Chapter 39: 39 - Fireworks

To say I was shocked was an understatement. My mouth gaped open. "You dated my mother?"

"It was a long time ago," he said, his brow furrowed and his mouth tilted down in a slight frown. He bent down to pick up the now-empty milk jug. Grabbing a dishrag, he cleaned up some of the milk. "Alex, would you grab me a towel from the linen closet, please?"

Alex, as speechless as I was, nodded and walked out of the room.

"I'm sorry," Nolan said. "That was clumsy of me."

"It's okay." I was too shocked to say much else, so I glanced down at my phone. There was no cell service.

"Your mother was a fine woman," Nolan continued. “I'm sorry to hear of her passing.”

"Thank you," I managed. "It was twenty years ago, but I still miss her."

"I can imagine." At that moment, Alex returned with a towel and helped his dad soak up the spilled milk. "Thank you, Alex," Nolan said. "Excuse me for a moment."

He took the wet dishrag and towel and exited the kitchen, leaving me alone with his son. “Wow,” Alex said, leaning back against the counter.

"Yeah," I agreed. "Wow."

It was truly a small world. Who knew that the stepfather of someone fate had brought into my life had known my mom, let alone dated her? That, combined with running into Sky and the other things, made me think that fate had some sort of plan. I didn't know or understand what Lady Fate was up to, but she had gotten me this far.

Fate had revealed all of Owen's schemes, from the cheating to the embezzlement to the life insurance policy he had taken out on me. She had placed friends and allies in my life. Now she was up to something else. I just wasn't sure what yet, but I was determined to find out.

Nolan didn't return for a while, and when he did, he was acting strange. He wouldn't meet my gaze, and he was obsessively cleaning the already spotless kitchen. “Is anyone hungry?” he asked over his shoulder. "I'm going to make spaghetti."

"I think I'm going to take Fay swimming," Alex stated. "Fay, the bathroom is upstairs. Why don't you go change?" His tone held a forced lightness.

"Okay," I said, eager to escape the charged atmosphere. I took my suitcase upstairs and changed into my green bikini. When I descended the stairs again, I heard raised voices. Not wanting to interrupt, I paused at the foot of the stairs.

"You're being weird with Fay just because you dated her mother?" Alex's voice said, sounding both irritated and disappointed. "I know you're more mature than that."

Nolan remained silent for several moments, then I heard his voice. "You wouldn't understand," he said. “Just—just take good care of her, alright?”

"What does that mean?" Alex asked, confused. “Why are you saying this?”

I decided that rather than letting them continue to argue, I'd interrupt. So, I walked around the corner. They froze when they saw me. Alex's face went slack as he took me in, and Nolan busied himself with boiling water for the spaghetti.

"Absolutely beautiful," Alex breathed, his eyes heavy. He was already wearing swim trunks, so he pulled off his shirt.

Dang, he had a lot of muscles. The ripples on his abdomen trailed down to a vee just above his swim trunks, and a single line of hair on his abdomen hinted at what lay beneath. I didn't know how he had time to work out with school and working for Lush Productions, but obviously he did. Alex smirked when he caught me staring. "There will be time for that later," he said. "For now, follow me."

I obliged, letting him lead me to the shoreline. We waded into the water. It was warm, and the salty air kissed my cheeks. I tilted my head back and soaked in the fading sunlight as the gentle waves lapped against my skin.

"If I had known how much you liked the ocean, I would have brought you sooner," Alex said, staring at me in wonder.

A soft smile pulled at my lips, but I said nothing, just enjoying the peacefulness.

"I'm sorry about my dad," he said, running a hand through his sandy hair.

"It's okay. I probably would have reacted strangely, too, if I had found out my first love had a daughter and died. How can I blame him for that? It's probably like seeing a ghost." I shrugged.

"Yeah, but still, it's not your fault, and he shouldn't treat you differently because of it." Alex swam closer. "But enough about my dad. The way the light is hitting your hair makes it look like it's on fire. I wish I had my camera right now."

He brushed a strand of hair back from my forehead with his thumb. "You are the most beautiful, talented, funny, intelligent woman I know."

His eyes bored into mine with serious intent. Then his gaze dropped to my lips. "Fay, I have wanted you from the moment I saw you stranded on the side of the road. After I changed your tire, I thought I'd never see you again. As I drove away, I berated myself for not getting your number.

"But then you showed up at The Tap, and it was like fate had given me a second chance. I was elated. You stood up for me, and I think it was then that I began falling for you. You may think that's too soon, but I knew.

"The more we spoke and the more I saw how you interact with people, it was inevitable. Then, when we kissed in my room, I wanted to do it again and again. I haven't stopped imagining your lips on mine. So ... that brings me to this. I'm going to kiss you, Fay. Stop me if you don't want it, but I think you do."

I nodded, mutely, and Alex leaned in. I couldn't deny that I also had feelings for him, and as his palm cupped my cheek, I felt safe. When his lips touched mine, the safe feeling turned into one of danger because I knew I was in deep with this man. He, like Luca, was a perfect storm, designed to shipwreck my heart so it couldn't sail away from him.

Alex's mouth trailed hungry kisses along my jaw before returning to my lips. The taste of the ocean on his lips was prominent, but he also tasted of spice and chocolate. We moved closer to the shore, where both of our feet touched the ground, and I wrapped both arms around his neck as I pressed against him, desperate to be closer. He groaned, placing both of his hands low on my hips. Like the celebration that would happen tonight, the kiss had fireworks.

I was on fire, and the blaze was going to consume me. Whimpering, I opened my mouth to admit him, and he surrendered, his tongue exploring and delving with expert skill.

From the house, Nolan called, "Dinner's ready! Come eat it before it gets dark, or you'll miss the fireworks!"

We broke apart. Our eyes were wide. Apparently, both of us were surprised by the kiss. Had we really been out here long enough for Nolan to have finished cooking?

Alex winked. “We've got time for more later. Don't worry.” Then he got out of the water, droplets dripping down his back and chest. I tried—and failed—not to ogle him.

When we got back inside, the smell of the meat sauce made my stomach growl. It permeated the air the closer we got to the kitchen. Nolan stood at the counter, piling spaghetti on plates for us. His eyes softened when he saw us come in. "I hope you're hungry," he said. "Spaghetti is one of the few hot meals I know how to make. Alex's mom used to do all the cooking."

"It sounds and smells amazing." I looked at the plates on the counter.

I wasn't sure what had come over Nolan before, but he was acting normal now. All traces of his earlier episode had disappeared. "Great!" he exclaimed. "Pick a plate, and have a seat at the dining room table." He gestured to a long wooden table with a glass top and matching wooden chairs.

As we settled in to eat, Alex and Nolan took up their usual easy banter. It was as if nothing had happened. Later, when it got dark, we stepped outside to wait for the fireworks. Alex wrapped his arms around me from behind, nuzzling my neck, and I leaned against his chest.

As we waited for the fireworks, he nibbled my ear, sending a shiver through me. Nolan pointedly gave us space, seeming uncomfortable with the public display of affection. Then the fireworks started, and no one looked at anyone anymore.

The fireworks reflected off the water in an array of colors, captivating our gazes. It was utterly romantic. I smirked as a thought crossed my mind.

“What’s that face for?” Alex whispered in my ear.

“I was just thinking that Luca has some competition,” I said.

“Good to know I measure up. I know how much you like him. Hopefully, you’ll come to like me, too.” His teeth grazed my earlobe.

“I’m getting there.” My voice was breathy. “And if you keep doing whatever it is you’re doing, I won’t be able to resist.”

The corners of his lips turned up as his eyes flashed with determination. “Is that a challenge?”

“Depends,” I replied in a sultry voice. “Do you think you can win?”

“Oh, Fay. You need to have more confidence in me,” he purred.

“Well, let’s see what you’ve got, Portman,” I taunted, using his last name.

“The true question is: do you think you can handle it?” he asked, his voice low and seductive.

At this point, I didn’t know. I now had the sole affection of two very different men, both serious about taking our relationships to the next level. They made my head spin because I was constantly swept off my feet.

“You’d better decide, Fay,” Alex murmured, “because I intend to make you mine, and before long, I don’t think ‘no’ will be in your vocabulary.”

* * *

We finished watching the fireworks, and by then, it was after midnight. The fireworks show lasted for four hours. Alex offered me the best room in the house for the night. It had an incredible view of the ocean. The moon reflected its pale light off the calm waters like a celestial being watching from above.

I settled into the waterbed. I guessed if you were going to sleep near the ocean, you might as well get the full experience. Pulling the turquoise comforter over me, I closed my eyes. It was easy to fall asleep, and when I did, I dreamed.

It wasn’t a nightmare this time. Not exactly. I dreamed of Alex and Luca. They wore Roman armor and wielded swords as I sat on a throne above a coliseum. I looked down on them in the arena as some faceless man announced, “Winner gets to marry my daughter, Fay!”

The jeweled tiara on top of my head felt heavy as I stared down at the two men. Luca raised his sword, his muscles straining as he charged at Alex. The look of determination on Alex’s face shone fiercely as he assumed a defensive stance.

Luca swung his sword, and Alex parried. The two circled each other like wolves. I bit my lip as I watched them fight over me. Alex lunged, and Luca dodged, laughing.

“That’s the best you’ve got?” Luca taunted. “You are making this way too easy.”

“Easy? You haven’t landed a single hit,” Alex jeered. “What are you, inept or incompetent?”

“Those words mean the same thing,” Luca snarled. “And at least I can wield a sword. All you have is a pool noodle.” He stared pointedly at Alex’s weapon, and I watched as the sword transformed into a foam noodle, bending uselessly.

Alex looked aghast until he glanced back up at Luca. Then he laughed and laughed. “You think my weapon sucks? You’re holding up a cooked spaghetti noodle!”

Luca looked down at his hand and swore, throwing the noodle down. “We’ll use our bare hands, then.”

“The joke’s on you,” Alex sneered. “You don’t have any hands.”

Luca’s hands became stumps, and a look of horror appeared on his face. When he turned back to Alex, he set his jaw in a hard line. “That’s okay. I have feet.”

“No, you don’t. You don’t even have a leg to stand on!”

Luca’s legs had both disappeared.

I woke before the dream could get any worse. Knowing my luck, that was probably how a real fight between the two men would go. How absurd. But I guess my brain had to process things somehow.

I got out of bed and dressed, lured to the kitchen by the smell of breakfast. Alex and Nolan were there, talking. Nolan had an omelet cooking on the stove. “Fay, good morning,” he greeted me. “We’ll be heading back after we eat.”

“Sounds good,” I said.

“Did you sleep well?” Alex asked.

I had no idea how to answer that, considering my odd dream, but I said, “Well enough.”

He motioned for me to sit down next to him, and we spoke of plans for finishing the filming of “Bad Boss.” I relaxed into the easy discussion. This had been a getaway I’d needed, and I was so grateful to have Alex and Nolan in my life. I found myself eagerly participating in their playful banter as we prepared to head home.