Free The Boyfriend Project by Rachel Hawthorne Page A

stores at the beach?”
    â€œBecause they’re able to hold people hostage with their prices. It’s better to take everything rather than have to buy it there.”
    Jeremy picked up the cooler. “Good thing we’re nottraveling on a motorcycle or you wouldn’t be able to bring all this stuff.”
    I swatted playfully at his arm before reaching for my suitcase and rolling it to his car. “I would have changed my organizing strategy.”
    He opened the trunk. Inside was one large backpack.
    â€œThat’s all you brought?” I asked.
    â€œYep. Pretty much all I need at the beach is shorts and swim trunks.” Placing his hand on my neck, leaning in, he gave me a lingering kiss. “I knew you’d take care of everything else.”
    I knew everything else didn’t include condoms. He and I had talked about birth control early on in our relationship, and he always carried some just in case. It was just another indication of how considerate he was, although I was really hoping we’d put them to use this weekend.
    â€œWait until you see everything I have planned for our little vacation,” I said. “You are going to be amazed.”
    â€œYou always amaze me.”
    I gave him another quick kiss, as whatever restlessness I’d been feeling drifted away. He always managed to make me feel special and appreciated.
    â€œI was afraid your dad wouldn’t let you have any time off,” I told him as we walked back to the house for the last of the items.
    â€œIt’s only one day.”
    When we finished loading up everything, he slammed the trunk lid closed.
    We drove down to Avery’s house. She and Fletcher were waiting in the driveway, with a couple of tote bags and a cooler. Jeremy and I got out of the car and greeted them.
    â€œI picked up some munchies,” Avery began as Jeremy popped the trunk. When she saw everything inside it, she laughed and looked at me. “I should have known you would, too.”
    â€œJust a few things,” I said.
    â€œCan never have too much food or too many drinks,” Fletcher said.
    â€œThat’s true,” Avery said. “Dot said we were welcome to eat whatever was in her pantry and fridge, but I didn’t want to take advantage. Although she has some steaks that are in danger of spoiling, so we need to eat those.”
    Fletcher slammed the trunk. “Think we’re ready.”
    We all climbed into the car, and Jeremy took off.
    I couldn’t help but think how nice it was going to be to sleep in the same bed with him, to have him hold me all night. To snuggle beneath the blankets. I could hardly wait.
    The house was set on stilts and was, literally, right on the beach. Nothing blocked our view of the ocean. We walked up the stairs, and Avery unlocked the door. Thedogs immediately greeted us. The cat, lounging on an ottoman near a window, couldn’t be bothered.
    Laughing, I knelt and rubbed the fur of a golden retriever, and a chow that was mixed with something small and sweet. I knew it was a chow only because of its blue tongue. “Hey, ladies,” I said, letting them sniff and lick me.
    â€œYou are so much better with dogs than I am,” Avery said as she stood off to the side and watched. “The golden is Pooh Bear, the chow, Duchess.”
    â€œThey’re sweethearts,” I said.
    â€œLet’s check out the place, decide on our rooms, and the guys can haul our stuff in. We’re not allowed to use the master bedroom, but Dot said there were two guest rooms.”
    The house was fairly simple. The front door opened into a large living room, a long counter separating it from the kitchen. We walked down a short hallway with a master bedroom and a guest bathroom on one side. Across from them were the two guest rooms. One with a queen-sized bed. One with two singles.
    â€œWhich room do you want?” Avery asked, as disheartened as I was by the sleeping