15 Shades Of Pink (26 page)

I should’ve known she was up to something when she’d shown up with full makeup, blown-out hair, and a fresh pedicure. We were staying for two nights and she’d brought three suitcases, because who knew what she’d be in the mood to wear? I’d been looking forward to not worrying what I looked like for a few days. To say I underpacked was an understatement.

“Six pair of sandals is hardly excessive,” she’d told me while unpacking. “What if I lost a pair on the beach at night having crazy sex with Connor?” She giggled. “But I suppose someone with your… history wouldn’t know about the importance of dressing cute.”

Truly, the two of us wouldn’t be hanging out if not for our side-by-side cubicles—and the fact that I’d moved to town two years earlier and hadn’t made many friends.

I dug my toes in the sand and enjoyed the warm sun on my skin after years of hiding it under long pants and skirts. I didn’t mind spending time by myself. I found me to be quite good company.

A tall, blond guy wandered over from the group of guys next to us. “Who’s your friend?” he asked Cassidy.

She twisted off the cap of her wine cooler. “This is Natalie from the office. You’ve met before. Natalie, remember Jared from Carlton Services?”

I looked up at him, shading my eyes. “Oh, yes. Nice to see you again.”

“I don’t think we’ve met.” His eyes roamed over me.

My throat tightened and I regretted not wearing a baggy t-shirt over my bathing suit, even though it was a modest one-piece. “It’s been a while.”

Cassidy pointed her wine cooler at him and laughed. “That’s right. You wouldn’t recognize her, of course. Natalie lost tons of weight since last summer, like, one hundred pounds.” She readjusted the sunglasses holding back her hair and shrugged. “She’s hot now.”

Cassidy liked to announce this news to anyone who would listen, as if she had something to do with it. Or maybe she just liked to make sure people knew her “hot” friend hadn’t always looked this way. It was her version of an asterisk next to any compliment that came my way.

I smiled, wishing I had the nerve to add, “I’m also healthier and more energetic!” But no one really gave a flying leap about those things. Those were girl add-ons no one needed, like an extra large cup holder in the back seat. Appearances—that’s all that seemed to matter.

Jared’s eyes swept over me, as if to double-check that I looked as good as he first thought after hearing that news. Then he stepped back, like maybe I wasn’t quite over my case of “fatness” yet. “You look really good.” He returned to his buddies and cracked open a beer. Two of them were wearing orange drinking hats, with the cans right on their heads, so I wasn’t too upset by his quick departure.

Cassidy swatted me with her magazine. “You have to be more friendly if you’re ever going to get together with anyone. I’m trying to help you, here.”

“I don’t want your help.” I looped my hands around my knees. “And besides, I’m not used to the attention.” I rested my cheek against my knees and closed my eyes, listening to the surf. I’d spent a lifetime ducking my head, hiding my thighs, and keeping my mouth shut. Not around food, of course. That had always been the problem. Food seemed to make everything better—even the good times.

But now everything was different and I didn’t have the flirty comebacks or coy smiles to keep up. How was I suddenly supposed to be this social butterfly, fluttering her wings seductively, when I’d been curled up in my cozy cocoon for years? The closest I’d ever come to flirty banter with a guy was “Pass the ketchup, darlin’.”

Micki wandered back from the concession stand with two hot dogs and a plate of fries. “Want one?”

Cassidy wrinkled her nose and I held up one hand like a traffic cop signaling stop. “No, thanks.” I’d joined an online weight loss support group the year before and logged in every day. It took thirteen months to lose one hundred and eight pounds. I wouldn’t be gaining an ounce back. The daily support of friends online helped me stick to it.

Micki shrugged. “More for me.” Little did she know our online group had a bounty out for eat-whatever-I-want-but-never-gain girls like her. Well, not officially anyway, but in theory.

Cassidy flipped open her
Cosmo
and leafed through the pages. “Connor brought some hot friends, didn’t he?” She was busy checking out her boyfriend’s buddies while he was off swimming. But why? Connor was boyfriend perfection. She didn’t know how lucky she was.

I pressed my mouth shut.

“What?” she asked. “You’re not interested in any of them? Then who
is
your type?”

Your guy
, I thought. And it wasn’t just because he was good looking. I’d had the chance to chat with him at a few parties. He was funny and kind, and really listened to people when he talked to them. Unlike Cassidy, who always scanned the room for someone more interesting. Connor had a wonderful smile and kind eyes and told the best stories. If I ever got drunk, I might get brave enough to ask him why the hell he was with someone like her. But I hadn’t been drunk since sophomore year of college, so that wasn’t likely to happen.

“Ease up there, Cupid,” Micki told Cassidy.

Cassidy crossed her arms. “I’m just trying to help. Natalie hasn’t had a ton of dating experience because she’s always been big. I’m trying to help her navigate the waters. That’s what friends do.” Her lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“I’ll be fine,” I told her. I lifted my chin, enjoying the warm, salty gust off the ocean.

Cassidy blinked at me, accusingly. “Then why don’t you have a boyfriend?” With her long, wavy blond hair, size-two body, and big, bright blue eyes, Cassidy’d probably never had a moment of self-doubt in her life.

I was still working on finding my first moment of self-confidence, new body or not. But I was getting there. I’d been on a few dates over the last three months. Nobody special, but still, I was getting my feet wet. I raised my chin. “I just haven’t met anyone interesting.” Truth was, I was scared of getting hurt. It hadn’t been a problem before, when no one was interested. Now, I didn’t know how to handle the possibility. It just seemed easier not to risk it.

Cassidy jerked her thumb toward the guys next to us. “We’ve got four interesting guys right here who are spending the night one floor up in our condo. It’s your weekend to make a move, Natalie.”

I lay back and pulled my hat over my eyes, but I could still see through the loose weave of the straw. “Try your magic on Micki.”

Cassidy sighed. “Micki thinks she’s too good for everyone.”

“I am.” She popped the last of her hotdog in her mouth and brushed off her hands. Micki wasn’t one to play the field. She was a serial monogamist who was in between men. When she found someone she liked, it was instant, unshakeable love. For a year or so, anyway.

Cassidy ignored her, leaned forward, and waved. “Hi, honey!”

Connor walked up from the surf, shaking out his hair.

I sat up. This, I didn’t want to miss.

“Isn’t he hot?” Cassidy asked with a sigh.

“Of course. You wouldn’t settle for anything less,” Micki said.

I held my breath as he came toward us. I’d heard all about how Cassidy met Connor two months ago at a conference. I got the run down on their first date, when he’d shown up with orchids instead of the predictable roses. She’d seen roses a few too many times to be impressed. He was gorgeous, polite, and nice. And if he made manager? Well, then he
might
be a marriage contender.

If someone better didn’t show up first
, I thought. I sighed, watching him jog up to us.

“Are you finally done swimming?” Cassidy asked.

“Yep. I figure that was a mile.”

Cassidy rolled her eyes. “People don’t come to the beach to swim, Connor.”

He laughed. It was a gorgeous, deep laugh that sent my insides squirming. “Actually, some people do,” he said.

“He gets really cranky if he doesn’t work out,” she said, giggling. “Isn’t he crazy? Crazy gorgeous!”

Connor plopped down on the towel in between Cassidy and me. Droplets of water sprayed my skin. I shivered, but I wasn’t cold.

Jared wandered over from the boy camp. “Dude, happy hour up at The Shoreside. We’re heading over there now.”

“Me, too!” Cassidy said, popping up, brushing sand off her butt. “Come on, Connor.”

He shook his head. “I’d probably hurl if I drank a beer right now. I need to rest.”

“Micki? Natalie? You guys coming?”

“Who do you think put the “hap” in happy hour?” Micki said, slipping on her flip-flops.

All of Jared’s friends stood up, too.

I didn’t want to leave Connor by himself. And I really wasn’t in the mood to drink. Liquid calories go down way too easily. “I’ll stay here. I’m almost finished with my book.” I patted the paperback next to me.

Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Good. Keep Connor company.” She ran to catch up with the guys.

“That was nice of you,” Connor said.

I looked off at a sailboat on the horizon. “I wanted to finish my book.”
Do not start blushing!

He gave a quick laugh. “The spine isn’t creased. You haven’t even started reading it.”

Oh, I was blushing for sure. If he was that observant, what else was he noticing? “Fine. I’m busted. I just didn’t feel like drinking, and I thought it was rude to leave you here alone.” I pulled my sarong over my lap, as if I were covering a few belly rolls instead of the flat tummy I now had. Old habits and all.

“It would be nice if my girlfriend was as considerate.” He looked out at the ocean and shook his head.

“You don’t have to be considerate when you look like Cassidy.”

“Bull. You’re just as pretty, and here you are.”

I swallowed back my surprise. “I didn’t always look like this. I’m sure you’ve heard.”

He grinned at me. “Yes, she fills me in on all her friends. But she really likes you.”

I cracked open the book and flipped through the pages. “So, you like swimming?” Losing lots of weight meant thin thighs, but it didn’t magically reveal smooth conversational skills. I had zero practice chatting up hot men.

“Swimming in the ocean is great. You don’t have to kick off the wall and turn around.” His shoulder muscles bulged as he leaned back. “Tomorrow, I’ll jog along the beach. Running in the sand? Now that’s a great workout.”

I picked up a shell next to my beach chair. “I couldn’t walk a mile a year ago when I started my weight-loss plan. Now I run twenty miles a week. I love it. Never thought I’d say that.” I laughed, smoothing my fingers over the ridges. “I know a lot of people are waiting for me to just gain the weight back. But I feel so good now, it’s not going to happen.” I tossed the shell toward the water.

He looked over at me and stared for a moment. I wondered if something was on my face. I tucked my hair behind my ear and then dragged my fingers through the sand like I was searching for something to grab onto.

“It’s great that you can be so open about it. You don’t pretend to be something you’re not. I think a lot of people might try to hide it.”

I looked into his clear blue eyes. “Why? I’m proud. It was a lot of hard work, determination and sweat.” I laughed. “Lots of sweat.”

“Yeah, but it’s good sweat. Wanna join me for a run tomorrow?” he asked. “I’m heading out around seven o’clock. We can sweat together.”

My heart rate kicked up like I’d already been running.
Was he flirting with me?
Probably not. I just didn’t have enough experience to know. “Sure, I’d love to run with you. Cassidy won’t mind?”

He snorted, raising an eyebrow. “For one thing, she won’t even miss me. But no, she won’t mind. She’s far too confident to be jealous.”

I was surprised how he was talking about her. He didn’t exactly sound like the smitten guy she’d been bragging about.

We chatted about work and I was laughing over a joke he’d made, when Cassidy and crew returned. “Aren’t you two cozy,” she said, her smile not quite matching the edge in her voice.

“You didn’t tell me how funny Natalie is,” Connor said.

I smiled at him. “It’s hard not to be funny when talking about our sales department. Sometimes I think we must be on a hidden camera reality show.”

She plopped down next to us. “I know, right?” She reached over and squeezed Connor’s thigh. “So, this new restaurant opened a little ways down the beach. We’re going to check it out tonight. Hey, did you put your stuff in my room?”

He leaned back from her. “I’m staying with the guys tonight to give you girls some space.”

She crossed her arms and pouted. “You don’t want to stay with me?”

I thought he’d placate her with a kiss, or rub her shoulder, but he didn’t. He just shrugged. “I figured Natalie and Micki would appreciate girls-only accommodations.”

“You don’t care, do you, Natalie?” Cassidy asked.

I opened my mouth, but Connor didn’t give me a chance to answer. “I’m staying with the guys.”

She stood up and adjusted her bikini straps. “Fine. I’m going for a walk.”

I expected him to go after her, but he didn’t. “I’m heading up for a shower,” he said. “I’ll see you guys tonight.”

I watched him walk away and hoped my hot cheeks might be mistaken for sunburn instead of bottomless lust.

“What’s with the two of them?” Micki raised her eyebrows. “Trouble in paradise?”

“Must be the heat. They’ll kiss and make up soon enough.” I grabbed my cell and checked the time. “I’d like to go back, too.” I pulled on a cover-up and gathered my things.

“Girl, when are you going to stop hiding the body you worked so hard for?” Micki finished off a Coke and tossed the empty can in her beach bag.

I crossed my arms, still surprised to find so little of me there. “It takes some getting used to.”

Micki put her arm around me. “I dare you to take it off and walk back to the condo in just your bathing suit.”

My stomach lurched just thinking about it. “I’ve spent years hoping people
wouldn’t
look at me. That’s hard to change overnight.”

“Good thing I’m here to help. You’re going to leave the beach a new woman tomorrow.”

I laughed. “Good luck with that.” I put my straw hat on, flung my towel over my shoulder, and headed for our room.