To the right is the dining room, which boasts a long, gleaming table set for twenty people. A large living room sits off to the left, containing three long couches covered in woven material. An elaborate coffee table artfully composed of driftwood sits in the middle of the room atop a braided jute rug.

Four sets of glass doors comprise the far wall. I walk toward one and slide it open. An expansive wooden deck stretches before me. To one side sits an outdoor kitchen, complete with a grill and a bar counter that seats eight. Another corner of the deck contains a stone firepit with several plush armchairs gathered around it. Just past it is a wrought-iron spiral staircase that leads to an upper deck. A long dining table sits close to the railing that encircles the edge of the deck, made of slatted wood. This one is set for ten.

I walk over to the railing, which overlooks an oval shaped pool with a hot tub sectioned off to one side. The smooth tile that encircles it leads to a boardwalk that gradually is swallowed by the grains that comprise the private stretch of white sandy beach.

Jace comes to stand next to me, letting out a low whistle of appreciation. “Promise me we’re not trespassing.”

“I promise. This place belongs to friends of my parents. We have an open invitation to visit whenever. Did you pack a swimsuit?”

Jace nods.

“I’ll meet you at the pool in five minutes.” I take my overnight bag from Jace and carry it into the master bedroom, which boasts a sweeping view of the turquoise water and has a bathroom that’s about the same size as my dorm room. I quickly change into a navy blue bikini and put Jace’s gray t-shirt on over it.

I head back downstairs, passing four of the other eight bedrooms. Jace is already waiting for me by the pool. He’s wearing swim trunks, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap, and grins when he sees my choice of attire.

We walk down the boardwalk, side by side. The coarse grains of sand rub against my bare feet. I smile triumphantly when I see the small white sailboat lying just past the dunes.

“Help me get it into the water.” I turn, and Jace is standing in the sand, looking at me in confusion.

“Please tell me we’re not about to steal someone’s boat.”

“It comes with the house,” I reply. “Just help me get the boat in the water, and I swear I’ll explain everything.”

Jace studies me for a long moment.

“I watched a football game,” I finally say.

That’s enough to make him step forward and help me haul the boat toward the waves lapping against the shore. I pull off the t-shirt and toss it onto the sand. I feel Jace’s eyes on me as I start to adjust the lines on the boat. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him pull off his own shirt and hat, so he’s standing next to me in nothing but his swim trunks.