A Week at the Beach Read online

  A Week at the Beach

  Virginia Jewel

  © pressmaster / www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography

  Also by this author

  Christmas in Hell

  Across the Pond

  Nuptials for Sale

  Second Chance

  Coming soon…

  There’s a New Sheriff in Town

  Thank you to all my favorite chick lit authors! You’ve inspired me beyond belief.

  1.

  “I cannot believe that we had to fly commercial! That house better be fantastic. If I had to fly commercial, then that house better be the epitome of luxury!” Chrissy’s whining voice rang in my ears for the millionth time since leaving home.

  I rolled my eyes in response and pretended to be engrossed in the rows of rental cottages speeding past us as we drove. I had no doubt that the house waiting for us would be luxurious, but Chrissy and I had different opinions on luxury. Having spent the better part of my life living in a three-bedroom apartment with my parents and two little sisters, to me luxury would be having a private bathroom. Chrissy’s standards were a little higher.

  Chrissy and I met our first year at Columbia University and we have been best friends ever since. The year before we met, Chrissy’s mother had finally snagged the ridiculously wealthy, and much older, husband she had spent her adult life looking for. With that marriage, came the life of luxury. Don’t get me wrong, being friends with Chrissy definitely had its benefits. Spring breaks in Cabo, summer trips to Europe, and frequent visits to numerous day spas, were just some of the perks of being Chrissy’s best friend. I certainly didn’t use Chrissy for the perks, but the truth was that being Chrissy’s friend meant you needed those perks. Friendship with Chrissy was a full-time job, the kind of full-time job that requires you to be on-call at all hours of the day and night.

  Take the previous night, for example. Chrissy’s frantic three a.m. phone call woke me up and ended with me packing for this unplanned beach trip. Normally, our summer beach trips were spent in the Hamptons, but Chrissy’s recent indiscretions found her on the bad side of the Hamptons’ elite. To put it bluntly, Chrissy had sex with someone’s husband. Actually, Chrissy had been carrying on a full-fledged affair with someone’s husband. She was well on her way to getting a Park Ave apartment, and being a kept woman, when the wife got wind of the arrangement and put her foot down. After all, Chrissy was only five years younger than the wife was.

  So, in desperate need of a vacation, and banished from the Hamptons, Chrissy begged her stepdad for the keys to the Outer Banks beach house. It doesn’t actually belong to Chrissy’s stepdad, it belongs to his family, but he agreed to let us stay in it for a week. Much to Chrissy’s dismay, he wasn’t able to get us the corporate jet also. That’s how we ended up flying commercial. First Class in commercial, but commercial no doubt.

  “Are you even listening to me, Cami?” Chrissy pinched me on the arm.

  “Ow!” I leaned away from her and pulled my arm away. “Yes, I was listening! You were complaining about the same thing that you’ve been complaining about since we left the city. I'm sure the house is going to be amazing. Ned’s family has vacation homes all over the world. Have you ever been to one that wasn’t amazing?”

  Chrissy gave me an indifferent nod, “The one is London isn’t that great. It only has five bedrooms and no pool.”

  “Wow, really?” my mouth flew open in disgust. Heavy with sarcasm, I continued, “That’s awful. I don’t know how you managed to get through that difficult time.”

  Chrissy rolled her eyes and shook her head at me. With a heavy sigh, she scooted closer to me in the backseat and grabbed my arm. “I know I’m being a pain, Cami. Thank you for coming with me. I don’t know what I would do without you.” She rested her head on my shoulder and snuggled closer to me.

  “You’re always a pain, Chrissy.”

  Twenty minutes later, the driver dropped us off in front of the beach house.

  “Wow!” I said as I took in the oceanfront mansion in front of me.

  Chrissy smiled, “This is going to be an amazing week!” She took off for the stairs, leaving me behind to carry our bags into the house. Thankfully, she hadn’t packed much. She planned to spend most of the week in bikinis, so there really wasn’t much to pack.

  I struggled up the steps and dropped the bags on the floor as soon as I got through the open front door. The inside of the house did not disappoint. Italian marble tiles, ridiculously expensive furniture, and lavish décor greeted me. I looked down at the busted flip-flops I was wearing just to remind myself that I did not belong in that world.

  “Get your bathing suit on! Let’s hit the beach!” Chrissy sped past me, scooped up her bag, and bounded up the stairs! “I’ve already chosen my room! Come on!”

  I followed her up the stairs, past the second level, and all the way up to the third floor of the house. As I walked up towards the bedrooms, I glanced at the open spaces on the second story. I could see a billiards table, an entire wall of games, and the biggest television I’ve ever seen outside of an electronics store.

  “These rooms are amazing, Cami. The ones on this end of the house have an ocean view so I figured we would take these.” She pointed at the two doors on the end of the hall. Don’t be mad, but mine has a private bathroom.”

  Chrissy disappeared behind her door and I opened mine. A huge smile formed as I took in the king size bed sitting in the room. As an adult who had been reduced to sleeping in a twin bed, nothing could have made me happier than the sight of that big squishy bed. I collapsed onto it, spread my arms out, and stretched.

  “This is my kind of vacation!” I sighed and snuggled into the comforter.

  A loud knock on my door pulled me out of my relaxed state. “Come on! Let’s go down to the beach!”

  “Give me a minute,” I shouted back at her.

  In less than five minutes, Chrissy and I were out on the hot sand. The beach wasn’t that crowded, but as usual, as soon as Chrissy revealed her super sexy bikini, and bikini body, a crowd of men started to gather. Not wanting to get in the way, I headed towards the water to let the crowd thin out. Chrissy was in her element and loving every second of attention she was getting from the men.

  Another thirty minutes later, Chrissy waded into the water with a big grin on her face.

  “What’s his name?” I asked when she was next to me.

  “Who?”

  “The guy in the blue shorts who was working hard to get your attention,” I nodded in the direction blue-shorts-guy had walked off in.

  She smiled at me. “David. He’s taking me out tonight!”

  The fact that Chrissy was going to leave me alone in the giant house was not the least bit surprising to me. In fact, it might be a good thing to get some alone time. When you rent a room in a house occupied by two sixty year old women, and three others, alone time is something you are in desperate need of!

  I gave Chrissy a warning look, but smiled anyway. “Be safe. Call my cell if you need me to come rescue you, and please do not let him get behind the wheel after drinking!”

  Chrissy rolled her eyes at me, “Okay, mom!”

  I looked back and said seriously, “I’m not your mom. Your mother would have asked how much money he makes, what kind of car does he drive, and whether or not he has a portfolio!”

  Chrissy giggled and dove down under the water.

  We played in the water and on the beach until just before sunset. Chrissy needed plenty of time to get ready for her date. I didn’t mind, I’d put sunscreen on before heading out earlier, but I could feel a burn on my face and shoulders. A cool shower and cold drink sounded good to me.

  By the time Chrissy finished getting ready for her
date, I had already showered and changed into my comfy pajamas, consisting of my old Columbia t-shirt and a pair of baggy sweats. I’d also fixed my dinner. We’d made a stop at the grocery store on the way from the airport, so I was treating myself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

  “I can’t believe you are eating that!” Chrissy gave my dinner a disgusted look. “You eat like a five year old!”

  “I eat like someone on a budget, Chrissy. I’m a teacher. I can’t afford Kobe beef and foie gras!” I walked past her and tossed my dirty paper towel in the trash.

  Chrissy ignored my insult and flipped her hair off her shoulder, “What are you going to do tonight?”

  “I am going to curl up in bed and read.”

  Chrissy’s eyebrow rose, “You’re on vacation, Cami, live a little.”

  “I am living a little. I’m not reading anything academic, just chick lit!” I smiled a big cheesy smile and left her standing in the kitchen.

  “I meant for you to go out and find yourself a man.”

  I shook my head at her, “And do what with him? Should I spend an entire evening stroking his ego, on the off chance that he might actually do something to please me, only to end up disappointed? No thank you!”

  Chrissy smiled, “If you spent the evening stroking something other than his ego, you might not end up disappointed.”

  “A penis can’t solve everything, Chrissy.”

  “Maybe not, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to let a few try!” She smiled brightly and grabbed her purse. “Don’t wait up!”

  “I never do!” I shouted at her as she walked out towards the front door.

  It was true. Even though I always told her to be safe, and even told her to call me if needed, I never bothered to wait up for her. What would be the point? She wasn’t likely to get home until morning anyway. Once, in college, she left for a date on Friday night and didn’t make it back to the house until the following Tuesday. Apparently, that date went well.

  I curled up in bed and got lost in my book. At some point, after I’d fallen asleep, a loud noise from somewhere downstairs woke me. Figuring it was just Chrissy returning from her date, possibly even with her date, I just turned my light off and pulled the blanket up around me.

  2.

  I woke up the next morning with a big grin. Sleeping in a king size bed was like sleeping in an ocean of softness compared to my twin bed at home. The sun was shining in the window, and I could hear the sea gulls screeching over the beach. I rolled around on the bed for a few more minutes before I finally got up and got dressed. It was still early, and since Chrissy probably wasn’t awake anyway, I thought I’d eat a quick breakfast then go for a run on the beach.

  Once I was dressed, I headed towards the bathroom but was surprised at the sound of running water. I thought Chrissy had said that her bedroom had a private bathroom, but maybe I was mistaken. I shrugged it off. It wasn’t like there weren’t at least five other bathrooms in the house!

  Downstairs in the kitchen, I hummed happily while waiting for my bread to toast. I reached into the refrigerator for the butter, and when I stood up, I found myself face to face with a stranger.

  “Good morning! I didn’t know this place came with a cook,” the tan blonde man standing across the kitchen from me said with a smile.

  I studied his face for a second, searching my memory for what Chrissy’s blue shorts man looked like. For some reason, I remembered him having darker hair.

  “Hey, Nick! You won’t believe this!” another male voice rang out from somewhere upstairs.

  “What?” the blonde in the kitchen replied. He slid into one of the chairs at the table.

  “I guess I was too tired to notice this last night, but I certainly didn’t miss it this morning.” The voice got louder until another tan, but brunette, man stood in the kitchen. He continued his story without even noticing me. “Clearly the cleaning crew that we employ is scamming us! Not only was the bed in my room not made, but the last person that was here left an entire suitcase, including a pair of dirty panties on the floor!”

  The blonde at the table laughed.

  “Don’t get me wrong, they were nice panties. I wouldn’t mind meeting the legs they used to wrap around, but I don’t like it when I wake up with unidentified panties on the floor when I had no part in putting them there!” The second man laughed as he sat down.

  “Where’s Chrissy?” I asked when the men stopped laughing.

  “Who?” they replied in unison.

  “Chrissy? I’m assuming that one of you is the guy from the beach yesterday. The one she went out with last night?” I clarified and set the butter down on the counter.

  “Who is that?” the brunette asked the blonde in confusion.

  “The cook, I think,” the blonde answered with a shrug.

  “I am not the cook!” I answered. I was starting to get a little annoyed with this game.

  “Well I certainly hope you aren’t the maid, because if you are then you are doing a piss-poor job of cleaning this place!” the brunette snorted.

  “Okay, this has gone on long enough! Obviously, you both followed Chrissy here last night and one of you slept with her. Which one of you was wearing the blue shorts yesterday?” I asked and put my hands on my hips.

  The guys looked at each other.

  “When the hell did you pick up a girl last night?” the brunette asked the blonde.

  “Me?” the blonde pointed at himself in disbelief. “I didn’t pick anyone up last night!”

  “Then who the hell is Chrissy?” the brunette asked.

  “I don’t know a Chrissy!” the blonde responded.

  “Here’s an even bigger question,” the brunette added. “Who the hell is this?”

  Both men turned to look at me.

  “I’m Cami,” I answered, but they both continued to stare at me in confusion. “I’m Chrissy’s friend.”

  The blonde shook his head, “Who is this Chrissy chick you keep talking about?”

  “Wait!” the brunette put his hands up to shut his friend up. He turned to me. “If you aren’t the maid, or the cook, then who are you? And why are you in this house?”

  “Why are you in this house?” I shot back at him.

  He stood up. “I asked you first.”

  I stared him down before answering in a confident tone. “I’m here for the week on vacation with Chrissy.”

  “This is a privately owned house, it isn’t for rent.”

  “We didn’t rent it.”

  The brunette and I stood facing each other in a standoff while the blonde’s head pinged back and forth between us like he was watching a tennis match.

  “How did you get the keys?” the brunette asked.

  “Chrissy got them from her stepdad.”

  “I thought you said you called and checked to see if the house was being used this week,” the blonde finally spoke up.

  “I did. My dad said the house was open. Who is Chrissy’s stepdad?” The brunette was still staring me down but the look had changed from anger to suspicion.

  “Ned Davis.”

  The brunette rolled his eyes, “Uncle Ned.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed a number. “I’m calling my dad. We’re going to get this whole thing cleared up.”

  I stood in my spot in the kitchen, listening to the brunette man talk to his dad on the phone. My eyes roamed over him. Both men looked to be in their mid to late twenties, very fit, and very tan. The brunette’s nails looked manicured, but I couldn’t be sure. I glanced over at the blonde, but turned away quickly.

  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one checking people out.

  As I turned away, I caught the beginnings of a smile on the blonde’s face.

  “Well, dad talked to Uncle Ned and it seems like you girls are legit, although, I’ve yet to see this Chrissy girl that you keep talking about.” He put his phone back in his pocket. “How long before you girls can be out?”

  “What?” I asked in disbelie
f.

  “Uncle Ned didn’t follow the procedure. He was supposed to check the calendar and then mark it if he wanted it. Since he didn’t do that, and I did, you girls will have to leave.” The brunette shrugged nonchalantly.

  “Like hell we will! It’s not our fault Ned didn’t follow the rules. We were here first, and we’re not going anywhere!” I put my hands on my hips and looked him square in the eyes. There was no way I was going to let him bully us into leaving.

  “I’m sorry Tammy, but those are the rules. You and the phantom Chrissy will just have to leave.”

  I took a step closer to him. “My name is Cami, not Tammy! I don’t care what the rules are. We aren’t the ones who broke them, and we were here first. That suitcase you found in your room was Chrissy’s, and so were the panties. As far as I’m concerned, you two can find somewhere else to go for the week because we’re not leaving.”

  “Listen here, Cami,” the brunette stepped up to me and spoke angrily at me. “I don’t care if you two girls have been staying here for the past month! In this family, we have rules about how to schedule time in the vacation homes and for the use of the private jet. The fact that Uncle Ned didn’t follow them and let the daughter of his latest gold-digging whore of a wife have the keys is not my problem. Get your shit and get out!”

  “Whoa! Wait!” the blonde stood up and got between us. He didn’t touch me, but he put his arm out to stop me.

  I had already lunged forward at his rude friend. His arm stopped me and kept me from being able to reach the brunette.

  “This house has like ten bedrooms or something. There’s no reason why we can’t all stay here, right?” He looked from his friend to me.

  I took a deep breath and stared at the brunette. As angry as I was for the rude way he had handled the situation, there really wasn’t any meat to my argument against breaking the rule. As long as he kept his mouth shut, I could handle sharing the house with him.