REJECTED by my mate, CLAIMED by the Alpha | Werewolf Shifter Romance Podcast

A werewolf shifter romance written by Lily Robert.

Prologue

They say weddings are meant to be the best day of a girl's life, and perhaps for most of them, it's true. What with the flowers, the beautiful dress, the champagne, and not to mention the promise of eternal love, weddings really do aim to please. Billy supposes, except, of course, when the wedding is your sister's, and she's marrying the love of your life. In that particular case, Billy's case, well, weddings suck. Eternal love is a joke for Billy. This wedding isn't cause for celebration but for deception because for the entirety of the event, she will need to hide her feelings, make sure nobody finds out her shameful secret. This wedding isn't about love but heartbreak for Billy. It isn't the beginning of a beautiful story but the end of one. She'd known Clay first, she'd loved him first, but he had chosen her little sister, and that was that, leaving Billy with nothing but the crumbs of her unrequited love. At least that's what Billy had resigned herself to believe. That nothing hurt more than unrequited love. But Fate has a way of proving us wrong because even now, deep in the forest, beyond the wedding venue, something waits for her. Something wild, something untamed. Its eyes, cold as winter ice, will soon lock on to her, and Billy will realize that unrequited love was nothing compared to the exquisite, all-consuming danger of being wanted too much, of being claimed by a love so primal and relentless that it threatens to swallow her whole.

Chapter 1

Billy.

"If I could have everyone's attention," Clay asks, raising his flute, "I'd like to make a toast."

Conversations quiet as all eyes turned to the handsome groom-to-be.

"I want to thank you all for making the journey to Cedar Ridge for our wedding weekend," Clay begins, grabbing Olivia's hand.

They look perfect together. She with her cascading blonde hair, he with his chiseled jawline. Like something from a Barbie commercial.

"No one but our darling Clay ever deserved our Livy," Billy's mother dabs at her eyes, "she whispers, loud enough for half the room to hear. "To think she hasn't even heard most of Clay's speech yet."

It's about to hit every emotional note: sweet anecdotes, promises of devotion, just the right amount of humor. Billy would know. She wrote it.

"You know, I'm crap at those things," Clay had pleaded 3 days prior. "Come on, Bills, please."

She has never been able to say no to Clay. That's the thing. She hadn't said no when, fresh from moving next door at 8, he'd asked her to go biking with him, even though she hated it. She hadn't said no when, at 16, he'd called up at midnight to discuss his breakups. Nor had she said no when, at 17, he'd begged her to write his essays for him, claiming he was too busy with football. She hadn't, because she loved him. Since day one, she decided with the absolute certainty of a 12-year-old heart that she would never love anyone like she loved Clay Anderson. And so, she hadn't said no when Clay had asked if she'd be okay with him dating her younger sister, by 15 months, the golden child who'd spent her life effortlessly collecting everything Billy ever wanted, including the love of her life.

From across the room, Clay meets her eyes and he winks. It steals Billy's breath away.

"To my beautiful bride-to-be," he concludes, "thank you for making all my dreams come true. I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

The room erupts in applause. It makes Billy feel trapped, tense.

"And I promise you won't ever see me cry," she thinks, squeezing her fist. After years of hoping Clay would finally see her, really see her, it's over. He's marrying her sister.

"In a week," she murmurs, setting down her empty glass. "Excuse me, I need some air."

No one notices as she slips out. Outside, the setting sun melts into the ocean, painting the sky in watercolor hues of orange and pink. At the edge of the property, the trimmed grass gives way to towering pines. Billy hesitates only briefly before stepping into the forest's quiet darkness. Her thoughts venturing in circles.

"God, why is she like this?" Still obsessing over her childhood crush, about to be married to her sister, of all people. She's pathetic. Anyone else would have moved on by now. But Billy? Nope.

The light dims rapidly now, shadows stretching across the unfamiliar landscape. "Time to head back," Billy thinks, realizing she's wandered farther than intended. The woods behind her stand dark and still. And after 10 minutes of walking aimlessly, Billy's heart begins to pound. The path she thought she was following has vanished, and the air grows damp and cold against the bare skin of her arms.

"Hello? Anyone there?" she calls out. The only response is her own echo.

"You're fine, just fine," she mutters, choosing a random direction. "Just keep walking, you'll hit the estate eventually." She trudges forward, cursing herself for not paying attention earlier in her emotional haze. But the forest feels different now. The towering pines loom higher, the undergrowth thickens. Only faint slivers of moonlight pierce the canopy, casting strange, shifting patterns across the forest floor.

A twig snaps. Billy freezes. She strains to listen over the pounding of her own heart, and then she hears it. Footsteps. Slow, measured.

"Following is someone there?" her voice wavers, swallowed by the damp air. Silence. She picks up the pace, but the sensation of being watched only grows stronger. The air itself feels charged, the forest alive around her. The hairs on her arms rise. Another sound. A soft crunch of leaves. Closer. She whirls around, heart slamming against her ribs. There. A shadow flickers at the corner of her vision, shifting between the trees. Too large for a rabbit, too big for a fox. Then a deep growl rumbles through the clearing. Billy stumbles back, fear tightening around her throat. Something moves in the bushes to her right. She's about to run. A rabbit bursts from the underbrush, darting across her path. A choked laugh escapes her.

"Thank God," she whispers, pressing a shaky hand to her chest. She exhales, turning, and right in front of her, silent as a ghost, eyes burning into hers, stands an impossibly large white wolf.

Chapter 2

Billy.

A scream rips from Billy's throat, raw and terrified, and before she can stop herself, she is curling into a protective ball, arms thrown over her face. What are you supposed to do when facing a wolf? Stand still? Run? Her heart slams against her ribs so hard it hurts. Isn't that exactly what you're not supposed to do? Show fear. Any second now, those jaws will close around her throat. Or seconds stretch into minutes. She stays frozen, lungs burning from holding her breath. Maybe if she doesn't move, the beast will lose interest. God, she's an even bigger idiot for thinking that might work.

And then, something cold and wet touches the back of her hand. A nose. That's a nose touching her. Her entire body goes rigid. The wolf is sniffing her now, tasting her scent. Oh God, it's probably deciding which part of her to eat first. Except then, the nose retreats slightly, and so slowly, she lowers her hands enough to peek. When her eyes meet the wolf's, something shifts in her chest. The fear doesn't disappear, but it changes into something more like awe. Its fur isn't purely white up close; there are threads of silver running through it, and those eyes... my God, those eyes. Blue like glaciers, impossibly knowing and alert. The longer she looks into those eyes, the foolishly certain she becomes that this creature doesn't want to hurt her. She lowers her hands completely, a shiver running through her that has nothing to do with fear. Without conscious thought, her hand reaches out, moving as if pulled by some unseen force. The wolf extends its head to meet her fingers. The contact jolts through her. Its fur isn't coarse like she'd expected; it's like, like running her fingers through silk. Billy strokes deeper, feeling the solid warmth of muscle beneath. A sound deeper than a growl escapes the wolf; it vibrates under her palm.

"You like that?" she whispers, her voice strange to her own ears. The wolf's eyes drift closed. For a wild second, she wonders if it might be someone's pet. Then she takes in its size again, those unnervingly intelligent eyes, and knows better. This isn't an animal that could ever be tamed.

When the wolf moves closer, presses its nose against her neck, Billy's heart leaps into her throat, but not from fear. From something new and unfamiliar that makes her skin prickle with awareness. She should be terrified. This predator's teeth are inches from her jugular, yet she isn't. The wolf inhales deeply as her fingers continue their path through its fur. Then a tongue licks at her neck. It tickles.

"I'm Billy," she says, feeling simultaneously ridiculous and like it's the most natural thing in the world to introduce herself to a wolf. The wolf inclines its head in a gesture so humanlike that her breath catches.

"I don't suppose you know the way back to the estate?" she asks, not expecting a response, just filling the strange silence with words. To her complete shock, the wolf turns and takes several deliberate steps before looking back at her with what she could swear is impatience.

"You want me to follow you?" she asks. Another pointed look. "I've officially lost my mind," she mutters, rising to her feet. She follows the wolf, wondering if this is some bizarre stress hallucination. But every time doubt makes her steps falter, the wolf turns and makes that same imperious head gesture. Somehow, she keeps going. After what seems both too long and not long enough, lights appear through the trees. The estate. Relief floods her system as voices drift through the darkness.

"Billy? Billy, where are you?" Clay's voice, worried and strong, carries above the others.

"Here," she calls back without thinking. "I'm here."

A low growl, sudden and fierce, rumbles from the wolf. When Billy turns, the creature is already retreating, its eyes fixed on something beyond her with what looks unmistakably like hostility. Before she can speak, it turns and lopes away, swallowed by darkness between one heartbeat and the next. A strange, hollow feeling opens in her chest as she watches it go, like something precious has been taken from her. It makes very little sense.

"Are you okay?" Clay exclaims, grabbing her arms. "What happened? Your dress is destroyed."

"I just got lost," she says, the truth of the wolf encounter sticking in her throat. He'd never believe her. Hell, she barely believes herself.

"Well, I'm glad you're safe," his hand touches her arm. It doesn't make her skin prickle, she notes distantly. As they approach the estate, Olivia stands waiting on the back terrace, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"She's back," she calls to their parents inside before turning a cold gaze on Billy. "Look, can you not try to attract attention again? This is my wedding week."

Billy gapes briefly. "I wasn't trying to," she begins.

"You knew people would worry if you disappeared," Olivia interrupts. "Just try to keep it together, okay?"

Billy swallows the defense rising in her throat. This week should be about Olivia. It's her wedding, after all.

Hours later, freshly showered and nestled in bed, Billy rises to close her curtains against the night. A flash of white at the forest's edge catches her eye. The wolf stands at the tree line, its eyes gleaming in the darkness like twin blue stars. It holds her gaze for a long moment before turning and melting into the night like a ghost.

Chapter 3

The Wolf

The wolf watches from the shadows as she disappears with the male. Her prey found at last. Her scent had drawn him across his territory, sweet like wild honey, but undercut with salt tears, the scent of vulnerability. When the wolf first saw her, something dark and primal shifted inside him. Hunger. This human, this female, with fear scent rolling off her skin. She belonged to him. Will belonged to him completely. He'd approached carefully. Humans startled easily, and he didn't want her to run. Didn't know if he could have refrained himself if she'd run. When she curled into herself, making herself small, a surge of power had flooded through him. She knew what he was, what he could do to her. He lowered himself, not submission, but calculation. A predator's patience, playing tame. He'd seen how her eyes softened, then how easily fooled she was by the gentleness he feigned. The licking, the nuzzling, all to gain trust, learn weakness, and mark his territory.

The wolf paces at the tree line now, muscles coiled with tension. He'd let her go with the other male, the one who offends him, intrudes on what should be his alone. Wrong. The male scent clings to her, touching what isn't his to touch. A growl builds in the wolf's chest. Teeth baring at the memory. The need to follow, to track, to possess, pounds through his blood. The human believes she escaped, believes she was rescued. She doesn't understand. She was never lost to him. The forest is his domain. He allowed her to leave, for now. But he shall have her.

Chapter 4

Billy.

The forest envelops Billy like a living thing. Moonlight filtering through branches in silver patterns across her skin. But she feels no fear, only a strange sense of rightness. Because the white wolf is there, padding silently beside her. Then there, in a small clearing, moonlight pooling like liquid silver. And suddenly, Billy is on her back. The creature's muzzle against her neck, its tongue traces the hollow of her throat, and it sends a shiver down her spine. Her fingers find their way into the silk and fur, and the wolf leans into her touch, a sound like pleasure rumbling from deep in its chest. Its presence wraps around her.

"Billy," a deep voice, rich and compelling, rolls through the clearing. "Billy," the voice calls again, closer now. The fur beneath her fingers is gone now. Billy's palms meet warm, smooth skin, stretched over hard muscle. Strong arms are encircling her waist, pulling her against a broad chest. Heart pounding, she opens her eyes to find herself staring into icy blue ones. Human eyes, with something wild flickering in their depths. Large hands grip her hair. Billy gasps and bolts upright in bed, sheets tangled around her legs, skin damp with sweat. Her heart hammers against her ribs as she presses trembling fingers to her lips. The dream had felt so real. She can almost still feel the warmth of the man's skin against her palms. She falls back against the pillows, willing her pulse to slow. But every time she closes her eyes, she sees those blue ones staring back at her, challenging, hungry, knowing.

Billy tosses restlessly for a good hour, her skin burning as if with fever, until the need to escape, to feel open air, becomes overwhelming. The world outside her window is still wrapped in pre-dawn shadows when Billy slips from bed. She pulls a light jacket over her nightgown, more from habit than necessity. Her skin feels like it's on fire. Outside, the air is cool and heavy with dew, yet she isn't cold. If anything, the chill brings blessed relief. Her feet carry her across the grounds, not toward the woods, but instead to the sound of crashing waves at the edge of the property, where well-tended gardens give way to wild scrub. Billy discovers stone steps cut into the cliff face. They spiral downward, leading to what appears to be a sheltered cove. The faint purple light of approaching dawn illuminates the private beach below. Movement catches her eye. A flash of white against the dark sand. The wolf stands at the water's edge, waves lapping at its paws as it gazes out to sea. It hasn't noticed her. Something about its stillness speaks of deep contemplation. Then, between one heartbeat and the next, something impossible happens. The wolf's form blurs, ripples, rearranges itself, and where the animal stood, now stands a man. Tall, powerfully built, and utterly naked in the dim light. Billy blinks rapidly, certain her tired mind is playing tricks. Wolves don't become men. They don't. Yet, there he is, water swirling around his ankles, the first hint of dawn outlining the planes of his back and shoulders.

And Billy— "Olivia!" calls from behind. The man below turns sharply, and for one breathtaking second, his face is revealed in the soft dawn light. He is beautiful in a feral, untamed way that makes Billy's heart stutter painfully in her chest. High cheekbones and hollow cheeks, dark hair across his forehead, nearly obscuring those piercing blue eyes, the same eyes that had haunted her dreams. A hand lands on her shoulder, making her jump.

"What are you doing out here?" Olivia asks, pulling her robe tighter. Billy turns back to the beach, but the man has vanished. The cove lies empty, save for the relentless wash of waves against the sand.

"I... I couldn't sleep," she manages.

Olivia peers around her at the hidden beach. "Oh my God, is that a private beach? Come on," she grabs Billy's hand, tugging her toward the steps. As they descend, Olivia chatters about childhood seaside vacations. "Remember how Dad would slather us with sunscreen every hour? Well, you never needed it. You were the only one who never burned."

The first rays of sun break over the horizon as they reach the sand, painting the sky in impossible shades of pink and gold. The hidden cove catches the light in a way that makes it seem enchanted.

"This is it," Olivia breathes. "This is where I need to have the ceremony."

Billy barely hears her. She's drawn to the spot where the man, or wolf, had stood. The wet sand reveals nothing. Whatever footprints might have existed have been erased by the tide. Unless they were never there at all. A strange shiver runs through her. Behind her, the rising sun turns the sea to fire, and Billy could swear she hears, beneath the crash of waves, the faintest echo of a howl.

Chapter 5

Billy.

"I still can't believe how perfect it is," Olivia gushes, guiding Maya Gray, her wedding planner, along the winding path back to the main estate. "The way the cliffs shelter it from the wind, but not the view. It's like something from a magazine!" Olivia squeals. Billy trails behind the group, only half listening. Every few steps, she glances over her shoulder, unable to shake the sensation of being observed. The morning's impossible vision keeps replaying in her mind: the wolf transforming into a man of such breathtaking beauty it seemed almost painful. The memory of his piercing blue eyes makes her stomach flutter.

"I don't get why she wants to move the cocktail hour now," Clay whispers, falling back to walk beside Billy. "Everything's been set for months." He rolls his eyes dramatically. "She's never satisfied, you know? Always has to change something at the last minute."

When Billy doesn't immediately respond, Clay nudges her side. "You're nothing like her, always so chill about everything." He drapes an arm across her shoulders, pulling her against his side in that familiar way that once made her heart race. Now, her heart is already racing because she feels watched. Billy scans the tree line, searching for a flash of white among the shadows.

"What are you looking for?" Clay asks, snapping her out of it.

"Nothing," Billy says hurriedly. The last thing she needs is Olivia realizing she might be going crazy. She'd take it as a personal offense that Billy dared losing her mind so close to her big day.

"Sorry, I'm just distracted," she says, "by impossible blue eyes and a face that couldn't possibly be real." She doesn't add, "Had she dreamed at all?"

Clay laughs, pulling her closer. "Can't have my best girl distracted," he plants a kiss on her forehead. "Need you at your best for the wedding."

They catch up to Maya and Olivia at a clearing overlooking the estate. Olivia is gesturing enthusiastically toward the Hidden Cove. "And the sunrise was absolutely breathtaking," she's saying. "I bet the sunset is even more spectacular. We absolutely need to move the cocktail hour there. It would be criminal not to use that space."

Maya's expression remains neutral, but Billy notices how her gaze lingers on Clay's arm around her shoulders. Something like puzzlement flickers across the woman's face, making Billy inexplicably self-conscious. She shifts away from Clay slightly, though she can't articulate why. His familiar touch suddenly feels inappropriate.

So, Olivia concludes with an expectant smile, "Can you make this happen?"

Maya grimaces. "I'm afraid it won't be possible, Miss Morgan," she says, shaking her head slowly. "The budget—"

"We'll cover any extra expenses," Clay interrupts, making Olivia beam at him. "Budget isn't an issue for something this important, right?"

Maya bites her lip. "But I'm afraid that on such short notice—"

"Can Billy help with whatever you need," Olivia cuts in. "She doesn't have much else to do this week anyway."

Billy doesn't reply. The sensation of being watched intensifies, raising Goosebumps along her arms. She scans the trees again, searching for what? The wolf? The man? Both? Is she losing her mind, inventing impossible creatures with impossible beauty?

"I feel like you're making excuses," Olivia says, her voice taking on the sharp edge Billy recognizes as approaching a tantrum. "You promised me my dream wedding."

Maya looks genuinely contrite. "I apologize, but while we do rent out the estate, that particular cove is off-limits," she replies.

"But doesn't all this belong to your family?" Clay asks, gesturing broadly at the surrounding property.

"It does, but—" Maya hesitates.

"But what?" Olivia presses.

"What's the problem?"

Maya sighs. "Technically, the land, the estate, the beach, they all belong to my brother. I'd need his approval to set up an event on that beach."

"All right, cool, let's get it then," Clay says with the easy confidence of someone unused to hearing no. "Mr. Anderson—"

"My brother will never agree," Maya begins slowly, like she is talking to a small child.

"What do you mean?" Clay blinks. "Surely you can get him to—"

"Neither I, nor anyone, can get my brother to do anything," Maya interrupts, a note of finality in her voice. "He's the—" she searches for words, "—head of the family. His word is law."

Clay and Olivia exchange dubious looks. "Well, at least let us ask him ourselves," Clay suggests. "Perhaps we can convince him."

"I doubt that," MAA mutters.

"What was that?" Olivia asks sharply.

Maya forces a smile. "You can try," she concedes.

"Great, let's go now," Olivia says, already turning toward the main house.

"He won't be free until this afternoon," Maya says quickly. "And unfortunately, we have that meeting with the caterers."

Olivia groans.

Billy startles at a sound behind her. A twig snapping. She turns, scanning the tree line, certain something's there.

"So Billy can meet with him at 3?" Clay is asking Maya. The question hangs unanswered in the air. When Billy glances at Maya, she finds the woman's attention fixed on the same spot in the woods, her expression suddenly alert and wary. And Billy can't help but wonder if she's seen the wolf too. She doesn't dare to ask.

Chapter 6

The Wolf

The wolf paces, claws clicking against hardwood. He shouldn't be here. Too close, too dangerous. But the need is unbearable. Her scent calls to him, sings in his blood, strips him of reason. When she disappeared into the main house, something in him snapped. The separation. Ache. He circled the property twice before slipping through her partly open window. Now she is everywhere. Honey, salt, tears. Something uniquely hers. He buries his muzzle in the sheets, inhaling deeply. Still warm. The pillowcase holds strands of her dark hair. The whisper of lavender. He traces where her head rested, imagines her dreams. He moves, restless, drinking her in through the objects she's touched. A discarded nightgown. Sleep, sweat, and feminine warmth. But then, another scent. Faint male. The one who touched her, kissed her forehead. A snarl rises in his throat. The urge to destroy, to erase all trace of the other male, burns through him. He paces faster. She will return, and then what? Instinct demands he wait, claim her the moment she enters. A swift lunge, teeth at her throat, just enough pressure to break skin, the taste of her blood sealing their bond. She would struggle at first, they always do. But then she would yield. Her body would recognize what her human mind cannot. She belongs to him. Has always belonged to him. His jaws part, panting. The vision consumes him. Her soft cries, the shift in her scent. His mark, branding her as his. His, entirely his. A sound from outside. Voices. Not her. He circles the room once more. He did not come for nothing. He must leave proof of his ability to provide. Clenching his offering in powerful jaws, he places it beneath her bed, hidden from the others, but where she will find it. Every instinct screams to stay. But he will return tonight, perhaps.

Chapter 7

Billy.

Later that day, Billy finds herself in Maya's sleek black car, winding up a narrow road deeper into the woods surrounding Cedar Ridge. "You're wasting your time," Maya warns with a grimace. "My brother will never agree to your sister's request."

"She's being a handful, then?" Billy asks, a surprised laugh escapes Maya.

"I've had worse," she glances at Billy. "I admire your patience with her, though. That's just how our family operates."

Billy sighs. "Olivia's spoiled but well-meaning."

"So she doesn't know you're in love with her fiancé?" Maya asks, making Billy's cheek flame. She jerks her head toward the window, mortified that a near stranger has so easily exposed her most shameful secret.

"Clay and I have been best friends since forever," she finally manages. "We're like brother and sister."

Maya's skeptical glance speaks volumes. "My brother does not treat me the way Clay treats you," she observes.

"You don't get along?" Billy asks, eager to change the subject.

"We get along very well, actually," Maya says, her voice softening. "He practically raised me after our father passed."

"I'm sorry," Billy grimaces, thinking of her beloved aunt's recent passing. "Was he ill?" she asks. Maya tenses, and Billy realizes she shouldn't have asked something like that. The wedding planner replies evasive before Billy can press further.

The car turns onto a long gravel driveway. At its end stands a grand stone house that seems built to keep secrets. Ivy climbs the walls like grasping fingers, and the windows reflect the gray sky like suspicious eyes.

"My brother is expecting you," Maya says, stopping the car. "I'll come back in an hour."

Inside, the house is all dark wood paneling and hushed voices. As she's led by a butler through winding corridors, Billy notices other staff members pausing their work to stare at her, whispering. The butler deposits her in a waiting room with high ceilings. Rain patters against leaded glass windows, giving the atmosphere a melancholic tint. Twenty minutes pass, then thirty. Billy begins to wonder if her host has forgotten her entirely. When the butler finally returns, he's ready for you now, miss. He leads her to a white office at the end of a long corridor. A man sits behind an imposing desk, phone pressed to his ear, his back half-turned to the door.

"I don't care what the board thinks," he says. "The conservation area is non-negotiable."

Billy freezes mid-step. That voice. Deep and resonant. She's heard it before, in her dreams. Her gaze catches first on his hand, strong with long fingers that tap impatiently against the polished surface of the desk. Then the line of his shoulders, broad and powerful beneath an expertly tailored suit.

"Your rights end at the northern boundary," he continues, irritation edging his tone. "Beyond that, the land is protected. Period." His profile comes into view as he shifts slightly. The straight nose, the uncompromising angle of his jaw. Something flutters in Billy's chest. Something familiar. Without looking up, he raises a finger, signaling her to wait.

Billy takes another step forward, unable to help herself. "We're done discussing this," he says. "Either honor the agreement as written, or we'll see you in court."

That's when he turns, just enough for her to see those eyes. Ice blue, piercing. Billy's lungs refuse to work, her heart stuttering in her chest. The room seems to tilt sideways, reality itself bending around the impossible truth standing before her. It's him. The man from the beach. The man who was a wolf. The man from her dreams. Here. Real. Impossibly, undeniably real. She can't move, can't tear her gaze away from his face, that beautiful, haunting face that has been imprinted on her mind since dawn. The strong cheekbones, the full lips now pressed into a serious line, the dark hair with its premature silver at the temples.

"My final answer is no," the man says, words clipped. "Goodbye." He ends his call, places the phone down with deliberate care, and finally, finally, he turns to face her fully.

"Have a seat," he says, gesturing impatiently toward a chair opposite his desk. Billy waits for the spark of recognition, for some confirmation that she isn't losing her mind. But nothing. She realizes. No flicker of awareness, no sign that he's ever seen her before in his life. If this is indeed the man from the beach, he clearly doesn't remember her.

"Matthew Gray," the man introduces himself, extending his hand. Billy just keeps staring. Maybe she's mistaken, but the resemblance is striking, and the color of his eyes is there.

"Is there something on my face?" he asks when her silence stretches. Billy catches herself, mortified. "No, sorry, I—" When his hands wrap around hers, she feels close to tears. His skin is warm, his grip firm, and something about the simple contact makes her feel like she's just found something precious she didn't know she'd lost.

"What is happening?" she wonders internally, her throat tight.

Matthew forcefully removes his hand, a slight furrow appearing between his brows. "So... so my sister says you have something to discuss with me regarding your upcoming wedding?" he asks.

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you're here on your sister's behalf?"

"Yes," Billy agrees, relieved. Unbidden images of Matthew naked by the water's edge flood her mind.

"About—" he encourages, impatience edging his tone.

She clears her throat. "Olivia's wedding. Focus on Olivia's wedding. My sister discovered the beach at sunrise and absolutely fell in love with the sight," Billy attempts. "She was hoping there could be a way for the cocktail party to—"

"No," Matthew interrupts with an air of finality.

Billy is startled. "But you don't even know what I—" she begins.

"I do know, and the answer is no." Billy deflates, thinking of how disappointed Olivia will be. But more than that, she feels a desperate urge to keep him talking.

"Sorry," Matthew draws, his voice softening slightly at her expression. "But we like to keep the beach private for—"

"Oh, no, that's not—" Billy blabbers. "I mean, it's not my wedding. My sister Olivia is getting married, not me. I'm single," she explains.

Matthew frowns, looking put off. "Right," he says carefully. "So you

Of the room. Chapter 11.

Billy. Billy isn't sure how she ended up on Matthew's leather couch. Hadn't she gone home? Hadn't she endured Olivia's lecture about responsibility? The leather is cool against her bare skin, and Matthew's lips steal her breath, her thoughts, everything that she is. His kiss is hunger made flesh, desperate, devouring.

A strong hand fists in her hair, his other drags down her side, fingers digging in. He holds her exactly where he wants her, as if he fears she might escape.

"Do you have any idea," he rasps, his voice rough with need, "how long I've waited for you?"

His chest heaves against hers, his eyes dark and feral. His heartbeat, a violent drum, she can feel through her skin. She doesn't answer. Can't.

He swallows her next breath. Fire licks through her veins. His hands are everywhere, gripping, consuming. How did they get here? When did they undress? The questions scatter like ashes as he trails hot, open-mouthed bruises down her throat, teeth scraping over her sensitive skin. She arches, surrendering to the sheer force of him. His scent, pine, rain, something untamed, fills her lungs, intoxicating her.

This is madness. Everything, and yet not enough. This is where she belongs, with him, claimed by him. The rightness of it resonates through her very bones, and a tears spring to her eyes at the overwhelming perfection of this connection.

"Matthew," she whispers, his name a prayer on her lips.

A painful shudder runs through his frame. He pulls back, eyes searching hers, his breathing ragged and erratic. Small tremors race beneath his skin.

"It's not enough," he groans, his voice cracking. His fingers dig harder into her flesh. "I need more," he growls, desperation edging his words. "I need all of you."

Sweat beads on his forehead. "Tell me," he demands, pupils blown wide with desire. "Tell me who you belong to."

"You," she gasps, a broken gasp, a sound half groan, half snarl. Tears from his throat. Relief flashes across his face, quickly replaced by something wilder. His teeth graze her shoulder. Pleasure spikes. A gasp tears from her lips, then pain, sharp, deep, wrong. The pleasure curdles, twisting into something raw and searing.

"Matthew," she chokes.

The wolf looms over her, eyes molten gold, muzzle stained crimson. It hasn't let go. Its fang plunged deeply inside her neck. Billy tries to scream, but only a strangled whimper escapes. The wolf releases her neck, pulling back just enough for her to see its face. A low growl rumbles from its chest, hungry and unsatisfied. It lunges, jaws open wide, aiming for her throat.

Billy's scream finally breaks free as she bolts upright in bed, heart thundering, sheets tangled around her legs.

Chapter 12.

Billy Isa Howard was 23 when she was found dead on Greystone estate's private beach. Ten years ago. As it turns out, the information isn't hard to find if you know where to look. Billy stares at the blurry newspaper photo, her fingers trembling. The girl had been beautiful, until something ripped that life away with terrifying efficiency. The article uses clinical language, but between the lines, the horror is clear: deep laceration to the throat, consistent with an animal bite; body severely dismembered; remains discovered at dawn; investigation ongoing.

Local legend had twisted the tragedy into something darker. The librarian's hushed voice echoes in Billy's mind: "They say her bones were broken. Broken in directions bones can't naturally bend, like something was playing with her before it finished her off."

Billy paces the breakfast area. Morning light stretching long shadows across the polished floor. Her ankle doesn't hurt at all, despite yesterday's apparent sprain. Another impossibility in a growing list.

"You shouldn't be walking," Clay stands in the doorway, irritation still etched into his face from picking her up at Greystone yesterday.

"It's fine," Billy says distractedly. "All healed."

"Clay, have you heard about what happened on that private beach?" she presses.

He shakes his head, stepping closer. "Someone was found dead there."

"Killed by a wild animal?" she continues, shivering. "But that's not all." The words spill out before she can stop them. "She was dismembered. Bones broken in every direction."

"Jesus," Clay interrupts, grimacing. "Do you have to go into details before I've had my breakfast?"

Billy swallows. "Sorry. But Clay, if this is true..."

"He sighs and grips her shoulders. "Billy, freak accidents happen, and that's all they are. Accidents."

She shakes her head. "No, this wasn't an accident." She knows. Knows it. Matthew hadn't thought it was either, not with the way he'd said someone died.

"Look, you have nothing to worry about, okay?" Clay's voice turns gentle. "Whatever animal did that is long gone. You're safe."

She nods, but she doesn't feel safe. Something is wrong. The dreams. The way Matthew had felt so right in her arms until he wasn't. The way she feels constantly watched.

"Hey, it's okay," Clay soothes, pulling her into a hug. "I'm here."

Billy almost laughs. What could Clay do against the wolf? He'd be as powerless as Isla had been.

"What's wrong?" he asks, cradling her face. "You used to tell me everything. Now you barely talk to me."

Clay presses a kiss to the corner of her lips. Billy jerks back, shocked. "What are you doing?"

Footsteps echo in the hallway. Olivia stands in the doorway, eyes sharp. Billy realizes she's still in Clay's arms and tries to move, but he tightens his hold.

"My best girl is feeling under the weather," Clay says, hugging Billy in a way that should look brotherly, but doesn't.

Olivia's gaze lingers on his hands at Billy's waist, but she doesn't comment. "So, today you get us the beach?" she asks instead, catching Billy off guard.

Before she can respond, a piercing scream erupts from outside. They run toward the sound, feet pounding against the marble floor. Their mother stands in the driveway, frozen in shock. At her feet lies a massive dead moose, and around its body, at least a dozen dead rabbits, forming a grotesque circle, an offering to something dark, or a gift.

Olivia and Clay rush to their mother, but Billy remains frozen. She knows with absolute certainty this is meant for her. Something unexpected unfurls in her chest. Her lips part, breath catching at the sheer magnitude of it.

"This is absolutely horrifying," her mother sobs.

But it isn't. Not to Billy. To her growing horror, she feels pleased, deeply satisfied by this display of power. She is being hunted, and something strong enough to provide for her so abundantly is watching from the trees. She feels them. Those blue eyes, waiting.

Chapter 13.

Billy. Two days until the wedding. Billy paces her room like a caged animal, restless energy coursing through her veins. Rain lashes the window, the wind howling in time with the storm inside her. Her bed is a mess, sheets tangled and damp from another night of dreams. Matthew. Always Matthew. She hasn't seen him since their strange encounter in his study, yet he consumes her thoughts. His impossible blue eyes, the way his fingers brushed her ankle, the way his voice settles in her bones.

"This is insane," she whispers to her reflection. Dark circles ring her eyes, her skin flushed with an unnatural heat. She barely recognized herself.

Wedding preparations blur around her. Olivia snaps at everyone, saving her sharpest words for Billy. Clay lingers near, seeking refuge from Olivia's stress, his touch lingering in a way that once would have thrilled her, now it leaves her cold. Because her heart, her mind, her soul belong to someone else. Matthew. The name pulses through her like a second heartbeat. She replays their encounters obsessively, searching for something she can't name.

The only distraction is the flicker of white between the trees. The wolf watching from the forest's edge. She's tried following it, but it always vanishes. A part of her wants to go into the woods at night to find it. The memory of Isla Howard's fate stops her. Or does it? Is it fear that holds her back, or something else?

A knock makes her jump. "Billy?" Olivia calls. "The florist needs to speak with you about the bouquets."

"Coming," she replies automatically, though every part of her resists the triviality of it all. The next hours pass in a haze, approving centerpieces, confirming table settings, enduring Olivia's storm of anxiety. The rain pounds harder, trapping them inside with mounting tension. Olivia paces, checking her phone. "They have to be wrong. It can't possibly rain on my wedding day."

Clay tries to reassure her, but it only fuels her agitation. "What do they know? Did you see what happened to the Peterson's tent last spring? Collapsed right on top of the cake."

Billy feels the walls closing in, air too thick to breathe. Matthew flashes in her mind, not as she last saw him, but as he appeared in her dreams, looking at her with recognition, with love.

"I need some air," she blurts, cutting off Olivia mid-rant.

"In this weather?" her mother scoffs.

She doesn't answer. She's already heading for the door, grabbing her car keys.

"Billy!" Clay calls. "You can't drive in this!"

She doesn't stop. Rain soaks her instantly as she yanks open the car door and slides inside, gripping the wheel like a lifeline. She doesn't have to think. Her body knows the way. Greystone estate. Matthew.

Lightning splits the sky as she pulls up, illuminating the looming stone facade like something out of a Gothic nightmare. The vision vanishes as darkness swallows the house again, broken only by the warm glow of the windows. She stumbles from the car, barely registering the rain plastering her clothes to her skin. The front door opens before she reaches it. A butler stands in the warm light.

"Is Mr. Greyhome here?" she asks, voice foreign to her own ears. He takes in her appearance, wild eyes, soaked clothes, with only a faint lift of his brow.

"Miss, I'm afraid..."

Billy Maya steps into view, surprise flickering across her face. "Has Olivia lost it? I promise you, the weather will improve. One bad day, then perfection."

Billy barely hears her, scanning the space behind her for someone who isn't there. Maya's expression shifts to concern. "Are you okay? Come inside." Hoping for a glimpse of Matthew, Billy allows herself to be led inside. Maya settles her in a warm living room, pressing a cup of tea into her hands. She barely registers the butler murmuring "My lady" before leaving.

Maya shrugs. "British. Very formal, those folks aren't they?"

Billy nods distractedly. The wind howls outside, rattling the windows. "Is your brother home?" the question escapes before she can stop it.

Maya hesitates. "No, he's out." She studies Billy. "What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Reality slams into her. What is she doing here? What would she even say if Matthew were here? "Hello, have you been leaving dead animals for me? Are you a giant white wolf? Do we know each other from another life?"

Maya squeezes her hand. "Plenty of other fish in the sea."

"Billy blinks. "Your sister's fiancé?"

Maya gives her a knowing look. "I know it feels impossible now, but you'll get over him."

Billy stares at her. Clay. She hasn't thought of Clay in days. The absurdity of it hits all at once, and suddenly she's laughing, wild, hysterical.

"Maya admits, "I must look insane."

Billy sobers, inhaling deeply. "I haven't been myself lately." She hesitates, then confesses, "Your brother told me about the beach, about what happened."

Maya stills, expression sharpening. "He told you?" she studies Billy. "What did he tell you exactly?"

A weariness creeps into her tone, making Billy instantly regret mentioning it. "Not much," she hurries to explain. "Just that someone died. I got curious, looked it up."

Maya relaxes slightly, but the openness in her eyes is gone. "I read it was an animal attack," Billy says carefully.

"Apparently so," Maya replies, neutral but watching her closely. The attention in her stance reminds Billy of something: a predator assessing a threat. She can't stop herself. "I know this sounds crazy, but ever since I got here, I've been seeing a..." she hesitates, afraid to say it aloud.

"A what?" Maya presses.

"A wolf." The confession lands between them like a dropped stone. "I see it everywhere. The first time it guided me out of the woods, and since then, it's always there. Even when I can't see it, I know it's there. And I keep finding these dead animals."

"What does it look like?" Maya interrupts, voice deadly calm.

Billy falters at the sudden intensity. "It's big, white, and its eyes blue like ice."

Maya bolts to her feet, head snapping toward the storm-lashed windows. She mutters.

"Maya?" Billy asks, alarm spiking.

Maya turns, eyes dark with fear. "You need to go now. Before..."

Billy can react, the lights flicker, then die. "It's too late." Maya grabs her arm, yanking her toward the front door. Outside, the storm rages. The roads might already be flooded.

Headlights cut through the rain, twin beams piercing the darkness. Maya slams the door. "He's here."

"Who?" Billy's pulse races.

Maya clenches her jaw. "My brother." She disappears into another room, returning with a small bottle. "Quick, rub this on you."

What? Billy stares at her, certain they've both lost their minds.

"Just do it." Billy obeys, the sharp herbal scent filling her lungs. Maya drags her up the stairs. "Whatever happens, do not leave this room."

"Maya?"

"Lock the door. Do not open it, no matter what you hear."

A deep voice rumbles downstairs. "Matthew?" Billy's heart betrays her.

"It's going to be okay," Maya says, but her face tells a different story. Then she's gone.

Chapter 14.

Billy. Hours pass, darkness settling over the house like a shroud. The storm has quieted, thunder now a distant rumble. Rain still drums steadily against the window of the unfamiliar bedroom where Billy sits, perched on the edge of a four-poster bed. Her fear has faded into numb confusion. What had sent Maya into such a panic? Why had she been hidden like a secret? The whole thing feels surreal, like stepping into someone else's nightmare. She rubs her arms, the sharp herbal scent of the oil Maya made her apply still clinging to her skin. Sage, lavender, something bitter she can't place.

She knows about the wolf, Billy whispers. It's the only explanation. Maya recognized her description instantly. But if she knows about the wolf and fears her brother finding Billy, the realization crashes into her: Is Matthew the wolf? If he is, does that mean he killed Isla Howard 10 years ago? Is that why Maya is desperate to keep her hidden?

A floorboard creaks beyond the door, snapping her back to the present. She's alone in a strange house with a potential killer, and the only person who might protect her is his sister. She can't stay. The rain has eased, the roads might be flooded, but she could make it on foot. Better than waiting here like prey. What if Maya is in on it? What if this is all a setup?

Decision made, Billy slides off the bed, removes her shoes, and carefully unlocks the door. The hallway is dark, but a faint glow spills from downstairs. She moves silently toward the staircase. Voices drift up. Maya's light tone, a deeper, rougher rumble that makes her breath catch. Matthew.

From the landing, she can see into the dining room. Matthew sits at the head of a long table, Maya at his side. He looks wrong. His skin is pale, and he slouches, head resting heavily on his knuckles, as if barely holding himself up. Something tightens in Billy's chest.

"Maybe you should have more," Maya urges, pushing a glass toward him. "You should be asleep already."

Matthew nods slowly. "Fine," his voice is thick, drowsy, nothing like the commanding tone Billy remembers.

Maya pours a dark liquid into his glass. He lifts it with a trembling hand, drains it in one go. Billy leans forward, straining to see. The stair beneath her foot betrays her, the sound splitting the quiet like a gunshot.

Maya's head snaps up. Their eyes lock. "Is someone here?" Matthew asks, but he doesn't look up. His voice is distant, detached.

"Just Billy Morgan," Maya says, gaze still fixed on Billy, silently commanding her to leave.

"Who?" Matthew asks, confusion genuine.

"Maya's face darkens with anguish. "Exactly," she murmurs, patting his arm before leveling Billy with another pointed look.

Billy stumbles back, retreating to the bedroom, heart hammering. Why would he pretend not to know her again? She paces. Something is wrong. Matthew's sickly appearance, his amnesia, Maya's urgency—none of it makes sense.

Voices and footsteps in the hallway draw her to the door. Peering through the keyhole, she watches as Maya and the butler half-carry Matthew toward another room. His head lolls forward, his movement sluggish. He looks seconds from collapse. Panic grips her. What has Maya done to him? The drink? Was it drugged? Poisoned? Why would she do that to her own brother?

Billy's fingers tighten on the doorknob, ready to burst out and demand answers. Just as she's about to, soft footsteps approach. It's Maya.

"Comes a quiet voice." Billy hesitates, then unlocks the door. Maya slips inside, carrying a tray of food.

"I told you not to go outside," she hisses.

"That was suspicious as hell," Billy fires back. "What's wrong with Matthew? What did you do?"

"He'll be fine," Maya says, avoiding her eyes. "He has to be."

Something in her tone sends a chill down Billy's spine. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Maya interrupts, voice dropping lower, "that as soon as you can, you need to leave. Not just this house, Billy. This place. As far as you can, and never come back. Do you understand?"

"No," Billy admits. "I don't."

Maya exhales, eyes heavy with regret. "I wish I could explain. Maybe I will. But right now, I can't." She hesitates, then shakes her head, looking suddenly exhausted. "I'm sorry, Billy. It's going to be okay. I promise. I'll get you as soon as I can. For now, just stay put."

With that, she slips out the door, leaving Billy alone once more. An hour passes. The storm fades to occasional gusts and eventually lies curled on the bed. Each time her eyes drift closed, Matthew is there, holding her close on a sunlit beach, his arms strong, steady, safe. But the dream always turns. Isla Howard's body appears in the sand behind them, half-buried, her lifeless eyes staring through Billy like an accusation.

A sound at the door jolts her awake. Soft but insistent. Nails dragging across wood. Billy freezes, barely breathing. The silence stretches, thick and suffocating. Just the wind. Just the house settling, she tells herself. Then it comes again, louder, desperate. A cold sweat breaks across her skin. Something is out there. Something wants in.

The floorboards creak as she slides from the bed. A low animal whine joins the scratching, a sound that raises the hairs on the back of her neck. It doesn't sound human. It doesn't sound safe. The distance to the door stretches impossibly long. The scratching intensifies, frantic, like whatever is outside senses her approach. Her heart hammers violently as she bends down, pressing her eye to the keyhole.

At first, she sees nothing. Then her vision adjusts. Billy jerks back with a strangled gasp. The wolf. Not just nearby, not just in the house. Right there. Its massive body fills the view through the keyhole. Its breath fogging the metal. Fear crashes through her, primal and suffocating. She's trapped. A thin wooden door is all that separates her from a predator. Her gaze darts to the windows—too high, no escape.

The scratching stops. A soft thump against the door, as if the wolf is pressing against it, waiting. Something pulls her back to the keyhole. Some instinct stronger than her terror. She looks again. The wolf isn't snarling. It looks unwell. Its powerful body sags, its stance unsteady. It pauses weakly at the door before releasing a low, pained whine.

Billy's heart twists. Without thinking, her hand is on the knob. The latch clicks, and suddenly the wolf is there. Its blue eyes locked onto hers. For a suspended moment, they just stare at each other. Then it stumbles forward, collapsing heavily against her legs. Billy catches it, barely keeping herself upright.

"What's wrong?" she murmurs, hands instinctively threading into its fur. She searches for wounds, for blood, for any sign of injury, but finds nothing. The wolf whines softly, pressing its massive head against her neck. Its breath is warm, its weight solid against her, and suddenly the tension inside her unspools. The ache behind her eyes eases, the exhaustion in her limbs lifts. Fear vanishes, replaced by something deeper, something right. Her fingers glide over his thick fur, tracing the powerful muscles beneath.

"Come on," she whispers, her voice barely more than breath. The wolf follows as she guides him toward the bed, leaning heavily against her. He climbs onto the mattress with surprising grace, circling once before settling with a deep, exhausted sigh. Billy watches, struck by how natural this feels, how right. When she doesn't immediately join him, the wolf whines, the sound so plaintive it tugs at something deep inside her.

"I'm here," she soothes, climbing onto the bed. The wolf shifts, making space, then presses against her side, resting his head on her stomach. The weight should be uncomfortable, but instead, it feels like completion, like a missing piece has returned. Warmth cocoons her, certainty settles in her bones. She drifts, limbs heavy, sinking into the first peaceful sleep she's known since arriving in Cedar Ridge.

Chapter 15.

Billy. When Billy stirs, awareness returns slowly, and the first thing she notices is warmth. Strong arms encircle her waist, a solid chest rising and falling against her back. She doesn't need to look to know who it is. Her body recognizes him instinctively, as if they've spent a thousand mornings just like this. Billy turns, heart swelling with certainty and rightness. Matthew sleeps deeply beside her, more peaceful than she's ever seen him. Her fingers hover just above his face, wanting to touch.

"Matthew," she whispers. He doesn't stir, his breathing deep and even. She tries again, a little louder. Still nothing. Billy settles back, content to simply watch him sleep. The questions that should be pressing seem distant and unimportant in the tranquility of this moment. She knows she loves him. The realization doesn't shock her; it feels like acknowledging something that has always been true. She loves both the man and the wolf, for they are two halves of a whole. When he wakes, she'll tell him. She'll assure him that his dual nature doesn't frighten her, and that he can't stop pretending.

A shaft of sunlight breaks through the gap in the curtains, falling directly across Matthew's face. A soft groan escapes his lips as his eyes flutter open, unfocused at first, then sharpening as they fall on Billy.

"Hi," she says, smiling, happiness bubbling through her veins.

Matthew recoils with a sharp intake of breath. "Who are you?" he demands, his body tensing as if ready for attack.

The smile slides from Billy's face. "Billy," she replies, confusion washing over her.

Matthew looks genuinely troubled, glancing around the room. "Why? Why are you in my house?"

"Your sister told me to stay here," Billy explains, struggling to keep her voice steady.

"My sister?" he repeats. Matthew shakes his head, pushing himself up to sit against the headboard. "How did I get here?" he asks, running a hand through his hair.

"You came to find me here," Billy says, trying to remain calm despite the growing hollow in her chest. "You were in your wolf form."

His eyes snapped back to her, his entire body going rigid. "It's okay that you're a wolf," she hurries to assure him. "I don't mind."

Matthew stares at her with such an utter lack of recognition that she almost doubts her own memories. But there's no other explanation for how he appeared in her room, how she fell asleep with the wolf only to wake in his arms.

"You keep following me around," she tells him, her voice taking on a defensive edge. "I see you everywhere."

No flicker of understanding. He's looking at her as if she's a complete stranger. "Don't... don't you remember?" Billy asks, her voice small now. He clearly doesn't. His blank expression confirms it. The connection she felt, the bond she was so certain they shared, suddenly seems like a cruel illusion.

"I follow you around," Matthew repeats slowly, as if testing each word.

"Yes," Billy says. "Since that first day you found me in the woods. Did you not want me to know it was you? Is that why you keep pretending not to know me every time we meet?"

"We've met before?" he asks, and the fear in his voice has deepened to something like dread.

"We have," Billy whispers, searching his gaze. He looks utterly lost, as if the ground beneath him has disappeared. "But you're..." he begins, then stops, his expression crumpling. "But you're a human," he says finally, voice breaking.

Billy startles at that. Of course she's human. What else would she be? The question forms on her lips, but before she can voice it, the door bursts open. Maya stands in the doorway, frozen at the sight before her. Her gaze darts between them, assessing, calculating.

"It's okay," Matthew says carefully. "It's not."

"Maya replies, her mouth a grim line. "You know. Know it."

"I know," Matthew says nothing to that, his silence heavy with resignation. Maya turns her attention to Billy.

"Billy," she says, voice carefully controlled. "Come here. Slowly."

Billy looks between them, torn and heartbroken. She doesn't want to go. She wants her wolf back. She wants the peaceful certainty she felt just minutes ago, before it all began to unravel.

"Do as she said," Matthew tells her, his voice calm but commanding now. But he closes his eyes, as if the sight of her is physically painful. "Please," he says, the word strained.

Billy obeys, though she can't tear her gaze from him. As she moves, she notices his jaw clenching, his expression contorting with effort. "Slowly," Maya warns. "Don't rush it. You'll trigger him."

Billy wants to argue that this sounds insane, but something in Maya's urgency makes her comply. "Matthew," she begins, unable to leave without trying to reach him again. His eyes snap open, and Billy gasps. They're no longer the impossible blue she knows. They've changed to a molten gold that seems to glow with inner light.

"I'm sorry," he says.

Maya's hand closes around Billy's arm, pulling her from the room with surprising strength. They move quickly through the house, Maya half-dragging her toward the front door, out into the morning light, and to a waiting car.

"Get in," Maya orders, already sliding behind the wheel.

Seatbelt. Billy obeys mechanically, her mind still struggling to process what just happened. As they speed away from the estate, she watches the grand house recede in the side mirror, feeling as if she's leaving a piece of herself behind.

"I'm getting you back to your family, and then you all need need to leave," Maya says, her knuckles white on the steering wheel.

"I need you all gone within the hour. Not before you tell me what's going on," Billy demands, finding her voice at last.

Maya sighs heavily, glancing at the rearview mirror as if checking they aren't followed. "I swear to God, Maya, if you don't tell me right now..."

"My brother can turn into a wolf," Maya interrupts, giving Billy a quick, silencing glance in case that wasn't obvious. Billy snaps her mouth shut, waiting for more.

"Our whole family can," Maya continues after a moment. "We're all shifters."

"Shifters?" Billy repeats. "Wait, so you can also...?"

"Yes," Maya confirmed simply. The information is too much, too fast. Billy feels lightheaded. "Uh, but the white wolf? The one following me around?" she begins.

"Yes, that was Matthew," Maya says grimly.

"Why does he keep doing that?" Billy asks. "He's always acting like he doesn't know me."

"He doesn't," Maya says, taking a sharp turn. "Not when he's human."

Billy falls silent, stunned. "So it hadn't been an act? His human side cannot remember you?"

"Maya confirms, seeming to read her thoughts. "But his wolf side does. It knows you and craves you."

"Why?" Billy asks, a strange warmth blossoming through her chest at the confirmation.

"Because you're his mate," Maya tells her, matter-of-factly. "His destined mate, in fact."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're destined to be his," faded Maya's hands tighten on the wheel. "Wolves all have a faded mate, that one person supposed to make them whole. Once they meet them, they usually instantly re recognize their true mate and a bond begins to form."

"A bond?" Billy echoes, thinking of the inexplicable pull she's felt toward Matthew since that first encounter in the woods.

"A mating bond, yes," it's a magical bond of the souls. Maya's voice takes on a lecturing tone, as if reciting something learned long ago. "Matthew's wolf knows you're meant to be his, and it desires to claim you. Settle the bond."

"Oh," Billy says quietly, uncertain what that means but feeling a strange thrill at the words.

"Yeah," Maya grimaces. "Which is why, if you don't want to end up like Isla Howard, you'll do good to get your ass as far away from here as you can."

The name sends ice through Billy's veins. "Claiming means killing?" she whispers, her dreams of the dead woman on the beach flashing vividly through her mind.

"Usually, it doesn't," Maya replies carefully. "To claim means to bite. The bite settles the bond. But you're human. Billy, Matthew's claim would kill you. Which is why you need to go. Because soon, his wolf won't be able to help itself. It will claim you, no matter what it takes, and it will kill you."

Billy sits in stunned silence, horrified, yet simultaneously feeling a strange, traitorous desire for the wolf. Spite the contradiction makes her dizzy.

"Luckily," Maya continues, pulling into the long drive that leads to the wedding estate. "You're human, which means you probably won't feel much of the bond, not like we wolves do."

"Would claiming me kill Matthew also?" Billy asks, the only question that matters to her, suddenly clear.

Maya shakes her head. "No. Claiming would save him from going feral." However, she sighs heavily. "However...?"

"Killing humans is forbidden against our laws. If Matthew were to go feral and claim you, killing you in the process, then..."

"Then what?" Billy presses, heart pounding.

"Then pack law would dictate that we'd have to kill him," Maya says, meeting her eyes. Tears glisten in Maya's gaze. "I will have to kill him for going feral, even if he doesn't kill you. He'll be too dangerous then."

"What is feral?" Billy asks, though she's not sure she wants to know.

"Feral wolves don't remember their human sides," Maya explains, her voice hollow. "They're driven by instinct, driven by blood. They seek nothing but carnage and destruction." She grips Billy's forearm. "Go. Get out of this town and never come back. I beg you."

Billy watches Maya's car disappear around the bend, taking with it any hope of the bright future she'd envisioned just that morning. Her love for Matthew, it seems, is not just forbidden, it's impossible. Deadly.

Chapter 16.

Matthew. Matthew Gray has known he was cursed, practically since he could talk. His first memory is of his grandfather being dragged from the house, a snarling thing more beast than man. He remembers his mother's tears, his father's rigid spine as he followed the procession into the woods. He remembers the howl that cut through the night, not of rage or pain, but despair, finality. He was four years old, too young to understand, but old enough to fear.

By six, his father had explained it all in that solemn, unyielding way of his. The Gray family curse, a punishment from generations past. "They say when the first Matthew Gray, his namesake, betrayed a witch who loved him for a human woman who feared him, all male heirs are born with it," his father had told him, eyes already carrying the shadows of his fate. "Our wolves cannot recognize our mates in human form, cannot remember them, cannot even perceive them properly. But the wolf—the wolf knows. It recognizes. It craves. Young Matthew had nodded, not fully comprehending the horror of the dichotomy. "Drives the mind mad," his father continued. "The wolf, desperate to claim what the human forgets. The human, forever walking past his destiny without recognition."

The warning was clear: never leave Cedar Ridge. Stay where the risk of encountering his mate would be minimal. Most shifters went their entire lives without finding their faded ones. Matthew could do the same. Could live a life of care, careful isolation. Could die an old man with his sanity intact. It hadn't worried him much as a youth. He'd felt untouchable, immortal in the way all young people do. His control over his wolf was perfect. How could he possibly lose that iron grip on his other half?

But then, he was the one who'd found her on the beach. Isla. She'd been human, and the bite had kickstarted a transformation that had deformed her body so completely it had killed. Though not before she'd experienced excruciating pain. Even in death, her face had still been contorted in pain. The image has been stuck in his mind ever since. He sees it every time his eyes closed.

The sound of Maya's car interrupts his thoughts. She's back. From where he can't remember. If she told him where she was going. The days bleed together lately. Time keeps slipping away from him. He transforms and loses hours, sometimes whole nights. His limbs are heavy from the sedatives he's been taking them for weeks now, to subdue the wolf's urges. They leave him foggy and disconnected, but it's better than the alternative. He'd feared. But he'd hoped. But there was no hope now. It was clear what was happening. The girl he'd woken up to—the memories are almost gone now. Dark curls, warm brown eyes, a name he can't recall. Her scent already a distant echo. The warmth of her body body against his, like a dream half-remembered upon waking. Soon, he won't remember her at all. She told him her name, and pain had filled her eyes when he'd made it obvious he had no idea who she was. The contours of her face are blurry, but not that pain in her eyes. God, to think it is she, his mate, and he couldn't even remember her name.

"Matthew?" Maya stands in the doorway, her expression crumbling at the sight of him. Pity, concern, fear. It makes something in him want to bear his teeth, to snarl that he doesn't need her sympathy.

"Don't look at me like that," he says instead, voice rough from sleep.

"You've been going to her," Maya says softly, despite the drugs. Matthew tenses, a chill racing down his spine. Going to her? His wolf has been seeking her out, visiting her. His mate. The wolf gets to see her, smell her, touch her, perhaps, while he, the human, gets nothing but oblivion. Though perhaps oblivion is kinder. Perhaps the wolf suffers more.

"What's her name?" he asks, avoiding Maya's gaze. He needs to know, even if he'll forget again in minutes.

Maya shifts her weight, her scent betraying her discomfort. "The less you know, the better," she says.

"You know that," Matthew nods, though it doesn't feel right. Nothing feels right anymore. His skin is too tight. "She was human?" he manages. "Like her? Like Isla?"

"I I don't want to talk about Isla," Maya says, tears welling in her eyes. But Maya wasn't there. She doesn't remember what he does. The scene is seared into his memory, a wound that never heals. Isla's body, twisted and distorted. The shift gone horribly wrong. Bones partially transformed. The putrid scent of death and fear and pain, so thick he could taste it. His father had been beside her, holding her, cradling what remained of the woman he'd claimed. Claimed. He'd regained his senses in the end, just to enough to hold the mate he'd condemned to the most painful death imaginable. Matthew will never forget the sheer desperation in his father's eyes as he begged for death. That's how Matthew had become Alpha, by killing his heartbroken, murderous father, by enforcing the very pack law that might someday be used against him.

The wolf inside him stirs at the memory, agitated and restless. It wants out. It wants her.

"Is she gone?" Matthew asks, no, knowing exactly who he's asking after.

"Yes," Maya confirms. "I told her to leave. Her family too."

Matthew nods, pressing his palms against his temples. A headache builds behind his eyes, pressure increasing with each heartbeat. Maya is looking at him with tears in her eyes. He doesn't understand why.

"Are you okay?" he asks. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Maya shakes her head, but he can smell the lie on her. Something did happen. "What did I do?" Matthew murmurs, heart racing. What did the wolf do? What if he's already gone too far? What if history is repeating itself?

"You need to sleep through the day," Maya says instead of answering. "I'm going to get you more of that potion, okay? Just trust me on this."

Matthew nods distantly, unable to focus on her words against his will. The wolf howls and claws at his consciousness, desperate to break free.

Chapter 17.

The wedding estate is buzzing with activity when Billy returns. Florists arrange centerpieces, caterers wheeling trays through the kitchen. Billy's barely crossed the foyer when her mother's voice cuts through the chaos.

"There you are!" Claudia exclaims. "Where on earth have you been? We've been worried sick!"

Behind her, Olivia emerges from the sitting room, her face pinched with irritation. Clay on her heels.

"I was..." Billy begins, but her mother cuts her off. "Not a call, not a note. Your sister's wedding is tomorrow. What were you thinking?"

Billy sighs. "They don't have time for this. We need to leave," she says, "all of us now."

Her mother's expression shifts from anger to confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"It's not safe here," Billy hesitates, knowing how it will sound. "There's a dangerous wolf in the area. It's going to come back, and we need to be gone before it does."

The silence that follows her pronouncement is broken by Olivia's incredulous laugh. "A wolf?" she repeats. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Billy says, meeting her sister's gaze. "I've seen it. It's been following me since we got here."

"Following you?" Olivia's voice rises an octave. "Because everything has to be about Billy, doesn't it? Even my wedding."

"This isn't about the wedding, Olivia," Billy snaps, frustration bubbling over. "This is about keeping everyone safe."

"Safe from an imaginary wolf?" Olivia steps closer, her face flushed with anger. "Just admit it. You can't stand that Clay chose me, that I'm finally getting something you wanted."

The accusation stings. "This has nothing to do with Clay," Billy says quietly.

"Then what is it about?" her mother interjects. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're trying to ruin the biggest day of your sister's life with some ridiculous story about wolves."

"It's not a story!" Billy's voice rises. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. There's a white wolf."

"Oh, a white wolf," Olivia interrupts mockingly. "How dramatic. What's next? Does it talk?"

"That's enough, Olivia," their father says, his voice unusually firm as he enters from his study. Robert Morgan is typically the family peacekeeper, content to let his wife handle confrontations. His intervention now silences the room.

"Dad," Billy appeals to him, hoping for an ally. "Please believe me, we're not safe here."

"We're perfectly safe," her mother dismisses. "The groundskeeper checked the property after those unpleasant incidents with the animals. He found no signs of any wolf."

"That's because the wolf is his boss," Billy mutters.

Olivia throws her hands up in exasperation. "She's not making any sense. She just wants attention."

"That's not fair!" Billy protests, hurt blooming in her chest.

"Fair?" Olivia's laugh is bitter. "You want to talk about fair? Do you know what's not fair? Having to tiptoe around my entire life, making sure not to offend the adopted child."

The room seems to tilt around Billy. "What did you just say?" she asks, her voice barely audible.

Olivia looks startled. She looks between her parents, then back to Billy, confusion. "Everyone knows that," she says, a trace of genuine surprise in her tone. "I thought... didn't you know?"

Billy turns to her parents, searching their faces for confirmation or denial. Her mother avoids her gaze, suddenly fascinated by the floral arrangements.

"I'm sorry, Billy," her father says quietly. "We were going to tell you when you were older, but then the right moment never seemed to come."

Olivia backs away, the reality of what she's done finally sinking in. "I didn't... I thought you knew," she says again, her voice smaller now.

"Well, I didn't," Billy's eyes burn with unshed tears.

Olivia's face crumples, and she turns to flee up the stairs. "This is a disaster!" she cries. "First the dead animals, then the weather, then Clay being weird, and now this! My wedding is ruined!"

"Olivia, wait!" their mother calls, hurrying after her. Clay, who has been standing frozen in the background, hesitates before following both women upstairs, leaving Billy alone with her father. The silence between them stretches, heavy with decades of unspoken truths.

"Is it true?" Billy asks finally. "Am I adopted?"

Her father sighs deeply. "Yes," he admits. "We found you in the woods while camping near. You were just a baby, maybe 6 months old. There was no one around, no sign of where you'd come from."

Billy struggles to process this. "You found me in the woods? Just abandoned?"

He nods. "We called the Rangers, the police. They searched for days, but no one ever reported a missing baby. We'd been trying for a child for years with no success. It seemed like fate."

"So you just kept me?" Billy asks.

"Not just," her father corrects gently. "We fought for you. There were hearings, home visits, a formal adoption process. But yes, we kept you. And then, not 3 months after we brought you home, your mother discovered she was pregnant with Olivia. The miracle baby."

"Billy murmurs. "We should have told you."

"Your mother," he acknowledges, "she worried it would hurt you, make you feel unwanted."

Billy laughs, the sound hollow. "I need to be alone," she says. "I can't. I need time to think." She turns toward the stairs, desperate to escape to the sanctuary of her room. Behind her, her father calls her name, but she doesn't look back.

In her room, Billy sinks onto the edge of the bed, mind reeling. Adopted. Found in the woods as a baby. No wonder she's always felt like an outsider. She literally is one. And now, learning this truth when everything else in her world is already collapsing. "I'll process later," she thinks. "Right now, I need to go." Even if her family insists on staying, she needs to go. For Matthew's sake, as much as her own. If he comes for her, if he tries to claim her and she dies, Maya will have to kill him. Billy can't bear the thought.

She works quickly, grabbing essentials. A quick shower washes away the lingering scent of Matthew's arms around her, though nothing can cleanse the memory of his eyes not recognizing her. The house seems quieter as she descends the stairs, the wedding preparations paused in the wake of the family drama. Billy makes it to the front door unchallenged, relief flooding her system as she steps outside into the afternoon air.

"Going somewhere?" The voice startled her. Clay sits on the porch steps, a tumbler of amber liquid dangling from his fingers.

"I need to get away for a bit," Billy replies, trying to edge past him.

Clay rises unsteadily, blocking her path. "Away from Olivia's meltdown?" he laughs. "Can't say I blame you."

"Clay, are you drunk?" Billy asks, noting his glassy eyes and unsteady stance.

"It's barely afternoon," he admits with a loose shrug. "Little bit. Seemed appropriate, given the circumstances." He steps closer, and Billy resists the urge to back away. "I'm sorry about Olivia earlier," he says, his words slightly slurred. "So embarrassed by how she acted. You'd never behave that way."

"It's just a wedding, right? What does it matter in the end?"

"It matters to her," Billy says, shifting her weight. "Look, we can talk later. I really need to go."

"Go where?" Clay's hand catches her arm.

"Just away," Billy says, unwilling to explain further. She offers a quick hug instead, hoping to end this conversation. "I'm happy for you both. Congratulations."

"Clay's face presses against her hair, inhaling deeply. "You smell different," he murmurs.

"Clay," Billy says firmly, trying to step back. "You're drunker than I thought. Let's get you inside."

"I've made a mistake," he says, not releasing her.

"What do you mean?"

His arms tighten. "It's always been you." He reaches for her again. "I was just too blind to see it."

Billy wrenches free. "What are you talking about?" she exclaims. "You're marrying my sister tomorrow!"

"We can fix that," Clay insists, reaching for her again. "I love you, Billy. I think I always have. I was just... I don't know, scared? Maybe of how much you mean to me."

Billy shakes her head in disbelief. "You're just nervous," she says, backing toward her car. "You always get like this when you're stressed. Indecisive, second-guessing everything."

"This isn't second-guessing," Clay argues, following her. "It's clarity. For the first time, I'm seeing what's been in front of me all along. We could be happy."

"Billy's voice sharpens. "There is no we, Clay. You're marrying Olivia, but you love me."

"I know you do. I can't lose that," he insists, grabbing for her arm again.

Before Billy can respond, Clay lunges forward, his mouth seeking hers with drunken determination. She turns her head, pushes against his chest. A low, menacing growl freezes them both in place. The white wolf stands at the edge of the driveway, massive and terrible in the afternoon light, a rumble building in its broad chest.

"What the...?" Clay whispers. "There actually is a wolf."

"Don't move," Billy hisses. The wolf stalks forward, each step deliberate, muscles coiled beneath its white fur. Its focus remains locked on Clay, as if Billy doesn't exist.

"Billy," Clay whispers, terror evident in his voice. "What?"

Do we do Matthew? she called softly, desperately trying to reach whatever part of him might recognize her voice, might listen. "Matthew, please."

The wolf's ears twitched at the sound of his name, but its advance didn't slow. If anything, the golden eyes grew brighter, more feral. And then it lunged forward in a blur of white fangs, aimed for Clay's throat.

Chapter 18

Billy threw herself between Clay and the wolf, arms outstretched, her body a human shield. The impact of Matthew's massive form sent her staggering backward, her spine hitting Clay's chest. The wolf's momentum carried them all to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

"Don't hurt him," she cried, uncertain whether she's pleading for Clay's life or trying to save Matthew from the consequences of such an act.

The wolf loomed over them both, fangs bared in a snarl that vibrated through Billy's bones. His golden eyes remained fixed on Clay, murderous intent radiating from every tensed muscle. Clay's panicked breathing rasped in Billy's ear as he scrambled backward, kicking up gravel.

Billy reached up, wrapping her arms around the wolf's neck, pulling herself closer rather than pushing away. The fur beneath her fingers was hot, alive with the thunder of his pulse. "He means nothing," she whispered fiercely. "Nothing. Don't do this, please."

The wolf's attention shifted to her, nostrils flaring as he inhaled her scent. The snarling softened into a low rumble that she felt against her chest where they touched.

Behind them, the front door of the estate banged open. Voices erupted, confused, horrified, panicked. "What the hell? Oh my God, Billy!"

She didn't turn, didn't acknowledge them. Her world narrowed to the wolf before her, his massive head now dipping toward her throat. His breath was hot against her skin, fangs grazing the tender spot where her pulse hammered frantically. It should terrify her. It didn't. The contact sent a wave of heat rushing through her body, a rightness so profound it drew a soft moan from her lips.

"Get off of her!" her mother's voice shrieked, closer now.

There's a dull crack as something connects with the wolf's flank. Her mother stood there, wildly wielding what looked like a patio umbrella pole like a baseball bat. The wolf jerked away from Billy with a roar of fury, rounding on this new threat.

Time slowed as Billy watched his muscles bunch, preparing to lunge at her mother. A blur of dark fur erupted from the tree line, slamming into Matthew's side. The two wolves tumbled across the gravel in a snarling tangle of teeth and claws. The newcomer was smaller, sleeker, with familiar dark eyes that flashed in Billy's direction for the briefest moment.

"Maya?"

"Oh my God, there's more of them!" Olivia screamed from the porch.

More shapes emerged from the forest. Wolves of various colors and sizes surrounding the fighting pair. One broke away, racing toward them, its form rippling and changing as it approached. In the space between one heartbeat and the next, a wolf became a woman, naked but for an amulet around her neck.

"Run!" Maya shouts, her voice carrying over the cacophony of snarls and growls. "Get her out of here, now!"

H grabbed Billy's arms, her mother on one side, Olivia on the other, dragging her toward the waiting car where her father sat behind the wheel, engine already running. She fought against their grip, eyes locked on the white wolf as he battled not just Maya, but two other wolves now.

"No, let me go!" she cries, but they're stronger than she expected, their panic lending them strength.

"Get in the car," her mother orders, shoving her into the back seat. Olivia climbs in beside her, followed by Clay, who practically dives inside, slamming the door behind him. The car lurches forward before they're fully settled, tires spitting gravel.

Billy throws herself against the window, palms pressed to the glass as the scene recedes. Matthew, her Matthew, stands in a ring of wolves, outnumbered but defiant, his white fur stained with blood that could be his own or his opponents'.

"Drive, Robert, faster!" her mother commands from the passenger seat.

"What the hell is going on?" Clay screams, his face ashen, eyes wild with terror. "That woman, she just—she turned into a—we all saw it!"

"Clay, get yourself together," Olivia snaps, though her own voice trembles. "This is a crisis."

Billy ignores them both, pounding on the window, her gaze fixed on the rapidly shrinking figures behind them. "Take me back!" she shouts, fear clawing up her throat. "They're going to kill him! We have to go back!"

Her pleas fall on deaf ears as the car speeds down the winding road that leads away from the estate. Trees blur past the window, the forest a green smear against the blue of the sky. Through the rear window, a flash of white appears on the road behind them.

"Matthew," Billy breathes, hope and terror warring in her chest. The white wolf races after the car, his strides eating up the distance between them with supernatural speed. Behind him, more wolves give chase, five, maybe six of them, gaining ground with each passing second.

"We're being followed!" her father shouts, eyes darting to the rearview mirror.

"Step on it, Claudia!" her mother takes the wheel, allowing her father to reach beneath the seat and withdraw a handgun that Billy has never seen before. The sight of it jolts her from her daze.

"Stop the car!" she screams, lunging for the front seat. "Don't you dare hurt him!"

Olivia grabs her arms, pulling her back. "What does it want?" she demands. "Why is it coming after you?"

"It needs to claim me," Billy answers without thinking, her eyes never leaving the white form racing behind them.

"Mom, nope," her mother interrupts, pressing harder on the accelerator. "Nope, no way. There will be none of—none of that."

The car swerves around a sharp bend, tires squealing. Billy's shoulder slams into the door, but she barely feels the impact. Her entire being is focused on the wolf, on Matthew, on the need to get to him before it's too late.

"Mom, please," she begs, a strange heat building at the base of her skull, spreading down her spine. "He needs me."

"It needs to be put down!" Clay shouts, hysteria edging his voice.

Something snaps inside Billy at his words. A snarl, not human, not entirely, tears from her throat as she rounds on Clay, teeth bared. The sound is primal, predatory, nothing she's ever made before.

Olivia shrinks away from her, eyes wide with shock. "Billy, your eyes..."

Billy doesn't wait to hear the rest. Some new instinct takes over, a certainty that transcends thought. In one fluid motion, she lunges across Olivia, grabbing the door handle and kicking it open with more strength than she knew she possessed.

"Billy, no!" her mother screams as the door flies open. The rushing world beyond a blur of green and gray. Time slows. Billy locks eyes with her mother in the rearview mirror, sees the horror there, the fear, the incomprehension. Then she throws herself from the moving vehicle.

The impact is brutal. The world spins in a kaleidoscope of sky and Earth as she rolls across the asphalt. Pain explodes through her body, but beneath it, driving through it, is a certainty that makes the agony irrelevant. She comes to a stop on the shoulder of the road, gasping for breath that won't come. The sky above her wheels dizzily, clouds spinning in nauseating circles. Distantly, she hears the screech of brakes, her mother's hysterical cries. Then a shadow falls across her.

The white wolf stands over her, his massive head lowering to her face, whining softly. His tongue laps at the blood on her cheek, her forehead, her scraped palms. Golden eyes search hers, filled with an anguish that breaks her heart.

"Uh, I'm fine," she whispers, though she isn't, not really. Her body is a symphony of pain, but none of it matters. Nothing matters except the wolf, except Matthew. She reaches up, tangling her fingers in the thick fur at his neck, pulling him closer.

The pack is gaining ground. She can hear them coming, can feel their presence like a pressure in the air. Their eyes meet, gold to brown, and in that moment, Billy feels what Matthew feels: the desperation, the need, the certainty that this is right, that they belong together. His need becomes hers, burning through her blood, rewriting her very DNA with strength born of desperation. She pulls him closer, guiding his muzzle to the curve of her neck where her pulse beats frantically against thin skin.

"Go on," she urges, tilting her head to expose her throat fully.

Behind Matthew, the pack emerges from the tree line, wolves racing toward them, too late to stop what's begun. Behind Billy, her family spills from the car, her mother's screams and her father's shouts a distant backdrop to the moment that stretches between them. She feels his teeth graze her neck, testing, hesitating. The touch sends electricity racing through her nerves, a pleasure so acute it borders on pain.

"Please," she whispers, her voice breaking on the word.

The wolf's jaw opens wider, fangs pressing against her flesh with more intent now. Billy's hands fist in his fur, holding him close, refusing to let him pull away. Sharp teeth pierce her skin, a bright, brilliant pain that flares white-hot through her entire body.

Chapter 19

Matthew. Blood. His mouth is full of it. Hot, metallic, sickeningly sweet. Human blood. The taste yanks Matthew back to consciousness like a bucket of ice water. His wolf mind recedes, human awareness rushing in. The world sharpens, clarifies. The shift comes violently. Bones cracking, muscles tearing, fur melting into skin. One moment the wolf, the next Matthew, kneeling beside a woman with dark curls, blood seeping from puncture wounds on her neck. Beneath him is rough asphalt. In his nostrils, the scent of fear, sweat, blood. In his ears, screams, sobs, approaching wolves, and something else. Something that slices through his consciousness like a blade. Pain. Not his own. Someone else's. Hers. The woman's. He's feeling his mate's pain. It's agony.

Horror crashes over him as recognition dawns. "No." The word scrapes his throat raw. "No, Billy."

The curse shatters like glass. Memories pouring in: Billy's wide brown eyes reflecting moonlight as she found him in the forest, Billy's tentative smile when he bandaged her ankle, Billy in his dreams, his thoughts, his blood. His mate. The woman he was destined for. The woman he has just condemned to death.

"Oh god, what have I done?" his voice breaks as her body convulses against him. Blood bubbles from her lips as she struggles for breath. He knows what's happening. Has seen it before with Isa. The claiming bite triggers transformation in humans, but their bodies can't withstand the change. Bones break, organs rupture, minds shatter from the pain. They die. They always die. And he has just inflicted this fate on Billy. On his mate. On the woman he—

"I'm sorry," he chokes, pressing his forehead to hers as she gasps in agony. "I'm so sorry."

Her eyes flutter open briefly, fever-bright and unfocused. There's no recognition there, just blind pain. He's killed her. The realization is a knife to his gut. He's killed the other half of his soul.

"Matthew," Maya's voice breaks through his anguish. She stands a few feet away, shifted back to human form, another pack member's jacket draped around her shoulders. "You need to let her go."

Behind her, the rest of the pack circles wearily, some still in wolf form, others hastily dressed after shifting. And beyond them, Billy's family stumbles from their car, faces contorted with horror and grief.

"She needs to go to the hospital!" Billy's mother screams, lunging forward only to be held back by her husband. "Give her back to us! What have you done to her?"

Her sister sobs, clinging to her father. Maya steps between the families, hands raised. "She won't make it to a hospital," she says, her voice firm but compassionate. "The transformation has begun. It's too late."

"Transformation?" Billy's father repeats, his voice hollow. "Into what?"

"One of us," Maya answers. "She won't survive it."

Matthew barely hears them. He's focused entirely on Billy. Through their newly formed bond, he feels her pain as his own, a fire consuming her from the inside out.

"We should end it quickly," one of the older pack members says softly. "Before it gets worse. It would be mercy."

Matthew shakes his head. He won't allow it. He can't. "No," he declares, power resonating in that single syllable, the unmistakable authority of an Alpha. Everyone stills, pack and humans alike.

"She is mine," Matthew says, rising to his feet with Billy cradled against his chest. "I will see her through this."

"Matthew," Maya begins, her voice gentler now. "No human has ever survived. Billy will—"

"The certainty in his voice brooks no argument."

Billy's father steps forward, shrugging off his long coat. "Here," he says, offering it to Matthew with shaking hands. "Take it, please. Just help her, if you can."

Matthew nods once, allowing the man to drape the coat around his shoulders. Human modesty is the least of his concerns, but the gesture means something. He knows.

"I'm taking her to the estate," he tells Maya. "Keep them here. Explain what you can." Without waiting for a response, he turns and begins running, Billy's limp form secure in his arms. Each step sends fresh waves of agony through their bond, but he doesn't slow. The estate looms ahead, grand and imposing against the afternoon sky.

Matthew bursts through the front door, startling the staff who scatter at the sight of their Alpha carrying a bleeding woman. "The East Wing," he barks at the housekeeper. "Prepare the room, now." The woman nods once and hurries ahead, knowing better than to question him in this state. Matthew follows, Billy's breathing growing more labored with each passing moment.

The bedroom is large, with heavy curtains that can block out the light and thick walls to muffle sound. Matthew lays Billy gently on the bed, her body immediately arching in a spasm of pain that draws a broken cry from her lips.

"Get out," he says to the hovering staff, all of them. They obey instantly, the door closing behind them with a soft click. Alone with his mate, Matthew gathers her convulsing form into his arms.

"Billy," he whispers, pressing his forehead to hers. "Billy, I'm here. I'm with you."

Her eyes flutter open, glazed with pain and fever. "Matthew," she calls out, not through her lips, but through the bond. Matthew hears the words in his mind.

"Yes," he says, heart clenching. "I'm here."

A ghost of a smile touches Billy's lips before another wave of pain contorts her features. Her back arches impossibly, a scream tearing from her throat. The door bangs open.

"Maya, rushing in."

"Leave us," Matthew says without looking up.

"Matthew, she's in pain, she won't make it. You need to—"

"I said leave," he barks, the command reverberates through the room. Maya backs toward the door, her expression full of sorrow.

"If she dies," she begins, "if she dies, I don't want to live."

"Matthew," he interrupts. "I want you to kill me. That is my final order as your Alpha." Maya's face crumples, but she nods once before slipping from the room.

Billy convulses again, her spine bending at an angle that would break a normal human. Matthew holds her through it, his arms gentle but firm as he guides her through the pain.

"Breathe, Billy," he instructs, reaching for her through their bond. "Don't fight it. Let it take you."

Her eyes find his, wide with terror and agony. "I know it hurts," he says, pressing his lips to her forehead. "But fighting makes it worse. You need to surrender to it. Let your body change."

Another spasm racks her frame, this one's stronger than before. Matthew feels her pain as his own, his body empathically mirroring her suffering through their bond. He reaches deeper, finding the core of her consciousness where terror and resistance rage.

"Listen for your wolf," he murmurs against her ear. "It's there, Billy. Find it." In his mind, he visualizes their connection, a golden thread binding them together, pulsing with life and love and possibility. And then, emerging, a presence stirring deep within Billy, ancient and wild. Her wolf. It's there, responding to his call.

"That's it," he encourages. "Let it take over, Billy."

For a moment, hope flares as Billy's breathing steadies slightly, her eyes clearing. But then a horrible cracking sound fills the room, bone breaking beneath the stress of transformation. Billy screams, the sound inhuman in its agony. Another crack follows, and another. Her body begins to contort.

"No," Matthew moans, gathering her closer. Through their bond, he feels her consciousness dimming, slipping away as the pain overwhelms her system. "Please," he begs, tears streaming down his face. "I love you. Don't leave me."

He buries his face against her neck, breathing in her scent, once so vibrant and alive, now tinged with the copper of blood and the acrid smell of approaching death. He presses his lips to the claiming bite, tasting salt and iron and despair. And then... and then instead of skin, there is fur. Soft, silver-gray fur. The broken bones realign, and muscles reform.

Matthew pulls back to discover a sleek gray wolf with familiar brown eyes. "You did it," he whispers, a sob of relief breaking from his chest. He wraps his arms around the wolf's neck, burying his face in her fur. The wolf nuzzles against him, her movement still unsteady.

Then she turns her head. Teeth sink at the junction of Matthew's neck and shoulder. He gasps, vision blacking out momentarily as the claiming bite takes hold. When he blinks his eyes open, the wolf is gone. In her place lies Billy, human again, naked and trembling, but alive. Her eyes meet his, a mixture of hope and uncertainty in their depths.

"I'm Billy," she says quickly, as if afraid he might not recognize her.

Matthew lets out a startled laugh. He cups her face between his palms. "I know," he whispers, choked. "I remember."

Their first kiss tastes of salt and blood and triumph, of endings and beginnings, and everything in between. And as he holds her, his mate, his miracle, Matthew knows with absolute certainty that the curse that has haunted his family for generations ends here, broken by a love strong enough to defy fate itself.

Epilogue

Four years later.

"Push," the midwife urges, her weathered face intent. "One more, Luna."

Billy bears down, a cry tearing from her throat. Matthew's hand crushes hers, his presence an anchor through their bond. "You're doing so well," he whispers, lips pressed to her temple.

Through the red haze of pain, Billy's mind flashes to how they got here, to the day they discovered that she'd been born a shifter, her wolf nature masked by the curse that had plagued the Gray family for generations. Her birth parents had abandoned her, believing she had no wolf, a terrible shame among their kind.

"Does it bother you," Matthew had asked, learning that your birth parents abandoned you? "No," she'd replied. "The Morgans are my family. They raised me, loved me, even when they didn't understand me."

The revelation had explained so much: why she'd healed quickly, why strong scents disturbed her, why being confined indoors made her restless. She knew who she was.

No. Another contraction seizes her. She draws strength from Matthew, channeling her wolf's endurance as she pushes one final time. A cry pierces the air, tiny, indignant, perfect.

"A boy," the midwife announces, placing the squalling infant on Billy's chest. Billy stares at her son, tears blurring her vision. Tiny fists wave in the air, little lungs working powerfully.

"I want you to know you're wanted," she whispers, "always."

Matthew makes a choked sound beside her, wonder and disbelief mingling in his expression. He's come a long way, too. She remembers his nightmares, how often he'd wake gasping, haunted by memories he'd tried keeping hidden for too long. How he'd pull away during intimate moments, convinced his wolf would hurt her.

"I killed my own father," he'd confessed one night. "I can still feel his blood on my hands. I never want to be that monster." It had taken months of patience, of unwavering love, to help him believe the curse was truly broken, that he could love Billy without fear.

Later, when they're alone with their son, Matthew touches the baby's cheek with reverent gentleness. "He's free," he says softly. "The first Gray in generations born without the curse."

"How can you be sure?" Billy asks.

Matthew smiles. "I can feel it. The curse died when you completed our bond. You broke the chain, Billy."

That evening, Matthew presents their son to the pack. The Morgans stand at the front, Billy's father beaming proudly, her mother dabbing at tears, and Olivia, who had wisely dumped Clay months ago after realizing she deserved someone who truly wanted her, trying to take photos. A hush falls as Matthew raises the child for all to see.

"Our son," he announces. "The next Alpha of Cedar Ridge, born without the curse that has plagued our bloodline for generations." One by one, each wolf tilts their head back in submission, honoring not Matthew, but Billy, the Luna who broke the curse. Her mother gasps softly at the sight, finally understanding her daughter's true place in this world.

"You gave him life," Matthew says later, kneeling beside their bed. "But more than that, you gave him a future. You gave our entire pack a future."

Billy looks down at their child and feels complete. From abandoned baby to Luna, from outsider to savior, her journey has come full circle.

"What shall we name him?" she asks.

"Something new," Matthew says. "Something that looks forward, not back."

"Ethan," Billy suggests. "It means strong and enduring."

"Ethan," Matthew agrees. "Our strong one. Our future."

Moonlight spills through the window, and Billy feels a profound sense of rightness settle in her soul. This is what she was born for: not to be cursed, but to break curses; not to be forgotten, but cherished; and not to be abandoned, but to create a family of her own, one that bridges the world of humans and wolves.

Thank you for listening, everyone. If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to like and leave a comment. It really helps support the channel. I'm already brainstorming my next story, but I'd love to hear from you. Is there a trope, plot, or character type you've been craving? Don't hesitate to drop your ideas in the comments.