After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

+20 BONUS

Chapter 30

Liam seemed to decide for her. He kicked off his tennis shoes.

“You’re not wearing a swimsuit,” Elaine warned him, as if he didn’t already know.

“Don’t need one!”

Elaine’s brow furrowed. “What?”

Liam stripped off his shirt, tossing it aside and grabbing the volleyball. Elaine couldn’t help the way her gaze flickered along the skin of his back, at the defined muscles.

Then she caught herself, gaze snapping up before looking anywhere else. She was still technically married, even if their divorce was coming up. Besides, she only had five months…

“Come on, Elly!” Liam shouted over his shoulder.

“Elly?” she repeated quietly to herself, placing a hand on her hip.

Liam walked into the surf, waves crashing around his calves and soaking his shorts. At least he had the decency to

leave those on.

Elaine hesitated, biting her lip. It was something her stepmother would tell her not to do…but she wasn’t listening to Ruth anymore. Elaine pulled off her sundress and strode toward the water.

“Just don’t get my hair wet,” Elaine said, taking a rubber band to tie it up in a bun.

Liam was already knee-deep.

“Here!” Liam said, tossing the ball up before overhand hitting it. It flew toward her. Elaine flinched, and the ball landed in the surf in front of her, splashing her in the cold water.

She yelped, then glared at him. “Liam!”

He just laughed. “I think the goal is to hit it back.”

Elaine picked up the ball, throwing it a few feet to his right.

“You’re really bad at this!” Liam said as he waded over to get it.

Elaine took the opportunity to splash water over his back and soak his hair. Liam looked back at her.

She smiled. “Payback.”

Liam returned her smile, though his eyes told her he was plotting to get her back. “Oh yeah?”

Another wave rolled past them, and Liam used the momentum and both hands to splash at her. Elaine yelped again, dancing backward.

“Hey! Watch the hair!”

“You soaked mine, it’s only fair.” Liam shrugged, then came at her again. Elaine was ready this time and jumped out of the way, trying to get him back.

She wasn’t sure how long they’d played that game. But by the end of it, both of them were soaked through. Nothing an hour in the sun couldn’t fix. Though it was only a few short hours later that dark clouds crested the horizon and urged them to leave early. At that point, Elaine was exhausted.

1/2

Chapter 30

+20 BONUS

It was a good kind of tired. The kind that came from a long day out in the sun, and spent in good company. The drive back was quiet, though not awkward. Elaine found herself glancing over at him from time to time.

Maybe it wasn’t so bad to have him around. He was a good friend.

Liam walked Elaine to the door, carrying her bag just inside for her before setting it down. A few drops of rain came down outside.

“Thanks for today,” Elaine said, glancing over at Liam. “That was a good spot.”

“I know all the best places,” Liam said. “Been doing some exploring since getting here.”

“You might have to–”

“Elaine!” Harriet’s voice cried from the other room. Elaine went rigid, then raced to the living room. She nearly collided with Harriet who was coming to her. “Thank goddess you’re back!”

“What’s wrong? Harriet…” Elaine didn’t have the words. She’d never seen Harriet look so distressed before.