Sandcastle Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (12 page)

Both of them shook their heads.

“Nothing so far. There's some sort of new snafu he's having to navigate,” Lucas said with a shrug. “Doc's going to be glad you're making tacos. It might actually cheer him up after dealing with lawyers all day.”

I frowned and tested the oil before putting the fish in. The fish sputtered in the oil, giving the room the delicious scent of cooking herbs and spices. Both boys' mouths were visibly watering. It was a good thing I had a lot of fish to cook.

“Do I smell someone making tacos?” Brooke asked, joining the three of us in the small kitchen. With two people, the kitchen was cozy. With three, it was slightly crowded. With four, it was claustrophobic.

“Yup. A batch big enough for eighteen,” I answered. Brooke stood between Lucas and Devon, playing with a tendril of hair from her ponytail. I did a double-take. She was wearing makeup. Not much, but just a little mascara and eye shadow. I wondered when she had put that on, especially since she had probably been out on a boat all day.

I went to get the big kitchen knife, but Devon was standing directly in front of the butcher’s block. I cleared my throat and he blushed slightly, and shuffled to the side. Unfortunately, since everyone had decided to cram into the kitchen, he bumped into Brooke, knocking her off balance.

Brooke stumbled and would have fallen, but Lucas caught her, his hands wrapping around her shoulders to keep her upright. She giggled, and he didn't release her right away. Instead, Lucas got a stupid-happy smile on his face while Brooke fluttered her eyelashes and apologized.

I looked over at Devon and raised my eyebrows, asking him a silent
“What's going on here?”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, telling me he didn't have a clue, but saw it too. Something was going on between Lucas and Brooke.

I put the onion on the chopping board and then turned to face the three non-helping adults in the kitchen. It was far too crowded for four people, especially when two were so busy flirting they wouldn't have noticed if their shirts caught fire. “All right. Either you help me chop, or you get out of the kitchen.” I held up the knife in my hand.

“I think I hear the sharks whining,” Devon said quickly, heading to the back door. “I'd better go feed them.”

“Right. Be sure to tell them to clean their rooms while you're at it,” I said sarcastically. I knew he was really off to see his soon-to-be wife. “Tell Mimi dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”

“Will do,” he called back, slamming the screen door behind him. I turned to face the remaining non-helpers.

“I gotta go finish... uh... unpacking. Yeah, unpacking,” Lucas stammered, backing away slowly and eyeing my knife. I stuck my tongue out at him as he ducked into the living room.

Brooke went to the sink and washed her hands before going to the chopping board to peel the onion I had set there. I let her have that knife as I pulled out another and started on dissecting the mango.

“So, what's up with you and Lucas?” I asked innocently.

Brooke fumbled with the onion, nearly dropping it on the floor. She recovered it at the last second and set it down. She then flipped her hair over her shoulder like nothing had happened. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on, Brooke,” I said. I set my knife down and put my hands together under my chin and did an imitation of her high-pitched giggle. “Help me, Lucas, I fell!”

“I do not sound like that!” She squeaked with indignation and smacked me gently on the shoulder with the back of her hand. I gave her a pointed look and she rolled her eyes and shrugged.

“Yes, you do,” I teased gently. “Talk to me.”

“Honestly, I don't know,” she said with a sigh. “You know I haven't had any luck with guys lately. He's been helping me with my hammerhead stuff, and... Iz, I missed him while he was gone.”

“And...” I coaxed, finishing my first mango and putting it in a big glass bowl.

“I don't know... you know me and guys. They so much as smile at me and I'm in love.” Brooke sliced the onion in half and stared at the two pieces for a moment. “Do you think he likes me?”

“Uh-oh, Brooke,” I answered, dropping my voice as low as I could and trying to sound like Lucas. “You fell down. Let me hold you in my big strong arms for ten seconds longer than necessary!”

Brooke giggled. “Fine. Enough about me. What about
your
date?”

“Heaven. With a touch of Perfect.” The fish was coming along nicely, and I started dicing up a second mango, a satisfied grin creeping onto my face.

“Oh, you totally did him!” Brooke exclaimed, jumping up and down a little in a happy dance. Her eyes widened, and she set down her knife so she could put both hands on my shoulders. She searched my face, hazel eyes taking in every detail of my expression. “You have totally fallen for him, haven't you?”

“No!” I told her, shrugging her hands off my shoulders. She raised her eyebrows at me and blinked. “I mean... maybe?”

“Izzy!” she raised her hands like she was going to shake or strangle me, finally deciding on just shaking my shoulders. “I told you, just have fun! He's a tourist! He's gonna leave and I'm going to have to deal with mopey Izzy again. I don't like mopey Izzy. She's no fun.”

“But he's not leaving,” I justified. There was a thrill in my stomach at saying the words out loud. “He's not leaving.”

Confusion twisted Brooke's pretty features. “What? But he's a tourist.”

“He's staying longer on the island.” I couldn't keep the grin off my face. “He's extending his trip.”

“Iz,” she said softly. Her shoulders sagged slightly. Her mouth slanted, and I could see her brain trying to come up with a gentle way to bring me back to reality. “It's still just a trip. He's going to have to leave eventually. I mean, that's awesome that he's staying for you, but...” She shrugged.

“I like him, Brooke,” I answered quietly. I knew she was only trying to keep me from getting hurt. “I really tried not to. I really, really did. But he's different.”

“If I had a dollar for every guy who was 'different,'” Brooke said, grabbing an avocado to slice, “Well, I'd have that Prada bag I want.”

“I'm serious, Brooke. He makes me happy.” I shrugged and flipped the fish in the frying pan. The room smelled delicious. Brooke silently finished her avocado and put it in a bowl. She set her knife down and wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.

“If he makes you happy, then that's what matters,” she said finally, wrapping her arms around my shoulders giving me a good hug. “You know I'll be here for you if you need me. I'll buy the ice cream when he has to leave. Just don't tell the whole island your going with him this time.”

A wry chuckle found its way out of my mouth. “Don't worry. I learned that one the hard way.” I turned to face her. “Thanks, Brooke.”

“For what?” she asked, washing her hands in the sink again. She had a smear of avocado on her cheek.

“For telling me I'm an idiot in the nicest way possible,” I explained, “and being my friend.”

Her hazel eyes misted for a moment as she smiled. “Well, if I don't tell you you're being an idiot, those meanie-head boys will. Only they'll be...” She thought for a second and shrugged. “They'll be meanie-heads about it.”

“Meanie-heads?” I asked. She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at me.

“Shut up.”

I laughed and checked the fish. The first batch was done. I set the next batch to go and mixed the mango salsa ingredients Brooke and I had been chopping. All I had to do now was finish the fish and get the tortillas ready.

I turned to see Lucas standing in the doorway. “Um... Brooke?”

Brooke startled and dropped the red pepper in her hands. It landed on the floor, but she scooped it up and quickly went to the sink to rinse it off. I giggled at the two of them trying so hard to pretend to be normal.

“Hi, Lucas. You here to chop some peppers?” I asked, knowing full well that he was there to see Brooke.

“No,” he answered, shaking his head. He looked directly at Brooke, his dark eyes nervous. “I was actually going to go check on the shark pups. You want to help?”

I tried really hard not to snort at the blatant excuse. “Hey, girl, come out and look at the beautiful ocean and moon with me!” was really what he should have said.

“Yeah,” Brooke answered quickly, nodding and grinning. “I mean, Izzy, do you still need me?”

Brooke begged me with her eyes and bit her lip. I rolled my eyes at her.

“Sorry, Brooke. I'm helpless in the kitchen without you.” I stuck my tongue out at her and shooed her with my hands. “Go. I am actually pretty good at making this by myself.”

Brooke's face split into a grin about a mile wide as she mouthed the words “Thank you!” I shook my head at the two of them as they hurried through the kitchen and out the back door. Their excitement was contagious. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the two of them flirting in the dark. It was just too cute. They went well together.

I picked up the newly washed pepper and began to dice it. It was going to go in the salsa. Outside I could hear Lucas’s deep baritones punctuated by Brooke’s soprano giggling. It was a happy sound. I wondered if I sounded that happy with Noah.

Actually
, I thought to myself,
I think I sound even happier.

I
woke up with the dawn, for once welcoming the warm sunshine instead of hiding beneath my covers and trying for five more minutes of sleep. It was a new day; one that I got to spend with Noah. I climbed out of bed and threw on a bikini that would make Brooke proud and a cute little orange print sundress. Without waking Brooke, who was snoring peacefully with her hair tangled around her head like a halo, I snuck out into the morning sunshine.

I walked along the beach path toward the mansion, humming slightly. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time. I didn't know it was possible to feel this happy. Not only was I off to see the man of my dreams, but he was still on the island. We had a chance.

The sky was a beautiful blue with the only clouds being dark gray, but far on the horizon. The world was made of blue, green, and sand. It was almost too gorgeous of a day to be real. I came to the entrance of the Grove and sent some good vibes toward it. Hopefully that would turn out all right too. I had thrown my four thousand dollars of tip/bet money into the fund to buy it. Four thousand dollars wasn't much toward the overall price of the property, but I hoped it was enough to help tip the scales in our balance. I had already done so much work and had so many wonderful ideas to research there.

Passing the last little bit of the Grove, I came to the beach where Noah and I had built the sandcastle. I almost didn't want to look, afraid that the beautiful castle would be washed into the sea, but I did. And it was still there.

I stepped off the path and into the beach, heading to inspect the sand structure. The moat, and the lack of rain the past few days, had saved it. The edges were starting to wear away, and several of the shells I had placed had fallen into the moat, but it was still standing. Despite the worn edges, I still thought it was the most beautiful castle I had ever seen. It stood on the beach like a glorious sentinel, waiting for its occupants to return from the sea. I wished that it could stay standing like this forever. For a moment, I even thought it had a chance.

I replaced one of the shells and deepened a section of the moat before continuing on my way. I gave it one last look as I got back on the path and hurried on my way to see Noah.

***

I
knocked on the door to Noah's villa, my heart speeding up with every knock. I could hear his footsteps as he came to the door, and I smoothed my hair one last time. I loved how just thinking about him made my insides shiver. I couldn't have removed the grin on my face if someone had paid me.

“Izzy,” he greeted me warmly, opening the door. Barefoot, he had on a pair of low slung khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt that made his eyes pop. His hair looked tousled and windblown; it was all I could do to keep my hands to myself and not run my fingers through it. He dipped his head and kissed me demurely on the cheek as I stepped inside.

I had expected the little beach cabana to be empty, but instead, it looked like a paper tornado had hit. Sitting sedately in the center of the wreckage was a petite, adorable, redhead. She had her hair cut in a pixie-cut style that made her sexy and cute at the same time. She wore running shorts and a tank-top that accented her fairy-like body. I was really, really glad Noah had warned me about her. If he hadn't, I would have been incredibly jealous. Even as it was, the green-eyed monster in my stomach wasn't terribly happy about the situation.

“Hi!” the girl chirped, hopping to her feet and holding out her hand. “You must be Izzy.”

Her handshake was firm and professional. She grinned, her green eyes sparkling. Her smile was infectious.

“Hi,” I replied, “and you must be Noah's assistant.”

“Yup, I'm Beth. It's nice to finally meet the woman who has made Noah stop answering my phone calls.” She turned to give Noah a teasing glare. He laughed and held up his hands.

“You guys look really busy,” I said, eyeing the piles of paper scattered across the table, floor, and chairs. Two laptops sat open on the table, and even their keyboards had paper on them. I tried to see what was written on the papers without looking like I was, but Beth was already busy picking them up.

“Yeah, but I'll take this view over my cubicle any day of the week,” she said, gesturing to the ocean out the window. Her arms were full of papers, but she had most of the ones near me picked up before I even had a chance to help. “I should convince Noah to go to his friends' parties more often.”

I went to hand her the last piece of paper near my feet; it looked like a map of the island, but Beth had it in her pile before I could get a good look. Maybe Noah was looking at a house to flip? There were several hurricane-damaged properties in the area that he could renovate and sell to a wealthy businessman for a nice sum of profit.

“How about you take the rest of the day off, Beth?” Noah asked, his eyes fixed on me. I bit my lip as he looked tellingly at the hem of my skirt. A warmth spread in my stomach and headed south. “Go enjoy the island a little bit.”