There was more, of course, so much more, but at that moment Ryan rounded everyone up and the party moved up to the sleek surroundings of the Ocean Club, where cocktails and champagne were served along with delicious seafood.
Frankie noticed Alec Hunter again, but this time he was dancing with a beautiful woman with blond hair that poured over her shoulders like liquid gold. They were laughing together, and Frankie saw the flash of diamond on one of her fingers.
Everyone seemed to be in love, she thought.
People took that risk, time and time again. They jumped, even knowing that they could fall. She felt like a child shivering on the edge of a swimming pool, watching everyone else in the water, afraid to jump in herself in case she drowned.
Everyone was so much braver than she was.
“You’re doing too much thinking and not enough dancing.” Matt pulled her onto the dance floor, ignoring her protests.
“I’m not great at dancing—”
“That’s what you said about sex and look how wrong you were.”
She laughed. “Do you want to say that a bit louder? I’m not sure Hilda heard you.”
“Oh, she heard me, and if she didn’t she’ll hear it from someone else. That’s how things work on Puffin Island.” Grinning, unrepentant, he twirled her skillfully and she landed breathless against his chest.
“I suppose you think that was smooth.” She gasped as he dipped her and then pulled her close. “Okay, that was smooth. Show-off.”
“There are other things I could show you. Bigger things.”
“That really would shock Hilda. You’re a good dancer.”
“So are you.” He buried his face in her neck and she felt the warmth of his breath against her skin and closed her eyes. She’d never felt this way before, ever.
“I didn’t think I could dance.”
“I’m making it my mission in life to show you all the things you have wrong about yourself.” His mouth moved to her ear. “Shall we get out of here?”
“I don’t want to offend the bride and groom.”
“The bride and groom left half an hour ago but no one noticed. The secret is to leave without a fuss.” He took her hand and they weaved their way through the high-spirited crowd, through the door of the Ocean Club, but this time instead of taking the path to the beach as they’d done the night before, he headed back to the car.
He drove back to Seagull’s Nest and opened the door to the cabin. “It’s still warm out. Do you want to sit on the deck for a while?”
The deck was bathed by moonlight and the only sound was the soft crash of the sea hitting the rocks beneath them.
“I’d like that.”
Despite the fact that she was tired, Frankie was in no hurry to go to sleep.
She’d been dreading this weekend, but now she wished it could last forever.
She settled herself into the nearest chair and moments later Matt joined her. He had a bottle of champagne and two glasses in one hand and a sweater in the other.
“Are you cold?”
“A little.” She took the sweater gratefully and wrapped it around her shoulders, watching while he poured champagne.
“To you.”
“Why are we drinking to me?”
“Because you saved the day and you survived sitting in the front row of a
wedding. That deserves a toast.”