Chapters (44)
- TITLE PAGE
- COPYRIGHT PAGE
- DEDICATION
- CONTENTS
- START READING
- CHAPTER 1
- CHAPTER 2
- CHAPTER 3
- CHAPTER 4
- CHAPTER 5
- CHAPTER 6
- CHAPTER 7
- CHAPTER 8
- CHAPTER 9
- CHAPTER 10
- CHAPTER 11
- CHAPTER 12
- CHAPTER 13
- CHAPTER 14
- CHAPTER 15
- CHAPTER 16
- CHAPTER 17
- CHAPTER 18
- CHAPTER 19
- CHAPTER 20
- CHAPTER 21
- CHAPTER 22
- CHAPTER 23
- CHAPTER 24
- CHAPTER 25
- CHAPTER 26
- CHAPTER 27
- CHAPTER 28
- CHAPTER 29
- CHAPTER 30
- CHAPTER 31
- CHAPTER 32
- CHAPTER 33
- EPILOGUE
- JOYRIDE
- COMING SUMMER 2021
- AUTHOR NOTE
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“Many times. Chase and I are weighing the idea of opening a recording studio in Manhattan.” Someday. Chase wasn’t yet sold on the idea. “Tell me about your job again. What are you going to do?”
“Beauty products at Vintage Chic. I want to create my own lipstick line with their label.”
“Says the girl who doesn’t wear lipstick.”
“I do, too,” she said, aghast.
“If I searched your purse, would I find anything other than lip balm?”
“Yes. I have a tube of Russian red.”
“Judy’s favorite?”
Joy nodded, her lips rolled over her teeth and mouth pressed flat. She looked reluctant to admit it, so he took a gamble.
“You haven’t worn it yet.”
She opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. “No.”
He laughed. “See? Interesting career choice for someone who doesn’t seem passionate about the product.”
“I won’t be working just with lipsticks.” Her objection sounded like a pout. She slumped beside him and Dylan sensed fun Joy fading. Not yet ready to lose that Joy, he asked, “What’s left on your bucket list?”
Joy pulled out the list and read off the remaining items. “Do something spontaneous, do something daring, sleep under the stars, and dance in the rain.”
Dylan peered at the sky. “Doubtful you can do that one anytime soon.” The sun was getting low, but the sky was crystal blue.
“True,” she agreed. “But I’m checking off a different one as soon as that family leaves.” She pointed across the beach area.
Dylan glanced over his shoulder at a family of five. They were the last kids left at the swimming hole, and the parents were packing up their picnic. A few other couples, including Joy and him, remained.
He looked at the list in Joy’s hand. “Which one are you going to do?” He had no clue.
“You’ll see.”
She intently watched the parents fold their beach chairs and lead their kids away. Then she folded the list with trembling hands and returned it to her purse. Nervous energy rolled off her.
“Joy . . . What are you doing?”
“I told you. You’ll see.” She bolted into the water.
What the hell was she up to?
Dylan stood, hand raised against the glare of the setting sun.
She’d better not do something stupid like climb up the side of the waterfall and jump. Even he wasn’t that insane, and she’d already checked off do something dangerous.
Before he could figure out what she was up to, her bikini bottom landed at his feet with a splat. What the—?
Her bikini top followed. Splat.
Dylan looked up, slack-jawed. Joy waved from the center of the swimming hole, naked, albeit underwater, but totally butt-ass naked. And he wasn’t the only one who noticed. Two guys off to his right had seen Joy toss her suit at him. They catcalled.
“Want some company?”