Like A Wave // Chase Elliott

Chapter One || Like A Wave

Like a wave, baby, I never even saw it coming.

The airplane touched down before the sun was up. My body was aching from being cramped in the middle seat of my flight from northern New York, but a quick glance out of the window and to the open ocean was the reason I needed to not care. The tortured flight with the screaming baby was worth it.

Destination: Daytona Beach, Florida. Summer vacation 2019. Just me, myself, and I. There's nothing more confident than a single, working woman taking a much needed vacation from work and from life. For the next week, I plan on laying on the beach and sipping drinks with cute little umbrellas in them and not caring when the next deadline is.

Ivy Lynn is officially off the clock and in vacation mode. Now, where's my suitcase?

**

I refreshed my weather app while sitting in my rental. The sky was darkening with every click of the clock. A roll of thunder made me jump as the radar popped up on my screen. No wonder the sun wasn't up when I landed, it's calling for severe weather all day. Lovely. I let out a heavy sigh as big, fat raindrops began to pelt against the windshield.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat. Automatically, I turned up the radio with the latest Jonas Brothers' song on full blast and decided to fuck it. I was on vacation and a little rain wasn't going to bring me down.

I closed out of the weather app and brought up the address to the cottage I was renting out this week, which I couldn't believe I scored. This trip is completely last minute and how everything fell into place is a miracle. I immediately fell in love with the pink little home that sat right on the beach. It had a king size bed, a Jacuzzi on the back patio, private beach access with a walk up bar that was only a walk away. I also saw the hammock that was tied to two palm trees and decided that's where I was going to read the latest erotic novel I was hooked on.

When I finally pulled into the driveway of the cottage, I decided I need to officially change my zip code. It was more than I could ask for. It was on the edge of the beach, the last house with only a Villa next door, of which I think the owner of this place lives at. There was no sign of life anywhere.

I have officially arrived in heaven and I just had a good feeling about this place.

**

"So, are you here for the races?" I popped a cherry in my mouth when my third drink was sat in front of me. This one was called "Sand in my Shorts", it made me giggle.

"The what?" I blinked up at the cute bartender who I have named Jordan, because he looks just like Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block, but much, much younger. And no, I don't care if his work badge says "Garrett".

"NASCAR." I scrunched up my nose in disgust.

"That would be a no." I took a deep pull through my straw and watched as the umbrella swirled in my drink.

"Rumor has it one of the drivers is staying in the Villa down the beach. Real popular with the ladies."

"That's nice. I don't care." My comment made the guy next to me chuckle.

"Not into racing, I assume?" I turned towards the sweet southern accent coming from beside me and locked eyes with the most chocolate pair I've ever laid eyes on. I swear they melted my soul.

"I'm not into guys who think their social status should automatically make women flock to them." This guy cocked his head to the side and smirked. Boy, did my heart just do a funny flip.

It's time to leave. I'm more drunk than I realize and I think a nap is in order before I head out tonight.

I sat my drink down and pulled out some cash from my back pocket. "Here, let me get that."