One Night
One Night 69

Chapter 69

Audrey & Edwin

Audrey’s POV

The car pulled up to the quaint beachyottage, and just seeing the cute little seafoam green tiled roof made me smile. Finally, after three and a half hours of driving-and half a semester of nonstop work and drarna-we had made it.

“We’re here!” Tina squealed, practically jumping out of the car before it had fully stopped.

I laughed, climbing out more slowly. “Careful, you might break something before we even get inside.”

Tina stuck her tongue out at me and ran up to the front door of the cottage to put the pin in. Gavin and Avis were already unloading the trunk, bickering good-naturedly about who had picked too much.

“This is going to be amazing.” Betty said, coming up beside me and slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Sun, sand, and no responsibilities for a whole week…”

I nodded, taking a deep breath to inhale the salty sea air. “I can’t wait to just relax on the beach.”

Betty grinned and followed my gaze down to the waterfront. “Well, we won’t have to go far for that,” she said. “This is a great location.” It was true, thanks to Tina’s excellent planning, we had gotten this little AirBnB at a discount, and it was right next to the beach with enough room for all of us.

And don’t forget the drinking and grilling,” Cavin added as he unloaded our cooler packed with essentials for our first night.

As we carried our bags inside, I took in the sight of the cute furniture and sp**us kitchen and immediately felt my shoulders relax. This was exactly what I needed… A week to unwind, bask in the sun, and enjoy lazy breakfasts on the

veranda

Everything to take my mind off of that last dinner with Edwin..

“Earth to Audrey.” Tina said, waving a hand in front of my face. You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?”

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I glanced over my shoulder to see that the others had gone back outside to take another load in from the car. “No, 1-”

“Save it,” she interrupted with a knowing smile. “Look, this vacation is the perfect chance to get him out of your system. Maybe we’ll hit up some local bars, replace you a cute guy to h**k up with.”

The thought made my stomach churn. “With Gavin here?” I asked.

“Gavin doesn’t need to know,”

“He’ll know.”

Tina sighed. “Audrey, I know what you’re doing she chided me. You’re looking for excuses. You can’t just go and pine over Edwin forever.

“I know, I know,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m not planning on having any h**ups, but I’ll be fine, Let’s just focus on having fun for now, okay?”

Tina seemed satisfied with that answer, and we joined the others in exploring the cottage. The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter and sunshine. We set up the grill outside, and soon the air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of

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Chapter 69

burgers and cold beers-

“Gavin if you burn those, I swear-“Avis started..

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“Relax. I’ve got this under control,” Gavin replied, flipping a burger with an exaggerated flourish. I couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. It felt good to be here with my friends, away from all the drama and complications of school.

After lunch, we hit the beach. The sand was warm beneath my feet, and the sound of the waves was soothing. We laid out a large picnic blanket with fresh fruit, cheese, and **rs, and I got to work spreading sunscreen over myself. I had brought a new book with me, which I began to read beneath my sunhat.

I was just starting to get really into the plot when I heard a shriek. Looking up, I saw Gavin carrying a flailing Avis towards

the water.

“Gavin, don’t you dare!” Avis screamed, but it was too late. With a mighty heave, Gavin tossed her into an oncoming wave.

We all burst into laughter as Avis emerged from the ocean, sputtering and furious. “Oh, you are so dead,” she growled, grabbing a piece of driftwood and chasing a cackling Gavin down the beach.

As the sun began to set, we gathered driftwood for a bonfire. Soon, we were all sitting around the cr**g flames, beers in hand, watching the stars come out over the ocean.

“This is perfect.” Betty sighed contentedly.

I nodded in agreement, taking a sip of my beer. My eyes scanned the h**on, taking in the beauty of the moonlit waves. But then something caught my attention. A convertible was driving past on the nearby road, and I could have sworn I saw

No, it couldn’t be. But that profile, that hair…

I stood, still clutching my beer, and stared wide-eyed at the convertible passing by,

Was that. Edwin?

Edwin’s POV

I had never been a fan of the beach. I hated the way that the sand always got stuck in all of my clothes and shoes, and how the rowdy beachgoers never cleaned up after themselves, and the smell of the briny seawater.

But when my sister Eliza insisted we take a trip together, I found myself unable to refuse.

“Come on, Eddie,” she had said, using that childhood nickname always pretended to hate. “When’s the last time we spent quality time together? Just the two of us?”

I couldn’t deny that. It had been a while since Eliza and I had had a chance to spend some time together, and I missed her company. Out of our big, complicated, annoying family, she was the only one I could tolerate, So I had accepted her invitation-albeit begrudgingly.

The trip started out quiet; a good book, some papers to grade, and a glass of whiskey on the back deck of Eliza’s private vacation cottage overlooking the ocean. But then Eliza had come out in her bikini and had ripped the book out of my hands

“We’re going for a drive, Eddie,” she said, tossing me her keys

So here I was, driving down to the coast in Eliza’s convertible, trying to ignore the way the wind was messing up my hair.

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Chapter 69

“Admit it, you’re enjoying yourself,” Eliza said, grinning at me from the passenger seat. She adjusted her giant round sunglasses on her nose and patted her silk headscarf to ensure it was still in place.

I rolled my eyes, although there was no real heat in the gesture. The jury’s still out on that one.”

“Mhm. Sure.”

As we drove down the winding roads with the radio playing softly. Eliza kept glancing at me with a mischievous glint in her eve. I knew that look all too well.

“What?” I finally asked, exasperated.

“Oh, nothing,” she said innocently. “I was just wondering if you were going to tell me about this romance of yours.”

1 shot her a withering glare. “Romance?”

Eliza laughed. “Oh, please, little brother. I know you, and I’ve heard the rumors about you and that human girl. So spill-

what’s the deal

“You mean Audrey?” I asked, feigning ignorance. When she nodded, I said, “She’s just a student. Those rumors are just that:

rumors.

“Uh-huh,” Eliza said, clearly not buying it. “And that’s why your face just turned as red as a tomato?”

I sighed, glancing at my windswept reflection in the rearview mirror. “I’m sunburnt,” I lied, pushing my sunglasses up on my

nose

Eliza’s expression softened. “Eddie, you know I’m just teasing. But seriously, be careful with this sort of thing. Remember, you’re-*

“Betrothed. I know,” I cut her off. “Don’t remind me.”

Eliza fell silent after that, although the implication lingered in the air. She was right; I was betrothed still, technically, although I had no real interest in going through with that ****ble arranged marriage. I just needed to handle a few more things, and then I could end it..

Or at least, that was what I kept telling myself.

I furrowed my brow, refocusing on the pleasant drive. It was nice, I had to admit; but try as I might, I couldn’t fully concentrate on the road. My mind kept drifting to Audrey-her smile, her laugh, the way she had looked at me during that

dinner

Soon, the sun was beginning to set. Eliza and I stopped at a roadside food stand for some cream sodas and a couple of lobster rolls before we were on the road again, and this time, I didn’t hate the feeling of the wind in hair

my

“See? Isn’t this nice? Eliza shouted over the rush of air.

I had to admit, it was pretty spectacular. The ocean was painted in shades of orange and pink, and the salty breeze was refreshing. In fact, I was finally starting to relax… But that was when something caught my eye.

There was a group of young people gathered around a bonfire on the beach. Normally, I wouldn’t have given them a second glance, but a familiar, slender form with long black hair made me look twice.

Was that. Audreyt

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