“Now, if I could just find someone special to spend my life with,” I murmured. My lips tipped up. “I bet that’s asking too much, huh?”
The woman on the towel next to me glanced over, no doubt wondering who I was talking to. I waved, and she returned the gesture halfheartedly.
No more speaking aloud to my mom. Clearly no one else understood.
I leaned back on my elbows and tipped my head toward the midmorning sun, enjoying the dazzling display of a cloudless sky. San Francisco had few bright summer days like this, and now that it was September, the cool mist that dissipated in August had once again encroached along the Bay Area. While I loved the windswept coastline and the thick fog that hugged me like a blanket, there was something to be said for toasty beach days.
I startled awake when the wind picked up and whipped off the lake, fluttering umbrellas and spitting sand against my legs and arms. It lifted my wide-brimmed straw hat from my head and sent it tumbling down the beach.
I popped up from my blanket and took off after the darn thing, zigzagging between other people’s chairs, buckets, coolers, and rafts. The hat settled at the edge of a large towel, and I scurried toward it. As I moved, the heat in my shoulders informed me that I’d stayed in the sun as long as I should. I’d grab my hat and head back to my bed and breakfast for a nap before I…
A large, tanned hand snagged my hat, making it look tiny. I stopped, eyes wide as I followed the hand up to a thick forearm and bulging biceps. The broad shoulders were covered in a fine haze of sand while his barrel chest glistened with droplets and a smattering of dark hair. He was too thick for rippling abdominals, but his stomach was taut and his waist cinched under his black swim trunks.
I lifted my gaze to the man’s face and bit back a gasp. He was gorgeous. Dark hair, cropped beard, and thick black eyebrows over a straight nose. His brown eyes were soft as they smiled at me.
Holy wow. I couldn’t help but wonder if my mother had not only heard my words but delivered the most perfect answer.
“Isn’t this yours?” he asked.
I nodded, tongue-tied by so much masculine beauty. How had this guy just showed up right now? No way…
I wanted to believe in fate—that my mother had sent my hat to this man’s towel.
“Here you go.” He lifted his arm, offering the hat to me.
I reached forward, feeling slightly lightheaded as my heart thumped against my ribs. Mom, is there any way you could let me know you’re involved in this? “Thank you,” I said, offering a small, shy smile.
“No problem,” he replied. He straightened fully, and I realized he was well over six feet tall. Based on his physique, I figured he had to be an athlete or a gym rat.
“So, I should go…” I didn’t want to. For the first time in years, I felt a strong tug of attraction, and I wanted nothing more than to explore it. I glanced at his left hand. No ring. Not that that was proof positive he was single, but at least I didn’t have to feel guilty for lusting after an obviously married man.
“I wish you wouldn’t,” he said, offering a crooked grin that I found utterly charming. “My name’s Lennon.” He offered his hand.
Lennon. The strong name suited him.
I shoved my hat on my head and clasped his hand in mine. The sizzle of attraction zoomed from my fingertips up my arm and down my chest to pool warm and pleasant in my lower belly.
Damn. Lennon was potent.
“Hi, Lennon. I’m Vivian Lee.”
His smile grew wider. “Vivian. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
We stood there, hands clasped, staring at each other. Kids ran by, screaming. Cold water hit my back and shoulders, causing me to gasp and stumble closer to Lennon. He steadied my other arm at the elbow with his free hand.
“Careful there.” He squinted at the kids and the rest of the people on the beach. “It’s getting crowded.” His warm, brown gaze returned to mine. “Want to get a drink—maybe a lemonade or an iced tea? We can go up to the boardwalk,” he added. “Sit outdoors but under an umbrella to cool off.”
I didn’t know this man. I was only in town for the long weekend. “Yes.”
His eyes did that warm, smiling thing before those lips curled up as well. Ooooh. He was delicious.
“Let’s collect your stuff, Vivi.”
I gasped.
“What?” he asked, concerned. He glanced around to make sure there wasn’t a problem.
“N-nothing. It’s just… My mother used to call me that.”
