Besides, I go with him to all of his gatherings, so he can just damn well come to mine.

“You don’t have to stay long,” I add in, putting a pair of sunglasses on top of my head.

“An hour, max,” he mutters, turning to me.

He’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and a tie. Who wears a tie to the beach? Honestly? I don’t bother to argue. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word fun and to be honest, I’m tired of pushing him in a direction he’ll never take. I grab the car keys off the counter and throw them at him before turning and walking out the front door.

“Attitude,” he mumbles.

I smile to myself.

We get into the car and the entire journey out to Kelly’s beach cabin is quiet. He’s brooding, no doubt praying his phone will ring to get him out of it. It doesn’t, much to his utter horror. We arrive and I can see a fire crackling down on the sand. I smile, stepping out of the car the moment it stops and inhaling the smoky, salty scent surrounding me. Even though it’s late afternoon, the fire just adds to the scene.

“I’ll meet you down there!” I say, swinging my bag over my shoulders and giving myself a quick check in the mirror.

I’m wearing a pair of denim cut-offs with a light-yellow bikini. My hair is down and flowing around my shoulders in loose, natural curls. The salt will only make it better. I pull my sunglasses on, throw my flip-flops in the car and start towards the fire.

I see Kelly right away, standing next to Liam and a few of their buddies. Kelly notices me first, and a big grin appears on his face. He’s shirtless and his completely ink-free body is glistening in the sun. He’s already been swimming. I beam and throw my arms around his neck when I reach him.

“Happy Birthday!”

He swings me in a circle. “Thanks Av.” He grins, setting me down. “Did you bring Jacob?”

I pout.

His grin widens.

“I guess that’s a yes?”

“Don’t even get me started.”

He laughs. “Put your stuff down, have a swim, eat some food and drink.”

“I plan to.”

“Avie!”

I turn at the sound of Macy’s voice, and I see her bounding up the beach towards me. Her long, blond hair flows out behind her. She’s wearing a tiny bikini that’s pink with big blue polka dots. I lift my eyes and see Nate behind her with who is, I imagine, his wife. He’s wet, shirtless and it’s very hard for me to keep my mouth closed.

Nate has one of those bodies, the one that every woman can’t help but glimpse at because it’s breathtaking. His eyes meet mine, and in the sun the green looks like two stunning crystals. I turn my gaze away quickly, staring at his wife. She’s tall and slim, almost too slim. Her dark, raven hair is down around her shoulders. As they get closer I see she’s got pale skin and big, blue eyes. She seems drawn out—but I can tell even then that she’s a very attractive woman.

Something thumps into my knees and I tear my eyes away and look down to see Macy grinning up at me.

“Hello princess,” I say, ruffling her hair.

“Are you coming swimming, Avie?”

I nod, smiling. “Soon, I just have to unpack my bag and get a drink.”

“It’s soooo fun!” she cries, rushing past me.

I watch her go with a soft expression and then turn back to Nate and his wife. He’s still looking at me, his eyes intense. I find it hard to meet them, so scared I’ll look at something that isn’t mine. I wish he’d put a shirt on.

“Avery,” he says in a silky, smooth tone when he stops in front of me. “Didn’t know you were coming.”

I shrug, trying to avoid the daggers being shot into my head from his wife.

“Kelly is my best friend. Of course I was going to come.”

He tilts his head, studying me.

“And who is this?” his wife asks in a sugar-sweet tone.

“This is Avery, Liam’s sister,” Nate says, his voice seeming to harden just slightly. “Avery this is my wife, Lena.”

I reach a hand out, and she takes it. She squeezes a little too hard, but I keep my warm smile.

“Nice to meet you, Lena.”

“He yours?” Nate says, nodding his head.

I turn and see Jacob coming down from the car. My cheeks heat and I want to cover my face and die of shame. He’s wearing a straw hat. A straw hat. With his professional get-up. And he’s almost tiptoeing over the sand, hopping because he doesn’t want to get his trousers dirty. Oh. My. God.

“Um,” I choke out. “Yes.”

“Oh, he’s your husband, then?” Lena says, her tone lightening. Now I’m not considered a threat, I suppose. Not that I entirely blame her for being protective. If my husband looked like Nate, I’d be the same way.

“Um, soon-to-be,” I murmur. “I suppose.”

“Avery!” Jacob barks. “Don’t bother carrying anything, will you?”

He’s got his hands full and I do feel a little guilty.

“Excuse me,” I say to Nate and Lena before rushing towards Jacob.

“Who invited the fuckin’ stiff?” Liam barks.

I drop my head down with a deep sigh. It’s not news to me that Liam hates Jacob but he doesn’t need to be such an ass about it. I try to keep calm, though. Jacob is a grown man and I need to stop interfering and treating Liam like I’m his mother.

“Hello Liam,” Jacob says, straightening his back. “It’s nice to see you.”