Page 57 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

He tilts his head at me. “Not unless you want to fight.”

“I don’t want to fight,” I admit.

“Then we won’t fight.” He reaches his hand out for mine. “Come on, let’s go home.”

I reach for him and then disentangle myself the second I can. He’s reluctant to let me go.

The ride home is silent.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I say when we pull into his garage. “And it won’t happen again. We needed to get it out of our systems.”

“Got it.” He exits the car.

He doesn’t care that I dismissed him. It’s wrong of me, but I want him to.Icare. I’m pushing him away because I don’t think he does, and I’m afraid this will blow up in my face.

“That doesn’t bother you?” I chase him out of the vehicle.

“You’ve been clear about where I stand with you. Don’t worry, princess. Things can stay exactly where they have been,” he says without looking at me, his voice flat.

My preparations against him were useless. He was always going to get in.

twenty-one

ORION

Princess Carina

Can you come to Paradise tonight?

Me

I have a sunset charter.

Princess Carina

What time will you be back?

Me

About 9.

Why?

Princess Carina

It’s a secret.

Me

I’m not playing games.

Princess Carina

Fine. Haley hit 1 million subscribers (it’s a big deal).

I’m throwing her a surprise party at Paradise.

Me

---