Page 18 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“Just Tessa.”

“Just Tessa, huh?” Malik was a good friend, but he didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. “She was alone, so I kept her company for a bit.”

Malik gave him a questionable glance. “Company?” He looked into the distance as he rinsed. “She’s a looker, that one.”

Russ blew a breath from his nose. Didn’t he know it? It turned out she was also very interesting and great at pleasant conversation. “Her friends ditched her. I couldn’t leave her out there alone all afternoon.”

Malik looked like he wasn’t falling for it. “Just couldn’t?” He grinned.

“What?” Russ said defensively.

“I’ve seen that look before, Capt’n. But not on board.” He lowered a brow. “Better watch yourself.”

Russ snorted, playing it off. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Malik.” Why did he feel so defensive all of a sudden?

“Didn’t say I did, boss.” Malik went back to spraying the hose. “Just saying, better tread carefully.”

Russ snorted again. He didn’t need to be reminded. “Don’t worry. I will.” He worked in silence for a while, wiping down the cushions on the top deck, spraying the stainless railings with a glass cleaner, checking the gear bins, anything to keep his hands busy. Anything to keep his mind from circling the drain of that conversation—that hour—that woman.

It had been more than just a favor, and he knew it. She’d kepthimcompany.

But this was his job. His livelihood. His reputation. If things ever went sideways—like, if a guest evercomplained that he’d made an unwelcome advance, or took something the wrong way—he could lose everything. Or, ifnothingwent sideways but someone reported inappropriate behavior, he could still lose everything. And if he ever started up a relationship with a passenger, well, that was uncharted territory. No man’s land. Strictly off-limits.

Worse, Malik and Jules stood to lose their jobs as well, if they knew about any inappropriate behavior and didn’t speak up. The company had policies in place for a reason. Russ had better be careful.

He was the captain. They all looked up to him. And he wasn’t here to make romantic connections with the guests.

But a friendship of sorts had already started to blossom with Tessa. What was so terrible about a friendship? It wouldn’t impair his judgment or put anyone at risk of harm. He wouldn’t behave unprofessionally, either.

But the way his heart raced when she smiled at him like he mattered? He hadn’t felt that in—years. Was that such a sin? The thoughts swirled in his head.

He tossed the damp towel into the laundry bin with a sigh and made his way down to the galley, where Jules had begun prepping appetizers for dinner.

“Need help?” he asked, grabbing a small cutting board. He’d better keep busy because his thoughts might be heading into dangerous territory if he didn’t turn them off.

She handed him a bowl of pineapple and a sharpknife without a word. “Just don’t overthink the chunks.”

Too late.

Russ cut fruit while Jules plated shrimp skewers and arranged seaweed salad in little bamboo boats. The silence between them was comfortable—years of working together had trained them in that rhythm—but his thoughts were anything but calm.

He didn’t want to pull away from Tessa. And a little more pleasant conversation for a few more days was perfectly harmless, right?

She needed a plus-one at times, and if he were being completely honest, so did he. Just a platonic one. That was all.

But Malik was right to say something if he thought Russ might be crossing a boundary—if only as a reminder. He was just being a good employee. And he wasn’t wrong.

So…?

Fine. He’d stay friendly with Tessa, provide the plus-one when she needed it, but he’d keep his distance, too, so he didn’t give her the wrong idea. It would only be a friendship.

It would be fine.

“Tonight’s dinneris a local specialty, folks,” Jules said, smiling, as she placed the usual family-style setup on the dinner table that night as the sun wentdown over the horizon, turning the sky to pale shades of orange, yellow, and pink.

“This looks so good!” said Avery. Jenna and Drew nodded from across the table. Tessa passed the platters around, as Marin, seated next to her, handed them along, one by one.

“It’s raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut milk with diced vegetables,” Jules went on. She’d served it alongside grilled pineapple, taro root, and crispy fish fritters. Tessa’s mouth watered. Everything looked delicious. She filled her plate.

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