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“
Remember the time she made lemon pepper spaghetti.” Cole cringed as he sat next to her.
 

She couldn’t stop herself from laughing. Even when he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, her smile remained. She watched Shelly’s eyebrows shoot up when she noticed Cole’s move and decided she would have to talk to her friend alone, later.

“
We caught ’em, you cook ’em.” Cole nodded towards the fish when his brother tried to sit down across from them.
 

Marcus sighed. “While you two sat around on a boat and threw a couple lines in the water, I worked on the house all day. I’m not only beat, I’m sore as heck.”

Laughing, Cole shook his head. “You know the rules.”

Throwing his head back and groaning, Marcus walked over to the hot grill. “Fine, but I’m scraping this off and using different seasoning.”

B
y the time the food was served, Wendy was feeling more comfortable. She had a wonderful time talking with the group and had laughed as much as she always did around the Grayton family members.
 

Their aunt, Julie, was even funnier than Marcus. But what had really thrown her for a loop was their father, Mark. The man was not only sharp as a tack, but was so quick on the comebacks that Wendy almost felt her head spin.

She could see where Marcus and Cole had gotten their wit. Cole took after his aunt so much, and she wondered if they noticed how alike they were.

The more time she spent with them, the more she liked them. When the food was gone, they sat around the small fire pit and talked. It was too warm to have a fire going, but that didn’t stop the men from propping their feet up on the stone and leaning back in their chairs. It was clear someone had taken the time to make it cozy out here, and she could tell this was something the family did often. She liked knowing that someone had taken the time to make it so inviting.

Part of her was jealous of Cole and his family. She’d always dreamed of having what he had, but even so, she’d never imagined it could be like this.

When Marcus and Shelly left, Cole took her hand and pulled her up from her chair.

“
We’d better head out too. Dad needs his rest.” He nodded to where his father was starting to doze off in his chair. The man’s feet were propped up, his arms were crossed over his chest, and a light snore was coming from his lips. When Cole spoke, however, his eyes opened.
 

“
I’m not as young as I used to be,” the older man said, shaking his head as he got up slowly from his chair.
 

“
Liar, you were never young.” Cole laughed as he helped the man up from his chair.
 

Laughing, Mr. Grayton slapped Cole on the shoulder. “Ain’t that the truth.” He shook his head. “Well, it was sure nice to finally meet you.” He held out his hand to her.

She walked over and hugged the frail-looking man.

“
Oh, well.” She watched his face turn a little red. “You come back any time you want.” He smiled and patted her arm.
 

She nodded as she felt a lump in her throat. “Thank you for having me.” She shook Julie’s hand. The woman wasn’t having any of it and pulled her into her arms for a hug.

“
If he gets one…” She smiled. “We always have a big party for July Fourth. We take the party boat to Crab Island and watch the fireworks. We’d love to have you along.”
 

Wendy shook her head. “I… I’ll have to check my schedule.”

As Cole drove them back across the bay bridge, she sat and looked out the dark windows, thinking about the evening.

“
You’re awful quiet over there,” he said as they hit the other side of the bay.
 

She sighed. “I was just thinking about your family.”

“
Good or bad?” He glanced over at her.
 

She smiled. “Good. I like them a lot.”

He smiled and turned his eyes back to the road. “Good. They like you too.”

“
Like I said, it must have been wonderful
growing up there.”
 

He nodded. “I’m sure you had your moments too.”

She closed her eyes and thought about it. “I suppose. But mostly I was on my own.”

He reached over and took her hand in his. Her first instinct was to pull away, but it felt good, so she relaxed back and enjoyed the rest of the drive to her condo.

“
So,” he said as he pulled into her parking lot. “What are we doing tomorrow?”
 

She laughed. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but I was planning on hitting the mall and then the grocery store.”

“
Good, I’ll pick you up around eleven.”
 

She shook her head. “Cole.”

“
Oh, come on. I’ve got nothing better to do.” He shut off the engine and turned towards her.
 

She looked at him for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a really nice day, but…”

He reached across the seat and quickly pulled her towards him. By the time he stopped, she was almost in his lap.

“
Cole!” she said right before his lips took hers. She wanted to fight him off, but the second his mouth touched hers, she went lax. Actually, every muscle in her body went from tense to on fire. How was it that just the slight touch of his lips could turn her into a complete dolt?

Finally, when she was almost completely breathless, he leaned back and smiled at her. “You were saying…”

She shook her head and realized she’d totally forgotten what they had been talking about. Reaching over, she punched him on the arm quickly.

“
Don’t do that.”

He chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. “You didn’t seem to mind a minute ago.”

She glared at him. “No!” She finally remembered their earlier conversation.

“
No, you didn’t mind?” His smile grew.

“
No, I’m not taking you shopping with me tomorrow.” She watched his eyes for any hint of disappointment; instead, she only found more determination. That was one of the main reasons he’d set her off so easily in the past few years. He was always so sure of himself.

She looked down and realized his hand was running over her hip so she scooted back over to her side of the car.

“
Thanks again for today.” She reached for her door, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“
Wendy, I didn’t mean to sound overbearing.”

She glanced at him and could see something cross his eyes. She sighed and dropped her hand. “I know. You just can’t help it.”

He chuckled. “I guess it’s going to take a while for the old Cole to fade away.”

She nodded. “Maybe you should try to take it in steps?” She smiled.

He chuckled. She had always loved the rich sound, not to mention the way his silver eyes sparkled when he laughed.

“
Okay, I’ll back off. But I’d really like to see you again. I don’t know how long I’ll be in town this time.”

She frowned when she thought about some of the reasons he’d be leaving.

“
I should be back around six.” She sighed and hated that he could hone in on her weakness.

“
How about dinner?” he piped in.

She thought about it and nodded slowly. “Fine.”

He flashed her a smile and then jumped out and rushed around to open her door for her.

“
I guess it would be too much for you to ask me in?” He leaned closer to her as she got out of his car.

Then she looked up at him and laughed. “Good night, Cole.” She ducked around him and made it to her door. When she looked back, he was leaning against the hood of his car, watching her.

“
Night,” he called out and waved as she stepped in and closed the door behind her.

Glancing over at her clock, she groaned. What was she going to do with herself? It was only half past nine and she was still wired. Even the early morning couldn’t stop her internal clock from keeping her up until one or two.

Dropping her bag on the table, she walked over and picked up the remote and tried to keep her mind off the fact that she’d just had the best day of her life with a man she had promised to hate forever.

***

Cole slammed down his cell phone, only because he was afraid he’d throw it if he didn’t get it out of his hands quickly. Pacing, his long legs ate up the tiny apartment.

Where the hell was he? He rolled his shoulders as he paced and thought about the last time he and his brother Roman had talked.

“
You’ve got to cover for me,” Roman said as he threw clothes into his bag.

“
Why?” Cole had leaned against the doorjamb and watched his brother shove clothes in the small bag. The fact that his neat and tidy brother wasn’t folding everything twice before placing it neatly into a large duffle bag had shocked him. But he’d stood back and watched the show.

“
Just for a few weeks or so.” Roman had turned on him. “If you don’t, I’ll tell Aunt Julie about the time you used her new ironing board to ride the ‘waves’ down the stairs.”

Cole chuckled. “Bringing out the big guns, huh?”

Roman nodded. “When it’s important.”

Cole shrugged his shoulders. What was it to him if his brother wanted to disappear for a while. After all, Cole had been doing it on and off for the last few years himself.

“
Fine, but at least tell me where you’re going.”

Roman stood up after zipping the large duffel bag and turned towards him. “I can’t.”

Cole stood up and uncrossed his arms. “Listen, you want to go off somewhere and do God-only-knows-what, that’s fine with me. You want me to keep a secret from the family, that’s okay too. But at least tell someone where you are. Just in case. That’s rule number one, bro.”

Roman had sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m not leaving the state.” His brother’s brown eyes found his. “That’s all I can tell you.”

Cole waited. “And?”

Roman shook his head, and Cole realized that his sandy blond hair was longer than normal. Actually, his normally clean-cut, shaved, and suited brother had been looking scruffy the last few days. Cole had noticed the change only a few days after he’d arrived back in town.

Cole had been on a shoot for a new line of cologne in Europe, and when he’d returned, the apartment had been a mess, and his brother had looked like he hadn’t shaved in days. He’d actually been wearing a dirty T-shirt and shorts.

“
Just tell everyone I had some business to tend to in Atlanta. They’ll assume it has to do with Spring Haven.”

Cole had sighed. “How long will you be gone?”

Roman shrugged his shoulders, something all three boys did the same, reminding them they were brothers.

“
Fine, but I can’t hold the fort down for too long. I’ve got a contest next month in Hawaii.”

He nodded. “It shouldn’t take that long.” He turned and picked up his bag.

“
Don’t forget to take your phone.” He tossed his brother his new cell phone, a device he’d never seen his brother leave home without. Actually, Roman was always glued to the damn thing; it was any wonder he didn’t have it stapled to his ear.

Roman frowned down at it. “Right.” He shoved it in the end of his bag and started to walk out.

“
Check in every once in a while,” Cole yelled at his brother’s back as he walked out the front door. He thought he saw his head bob in reply, but couldn’t be sure since his hair was now longer than his own.

Cole walked over and glanced at his phone one more time. It had been over a week since Roman had disappeared and he’d yet to hear a single word from him. Every text, every voice mail of his had gone unanswered. He was beginning to wonder if he should tell the family.

He’d really hoped to go with Wendy today to Panama City. He was desperate for any distractions, even if it meant he’d have to go shopping with a girl.

He’d dated enough women in the last few years to know that when a woman went to the mall, she would usually walk out with handfuls of bags. He cringed inwardly at the memory of his last trip to a mall. Even that hadn’t kept him from wanting to go with her today.

He’d been telling her the truth. He really did want to turn over a new leaf. In the last two years, he’d worked up a reputation as a womanizer in the media’s eye. His agent had encouraged him to keep up the facade. Okay, most of it hadn’t been for show. After all, when women—great-looking women—fell at his feet, who was he to turn them away?

But after a while, he started realizing that no matter what he did, or who he dated, they were all the same: boring, shallow, and out for a piece of his fame.

Every time he brought a woman back home, they acted grateful for a short while, like it was all some sort of vacation. But after a few days or so, they would get bored and start complaining that he wasn’t taking them out enough. That they weren’t being “
seen
” together.

He wanted someone who actually liked being in Surf Breeze. After all, that’s where he lived.

He frowned as he sat down on the sofa. His brother’s sofa. Looking around the apartment, he realized that he didn’t really live anywhere.

When he was in town, he’d always just stay at Roman’s. Up until a few months ago, Marcus had lived in the small two-bedroom place as well. Cole used to just take the sofa or, if he had a lady, stay at a hotel not far from there.

But now that Marcus and Shelly had bought a place and were fixing it up, the second room of Roman’s place was all his. He shot money his brother’s way to help pay for the rent, along with his share of keeping Spring Haven Home, the boy’s home he and Roman had started, running. All of them pitched in to keep the place going.

He was real proud of them for stepping out and helping young kids that were in the same situation that they had been in growing up. He knew that the home ate up a lot of Roman’s time, even though he had a staff of people helping to run the place. Roman spent most of his time across the bay in Spring Haven while Marcus spent most of his time with their other business, Paradise Construction.