Every Girl Does It

Chapter Fourteen



And then she said she had to go, leaving me totally dizzy with rage. “Your wife!” I shout at Preston as I throw my phone at his head.

“What?” he asks totally stunned by my revelation.

“When were you going to tell me, huh? Do you just run around and propose to every girl you meet? Get them trapped in that little fireman web of love then tell them you believe in polygamy!” My voice is so loud that people are staring.

Preston is still gaping at me with registered shock on his face “We need to talk,” He says as he pulls me underneath the waterfall.

I begin to talk again before he covers my mouth with his hand.

“I don’t even want to know how you got such information, but I can tell you one thing. Before you jump to conclusions, you should just ask.” He releases his hand from my mouth as I start to protest.

“But that isn’t something I think about asking when you don’t wear a ring and when you kiss me at every chance you get.” My voice rises as the emotion becomes unbearable.

Preston’s eyes light up with fire before his lips crush down hard on mine. His warmth cascades over my body in waves, making me melt into his arms all the more. I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me closer and let out a small moan as he releases me.

“Stop talking so much,” he says breathless as he pushes me against the rock wall and kisses me again. I want to scream assault, but again I’m betrayed by my body as my arms wrap around his neck. The pressure from his lips sets me into a daze as I hungrily push for more.

“You’re not forgiven.” I manage to say as I push him away and begin to walk anywhere I can to remove myself from his intoxicating presence.

“Not so fast.” He pulls my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

“I was married,” he says, but he holds up a finger in protest. “She cheated on me.” He leans casually against the rocks. “Actually, it was more of a mutual cheating, but we can talk about that later.” He wraps his hand around mine and leads me silently back to our hut.

“She was always selfish, but then again, I always was, too,” he says, sitting on the couch, while I take a seat in the fluffy chair. “She wanted things I couldn’t give her. I started working at the fire department about two years ago, when I finally found out.” He gives me a smirk then continues, “Never trust your best friends. Especially around your pretty wife.”

I want to ask him who he’s referring to, but it's none of my business. “She left me for him, not that he married her or anything. I tried to fix things, but we had grown apart in more ways than one. It's actually what turned me to God. And in an odd way, it brought me back to Him.” He stands up to get a drink of water.

“But you said you cheated, too?” I ask shyly.

“I did, in my heart. I never really loved and cherished her. I just liked what I saw on the outside and the pleasure she brought me. I sure didn’t honor her with my actions or my thoughts, nor did I fight for her when she chose to go the other way. I should have fought.” He looks down at the sink and shrugs as he fills up his glass with water.

“She finalized the divorce, and I did nothing. Once I got my life back on track, I tried to make things right. It doesn’t help that my ex-best friend still works at the same station. I’ve been trying to get on at other ones, but it’s kinda hard with how competitive my job is.”

I look at him and try not to cry, but it's hard. I feel so sorry for him. And yes, I still want to kill Kristin for setting me up with a broken man, but I can’t blame her for thinking we could help each other. I still can’t help but think she knows more than she’s willing to say. I’ll have to ask her later but for now…

“I owe you an apology,” I say quietly.

“No, you don’t. I should’ve said something about the ex-wife to the new wife. It only makes sense.” He smiles widely at me, while I roll my eyes.

“I’m not marrying you,” I say again, this time even more unconvincingly.

“You will, we’re perfect for each other.” He then leans in and plants a soft and gentle kiss on my forehead.

“So who’s the ex best friend?” I ask curiously. “Anyone I know?”

Preston’s jaw clenches, he shakes his head, and abrubtly looks away, clearly giving the message that he doesn’t want to talk about it. “Don’t worry about it, panda.”

“Stupid fat bears,” I say, punching the pillow next to me.

“You’re not stupid and you’re not fat, we’ve been over this. Pandas are cute. Have you ever heard the panda story?” He asks curiously

“It makes me cry, so if you tell it, I’ll have to punch you in the face,” I say, smiling back at him.

“Deal,” he says as he swallows some more water.

I look at his lips and immediately feel dizzy as I remember the kiss under the waterfall. It was kind of romantic minus all that ex-wife and cheating talk. I sigh and flip on the TV.

“No,” Preston says, pulling the remote from my hands. “It’s basically a punishable crime to watch any sort of television in Hawaii.” Preston turns the TV off.

“Fine, what's your idea?” I say, feeling a little exhausted.

“Midnight swim, of course,” he says, jumping off the sofa and running toward his room.

I slowly get up and change into a different suit before following him out to the pool. It’s kind of nice. We’re the only two in the pool. Well, us and two old people who, I fear, might have strokes if they keep kissing like that.

“Gross,” Preston says as we swim past them.

“Come on, it's kind of cute.” I smile sheepishly as I stare at them. I mean, it’s a little gross they are all over each other, but how great is that? They still have that little spark.”

“Oh, I think it’s great. It's the public display of affection I don’t like. Get a room!” he yells before I laugh and shush him into the corner of the pool where you enter the hot tub.

I punch him in the arm and wade into the boiling water. The only time you can get into these things in Hawaii is when it’s night time, and even then it's sometimes a little sketchy.

I sit down on the nearest step and let out a relaxing sigh, That is, until I see something dark in the corner of my vision. Preston notices my panic as his eyes widen in realization as to what the object is.

“Amanda, don’t freak out. It’s okay just don’t freak out.” He’s leaning toward me slowly with a look on his face that I can only describe as pure terror. Oh my gosh, this is it. It has to be some sort of wild animal. It’s probably going to start gnawing on my neck any minute. Perfect. Well, at least I’ll die in Hawaii. So long, perfect world. I close my eyes as he quickly grabs the object and tosses it into the bushes. As soon as it’s gone, I jump into his arms shaking.

“What was that?” I ask in near hysterics.

“A leaf,” he answers, smiling.

I look at him expecting him to say, “haha I’m kidding”, when he just returns my stare with a blank one of his own. “Then why did you panic and get all big with your eyes?” I’m now pointing at his eyes and making giant movements with my hands.

“I thought it would be funny to see your reaction, then I felt bad because I could feel your heart beating through the water. I nearly thought it was going to stop. Sorry about that.” He laughs, still holding onto me tightly.

“Let go.” I pout, struggling to let myself go free.

“No,” he says, holding me tighter.

“I don’t like you,” I say, looking away from him like a small child.

“Oh, come on, Amanda. We both know you’re a terrible liar,” he says as he leans down toward my face. “Marry me.”

I roll my eyes. “I think you should stop trying to kiss me. It sends me mixed signals,” I say breathily as his lips barely touch mine. “You should probably stop proposing marriage, too. It’s getting weird.”

He lets me down and sits across from me in the hot tub. “There, is that better?” He lifts an eyebrow in question. “Tell me, Amanda, why do you think I’m sending you mixed signals?” He doesn’t wait for my answer, instead, he keeps talking, “I feel like I’ve been more than upfront about my intentions to marry you. Have I not?Just say yes.”His tone sounds teasing but I can’t be sure, not when his eyes are piercing through me like they are at this moment.

“Please, it’s a smoke screen.” I say, challenging him. His look is altogether too cute. I know I’m going to regret this later, but what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii, right? Or wait, that’s Vegas. Still, I find myself saying, “Sure, I’ll marry you, happy now?”

“Yes.” He beams. “Speaking of desert,” he begins totally confusing me with his inability to stay on subject. “How about you and I have some ice cream out here in the hot tub? You know, to celebrate our upcoming nuptials?”

“Deal.” What can I say, I’m a sucker for junk food. “I’ll go back to the room and get the ice cream if you—“

“—get the chocolate sauce,” he finishes, winking.

I don’t know why, but I get embarassedat this remark. Geez it's not like it's going on me instead of the ice cream. The ice cream, Amanda, I yell at myself in my head. “Um sure, yeah, good idea,” I say, blushing.