Finding Fate Read online

  “Did I just see my daughter leave in a dress?” Bridgette Dearly asked.

  Tucker chuckled. “Yep.”

  “And you’re still waiting for Izzy, I take it.” She turned around and called out, “Isabel, what you’re wearing is fine! Get your butt down here! Hopefully, that helps,” she said, turning back to Tucker.

  “Thanks, Bridgette,” he laughed as she ducked back inside. Surprisingly, his friend stepped out just a few minutes later. He just barely caught his jaw from dropping. “Wow.”

  “Thanks,” Izzy smiled, glancing down and smoothing out some imaginary wrinkles. She’d picked a sparkly, blue dress that Tucker couldn’t help notice hugged her curves in all the right places before flowing out past her hips.

  “They left?”

  “Yeah, I’m your official chauffeur tonight,” he teased, stepping off the porch as he stifled a random urge to guide the small of her back. “What the hell, man? Get it together!” he told himself.

  “Okay, but I swear, Tucker, if you pick up that redhead on the way or make me sit next to some casual make out girl when it’s time to leave tonight, I’m not talking to you for a week. I’m not going to be some random third wheel.” She lectured as she followed him across the street to his truck.

  “Yes, ma’am. So you’re like my date then?” he teased as he opened a door for her. She flushed pink, and he wanted to bang his head against the side of the truck. Why did he say that? Izzy was Izzy, not a date, and she’d clearly found it awkward. “Sorry,” he said, climbing behind the wheel. “I’m in a weird mood today.”

  “No kidding,” she agreed.

  He started the truck before he could say anything else stupid.

  * * *

  It was already getting crowded, and loud country music was pumping through the doors as Isabel took in the dance scene. Tucker got wrestled away by a couple of girls from school almost as soon as he walked in. “Save me a dance!” she called out. He held up a hand in acknowledgment. Her gaze skimmed the room for her sister and Jet to find them dancing on the other side, or at least Annie’s attempt at dancing. It soon switched to a current pop song, and she jumped into the fray, losing herself in the music’s pull.

  “Would you like to dance?” Isabel heard from behind her a few minutes later. She turned to see who the request came from and saw a Hispanic hottie standing near her in the middle of the dance floor, waiting expectantly for a response.

  “Oh, Wesley, right?” He seemed pleased that she knew who he was.

  “Yeah, you’re Izzy, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I work with your sister.”

  Isabel smiled at the unnecessary statement. She had noticed him at the beach earlier that afternoon. He had looked nice out in the sun, and she liked even more the way he spiked his dark hair in the front with a little gel for the dance.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi,” he said back, a handsome grin spreading across his face. “So how about that dance?”

  “Sure.”

  Several songs passed while the two of them danced before a slow song came on. She wasn’t sure if Wesley would want to continue, but he took her hands in his and placed them around his shoulders for the slower rhythm.

  “So, I know you’re not a tourist since you’re lifeguarding, but I haven’t seen you around before,” she mentioned, making conversation.

  “My family moved here a few weeks ago,” he explained. “I just didn’t get enrolled for the last week of school.”

  “Oh,” she said in both response and surprise as he led her into a spin. She laughed. “You know how to dance.”

  “So do you,” he grinned, pulling her a little closer. She let him, taking in the scent of what had to be an expensive cologne. “Would you like a drink?” he soon asked.

  She nodded as Wesley headed to the bar and scanned the room, looking for a familiar sandy blonde head. She was a little worried about Tucker. He was acting so weird today. She found him off to the side, looking cornered by a tall blonde from last year’s English class, her body clearly turned toward his in interest.

  “Hey, Bev, do you mind if I steal him away from you for a while?” Izzy asked as she placed a hand on Tucker’s arm.

  “Uh, no, I guess not,” Beverly replied, looking surprised and slightly annoyed at the intrusion to what she believed was a promising conversation.

  “Great,” Izzy beamed her stunning smile at the girl, already pulling Tucker towards the dance floor.

  “Thank you so much!” he stressed once they were out of the girl’s earshot. She had been talking his ear off, hinting for a date since she walked up, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

  “Didn’t look like she was getting the hint,” Isabel remarked.

  “We went out a few weeks ago, but she’s aiming for more,” Tucker shrugged. “Girls from school know I don’t do multiple dates. Tourist girls are so much easier.”

  “Thank God, it’s summer then,” Isabel replied dryly. Tucker frowned, unsure about her tone.

  They reached the dance floor just as an upbeat country song started to play. Izzy turned to him, her hair flipping across her shoulders, the braid having come loose a few songs ago. Her hands flew up into position.

  “Let’s dance,” she stated.

  Tucker grabbed her right hand with his left and placed his right one around her waist, ignoring the confusing tingles that shot through his body. He led them easily into the song.

  “Are you ok?” she asked sincerely, catching his discomfort.

  “Yeah,” he lied, “Never better.”

  She glanced up, concerned green eyes meeting his confused brown, and gave him a disbelieving look at his comment. So to prove he meant it, he pulled her close and twirled her around the dance floor faster than before. She tilted her head back and laughed at the thrill, sending those confusing shivers down his spine again.

  * * *

  “Jet, we’ve been dancing for over an hour now,” Annie said, ready for a break. “You got me here in a dress, which you should consider yourself lucky about by the way, and you won’t tell me what you have planned for tonight. I didn’t complain about not knowing what was going on, but I’m going to lose it if you don’t tell me soon!”

  “Who’s to say that I have anything planned? What if I just wanted to see how we looked when we were both dressed up? It is a first for us.”

  Annie glared at him in annoyance. “For your sake, I hope you’re lying.”

  He gave her a devilish grin. “Come on,” Jet took Annie’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers. He led her outside, the summer breeze refreshing against their skin after the crowded space. “You really do look beautiful tonight. I love the flip flops.” He pulled her close, leaning back against a tree in a more private space.

  Annie’s expression calmed at his reassurance, but the suspense really was starting to get to her. She nibbled at her lower lip, and Jet caressed it with his thumb for her to stop, leaning in for a kiss. She sighed, melting into his embrace.

  Once she was thoroughly relaxed, Jet pulled back, nerves beginning to batter away at his stomach as he reached in his pocket. His fingers traced the small piece of metal as he met her gaze.

  “I love you.”

  She smiled, “I love you, too.”

  “I know we’ve talked before, but you know you’re it for me, right?” Jeez, he felt awkward, like he was screwing this up, but Annie nodded. Jet swallowed, pulling the ring from his pocket; he held it out to her. “I wanted to get you something special.”

  “Jet,” Annie breathed, feeling speechless. She let him slide it on her finger, and she tilted her hand to admire the interwoven band of hearts, its stones glinting in the parking lot’s lights. Their birthstones, she recognized.

  “What does this mean?” she asked, searching his expression.

  He smiled reassuringly, catching her apprehension. “For now, it’s a promise. One day, when we’re ready, I�
��ll propose, but until then, this is my way of saying you’re my forever.”

  “Oh, babe,” she pulled him down to meet her lips, her fingers threading in his hair. He groaned, shifting them against the tree, his hands grasping her hips as she deepened the kiss. He nibbled at her lips, and her back arched her front against his chest. He wanted more, his body craved it, but he knew he had to keep it in check. They hadn’t gone there yet. Soon, he hoped. They’d gotten really close once, and Annie was open to more and more, but definitely not here. His lips moved down to that sensitive spot on her neck, and she whimpered, her back arching again.

  “Get a room!” The comment came like a douse of cold water. Jet glared at his friend, but Kyle just smirked back, following a snickering freshman girl inside.

  His forehead pressed to Annie’s. “I’m sorry. It’s not very private.”

  Annie shot him a crooked grin and tugged at his hand. “We can fix that.”

  * * *

  Tucker checked his watch, sweat dripping down his back, soaking the back of his T-shirt beneath the light button up he left open in front. It was close to ten o’clock, but not late enough to call it a night. He had been dancing for a few hours now and was ready to get out into the night air. Even though it was nearly a hundred degrees outside and the humidity was heavy, he would at least be able to feel a breeze.

  He looked back up and saw Izzy coming out of the restrooms. He could see that she was just as hot as he was and couldn’t help but notice how cute she looked with her cheeks flushed and soft wisps of hair plastered to the sides of her face. “Since when was it cute for girls to sweat?”

  Tucker was about to go see if she wanted to join him outside when Wesley reappeared, leaning in to tell her something that made her laugh. He led her back to the dance floor, his hands clasping her hips, for what had to be their fifteenth dance that night. “Not that I’m counting,” Tucker thought as something tore at his chest.

  Not able to watch anymore, he stepped outside, but it didn’t matter. He couldn’t get her out of his head. “ARGH… what is wrong with me?” Desperate for a solution, he pulled out his phone.

  * * *

  Isabel sighed and rolled her eyes when Tucker strutted in with that redhead from the beach. “Of course,” she murmured, sitting on a bench to massage her sore feet.

  “Of course, what?” Wesley asked, handing her a bottle of water.

  She took a sip and pointed at her friend. “That. I warned him I wasn’t riding home like some kind of third wheel.” And she wasn’t bugging Annie and Jet for a ride tonight either. She hadn’t even seen them in a couple of hours anyway.

  Wesley took a seat next to her, “Yeah, I saw y’all talking at the beach today, and I had to steal you back from him for a dance earlier. What’s the deal with you and him? Girls seem to go crazy when he’s around.”

  “Friends,” she stressed, “Like since preschool. He lives across the street from me. And girls go crazy ‘cause he’s the school’s basketball star and you know, lifeguard.” “Looking like that doesn’t hurt him either,” she added in her head.

  Wesley nodded and flashed her that charismatic smile again. “Good. I can ask you out on a proper date then.”

  She beamed. “Yeah, I’d like that, but I’ll take a ride home first…”

  He stood and held out his arm. “My pleasure.”

  3

  First Date

  “Chelsea, Victoria, get your butts in gear! I’m going to be late for work if we don’t leave soon!” Tucker called out to his seven and eight-year-old sisters, shoving his whistle in his swim shorts pocket. He grabbed his wallet and keys from the entry table, ready for his shift. He just had to get his sisters out the door.

  “I’m giving you ‘til the count of three to be ready to go before I leave without you,” he shouted upstairs, hoping they still believed the empty threat.

  “One!” Nothing.

  “Twooo!”

  “We’re coming!” the girls cried out, running downstairs.

  “Three,” Tucker said just as they came to a stop, panting in front of him. He looked them over to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything. “You almost didn’t make it,” he teased as they headed outside.

  Crossing the street, he could hear playful chatter from the Dearly’s backyard. He peered over the fence, not bothering with the front door, and saw Tyler and Chris filling up water guns at the back faucet, the seven and eight-year-old boys pointing conspiratorially towards Jet’s twelve-year-old sister Tabitha, who was lying back on a patio chair, glued to her phone. Annie and Izzy were chatting nearby.

  “It’s just so pretty,” Izzy said, grabbing Annie’s hand. “Jet did well.”

  Tucker opened the gate, and his sisters darted inside to join their friends at the faucet. He waited for Izzy to notice, prepared for the brief, icy stare she sent him before greeting her added charges.

  “Hey, girls!” she called out and turned her back to him to face Tabitha.

  He nodded in acceptance and waved to Annie before he turned to leave.

  “Hey!” Annie called, darting over to fall in step beside him. “I’m supposed to meet Jet in a few minutes. Mind if I catch a ride?”

  “No problem.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “So Izzy’s still pretty pissed, huh?”

  Annie snorted, “You earned it this time. I hope hooking up with that girl was worth it.”

  “You know?” he asked, surprised. “Which means Izzy knows.” His stomach sunk for some reason at the thought.

  Annie rolled her eyes. “Your truck wasn’t exactly the most inconspicuous place to get laid.”

  “Hey, you’re one to talk. The mustang’s windows were pretty steamy from what I heard.”

  “That doesn’t mean we were screwing,” she snapped, getting annoyed. “And we weren’t the ones that were supposed to give Izzy a ride home. Pretty dick move, even for you. At least, Wesley offered her a ride.”

  Tucker frowned, hating it when Annie was right. “Is she still going out with him today?” he asked as they reached his truck.

  “Yeah, she seems pretty excited too.”

  Tucker scowled as he climbed behind the wheel, done with their conversation. He’d have to do some damage control.

  * * *

  “Ladies first,” Wesley said with his arm outstretched as they reached the first hole at the miniature golf course.

  “Thanks,” Isabel flashed him a smile, situating her purple ball. She looked over the first hole, aimed, and swung.

  “Not bad, not bad,” Wesley said when it stopped a few inches from the mark.

  “Let’s see what you can do, then,” she replied.

  He flashed her a cocky grin, reminding her for a second of Tucker, then swaggered up to take his turn. The black ball bounced off one of the edges before rolling right into the hole.

  “Showing off, are we?” Isabel teased.

  “Maybe a little,” he smirked.

  “Well, at least you’re honest,” she said as she went to take her second shot. Her ball went into the hole with just a little tap.

  “I have to make a good impression, don’t I?” Wesley asked as they grabbed their balls and headed to the next section.

  “Oh, I think you are doing a pretty good job with the impression. Nice restaurant? Check. Opened doors for me? Check. Haven’t tried to make me pay and no awkward silences. Check. That last one’s pretty impressive in itself. I’m usually quiet unless I know someone pretty well.”

  “No way,” he argued as she took her next shot, missing by a couple of feet.

  “No, really,” she insisted, stepping to the side so Wesley could take his turn. “I just find you easy to talk to. I’m usually not like this around people.”

  He shot her that charming smile, “Lucky me, then. I guess it’s a sign.” She blushed as he made another hole in one.

  Conversation flowed as they made their way through the course, discussing movies, books
, and their similar tastes in music. She filled him in on Bentonville High and some of the people he’d meet when they started senior year.

  “Oh, no,” Isabel said as they approached one of the later holes.

  “What?” Wesley asked, looking around for the problem.

  “It’s the windmill. I can never get it through that opening. I usually rack up about six swings before I even get my ball to the other side.”

  “Oh, is that all?”

  “Yes, that’s all, Mr. I-make-a-hole-in-one-every-time,” she retorted.

  “It’s all in the timing and your aim with this one. The ground is slanted a little on the right…I could help you if you want,” he suggested.

  “O...okay,” Isabel muttered and approached her ball. Wesley stepped up, his frame pressing gently against her back. He wrapped his muscular arms around her, and his hands covered hers. Her stomach fluttered a bit, full of excitement and nerves, not caring if it was cliché.

  “On the count of three, we’re going to hit the ball,” Wesley said against her ear. “You ready?” She nodded, her arms swaying with his and the putter as he counted.

  “Oh, my goodness! You’re amazing, Wesley!” Isabel squealed, turning to give him a hug when they made the shot.

  Her Fitbit buzzed, lighting up over his shoulder. “Sorry,” Tucker had texted. “About time,” she thought, frowning, but she’d have to deal with that later.

  * * *

  “Great game, Izzy. You did really well,” Wesley said as they went to return their putters.

  “Oh, please, if we had been taking score, you would have kicked my butt, and you know it,” she replied.

  “Maybe so, but you still did well. You ready to go?”

  “Yeah, mini-golf is good, but one game at a time is plenty,” she replied as they headed towards Wesley’s shiny, black, Mustang. He opened her door, and she slipped inside the convertible to settle into the soft, leather seats for the drive home from Summer Grove.

  Bentonville was perfect for tourists who wanted small-town shops and picturesque beaches, and Isabel loved it, but if you weren’t old enough for the bars, your best bet for entertainment was the next town over.