DRIVE ME CRAZY

23

Grace

Less than twenty four hours later we were in an all inclusive resort in the Dominican. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the pristine beach that stretched out before us. The sound of waves gently lapping at the shore was a soothing backdrop to the laughter of other guests enjoying the tropical paradise.

Reed dropped our bags onto the floor of our room, his eyes already scanning the view from the balcony. "Not bad, huh?" he said, turning to me with a half-smile that made my heart skip a beat.

"Not bad at all," I agreed, stepping closer to the open balcony door to take in the sight. Palm trees swayed lazily in the breeze, and the turquoise water seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. It felt surreal, like we had stepped into a postcard.

Reed moved to stand beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat from his skin even in the warm air. "Just you and me." He whispered in my ear before licking my ear lobe.

"And your sister's wedding." I smiled. "Don't forget about that."

Reed rolled up his eyes and continued staring to the balcony next to me.

"What are you feeling like?"

"Uh." I replied embellished by the view.

"Do you want to go to the beach?" He asked, kissing my bare shoulder.

"The beach sounds nice." I mumbled.

Reed smiled, took off his shirt and threw it on the bedroom floor. We got in the room again and looked at Reed, surprised when I saw a big white box in the bed. We didn't realize it was there before.

"Open it." Reed said with a frown.

There was a card just on top of it, and it had my name in perfect handwriting.

Grace Welch

I opened it, it was a small note from Rose.

Dear Grace,

Thank you so much for coming to my wedding with my brother. Him and you make a great couple. Hope you guys have a good time at the resort and the wedding. Here is something that will keep you entertained these days!

Lots of love your new sister,

Rose.

"What does it say?" Reed asked, curiosity in his voice.

"It's from your sister," I replied, smiling as I read the note again. "She's so sweet."

With a mix of excitement and curiosity, I lifted the lid of the box. Inside, there was an assortment of art supplies—paints, brushes, sketchbooks, and even a small easel. Everything was high-quality, the kind of materials I always dreamed of using but rarely indulged in.

"She got me art supplies," I said, unable to keep the awe out of my voice. I carefully lifted one of the paint sets, admiring the rich colors and the smooth wooden box that housed them. "This is... amazing."

Reed smiled when he saw my reaction. "Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it, Reed! This is like a dream come true."

"You deserve it." He said with his hands on my hips looking at everything his sister got for me.

After the excitement of opening my gift, Reed and I quickly changed to go to the beach. It was a bit late to go to the beach, the sun would set soon but we refused to not go to the beach on our first day here.

As we stepped into the beach sand I kicked off my sandals and felt the sand in my feet.

I put all of our things in the sand, and took off my cover up while Reed's eyes wouldn't leave my body. "Holly fuck, baby. I like that bikini." He said, biting his lip.