June has only one more summer before she marries her high school sweetheart. She intends to make the most of it, but she has no idea what is waiting for her in Dolphin Coast. Socks on the Beach is a tale of steamy love, jaw-dropping heartbreak, and...
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"Nathan!" Kathy screeched when I walked into the front door, the lock automatically whirring closed behind me. I always forgot how wealthy the Andrews were. How fancy their 'Smart House' was. It would also never get less unusual that I was supposed to just let myself in with a code here, no knocking or barrier of entry. Commune-style.
Kathy granny-ran down the bright, tan hallway with her arms outstretched. Red horn-rimmed glasses caught on the pointed tip of her nose, nostril pierced. Her shapeless red dress tickled my exposed ankles when she pulled me in for a hug. She smelled like cinnamon. The whole house did, really. Kathy Andrews did daily simmer pots in the cream-colored kitchen: orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary. Fall-scented perpetual summer.
"It has been too long, Nathan! I am so glad that you're here, honey!" She insisted. Mrs. Andrews held me at an arm's length as her kind eyes became glassy.
"Won't happen again," I replied, suppressing a sad smile. I hoped that I meant it, but I hadn't in the past. It was overwhelming to be loved.
"Come on; come in, hon. Shoes off! Gus is mixing you up a drink as we speak!" She spoke loudly as she scurried back to the kitchen, with a big smile on her aged face, joy sewn into her tan skin. Leathered.
After removing my sneakers, I pulled open the sliding glass door to the backyard where I could hear the rattle of a cocktail shaker at the pop-up tiki bar. Sure enough, there was Gus. Unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and all. Santa-on-Vacation lit up when I came into view, a warm smile and the crinkle beside the eye. Festive. I could smell the ribs in the smoker, Gus' main selling point in his inviting me here.
I'm a simple man; I love meat.
"Spectacular to see you, my friend!" He cheered as he poured a near-rubbing-alcohol margarita into a reusable red solo cup. "How are you this fine evening?" Mr. Andrews lifted the cup, passing it. I accepted and my nose hairs burned from the relative proximity, taking a deep breath before taking a sip.
"I'm fine, thanks, but I really can't drink too much tonight, Gus. I mean it this time. We still have work tomorrow," I insisted and he nodded, possibly understanding but probably not.
"Ah well, we'll see what happens, I guess!" He said cheekily, winking. "Anyways, you'll never guess who I ran into at the gas station today!"
I groaned, readying myself for some ear-full about another faceless person in the area who Gus will insist that I've met before, but I'll have no recollection of. When I took another drink he continued.
"Okay, rude. You're supposed to guess - anyways! I ran into Sam and that girl who's been staying with her! June's a pretty girl-"
I mean, objectively, yeah
"Actually! Do you know her? You were with them that night that they met her, right? What did you think?" Mr. Andrews pried and I eyed him suspiciously, shrugging.
