Page 24 of Match Made in the Maldives

“No, you’re right,” she says. “You’re good at deciding what people deserve.”

“Guys,” Mel says. “Whatever the problem is, deal with it later, please? We’re supposed to meet them for dinner in half an hour.”

We mumble in agreement, and I let my best friend and his wife take the lead so I can pull out my phone and tap out a quick message.

What’s up?

Lou glances at the screen in the bag, not bothered enough to take her phone out of her purse. She glowers at the device before painting sunshine back on her face and listening to Mai.

I get you’re pissed at me. You understand where I’m coming from, though. Right?

This time, she replies with the 100 emoji.

Lou’s cold shoulder all day has killed me inside. I never realized how much I seek out her reaction when someone says something funny, all because I want to witness her face bloom like a flower with a laugh. My mind’s always accounting for her and making room for her in the surrounding space, even if she doesn’t take it. Even if she straight-up ignores me.

Mai has everyone’s interest with the resort’s underwater restaurant, but I stare at Lou, willing her to glance in my direction. When she does, she mouths,What?

I text her again.I hate that I’ve upset you.

Her sigh comes out stifled, and she keeps her phone semi-hidden in her handbag while typing with one hand.Heard your message loud and clear, no means no.

A knife twists in my chest. I rejected Luna Moore, the object of my desires for years, though I never let my feelings go beyond dreaming. Did I make a mistake last night at the bar? I’ve spent so long assuming she would never feel the same way I do, but if she wants me, then that’s not me pursuing something in my imagination. It’s still risky, but different-risky.

If casual is all she’s looking for, though, I can’t give her that.

Once we’ve solidified the reservation for our final night, Aaron and Mel go to the resort store for some more lip balm, leaving me and Lou to walk to dinner in the dark on our own. A calmness has fallen over the island. The rhythm of the tide and the palm tree leaves shaking in the wind make up the soundtrack as we follow the dirt path to the Middle Eastern restaurant.

“Your parents’ll like that menu,” I say.

“Mhmm.”

“Specialty drinks and mocktails too. Real nice.”

“Yup.” She keeps walking, her head high and eyes straight ahead.

“Can we talk?”

“About?”

“Last night.”

“We don’t have to rehash this. I’d prefer if we didn’t. I understand,” she says, wrapping her arms around herself against the balmy evening. “To you, I’m Aaron’s little sister, first, last, and always. I’ll quit annoying you. Give you space.”

With a hand on her biceps, I pull her to a stop so she can face me. “I don’t think that.”

“Finn, I threw myself at you and you gave me every excuse possible. I should thank you for letting me down gently, but—” She flashes anall-good-heresmile to a couple passing by, then whispers, “I’m done convincing guys I’m worth their time. And I get that there’s a whole lot of baggage here, more than you want, so can we move on?”

“No.” I guide her by her upper arm off the walkway and toward the beach. A cover of palm trees and brush and the sound of the water kissing the shore give us more privacy.

“I don’t see you just as Aaron’s little sister. But I can’t sort out what I am to you. Some convenient man to kiss at a bar when you’re playing a game with your friends? Someone to make out with when you’re sad about your ex?”

“You really need to get over him, because I have. I’m done with Tanner, and I have been for a while. I’d appreciate you not bringing him up anymore.”

“Okay, well…” I huff out an exhale. “Do you just want some convenient, casual thing or what?”

“Seriously, Finn?” She crosses her arms. “You are incredibly inconvenient. You’re Aaron’s best friend, my parents consider you a second son, and you’ve seen me at some of the lowest, most embarrassing moments of my life. If you were an ordinary guy, I could deal.”

“So then what do you want, Lou?” I ask, stepping toward her, close enough that I get a whiff of that heady, flowery aroma of hers. “You never answered before.”

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