“Oh.” The sunglasses cover her eyes, but disappointment colors the single word.
I’m a familiar face on an otherwise solitary holiday. It won’t hurt to give her the ability to reach out should she want company, and I’m hoping she does. “Why don’t I give you my number in case you run into any problems, or you need anything?”
“Um. Okay. Sure. That sounds good.” Amalie rummages around in her purse until she finds her phone. She takes it off airplane mode and alerts and messages blow up the screen. “I guess I should call Ruby so she knows I’m alive.” She ignores the messages and brings up her contact list, adding my name before she passes me the device.
“Like I said, if you need anything while you’re here, I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thank you, Lex. For being so understanding about everything.”
“You didn’t ask for any of this.”
“Maybe not, but you got dragged into it unfairly. Anyway, your kindness has been appreciated.” She steps in, her body pressing against me as her arms wind around my waist. With her heels on, the top of her head reaches my chin. I return her brief embrace, enjoying far too much the way her body feels against mine. When she pulls away, her lips brush against the edge of my jaw. Fresh awkwardness replaces the easy, light mood.
I can fix that. “Just remember, my offer stands.”
She adjusts her purse strap. “What offer?”
I tap her carry-on case with my toe. “To be your beta tester.”
She laughs and shakes her head. I help put her cases in the trunk of one of the waiting cars and hold the door for her.
She waves as the car pulls away, her fingertips sliding down the glass as that soft smile falls. I hope she calls, and even if she doesn’t, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay away from her. Not when she’s this close and I seem to be getting back my lost opportunity.
Nine: Honeymoon Blues
Amie
“I’m here and safe, I’m sorry I didn’t call you before takeoff.” Ruby’s slightly miffed by my lack of communication over the past eighteen hours. Apparently my email was insufficient and did not provide nearly enough details.
“Are you at the resort now? Did you meet a hottie on the plane? Did you hump him in the bathroom?”
“I’m in a car on my way. I didn’t hump anyone in the bathroom, that’s just gross.”
“Your email made it seem like the plane ride was going to be exciting.” She sounds pouty now.
The man driving glances in the rearview mirror. I smile and go back to my conversation with Ruby as I watch the endless expanse of white sand and pale blue water pass. I can’t wait to go for a swim. Alone.
“It was more exciting than most.” I’m twirling my hair. I sit on my free hand to stop the fidgeting.
“I knew it! Did you get it on with some sex god in your seats? That’s totally an old-you move!”
I snort. “I was never that wild.”
“Pretty close. Anyway, tell me about your seat partner! Was he hot? Did you get a number? Is he staying at your resort?”
“Yes he’s hot, yes I have his number, and no, he’s not staying at my resort.”
“Ohhh! Yay! Too bad about the last part, but Bora Bora is small, right? That means you can go visit him at his resort and then find another hottie to get freaky with at your own. It’s actually perfect.”
I laugh. “I love that you’re condoning such bad behavior, but I’m not going to sleep with him.”
“Why the hell not? You’ve spent the last year with a douchebag, you deserve a few sex-filled weeks.”
“Because Lexington sat beside me on the plane.”
Several seconds of silence follow. I smile as I imagine her shocked expression. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Lexington was on the plane. Beside me.”
Her voice is about seven thousand octaves higher. “As in Bancroft’s brother?”
“Do you know any other men named Lexington?”
“Just that porn star. Holy shit. Wait. Lex is in Bora Bora? How don’t I know this? Hold on.” Her voice is muffled briefly, but her finger must slip, because all of a sudden I hear Bancroft in the background and then it sounds like the phone is being dropped. Ruby returns, her voice still high. “Bancroft didn’t realize Lex was in Bora Bora. No, you can’t have the phone, Bane, just call your damn brother if you want information, I’m having a conversation right now. No. No. Do not make threats you know you can’t follow up on.” There’s more static and movement. “Sorry about that. So Lex was on your flight, in the seat next to you?”
“Yes.”
“How in the world did that happen?”
“There aren’t a lot of flights to Bora Bora, I guess we just happened to book the same one.”
“I mean, why the hell is he in Bora Bora of all places?” It’s more a mutter than an actual question.
“He said it was last minute. I guess since his date was responsible for ruining my wedding he was getting out of Dodge.”
“So it wasn’t orchestrated?”
“Orchestrated? What do you mean?”
“Nothing, never mind. Bane is talking to Lex. It sounds like their father pushed a project that wasn’t supposed to happen for a few months forward because of Brittany Whore-ton’s dick gargling. That’s crazy that you’re in the same place at the same time. Too bad he’s not at the same resort as you.”
“It’s probably better he’s not. I’ve embarrassed myself around him enough as it is. I’d rather he not witness more of my drunk and disorderly behavior.” I’m fidgeting again.
“Come on, Amie, how wild of a coincidence is this? I mean really? How does that even happen?”
I’ve asked myself the same thing and I really can’t answer it. “It’s no big deal. He’s on the other side of the island.”
“For now. I can’t imagine he’ll stay at the same place the entire time. He’ll probably have to move around.” I can hear Bancroft in the background, his tone annoyed but the words too muffled to catch. “I’m glad he’s there. You said you have his number, right?”
“Yeah, but it’s not like I’m going to call him. He’s here on business. He’ll be busy.” The beta testing comment was just a joke, and he’s notoriously flirty. At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself. I have a feeling if I call him, I’m going to do exactly the same thing I did when I found him in my bridal suite, and I won’t have any kind of logical excuse for it other than the sheer desire to get him naked and ride him.
“At least you know someone local.”
“I guess that’s true.”
The driver pulls off the main road, and suddenly we’re in the cover of palm trees and the reception becomes shoddy. We try to talk around it, but it proves impossible. “Can I call you later, once I’m settled?”
“Of course. Have some fun and wear sunscreen!”
“I’ll do my best.”