I need some color.”
“Don’t forget your sunscreen, honey. You know how important it is.” Her father gave her a pointed look.
“Yes, Dr. Daddy, I know.”
After breakfast, everyone pitched in and helped clean up like a well-oiled machine. Rick, Josh, and Drake cleared the table while Dane rinsed the dishes and Gretchen put them in the dishwasher.
I felt like a fish out of water, ridiculously jealous of a family doing everyday chores. But the Prescotts were more than a family; they were a team.
• • •
Their boat was nothing short of spectacular, and larger than I thought it would be. The vessel wasn’t a yacht like you’d see in the movies, but it was gorgeous. The outside was gleaming white with a deep blue stripe that wrapped around the top edge. The name on the back of it caught my eye, STARFISH, written in dark red.
I turned to Drake. “Why Starfish?”
“My parents said it had five arms. Each of us represents one of them. It was a nod to us kids.”
My eyes stung a little at the sentimentality of it. “That’s the sweetest gesture.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get out to sea and test your sea legs.”
Once we were out on the water, all my worries and thoughts subsided. Jack took the helm and piloted us across the ocean while the rest of us relaxed. After a while they switched, and Drake took the wheel while the others lounged in the sun.
I decided to join Gretchen and Dane on a lounger at the back of the boat. It was mesh, almost like something you’d see on a catamaran. When I pulled my sundress over my head and glanced at Drake, I found him looking back at me. He leaned over to say something to Josh, who stood next to him.
Josh smiled, and before I knew it, Drake was at my side.
“Let me help you.” He reached down and grabbed the sunscreen from a bag next to his sister.
As we sat down next to her, Gretchen mumbled, “Don’t block my sun, Drake.”
Drake rolled his eyes and ran his hands now covered in lotion over my shoulders and down my arms. The gentle feel of his firm hands turned me on, but this wasn’t the time or place. After he was done with my back, I turned toward him.
“Thanks,” I said with a smile, and reached for the lotion. “I’ll do my front.”
“But that’s the best part.” Drake laughed, and his sister groaned.
“Geez, you two are killing me.”
“Sorry, Gretch.” Drake winked at me, and we lay back to enjoy the warmth of the sun until late afternoon, when we headed back to shore.
I was exhausted, and I hadn’t even done anything strenuous today. In fact, I’d done nothing but eat, laugh, and lie in the sun. It was the most delicious kind of tired.
When we got back to the house, everyone scattered to get cleaned up. While Drake showered, I lay down because I wanted a nap. He invited me to join him, but I was too tired.
When he came out of the bathroom a short while later, his wet hair slicked back and wearing just a towel around his waist, I opened my sleepy eyes and kicked myself for being lazy. His chiseled torso was enough to wake the dead, and the cut of the V at his hips looked mockingly at me as if to say you missed this, you idiot, because you wanted a nap.
As I stretched, Drake said, “You got some sun today.”
I glanced down to see my normally pale skin now had a nice light tan. But Drake looked as if he’d been in the sun a week.
“Not as much as you did. You look like a Greek god.”
He chuckled. “Call me Zeus.”
“I don’t think so,” I said with a laugh. “I need a shower.”
As I made my way by him, he stopped me for a quick kiss. “Think of me while you’re in there. God knows I thought of you.” He winked, and my girly parts woke up.
Definitely shouldn’t have taken a nap.
• • •
After dinner, we all sat around a bonfire. Gretchen stepped away to take a call from Scott, but she didn’t look pleased. I didn’t know what their story was. All I knew was he wasn’t around much, and her brothers didn’t like to see their sister unhappy. Drake told me they’d all tried to talk to her, but she stubbornly stuck by the guy.
When dusk fell, his parents went back to the house.
Dane popped open a beer and handed one to his brothers. “Do you want one, Lucy?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
My heart was heavy with the knowledge that my plan for this weekend was to tell Drake my story. Part of me wanted to wait until we got home, but he might need his family to deal with it. I might need them as well.
“What’s wrong?” Drake’s tone was concerned as I stared into the flames, mesmerized as I watched the sparks rise to the darkened sky.
It’s now or never.
With my heart in my throat, I whispered, “Can we go back to the house and talk?”
Worry flashed in his blue eyes. “Of course.” He stood and took my hand before addressing the others. “We’re heading back. See you all in the morning.”
His brothers glanced at each other, and Dane said, “You two have a good time.”
A good time. I doubted that was what we were about to have, but maybe it would turn out okay.
Drake closed our bedroom door, and I began to pace across the hardwood. Stalling, I scanned the room to take in all the nautical decor, including a small frame in the shape of an anchor sitting on the dresser with a picture of the family in it, and the white rocker in the corner that looked like an antique. Everything in the room was flawless, except for me.