Ajay pulls into the first open parking spot that we come to. The four of us slide out of the Wrangler and walk to the back. The guys try to carry everything, but Nola and I take the bags, blankets, and the umbrellas from them. Ajay leads the way. He loves this beach, always has. This was our go to spot when we were growing up. We had many picnics, dates, make out sessions and even sex here. I want to be mad that he brought his friends here, a place that was special to us, but I’m not because some of our best moments were spent here and that makes me smile. Ajay is trying to make me happy.
While Quinn sets up the umbrellas, Nola and I lay out the blankets and Ajay digs in the sand.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
“Fire pit,” he says without looking up. I stand there watching him for a moment until he glances up. “Are you working tonight?”
“I don’t know,” I say, stupidly.
Ajay motions for me to come to him and I do. Damn traitorous body of mine. Once I’m close, his palm is instantly touching my bare hip and once again, I find myself on fire and ready to rip my clothes off for him.
“Let’s just see how things go today, okay?” he asks, his voice incredibly sweet and caring. This is the only Ajay that I know. The one that told me a divorce would be best was not the man I fell in love with.
“I mean, I do have to work but…” I stumble over my words, hating myself. I want to be strong, to show him that he has no effect on me, to show him that I’m immune to his charms, but I’m failing miserably. God, how do I love him and hate him at the same time?
Ajay drops the shovel and places his other hand on my hip, pulling me closer, turning me slightly so that his back is facing his friends. “If you’re uncomfortable, don’t make excuses, just tell me and I’ll take you back. Don’t worry about Quinn and Nola, they’re just along for the ride. And don’t worry about me, Whiskey. My motives are clear… I want to spend time with you, but I know we’re not on the same page and I’m okay with that. I just need you to be honest with me and tell me when you’ve had enough of me, okay?”
There will never be a time when I’ve had enough. I smile and nod, knowing I should step away, but I can’t muster the strength to do so. “Thanks, Ajay. I appreciate it.”
He’s the one to step back first. Feeling awkward just standing there, I go back to help Nola, who’s setting up a foldable table, chairs, and a radio.
“Do you do this a lot?” I
ask her.
She stops and looks around, a big smile on her face. “No, but I’m used to having a house on the beach, so everything is always readily available.”
I swallow hard at what she just said. “You live on the beach?”
Her eyes go wide. “Oh gosh, no! Quinn’s parents live on the beach and when he’s not on tour or in the recording studio, we spend a lot of time there. He’s been teaching me how to surf. We do have a condo that overlooks the beach ourselves,” she says shyly.
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “I’m sure he’s worked hard for it.”
Nola grabs my hand and drags me back to the parking lot. Trudging through hot sand isn’t my favorite thing to do but I follow her anyway.
“You’re sort of forceful,” I say to her as we reach the Wrangler.
“It comes with the territory. I had to learn to stick up for myself, especially where Quinn’s sisters are concerned, not to mention the fans.”
“My best friend is a fan, so I get it.”
“Anyway, I wanted to tell you that Ajay works hard, too. The band is making waves and their popularity is growing.”
“I know.”
“Ajay lives with us,” she says. “You’re more than welcome to come visit anytime. Malibu is breathtaking.”
“I’ve never left this area, other than a trip to Nashville and that didn’t turn out so well.”
“I was the same way until I went to college in Idaho. After I graduated, I took a road trip to Cali, met Quinn, lost Quinn because I was stupid, and then came home with a broken heart.”
“It doesn’t look broken now.”
She looks out to where the guys are. I follow suit and see that they’re standing together, shirtless. Both are tan and perfectly fit with toned muscles and those mouthwatering hip lines that I know for a fact Ajay didn’t have when we were growing up. Granted, he was eighteen the last time I saw him and still a boy. Now he’s a man, a smoking hot, gorgeous man who’s making my mouth water. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m still in love with him or all of the tattoos, but I sure can picture myself memorizing each and every one of them.
“I stare at Quinn like you do at Ajay,” Nola says, breaking my concentration.
“I was looking at the ocean.”