Free Someday Beach by Jill Sanders

taking advice from someone who runs a multibillion-dollar company.”
    “And a local coffee shop.” Wendy smiled and walked away to take someone else’s order.
    Shelly shook her head and finished off her beer. She was about to order another one when she saw Wendy stiffen and frown. Her friend’s eyes turned to ice. Shelly glanced over to see what could have caused such a reaction and noticed a very good-looking couple walk in.
    The woman looked vaguely familiar to her and could have easily stepped from the pages of Sports Illustrated. The man, from GQ. Then she took another look at the man and realization dawned. This was Cole. Marcus’s brother. She glanced back at Wendy and couldn’t help but smile just a little. She wondered if the woman knew she had it bad. From the outside she looked pissed. Beyond pissed. If the lighting was just right, she would have wagered she would see steam coming off Wendy’s skin. But Shelly could see the longing in her blue eyes. Longing and hurt.
    Shelly walked over and broke Wendy’s view. “Is everything okay?”
    Wendy blinked a few times and then nodded. “Sure.” She shook her head. “Just same ol’ stuff. Did you want another beer?” she asked just as the couple walked up to the bar.
    Wendy didn’t even spare them a glance, “You still hanging around? Don’t you have to go kill yourself in Africa?” When she didn’t get a response, she looked up at the couple. Cole was frowning. The woman on the other hand, was all smiles.
    Shelly doubted the woman knew how to frown. Maybe she’d had too much plastic surgery.
    “Plans changed, we’re heading out tomorrow. I thought I’d come in and say bye to Cassey.” He glanced around the room. “Is she…”
    “Upstairs,” Wendy said, setting another beer in front of Shelly. “This is Shelly. She’s going to open a boutique on the boardwalk.”
    Cole glanced her way. His eyes caught hers and she saw his instant attraction in them. His smile was slow and, she had to admit, breathtaking.
    “Sure.” He dropped the dark-haired woman’s hand and walked over to take hers to his lips. “My pleasure.” His hand was tan and warm. She glanced back at the beauty behind him and she could tell the woman was used to him flirting. She had to admit he was smooth.
    “Your brother Marcus has told me so much about you.”
    “Oh?” His blonde eyebrows shot up. “Only believe the good stuff.” He winked.
    She smiled.
    “He’s supposed to be meeting us here after the game. Roman, too.” He glanced around again. “I guess we’re a little early.” He dropped her hand and sat next to her. The other woman sat on the other side of him, no doubt not wanting to be too far away from her mark.
    “This is Trilla.” He nodded between them. He grabbed Wendy’s hand as she rushed by. “I’ll have my usual.”
    Shelly watched with some humor as Wendy yanked her hand away and glared at the woman. “You?”
    “Oh, a spritzer water with lime, please.” Shelly couldn’t quite pinpoint the accent.
    Wendy nodded and marched off to get the drinks.
    “So, you moved down here from…” He left the question hanging. When she turned to him, she realized he’d turned his entire body towards her, leaving his girlfriend at his back and ignored.
    “DC,” she answered, not really thinking.
    “Oh?” He glanced at Wendy as she set his drink in front of him. “I had heard it was Boston.” Instantly, her cheeks turned red and she glanced at Wendy who just smiled at her.
    “By way of Boston,” she recovered.
    “Other than opening your own business, what brings you down to our humble shores?” He leaned on the bar, looking quite comfortable as he sipped the clear drink.
    “The sand and beaches.” She smiled. “Is there any other reason needed?”
    He smiled back at her and lifted his glass in a toast. “Surf.” When he smiled, she noticed small dimples on either sides of his mouth. No one should be this good at flirting. She was way out of