They had the top down, and as the wind blew her hair into knots, Nicki thought for sure that she could feel her strength returning, nature’s remedies taking care of nature’s ills. “I can smell the ocean,” she said. Brad craned his neck to look at the thickening sky. “Doesn’t look like it’s going to be much of a beach day.” “Did I ever tell you that I’ve never been to the beach?” Brad laughed. “About a thousand times.” “Actually, I knew that,” Nicki said. “That was my hint. Let’s go to the beach.” “Don’t you think we should get a few more miles behind us?” “I’m seventeen years old and I’ve never once felt sand between my toes.” Brad rolled his eyes. “No sandboxes in upstate New York?” “It’s not the same. Or so I’ve heard. Wouldn’t know myself, because I’ve never been to the beach.” He looked at her and made his dimples erupt in a smirk. “I can’t believe you’ve never been. Didn’t your friends just hop in a car and go?”
