Page 11 of Reckless Encore

Ryan faked a yawn. “It’s getting late, guys. I think we should call it a night.”

Melody laughed and caught Sean’s attention, silently asking him with a raised brow if the time was right to announce their plan. They couldn’t leave it much longer. They had a lengthy list of things to prepare once they got back to their room.

He nodded and shot her a wink.

Her belly did another tumble.

The simplest things still made her giddy for this man. The sweet text messages. The gifts he sent while he toured. She was the luckiest woman alive. No question about it.

“Before anyone leaves,” he started, “Red and I have planned something for the morning, and we need you to be back at the bar by nine.”

“Nine? I thought we came here to relax.” Mason groaned. “It’s not one of those team-building exercises, is it? I hate that shit.”

Leah rolled her eyes. “You hate it because you still haven’t realized there’s no I in team.”

“It’s not a team-building exercise.” Melody held her glass in both hands, hoping to hide her excitement. “Well, not entirely.” She didn’t want to give the secret away. Not yet.

Mason groaned again, this time louder and longer. “Count me out.”

“You’re coming.” Sean glared at his best friend. “Make sure you’re here no later than nine.”

“I can’t.” Mitch shook his head. “I already made a booking for something tomorrow morning.”

“What booking?” Alana asked.

“Asurprisebooking,” her husband muttered.

“Oh.” She beamed a smile. “Okay, then.”

“You need to cancel.” Sean downed the last of the scotch in his glass. “This is important.”

“But you can’t tell us what it is?” Blake crossed his arms over his chest. “To be honest, mornings aren’t great for us. I doubt we’ll be able to make it.”

Sean straightened, his shoulders taut. After years watching him transform into a confident man who didn’t need the approval of his friends, he’d recently reverted to his old pessimistic ways. Always questioning himself and constantly comparing his achievements to those of Mason, Ryan, Blake, and Mitch.

Her alcohol buzz vanished at his growing scowl. She didn’t want the weekend to be tainted with arguments. Maybe the surprise was a bad idea. Maybe they should quit being secretive and explain.

“I expect you all to be here at nine.” Sean slammed his glass on the bar and held out a hand. “Come on, Red. Let’s go.”

She glanced from him, to their friends, and back again. Couldn’t they tell he vibrated with annoyance? She could only assume the building stress of work had made everyone less attuned, or too consumed in their own exhaustion to care.

Taking his offered hand, she gave a friendly smile. “I hope you’ll all be here in the morning. It won’t take long.”

Mason grunted. Sidney jabbed him in the ribs. Blake took a gulp of his beer. Ryan cleared his throat. Each and every member of their group made some sort of uncomfortable gesture, but none of them spoke.

She sucked in a deep breath and gave a half-hearted finger wave. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Sean led her from the outdoor bar in silence. They didn’t say a word until they reached the boardwalk leading across the water.

The scenery couldn’t have been prettier. The moon glowed over the vast ocean, soft lights highlighting the breathtaking over-water villas. And then there was Sean—the dreamy man at her side.

She couldn’t have pictured a better location for their vacation. The only thing she hadn’t anticipated was her niggling apprehension over their friends.

“What happens if they don’t show?” Her heart squeezed as she spoke.

“They’ll show.” His response was gruff.

“But what—”

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