Love After All
Page 75

“You have Emma to help you.”
“Emma just barely got through her own wedding.”
Chelsea waved her hand. “Emma’s fully recovered. The only one of us currently unavailable is Des, because she’s out of the country filming. You have all of us. Me, Jane, Emma, Megan, Sam. You do realize you can call any of us for help. That’s what we’re here for, Molly.”
Molly reached over and squeezed her hand. “I know. I’m a compulsive do-it-yourselfer. Carter said it’s one of my worst flaws. One of my many flaws, actually.” She laughed.
“You’re going to have to stop thinking you have to do it all yourself. I have the entire summer off. I can jump in and help you in so many ways. You just have to tell me what you need.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Chelsea. Thank you. And I’m going to take you up on that offer.”
Bash grasped her hand and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“Did I tell you that you look gorgeous tonight?”
A shiver skittered down her spine. “Thank you.”
He leaned back. “So what had you and Molly talking so animatedly?”
“Wedding stuff.”
He arched a brow. “What? You’re planning to propose to me tonight? Damn, Chelsea, this is so sudden. I wish you had warned me. I would have dressed better.”
Carter chuckled. Molly outright laughed. Chelsea rolled her eyes. “Not happening.”
“It’s because I’m not wearing a suit, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely. My perfect man would wear a suit to the beach.”
“I knew it. I’m doomed. I’ll just drown my sorrows in this beer.” He raised his bottle and took a couple of long swallows.
“He’s amazing, you know,” Molly whispered.
Chelsea stared at Bash and felt a flutter in the vicinity of her heart. “Yes. I know he is.”
They finally called Bash’s name, so they headed inside to have dinner. Chelsea had seafood pasta, which was amazing. It was fun to sit back and relax with her friends without having to worry about work or anything else.
Teaching definitely had its stresses, but having summers off was the best perk of the job.
After they ate, they went back outside and hung out to drink and watch the sun set. It was a perfect day. Since they’d gotten up early, they walked back to the hotel, stopping at the store along the way for a few supplies. Important things, like beer, wine, and soda. And, of course, coffee.
They carried their bags up to the condo, put everything away, then congregated outside, chatting for another hour or so before Molly yawned and said she was ready for bed. Carter went with her, leaving Chelsea and Bash alone on the balcony.
“Pretty perfect here,” she said, sipping from her bottle of water.
Bash didn’t say anything for a minute or so, just took a couple of swallows of beer. Then, finally, “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
She smiled. “Me, too.”
“Are you tired?”
“A little.”
“Let’s go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”
She stood. “We do?”
“Yeah. Lots of sun, sand, eating, drinking …”
She laughed. “Sounds intense. I’ll have to go input all of that in my calendar so I don’t forget it.”
He put his arm around her. “You definitely should. You don’t want to be late and miss it.”
They headed toward the bedroom. Chelsea washed her face and brushed her teeth, then undressed and climbed into bed. Bash was waiting there for her and pulled her close.
“First night of vacation. You should probably ravage me before I pass out from exhaustion.”
She rolled over and climbed on top of him. “Try to hold out on that passing out thing. I’ve got plans for you.”
He gripped her hips. “See? Another good reason to come with me.”
“And another good reason to not vacation in a tent.”
He rocked against her, his erection evident. “We can have sex in a tent, too, ya know.”
“Oh, but there’s so much more room to roll around on a bed.”
He did just that, rolling her onto her back. “You have a point. And no rocks on your back.”
“Or bugs.”
“Still, there’s a lot to be said for being able to get up before dawn to go fishing.”
“Needing a flashlight to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.”
He framed her face with his hand. “I’m going to take you camping sometime, Chelsea. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it.”
“I highly doubt it. But you’re welcome to try.”
He kissed her, and she lost herself in the feel of his lips on hers. The debate about camping ended for the night, because she had much more pleasurable things to think about.
Chapter 31
While Chelsea and Molly soaked up the sun the next morning, Bash and Carter went searching out ATV rentals and other activities.
They ended up renting Jet Skis for the day and calling the adventure park to rent ATVs for the following day.
“Do you really think you’re going to get Chelsea on an ATV?” Carter asked as they made their way back to the women.
“Of course. She’s a lot more adventurous than you think.”
Carter gave him a skeptical look. “Uh-huh.”
“Okay, she’s more adventurous than she thinks.”
Carter laughed, then slapped him on the back. “Good luck with that.”