Wait for the Rain by Maria Murnane Read Free Book Online Page A

hoping to get in the shower before I turn thirty.”
    She stiffened as the comment yanked her back to reality. He’s not even thirty?
    Suddenly feeling foolish for flirting, however awkwardly, with him—not to mention for thinking he’d been flirting with her —she quickly put her sunglasses back on. He was clearly just being friendly, and she was too out of practice to know the difference. Her internal monologue returned with a vengeance. What were you thinking? Why would a man like that flirt with you ? He’s in his twenties and gorgeous, and you have a teenage daughter and newly signed divorce papers in your desk drawer at home.
    “I’m Clay, by the way. Clay Hanson,” he said.
    She glanced down the beach, mentally plotting how to exit the conversation without appearing rude. “It’s nice to meet you, Clay.”
    “Do you have a name?” He looked amused. Could he tell how flustered she was?
    She clenched her hands into fists and forced herself to look at him. Stop being so awkward! “Oh gosh, I’m sorry. I’m Daphne.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Daphne? That’s not a name you hear every day. I like it.”
    She smiled slightly but didn’t reply. Instead, she looked down at the ground and wondered why it was so hard for her to accept a compliment.
    “What’s your last name?” he asked.
    She looked back up at him and responded, “White.” She didn’t feel the need to mention that White was her married name and that she wasn’t married anymore but that she’d kept it because she wanted to have the same last name as her daughter. What was the point?
    He nodded slowly. “ Daphne White . I like that, sounds like the name of a movie star.”
    She scratched her cheek. “You think? I’ve always felt it has the ring of a Disney character.”
    He chuckled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Daphne White. When did you get to St. Mirika?”
    “About an hour ago.” She moved her fingers to the tip of her nose and wondered if she was already getting sunburned in spite of her hat. She’d never been one to tan, somehow always going straight from pale to pink. “What about you? How long have you been on the island?”
    “This is our third day. I think I’m still a bit hungover from the first afternoon. I’m afraid to know what I’m going to feel like by the end of the week.” He pressed a palm against his forehead.
    “I’ve heard how those bachelor parties can go.” My ex-husband’s was more than fifteen years ago, but I’m not going to mention that . She gestured toward the ocean. “I can’t believe how beautiful it is here. The water is so clear and green . It’s mesmerizing.”
    He turned and pointed behind the house. “If you think this is pretty, you should go explore the cliffs on the other side of the island. The rock formations are off the hook.”
    She caught her breath at the thought. Daphne was terrified of heights.
    Clay kept talking. “They also have a cool bridge up there you can walk over. It’s a bit steep getting there, but definitely worth it for the view. I’ve also heard the monkey forest here is pretty cool, but I don’t know if we’re going to make it there.”
    “Thanks, maybe we’ll check them both out. My friend Skylar’s sort of in charge of our schedule this week, so I’m not really sure what we have planned.”
    “What brings you here? Bachelorette trip?”
    She flinched. “Not quite, more like a reunion.”
    “Oh yeah? What kind of reunion?”
    She hesitated. Should I tell him the truth? That I’m here to celebrate my fortieth birthday? Do I have to tell him?
    “Daphne White, earth to Daphne White,” he said.
    She blinked and touched her nose again, even though it wasn’t itching. Stop overthinking this! “Oh, I’m sorry. What did you say?”
    “I asked what kind of reunion are you having?”
    “Oh, u m . . . ” She turned her head to the left and was relieved to see KC a hundred yards or so down the beach, doing jumping jacks. Daphne waved, but KC