Page 48 of Taking the Heat

It’s nothing I don’t deserve.‘Thank you, Henry.’

‘We’re here for another two weeks or so—will you do your best not to enter the cabin yet? Give me a chance to win your heart, Tara. I promise, I’ll be careful with it.’ He smiled at me, full of hope.

‘I can’t promise anything, but know that I don’t want to go in there.’

‘I know.’

The mood was getting heavy, and there was already enough weight in my heart to last for ten lifetimes. ‘Hey, will you have a swim with me?’

‘Certainly!’

We had the skipper stop the boat and leaped from the side into the crystal waters. And for the few moments I hung in the air, my worries were suspended.

***

The sun was dropping into the ocean as we made our way back to the jetty, slightly sunburned and exhausted. I wanted a nap and a shower, but with the secret reveals ahead of us, I would have to settle for just the shower.

‘Thank you for today, Henry.’ I wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek, but with the rules in place, I blew him a kiss instead. ‘It was perfect.’

‘You’re welcome, my beautiful Tara.’ He bowed and escorted me back to my door, the perfect gentleman.

Mama Ruby banged on the bathroom door after only two minutes. ‘Child! Get your bony backside out here, now!’

‘Mama! I need to wash the salt out of my hair.’

‘I’ll be washing to sass out of your mouth if you’re not careful.’

‘Okay, okay.’

I settled for a fresh-water rinse, which worked fine for my bossy hair lady. She ran a serum through my strands and left it looking tousled and free. A pair of white short shorts skimmed my sun-kissed thighs, riding the curve of my butt, and the elegant aqua kaftan was deliciously light against my sensitive skin.

In crystal-studded sandals, I navigated the walkways to the bungalow. With every step, I could feel my stress levels rising. I hadn’t seen Chris since the hospital. I wasn’t sure if seeing him would be damaging or healing.

When I could push him out of my brain, by sleeping or concentrating with all my will, I had some sort of neutral calm. But in every other second, he haunted me, ran in my veins, swam in my every conscious thought. If I showered, it was Chris’ hands on my body. When I lay in bed, I imagined what he looked like sleeping. Even my morning tea felt torturous—a reminder of my coffee boy.

And now I would be in the same room as him again, breathing the same air. A strange noise escaped me, something between a sob and a hiccough. If I’d never screwed up that night, Ella would be fine, and I would have followed Serena to the auditions as her cheerleader. I would have met Chris when I went in to buy tea. We would have clicked and dated and been happy.

I have no one to blame for losing him but myself.

Shaking my head, I tried to find the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other.If I can fix Ella’s life, at least a little bit, maybe one day I can be happy.

The bungalow was strung with flaming candles and tropical flowers. As I entered, I scanned for Chris, but he hadn’t arrived.

A female competitor approached me. ‘It is Tara, isn’t it?’ The stunning Indian girl touched my arm shyly.

‘It is. I’m so sorry, we haven’t met yet. What was your name?’

‘I am Aanya.’ Her eyes were like black pools and her henna-dotted hands twisted nervously. ‘May we speak?’

‘Sure.’

We moved to a long cane lounge and a waiter swanned by, presenting us with tropical drinks. I sipped the pineapple concoction and said, ‘What’s up?’

‘How are you feeling? I saw you fall and I thought, my gosh, I hope she is alright.’ Aanya leaned forward, her luxurious dark hair swaying around her like a living creature.

‘I’m feeling much better, thanks, mate.’

‘Oh, good. I know Chris has been very worried, also.’

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