All In (10 page)

“No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong.
The club was nice…but to tell you the truth that’s not really me.”
Lane shrugs and lets out a shaky laugh. “I’m more of a hamburger
and milkshake kind of guy, but if you’ll give me another chance,
I’d like to take you out again.”

I can’t help but laugh. A burger and
milkshake was exactly the kind of date I’d expected and actually
hoped for. “I’d really like that,” I say, excited for another
chance to spend time with him.

Lane rubs his thumb across the back of
my hand, wearing a smile on his face that reaches all the way to
his eyes. “How’s now work for you?”

I nod happily. “Now is
good.”

“One thing though.” He looks down at
my heels and lets his eyes linger on my legs before looking back up
at me. “You might want to change shoes.”

“I have some sandals in my
trunk.”

Reluctantly, I let go of Lane’s hand
to grab the pair of shoes from the back of my car when a cool
breeze blows off the ocean, causing me to shiver.

“You got a jacket in there too?” Lane
asks as I pull off my heels and swap them with much more
comfortable footwear.

“I don’t, but I’m fine,” I say and
then as if to contradict myself my skin explodes with goose
bumps.

Lane laughs then walks to his car and
pulls out the light blue zip up hooded sweatshirt he was wearing on
the bluffs from his back seat. He holds it open so I can stick my
arms in and when I do his intoxicating smell surrounds me. Sea
salt, sunshine and boy.

“Better?” he asks, stepping in front
of me again and rubbing his hands up and down my now covered arms
to help warm me up.

“Perfect.”

Lane’s hands stop moving but stay
wrapped around my arms, and the way he’s looking at me makes
another shiver go through my body.

“So, where are we going?”

“Now that’s a surprise,” he says with
a wink before he takes off his tie and tosses it in the back seat
of his car. He untucks his crisp white dress shirt then undoes the
first few buttons revealing a baby blue tee shirt underneath that
matches his eyes. After rolling up his sleeves he instantly looks
more relaxed, and so hot I bite my lip.

He opens the passenger side door and
helps me in before making his way around to the driver’s side and
leaping in with a wink. I’m not sure if he’s trying to kill me, or
impress me, but either way, he’s doing a fine job at
both.

“One last thing.” He leans forward and
cups my face in his hands with a playful grin on his face. I suck
in a breath as my heart hammers in my chest. Is he going to kiss
me? I let my eyes flutter closed when I feel his breath touch my
skin. His soft lips press against my cheek and linger for a moment
before he pulls away.

“What was that for?” I ask
quietly.

“For giving me a do-over,” he says
with a boyish smile.

Yep. He’s trying to kill
me.

…

Oaks Bluff is only a short drive down
the beach, but I haven’t been to this part of the island in years.
Lane pulls into a parking spot on the boardwalk and quickly gets
out, this time using his actual door, before opening
mine.

“Thank you,” I say as I step out. Lane
reaches down and tucks a stray hair behind my ear that fell loose
during the windy drive, causing goose bumps to spread up my arms
and down my legs.

“Still cold?”

“No.” I smile.

“Are you hungry?” he asks, and I’m
embarrassed to admit I am since we just had dinner, but like most
fine restaurants, the food at the club is served in ridiculously
small portions.

“Starving,” I confess when my stomach
growls as if on cue. This brings a huge smile to Lane’s
face.

“Good,” he says, taking my hand in his
and leading me up the boardwalk to a small hot dog cart. “Me,
too.”

“Lane, my man,” the vendor tending the
hotdog stand says as we approach.

“Hey, Larry. Two dogs and two cokes
please.” He pulls out his wallet and looks down at me smiling. “My
treat.”

“Thank you,” I say, grateful that
whatever had made the end of our earlier date so awkward was
clearly gone now. I slip my hand into his and lace our fingers
together, feeling comfortable with Lane like I’ve never felt on a
first date before, or I guess a second date to be precise, and I
like the way it feels.

We sit down in a small gazebo just off
the boardwalk that overlooks the water and devour our hot dogs and
sodas.

“That was amazing,” I say taking
another sip from my drink. “I haven’t had a hot dog and coke in
years.”

“Really?” Lane asks, looking at me
like I’m an alien. I shrug. It’s embarrassing but true.

“Really. The last time I had one we
were visiting New York City and our nanny took Andrew and me to
Chelsea pier for the day.”

“Wow. I eat them at least once a week
in the summer.”

“Is that how the hot dog vendor knows
you?”

Lane laughs. “No, I actually grew up
down the street. I kinda know everyone who lives around here.” Oh.
Of course.

“That must be nice. I’m not even sure
my neighbors know my name, unless they voted for my
dad.”

“Yeah, most of the time.” He shrugs,
shaking the ice in his cup around and around.

“What do you mean?”

“No. It’s great. It’s just everyone
knows everyone’s business.” He gives me a tight laugh, peering over
his shoulder and looking uncomfortable.

“I know what you mean.” I give him a
sympathetic smile because I know how it feels to live under a
microscope.

“Hey, how about dessert?” he says,
changing the subject. “There’s an ice-cream parlor just up the way
that’s amazing.”

“Absolutely.” I smile.

We walk further down the boardwalk to
an old-fashioned soda shop that looks like it is right out of the
1950s. A bell rings as we go inside and the smell of fresh baked
waffle cones wafts through the air and makes my mouth water. A cute
girl behind the counter wearing a pink and white uniform with a
matching hat gives Lane a wave.

“Hey, Lane, I heard you were on a
date,” she teases.

I look up at Lane feeling my cheeks
flush.

“Hi, Megan. Let me guess, Larry was
just here?” Lane says, rolling his eyes.

“Yep.” She pops her gum. “Heard about
the bluffs too. Tough break.”

Lane finches as he glances down at me.
“See what I mean?” I do. And I thought gossip traveled fast at the
club.

Lane places his hand on the small of
my back, making my stomach flutter as he orders us two double scoop
waffle cones; mine covered with sprinkles and Lane’s with chopped
nuts.

“It’s on the house,” the girl offers
before waving us goodbye. “Have fun you two.”

“You weren’t kidding, everyone really
does know everything,” I say when we step outside. Lane reaches
over and wraps his hand around mine again, making me feel warm all
over despite the cool breeze coming off the ocean.

“You have no idea.”

We walk down the boardwalk hand in
hand, our arms swinging between us, as we eat our ice-cream. I
blush every time I catch Lane staring at me and giggle every time
he catches me sneaking a glance at him. Both of us with silly grins
on our faces.

As we turn the corner, at the edge of
the boardwalk, right in front of us is a perfectly preserved turn
of the century carousel.

I gasp at its beauty. How have I never
been here before? Although, a community carousel is the last place
that my parents would ever think to bring us. A ride on a schooner
is more their speed.

The carousel is covered in small
bulbous lights that cast a warm glow over the richly colored horses
each with a different face and intricate carvings on their saddles.
The sounds of children and parents laughing intertwine with the
carnival style music coming from the ride and I can’t stop myself
from hopping up and down on the tips of my toes like a child. Lane
chuckles.

“Come on,” he says, gripping my hand
tightly as we watch the ornate horses spin around and around and up
and down until he points at a big brass ring when it spins by. “If
you can grab the ring the ride’s free.” He gives me a smile and
like a couple of kids we run along the side of the carousel until
we both grab onto the ring and hoist ourselves up and onto the
ride, laughing and out of breath.

I move to a stationary white horse
wearing a deep red saddle and without saying a word Lane lifts me
up, in one swift motion, and sets me down so I’m face to face with
him riding sidesaddle. He grips the horse’s gold post with one
hand, and I can’t help but admire his sinewy arms, lean and
strong.

“You are so beautiful,” he says,
looking into my eyes as he brushes his thumb against my cheek with
his other hand. His sincerity takes my breath away.

I wrap my arms around his neck drawing
him closer until he’s standing between my legs. His soft smile
fades into a smolder as he leans forward, his eyes never leaving
mine, causing my breath to hitch with the anticipation of his lips
on mine.

I close my eyes as he closes the short
distance between us achingly slow. My heart skips a beat when I
finally feel the warmth of his lips press against mine. He tastes
like ice cream and smells like summertime, and I suddenly wonder if
the swirling I feel is from the ride or from his kiss.

He pulls away slightly before wrapping
his hand around the base of my neck and pulling me into his lips
again, making me certain of one thing.

I’m swirling, and it’s definitely from
his kisses.

Lane

“Goodnight,” I say quietly, reluctant
to get off the phone, but it’s a necessary evil if I want to
function at work tomorrow.

“Night,” Ashley whispers back, sending
a chill up my spine, but neither of us hangs up.

I roll onto my back, readjust my lumpy
pillow, and stare at the living room ceiling. I listen to her
breathe until it becomes quiet and even. “Sweet dreams,” I murmur
before drifting off to sleep as well.

“Rise and shine,” Mom says in my ear,
waking me from what feels like barely an hour of sleep. I glance at
my phone and see I’m not too far off. Three hours. Ouch.

I rub my eyes then begrudgingly sit
up. “Morning.” I yawn.

“Up late? Again?” A knowing grin
spreads across her face. “Whoever she is, I want to meet her.” And
suddenly I’m wide awake.

“What?” I say, playing
dumb.

“Don’t
what
me, mister.” She wags her
finger like she’s laying down the law, but she’s smiling too big to
be taken seriously. “Grandpa told me you were practically floating
when you got home from your date last weekend. Her name’s Ashley,
right?”

I nod, running my hands
through my hair. Of course I
want
to introduce Ashley to my family. I’m only
hesitant because Mom doesn’t know Ashley’s a Stay. Considering the
way my father, or sperm donor is more like it, and his family
treated her, she’s always been a little standoffish of the summer
residents. And the last thing I want her to think is that this is
just some summer fling for Ashley because I think it’s becoming
more than that. For both of us.

“How about you bring her over tonight
for dinner?”

“Can’t. I’m pulling a double at the
club tonight, what about tomorrow?” I pick up my phone. “But I’ll
have to call and make sure she’s free,” I say even though I know
she is. We already made plans to go to the movies, but I don’t want
her to feel obligated to have dinner with my family if she doesn’t
want to.

“Hi,” Ashley says when she answers,
and I can hear the smile in her voice. “Did you get enough sleep?”
I smile at her concern for me even though she obviously got just as
little sleep as I did.

I nod even though she can’t see me and
then cut right to the chase. “Okay, you can say no if you want, I
promise.”

“Okaaaaay.”

“So, my mom wants to have you over for
dinner tomorrow, but if you don’t want to I totally understand. I
mean, I know how much you were looking forward to the movies and
all, so we can do dinner another time,” I ramble. “Whatever you
want to do.”

Ashley giggles. “Lane, I thought it
was going to be something bad. Of course I’d love to come over for
dinner.” Suddenly all my nervousness is gone, and I’m not exactly
sure why I was nervous in the first place. My mother is going to
love her because I’m finding it hard not to as well.

“I’m working tomorrow until six. Do
you want me to pick you up when I’m done?”

“I actually have a tennis lesson, so
I’ll just meet you at the club afterwards.”

“Can’t wait. See ya tomorrow,” I say,
wishing I could see her sooner.

“Have a great day,” she says before
hanging up and leaving me to my day full of dishes.