Then we’re in the clouds, and everything is bright and soft. I feel like I can fly.
Then thunder. Really loud. Annoying thunder.
I wake to pounding on the cottage door.
“Give me a minute,” I call out, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
I still smell her. Her light, citrusy fragrance clings to the bedsheets. My bed. My cottage.
Where is my wife?
I stare at the untouched pillow on the other side of the bed as if it will give me an answer. Then the pounding comes again.
“You almost done in there?” Scott asks.
I groan as I pull myself out of bed and drag myself to the door. I’m exhausted because I had the best night’s sleep I can remember—and my body wants even more.
“Hey,” I say, opening the door in my boxers. “Why the hell did you wake me up so early?”
Scott smirks. “It’s eleven. Come on. Get dressed.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Time to meet everyone.”
“Is Crystal here?” I picture her from last night. Thinking of her is like coming home.
He shakes his head. “She’s working. And Maddie and Ms. Connor are home with the baby.” I must look disappointed, because he adds, “Don’t worry, you’ll see them tomorrow.”
He waits outside while I get dressed.
I put all my things away in the cottage last night. I was supposed to make breakfast for the guests this morning, but was told not to worry about the housekeeping job.
I glance at my diary. Last night’s entry was messy but cathartic. Calling yesterday an exercise inemotional whiplashfeels like the understatement of the century.
I expect to follow Scott into the inn, but instead, he points to his truck. There’s a cooler, balls, and other recreational gear in the back.
“Ready to work up a sweat?” he asks.
I help Scott carry the gear to the shore.
Tiki Beach is nothing like Sunset Strand. This one’s wild and remote, tucked along the sanctuary side of the island’s northwest coast. Dunes rise high behind the narrow shoreline, their slopes thick with sea oats. The sargassum drifts in heavily here with a distinct rotting-eggs and fish odor. Offensive at first, but you get used to it. There are only a few patches of clear sand wide enough for beach play.
The best thing is that there are very few vehicles here.
“A little smelly,” Scott says as he waves to the group who’ve gathered near a volleyball net. “But I thought we could avoid the crowds here.”
I recognize everyone from Scott’s and Sid’s crews. And there are a few more people gathered around that are new to me.
“I’ll introduce you to Garrett when we get back to the inn,” Scott says. “He’s not into outdoor fun.”
“He’s no fun. Period.”
The man speaking steps forward and grins. “Hi, I’m Jamie.” He shakes my hand. “And this giant over here is Liam.”
Liamhas to be close to seven feet tall. “Hi, Nathan. It’s an honor to meet you, man.”
I brace myself when I shake his hand, expecting a bone-crusher, but his grip is firm and comfortable.
A small brunette approaches, her brown eyes bright. “Can I hug you?”
I nod.
