No Strings Attached (11 page)

Dune finished off his iced tea, stood. “I need to get going. My grandfather’s grilling steaks tonight. He’s expecting Mac and me.”

“I’ll return in a moment,” said Marisole. She disappeared through the sliding glass doors.

Sophie rose, too. “I’ll walk you out.”

“And I’ll take you to the dance.”

She was startled. He couldn’t be serious. “I can’t be your first choice.”

“I’m asking you, Sophie.”

“There has to be someone else.”

He scratched his jaw. “Are you trying to talk me out of taking you?”

It sounded that way, even to her. She hadn’t meant to be ungrateful. She gave him a small smile. “I’d like to go with you.”

“Let’s kick it then.”

They parted ways in the foyer. He chucked her lightly under the chin, then ruffled her hair. “We’ll have fun, buddy.” And he was gone.

Buddy?
She ran her fingers through the mussed strands. Some of her excitement left her. A man who patted a woman on the head saw her as a child. The Sneaker Ball was her big chance to make a major impression on him. She wanted Dune to see her as someone special.

She returned to the kitchen. Marisole was again present, arranging a single place setting at the table. The kitchen was informal, yet the chef insisted on a linen tablecloth, sterling silverware, a crystal goblet, and fine china.

Sophie sat down and started on her salad. Mari allowed her two bites before asking, “So, do you have a date for the Sneaker Ball?”

She couldn’t help but grin. “Dune took your hint.”

The chef sighed. “I’m so glad, little one.” Marisole crossed to her and gave her a big hug. Her affection was genuine, warm, and crushing.

“He’s nice and tall,” Marisole said. “I like height on a man.”

“So do I,” Sophie admitted.

“He’s good-looking, too.”

“Fans call him Beach Heat.”

“He’s a little old for you.”

Sophie silently disagreed.

“Talk to Mrs. Shaye,” Marisole suggested. “She will help you select the right dress and sneakers.”

Consulting her sister-in-law was a good idea. Sophie was clothes-conscious, but too short to pull off designer fashion. Shaye had once helped her pick out a swimsuit. Sophie would seek her advice after volleyball practice.

The chef replaced her salad plate with a warm dinner plate from the oven. Feta chicken breast and brown rice was one of Sophie’s favorite meals. She ate half, then requested the rest be wrapped up and saved for a midnight snack. She loved to read late into the night and often found herself hungry.

She asked Mari to call for her driver, then took off for her bedroom. Her steps were light, but her thoughts were heavy. She had a lot of planning ahead of her.

She slipped out of her clothes and into gray sweatpants and her
Serve-ivors
T-shirt. She kept on her Keds. A Scrunchie secured her hair. She left her reading glasses on the dresser. She often got hit in the face. She didn’t want her glasses to break. A navy blue leather athletic bag sat on her bed, packed with a towel and her elbow and knee pads. Shaye insisted she wear the protective gear.

The family driver was waiting for her out front. Roger assisted her into the limo. Shaye Cates would bring her home. It had become a ritual and gave the two women bonding time. They often stopped for ice cream.

“Barefoot William High School Gym,” she told Roger.

They were off.

“Awesome overhand serve! Way to go, Knee pads.” Shaye cheered as Sophie stretched every muscle in her body to achieve her goal. She’d always served underhand, yet tonight she attempted the more difficult overhand serve and nailed it. The ball cleared the net by a full inch.

She had no idea where the power came from, only that she felt remarkably strong tonight. Dune’s invitation to the Sneaker Ball exhilarated her. She felt she could handle anything, which included practicing hard with her teammates.

A short time later, Jenna from the T-shirt shop praised Sophie further. “Damn, girl, nice spike. You’re on fire.”

Sophie had jumped and thumped the ball hard. Another first for her. She bent at the waist and breathed deeply. She was improving. She was glad the women had the gym to themselves. She felt daring with no one watching.

The six players were split into three per side. They encouraged and pushed each other to hone their skills. Sophie didn’t want to be the weakest link. She was out to prove herself tonight.

Ninety minutes later, the women kicked back on the high school bleachers. Sophie was hot, sweaty, and in need of a shower. Still, she felt marvelous.

Shaye opened a cooler and passed out lemon-lime Gatorade. They all drank deeply without speaking for a few moments before Nicole, owner of The Jewelry Box, caught her breath and said, “I’m worn out.”

Sophie admired the jewelry designer in her T-shirt and white shorts. Nicole promoted her designs even at volleyball practice. Jade double-hoop earrings set off her green eyes. A silver chain necklace with a turquoise dolphin pendant dipped just below her cleavage. A wide gold ankle bracelet glittered above her blue-and-white Nikes.

Eden from the photography shop fanned herself with her hand. Sophie noticed the younger girl’s nails were painted half orange, half red, with a streak of gold down the middle. They looked like a sunset. “Who needs Zumba or Pilates?” Eden wheezed. “Volleyball is a full-body workout.”

Sophie agreed. Her muscles felt raw and stretched to the max. Her thighs had yet to fully recover from her motorcycle ride earlier. Now volleyball left her arms and shoulders sore. She’d take a bubble bath the moment she got home.

Shaye rubbed the back of her neck with a white towel. “Sophie, Jen, Violet, are you all still available to help decorate the pier tomorrow?”

Two of the three nodded. Violet shook her head. “Sorry, but I got called in to work. The diner’s been so busy that Molly asked me to pull a double shift.”

Shaye understood. “I’m glad business is good. I’ll get Trace to help if we get behind and need another set of hands.” She turned to Jen. “How about Stan, would he give a couple of hours?”

“He wouldn’t give a second,” Jen was slow to say. “We broke up this morning.”

The women sympathized. “So sorry,” said Nicole.

“Son of a bitch,” Violet ground out. “His timing sucks.”

“Anything I can do?” asked Sophie.

“Not a thing, but thanks,” said Jen. “I’ll be at the event solo.” She nudged Sophie. “Any chance I can talk you into a girls’ night out?”

“Sounds perfect,” Shaye said, encouraging Sophie. “You could dress up, then stand with Jenna, Trace, and me at the entrance to the pier as we greet the guests. Does that work for you?”

Sophie clutched her hands in her lap. Her date with Dune had yet to fully sink in. Sharing the fact with her friends made her a bit uneasy. She shifted nervously on the bleachers, bumping the bottle of Gatorade with her hip. She made a fast grab and only a few drops spilled. She dabbed the spot with her towel.

“Sophie?” Shaye prodded her. Her sister-in-law knew her better than most. “What’s up?” she asked. “You look like you’ve got a secret.”

“I have a date,” Sophie confessed.

The five women stared at her, wide-eyed and surprised. Violet’s jaw dropped and Eden nearly slid off the bleachers.

“With
who?
” Shaye was the first to ask.

“With Dune.”

“My brother Dune?” came from Shaye.

Sophie nodded.

“Details,” said Jen.

Sophie wasn’t sure what to say. Girl talk was new to her. She skimmed over running into Dune and Mac at Crabby Abby’s, then their lunch together and her unicycle lesson. She ended with the motorcycle ride home and her inviting Dune inside for iced tea.

“I’m not sure he would’ve invited me on his own,” she said, recalling Marisole nudging him. “Our chef hinted that he should take me. She put him on the spot.”

Shaye pursed her lips. “My brother would never feel obligated to take anyone anywhere,” she said. “You became friends last year at the volleyball tournament. There have been several women pressuring him to go to the dance. He feels comfortable with you.”

Comfortable
made her heart sink. She was excited and anxious. She wanted Dune to feel the same way.

He was experienced, that Sophie knew. Women approached him, wanted him, and boldly told him so. He might not be as sexually active as Mac James, but he never lacked female attention. He was desired.

Shaye sensed her concern. “Do you have a dress?” she asked.

“Several, but I’d like something new.”

“New and special.” Shaye understood. “Zsuzsy in Saunders Square is sophisticated and classy. We’ll go shopping early tomorrow morning.”

“How about jewelry?” Nicole asked. “I have the perfect necklace. Two long strands of crystals that sparkle like stars.”

Sophie nodded. “Sounds lovely.”

Violet grinned. “Sexy undies? Or nothing at all?”

Shaye narrowed her gaze on her cousin. “It’s a first date, Vi,” she said. “No one’s jumping bones.”

“Sneakers?” asked Eden. “You’re short and Dune’s tall.”

Sophie shrugged. “I’d planned on wearing Keds.”

Shaye snapped her fingers. “I have the perfect tennies. Puma makes a black satin, high-heel sneaker. Very hot. You can order them online tonight and request next-day delivery.”

Sophie sighed. “I can barely walk in flats.”

Shaye patted her on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Hold on to Dune’s arm. He’ll support you.”

Sophie’s heart warmed as she looked at her teammates. These women were her friends, a first for her. She could pull it all together and make it work.

Or so she hoped.

They called it a night shortly thereafter. Shaye drove her home. They stopped at The Dairy Godmother and enjoyed butterscotch sundaes. Afterward they agreed on a time to meet the next day. Ten o’clock worked for them both.

The ideal dress was out there somewhere.

A dress that would leave Dune speechless.

Five

S
ophie had purchased the perfect dress. Shaye insisted the black satin strapless was made for her. The fan-pleated Empire bodice and tulle skirt were both feminine and formal. She’d purchased the two-strand crystal necklace from Nicole Archer. Her chest sparkled.

Her dress boosted her confidence, even if she was falling apart.

Dune Cates would arrive in six minutes.

Her back zipper was stuck.

She stood before the full-length mirror in her bedroom and fought with the tab. She worked the zipper to the middle of her back, then twisted her body like a pretzel to pull it higher. It wouldn’t budge.

She crossed to the pale blue brocade fainting couch and sat down with a heavy sigh. She had so few friends. There was no one she could call. Her mother and father were out of town. Marisole was at the Sandcastle overseeing the buffet. Shaye was on her houseboat clear across town. The rest of her volleyball teammates were getting ready for the Sneaker Ball.

She sighed. Life challenged her on a daily basis, but to have a zipper take her down was the lowest of the low. She glanced for the fifteenth time at her bedside clock. She was running late.

She’d wanted to wow Dune, but there was no wowing him now, not with her dress unzipped and one shoelace on her black satin high-heeled sneakers tied in a knot. Her manicure suffered one broken nail.

The doorbell rang; a jarring sound. The night wasn’t starting out well. She’d wanted to make a grand entrance, yet that wasn’t to be. She knew Dune would help her, but she hated asking him. She wasn’t as incompetent as she appeared.

Walking in four-inch heels was a trial by fire for her when she was used to wearing flats. Balance was not her friend. She grabbed her black beaded evening bag and somehow made it down the hallway without mishap. The front of her fan-pleated dress gaped slightly. She placed a hand over her heart to hold it in place. She didn’t want to flash him.

She opened the door and he stole her breath. Dune was one hot body on the beach, but put him in a suit and the man was heart-stopping. He’d gotten a haircut and was clean shaven. He smiled and his eyes warmed. He appeared glad to see her.

“I was late in renting a tux and had to settle for a dark suit,” he said ruefully.

There’d been no settling—the man was amazing. “You look nice,” she managed. Phenomenal fit him better. His black suit looked as tailored as any tux. His burgundy tie set off his starched white shirt. His Nikes were black and gray. He appeared sharp, handsome, and stood out. A tall, athletic man among men.

“New dress?” he asked.

She blushed. “New and unzipped.” She gave him her back. “Would you mind?”

The callused tip of his finger brushed her shoulder blade as he worked the zipper. Goose bumps rose on her arms. She breathed easier when he turned her to face him. “Easy fix,” he said.

He eyed her thoroughly and intently from the top of her hair, brushed two hundred strokes, to her bare shoulders, then down her dress. “You look pretty,” he complimented her.

She would’ve preferred gorgeous, hot, or sexy, but she could live with pretty. At least he hadn’t ruffled her hair.

He narrowed his gaze on her sneakers. “No offense, Sophie, but can you walk in those? They’re like stilts.”

She gave him a small smile. “My latest adventure. I’m hoping so.” She crossed her fingers behind her back.

He offered his arm. “I’ve got you.”

She figured if she made it across the crushed seashell driveway, she could walk the pier. Every piece of shell seemed determined to twist her ankle. Dune was her anchor.

“No Harley tonight. You don’t want to arrive wind-blown,” he said as he walked her to a dark blue SUV. “Mac took off with my grandfather’s pickup truck, so I borrowed my parents’ Tahoe. My mom has allergies and is feeling under the weather. They won’t be attending the event.”

He held the door open for her and she slid comfortably onto the leather seat. She fastened her seat belt, then sat quietly. Dune had said she looked pretty. She held his compliment close to her heart. It warmed her from the inside out.

Marisole may have twisted his arm to take her to the Sneaker Ball, but she’d make sure he didn’t regret his decision. Dune was far more exciting than a night spent curled up on her couch reading; her date, a bowl of popcorn.