“How is he?” I asked.

“How is who, gorgeous?”

“Cassidy? I thought you were Zane,” I said and tensed.

“Nope. Just me. You sound stressed. Hang on. Bestie meeting, you have to go.”

“What?” a male voice called out. “I thought we’d spend the day together.”

“No, we’re not,” Cassidy said abruptly.

I grimaced. “Cass, that’s harsh.”

“What about tomorrow?” the male voice said, close to the phone.

“Depends on how easy it is for you to leave now.”

I shook my head and grinned. Yikes. Burn. There’s no way he’s going to put up with that crap.

“You’re so… Fuck it. I’m going,” he shouted.

I heard the door slam.

“He left,” she announced.

I laughed. “Yeah, I got that. My God woman, you’re so mean.”

“No, I’m direct. If he can’t take no for an answer now, he won’t later. It’s a dystopian wasteland out here dating. I have no time to waste on men with thin skins.”

“So, it was a date?”

“I wouldn’t call it that. Walter’s a classmate. We were studying, decided to have dinner, returned to mine and made out. He’s a really good kisser. Too bad. But wait, hold up. Aren’t you on your honeymoon?”

“We are. A fire broke out. Rocco left to help.” My voice caught in my throat, a sob threatening to escape.

“Hey, hey, hey, Lina. Slow down. What do you mean he left?” she gentled her voice. “Slow down and breathe.”

I took a few breaths to calm myself and closed my eyes. “Rocco went to…help with a fire that broke out on the island. He just jumped in a boat and over to a burning house. I know it’s gross I’m complaining about that, but…”

“He’s a Superman,” she huffed.

“That’s what I called him.” I stared out towards the water.

“Frustrating. I get why you’re worried. Honestly, these resorts have excellent service for every issue. There’s a fire department, police, and emergency responders on call. Rocco probably won’t get close. All right?”

Some of my tension eased. “Yeah.”

I just wished I had an idea if he was okay. Cass was right and there were a lot of emergency responders on hand, and I think that’s what I didn’t understand.If trained personnel are there, why isn’t he back?I took a deep breathto get a grip on my emotions.

Hewillbe fine.

“How’s it going, though?”

Magical. Wonderful.

“We went parasailing,” I said with a lift in my voice.

“Parasailing,” she shrieked. “Yay. I love that for you. How was it?”