She knew she was probably being silly. This was supposed to be a fun, relaxing day. But that old anxious voice wouldn’t shut up.
“You good over there?” Ashley’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Ali looked over to find her cousin watching her with an amused smirk. “Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “Just… nervous.”
Ashley raised a brow. “About Dylan?”
“He promised to stay low key,” Ali said. “But I still don’t know how I feel about people seeing him. With me. Y’know?”
Ashley grinned, already teasing. “Sis, there’s no reason to stress. It’s just us.”
Ali laughed softly but the nerves didn’t quite leave. “I just don’t want him to be hassled. I’m used to keeping my life… private.”
From the front seat, Abigail met her gaze in the rearview mirror. “Girl, it’s a beach day. You’re overthinking it. We’re here for you.”
“Exactly,” Raleigh Ann added, twisting the cap off a bottle of water. “We’re all family sis. No one’s looking twice at us.”
The drive was easy, the winding road giving way to coastal views and tall sea grass, until they pulled into the sandy lot atSouth Beach. The sun was warm but not unbearable yet, and the quieter stretch of sand they’d chosen was perfect— peaceful, removed from the tourist crowd and pier noise. Just the sound of waves and a few families setting up for the day.
The guys took the bulk of the gear— tent poles, beach chairs, the heavy cooler— while the girls grabbed their bags and the lighter stuff. Ali caught sight of Dylan lifting the cooler like it weighed nothing, his forearms flexing beneath the loose sleeves of his t-shirt.
She couldn’t help the glance. He noticed, of course. His eyes found hers, and he gave her a slow, private grin that made her stomach flutter. Then he turned back to the task at hand, setting up the tent with practiced ease.
She and Ashley pulled their chairs into the shade, settling in with their Kindles, sunglasses, and suntan lotion. The sea breeze danced around them, the morning still gentle. They talked idly— the girls falling easily into conversation about books and gossip while the three guys got a bocce ball game going nearby.
Ali leaned back in her chair, letting the sun warm her legs as she listened to the friendly bickering over who was winning. She didn’t need to open her eyes to recognize Dylan’s voice— it was always the one that cut through, steady and teasing, easy.
When she finally did glance over, Dylan was mid-throw, his movements smooth and confident. His cap was still low, but he looked over at her and caught her watching. He smiled again, that same quiet one that made her chest feel too full.
Eventually, everyone broke out lunch— sandwiches, chips, and cold drinks from the cooler. Ashley passed her a Mike’s Hard Lemonade (pineapple flavor, her favorite), and Ali twisted the cap off with a soft hiss. Sweet. Cold. Perfect for the heat creeping in.
They ate and laughed, teasing each other about book recs and old beach trip memories. For the first time in a long time, Ali felt entirely safe. Like maybe it was okay to let her guard down.
After lunch, the guys started tossing around a football. The water shimmered like glass, sunlight dancing off it in flashes. It looked too good to resist.
“I’m going in,” Ali said, glancing over at Ashley.
“Me too,” Ashley replied, already brushing sand off her legs.
The two of them headed toward the shoreline, the sand hot beneath their feet. But just as Ali reached the edge of the water, Dylan’s voice stopped her.
“Ali.”
She turned to find him walking toward her, his expression soft, steady.
“Wait.”
Ashley raised a brow but kept walking, giving Ali a knowing smile before disappearing into the surf.
Dylan reached her and brushed his fingers gently against hers. “Let’s go together,” he said.
She hesitated. The nerves bubbled back up, coiling in her stomach. But when he looked at her like that— like she was the only thing on the beach that mattered— she nodded.
He led her into the waves, slow and patient, the cool water licking at her calves, then her knees.
Eventually, the water barely reached his waist, but on her it surged up to her chest, making her feel small and unsteady against him. He turned toward her, hands gripping her hips with easy possession, heat radiating through the thin barrier of water between them.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he said, low and rough, like the suggestion was meant for her ears alone.
