Page 58 of Marring an Athlete

Javier leaned back. “My dear.”

Anna nodded and then furrowed her brow. “Do you call all the female guests here my dear?” She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or insulted. And what kind of guy calls a woman who he thinks is married, my dear?

Javier gave her another smile. She swore she saw a sparkle on one of his teeth just like those dental commercials. “Only the truly beautiful women.”

Heat raced to her cheeks as she dropped her gaze. Thankfully, the waitress brought her food, giving her the perfect distraction. She picked up her fork and motioned toward her plate. “I should eat. I’m starving.”

Javier studied her for a moment and then nodded. “Sounds good.” He pushed back from the table and stood. He turned to leave but then stopped to glance down at her. “Will you be at the bonfire tonight?” His voice had changed. As if his flirty, exotic persona was gone. Instead, he looked sincere. Probably for the first time in a long time, he was finally real. “I’d really like to meet up with you.”

Anna met his gaze. She wasn’t sure how she felt about any of this, but what did it hurt? She could meet up with Javier. After all, it wasn’t like anything could ever happen. She was leaving in a few days. That wasn’t enough time for her to get feelings for him and then have him break her heart.

So, she threw caution to the wind and nodded. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

Javier rested his hand on her shoulder and smiled. “I’ll look for you.”

He left, leaving her alone. Before she let thoughts of doubt enter her mind, she began shoving her lunch into her mouth. Perhaps it was to stifle the conflicting emotions rising inside her. No matter how good it felt to have another man who might be interested in her, it didn’t replace the fact that Michael had broken her heart.

* * *

Anna sat on the couch in McKenna and Sam’s hut, staring at the setting sun. She’d successfully avoided Michael the rest of the day. After a long swim and sunning on the beach, she read half her book and did a few crossword puzzles. Magical things that everyone dreams of when they come to an exotic island. Not.

Now showered, she was dressed in McKenna’s sweat pants and t-shirt. She wanted to be relaxed and comfortable.

The bathroom door opened, and McKenna stepped out. She was dressed in a flowing dress. It swished around her ankles as she moved. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with a few curly wisps framing her face.

“Kenna, you look beautiful,” Anna said, smiling over at her best friend.

An uneasy expression passed over her face. “Really? You don’t think this is too much?”

Anna shook her head. “Definitely not too much. Sam’s socks are going to fall off.”

McKenna’s skin paled as she pressed her hand on her stomach. “You think so?”

Anna reached out and grabbed McKenna’s hand. “You okay? How are things with you and Sam?” Guilt brewed in her gut. She was the worst friend. She’d spent this entire trip obsessing over her relationship with Michael, and she’d completely forgotten about McKenna. She should have been supporting their marriage and not focused on her fake one.

A smile played on McKenna’s lips. “It’s been going really well, actually.” She sighed and looked around. “I mean, this place has to be magical. We’re talking again”—she leaned in—“flirting even.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Anna wrinkled her nose. “That’s probably all I need to know,” she said.

McKenna laughed. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She pressed on her stomach again. “I just wish I could shake this nausea. Bleh.” She stuck out her tongue.

“You’re still feeling sick?” Anna asked, inching farther away from McKenna. There was no way she wanted to catch what her friend had. Nothing like projectile vomit and a broken heart to really ruin a vacation.

McKenna nodded and then swallowed, forcing a smile. “But don’t worry. I’m sure it’s just something I picked up. I mean, airplanes are crawling with germs. But enough about me, tell me what’s happening.”

Anna’s stomach twisted. When she’d come up to McKenna earlier and asked if she could crash in her hut, McKenna was hesitant. When she’d asked why, Anna had told her that she wasn’t ready to talk about it.

She should have known that this secrecy wasn’t going to last forever. She was going to have to tell McKenna everything. Even if it did make her sound like an idiot.

“I just need a break from Michael right now,” Anna said, flopping back against the couch cushions.

McKenna nodded. “Okay. Why?”

An emotional lump rose in Anna’s throat. What was she supposed to say? She needed a break from Michael because why? She’d fallen in love with him? Her heart pounded at those words. Fallen in love with him.

She was in love. Love.

Crap.

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