Page 94 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

“You want to throw them off the boat?” he asks.

“It’s so fucking tempting. But I’d be tempted if they were talking about any woman that way,” I say. He wouldn’t believe the amount of toxic shit I’m exposed to when I take out male-only groups.

“You never said how long,” Christian says.

I should tell him the truth. It’s been since the day I got here. That she’s been under my skin since I first saw her. But it’s her choice how this news comes out.

So, I lie, again. “A few weeks. It’s nothing serious.”

He nods. “I probably shouldn’t do the ‘if you hurt her’ speech.”

He’s sincere. I appreciate that she has friends who care deeply about her. “We had this conversation once already, remember?”

“That was when I thought you were throwing rocks for the sake of rock throwing,” he says.

“Like I said then, she can take care of herself. And I don’t think I’ll be the one doing the hurting in this relationship.”

He looks at me for a moment. He’s known her a lot longer than I have. I’m not worried he knows now. It’s clear he has his own secrets. “I’m sure she’ll come around. She won’t be receptive to Hamilton making advances at the wedding. You two will figure it out.” He claps me on the shoulder before leaving me in the cabin.

I wish I had his confidence this will work out.

thirty-seven

CARINA

I sneakaway to the bathroom at dinner. It’s not that I’m not loving the time I’m spending with Haley and Sienna, but I swear I’m about to burst and tell them about Orion. But we have strict rules for girls’ trips—dropping big news on someone else’s day is a big no-no.

This is Sienna’s trip. I can’t make it about me. This is the last time the three of us will be together while we’re not married. Our relationships will change, even if we want to deny Sienna getting married changes anything.

I’m fixing up my makeup when my phone vibrates on the counter. I really shouldn’t answer it, but I do.

“Hey, babe,” I say, the pet name I’ve never used surprising me. I miss him, so I go with it.

“Hey, I didn’t think you would pick up.” He sounds tired. It’s past nine. The rest of the guys must be off the boat. Even if they didn’t leave early in the morning, Orion likely was up at dawn for a morning paddle. It’s been a long day for him.

“Then why did you call?” I ask.

He lets out a long breath. “I’d get your voicemail. I wanted to hear your voice.”

I smile and bite my lip. I can’t acknowledge that’s what I want to hear. It’s too close to feelings. “How was the trip?”

“Interesting. I learned you have a date to the wedding who’s not me,” he muses.

“I absolutely do not. Who?” But I know the answer before he responds.

“Hamilton thinks he’s getting you to himself.” There’s no jealousy in his voice. Instead, it’s nonchalant. Like he knows Hamilton is wasting his time.

Which he is. “Ugh, thanks for the heads-up.”

“Of course. He also wants to take you out on a superyacht he’s chartering. Thinks you won’t be able to turn down an invitation like that.”

I laugh. “Why would I need a superyacht when you have theTwisted Rigging?”

He chuckles. “Good girl.”

I clench my thighs together. I cannot be horny during girls’ night.

“Are you still on the boat?” I imagine him on the bed, reaching into his shorts.

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