Well, that settled that. Alec leaned in close to Faith’s ear. “Go wait in the car. I’d like at least part of this to be a surprise. I’ll be out soon.”

Her round gaze met his. Through her amber eyes, gratitude and awe radiated. Wonder. To Alec, it seemed like she was accumulating one of her moments, storing it away in her memory to pull out at a later date. She must’ve seen something when she looked at him, because her gaze softened and a trace of a smile worked her lips.

The air all but crackled between them. For the first time in years, an unnamable emotion rose up to choke him, more powerful than anything he’d ever experienced. Blinding, deafening, and not altogether unpleasant. Like a fissure sealing.

She stepped closer and he had to force himself to exhale. “Thank you.”

Because his throat wouldn’t work, he nodded.

When Faith was out of sight in the car, he turned to the book of charms and ignored the saleswoman’s curious stare. He scanned the pages, waiting for something to jump out at him. He found a seashell and pointed to indicate he wanted that one. The ocean meant a lot to her. He’d found her walking the surf, lost in thought countless times.

“I’ll get to work on this one, and you can let me know if you find more you like.”

Alec nodded, grateful for the minute alone.

The attendant returned just as he’d finished his selection. He pointed to an “H” to represent her sister’s name, and a little infinity symbol that had “friends” engraved on it, to represent Mia and Lacey, figuring those would mean a lot to her.

There was one last charm he was debating. “I’ll take that one, but don’t add it to the bracelet. I’ll take it in a separate bag.”

While the saleswoman clipped the charms and prepared the box, he texted Mia that they’d be there in under thirty minutes.

Package in hand, and the other charm burning a hole in his pocket, he stepped out into the fading light of day with his heart pounding. He was barely in the car when Faith pounced. She grabbed his arm and climbed halfway across the console.

“That was the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” The gratitude in her eyes burned intense, surprising the hell out of him.

“I’m a nice guy.” Or at least he was when he was around her—she’d managed to bring out that hidden quality, one he didn’t know he possessed. She did all sorts of things to him. It had been years since someone looked at him like she did.

She grinned, a full watt brighter than he’d seen to date. “Thank you.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but her mouth crashed over his. He cupped her jaw and kissed back, letting their tongues mesh and the heat to nearly engulf the car before pulling away.

“I really like that particular form of thank-you. We’ll have to get more into detail after dinner.”

She brushed her fingers over her swollen lips. “Dinner is overrated.”

Tempting. The only thing he was hungry for was her. Normally, he’d agree and skip it, but their friends were waiting. Not that she knew that. “I promise you, after dinner, I’ll let you thank me however you want. All night.”

To keep her busy in the meantime, he passed her the jewelry box. He started the car and made his way down the strip. After a moment, he cranked the air to cool things down. It didn’t help much.

And when she tore her way through the wrapping, her gasp of delight was the sweetest thing he’d ever heard.

chapter

twenty-four

She was still staring at the bracelet, twirling it around her wrist, when Alec pulled the car up to her guesthouse. It was amazing. She’d hovered between tears and giddy laughter on the drive home. The charms were thoughtful and personal. Somehow, he’d worked himself into her life and had seen her better than anyone.

He was the only one who’d tried to see.

In a few short weeks the wedding would be over and he’d go back to New York. She didn’t know how she’d get through. What she felt for him and how profoundly she felt it was still a whirlwind inside her head. How could she stand on the beach and not think of how they met? Sleep in her bed without remembering their lovemaking?

“You ready?”

She lifted her gaze. “I thought we were going to dinner.” Instead, he’d driven her home.

“We are.”

They exited the car and walked across the crushed shell drive toward Cole and Mia’s. He took her hand and rounded the house.

“Surprise!”

Faith gasped. Cole, Mia, Ginny, Lacey, and Jake stood on the back deck, the fading light behind them and a cake on the table before them. Ginny held a bunch of balloons. A small stack of presents littered a patio table. Cole turned to flip something on the grill. Chicken. Her favorite.

Since she seemed to be frozen, Alec leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Happy birthday. If you eat fast, we can get to the thank-you portion quicker.”

She pressed her hand over her face and laughed, long and loud. So long that she had moisture in her eyes by the time she was through. “You guys, this is wonderful. I’ve never had a surprise party before.”

Jake and Alec exchanged a look, one she couldn’t decipher, but held an enormity of meaning. Eventually, Jake nodded slowly and draped an arm over her shoulder. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Ginny bounded over, bouncing on her toes, and clumsily passed her the balloon strings. “I picked them out. I got one in every color because I don’t know your favorite color so that way you aren’t upset. It’s a rainbow!”

Faith smiled. Shook her head. “I don’t have a favorite color, so your rainbow is perfect. Very thoughtful, Ginny.”

Everyone started talking a mile a minute until her head spun and Cole shouted, “Food’s done.”

It wasn’t just the best birthday—it was the best day she’d ever had. Good friends to hang out with, a nice guy who wanted to take her to bed later, presents picked just for her, and the ocean playing its own sort of melody in the background. Never in her wildest imagination had she thought life could be so sweet. So perfect. Her heart flipped in her chest. Swelled.

Jake and Lacey had gotten her a gift certificate for a spa, and Cole and Mia a stationery set and candles scented like a sea breeze. Ginny had colored her a pretty, yet simple picture of them together on the beach, collecting shells. Faith promised to put it up on her fridge as soon as she got home.

They sat until long after sundown, cooled slightly by the breeze, chatting about the wedding and other miscellaneous topics. Easy conversation with easygoing people. Friends. It was great finally having them.

“Oh, my God, Lacey. This cake is so good.” Mia wiped her mouth with a napkin and waved off the margarita Jake held out. “I can’t wait for the wedding cake. Same bakery, right?”

“Yep.” Lacey sipped from her own glass. “Jake makes way better margaritas than me.”

Faith grinned and leaned back on the bench seat in the corner of the deck. “We won’t get nearly as drunk.”

Alec took the spot next to her and slipped his arm around her waist, encouraging her to lean against him. “And when, exactly, did Lacey get you drunk?”

“Yeah.” Jake’s gaze swung between them. “Why wasn’t I called?”

Faith laughed. “At Ginny’s slumber party. One sip and we were toast.”

“Yeah, but it was fun.”

“That it was. We’ll have to do it again, since Mia was gone the first time.”

“I’ll pass on Lacey’s margaritas, though.” Mia smiled and snuggled into Cole’s side while he kissed the top of her head. She looked at each of them expectantly. “I’m pregnant.”

A pause filled the space between them.

Lacey screeched and flew out of her chair, wrapping Mia in a fierce hug. “I’m going to be an auntie?”

“Yes, ma’am. And Ginny, too. Right, pretty girl?”