Page 22 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“I’m really glad I came on this trip,” she said eventually.

Russ glanced at her. “Yeah?”

She nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the stars. “I wanted this to be a kind of turning point, you know? A personal reset. Especially after… well, you know who…”

He nodded. He knew all about personal resets. He’d done one himself, and it had taken years. “And is it turning out that way?”

She smiled, her gaze on the water. “I think so. I feel like my eyes are opening. My horizons are expanding. And I think... I think not having Ethan here was the best thing that could’ve happened.”

Russ felt a quiet warmth spread through his chest. He thought so, too. Maybe a little selfishly, but he thought so, nevertheless. “I’m glad.”

She looked over at him. “Thanks for helping to make that happen. I know you didn’t mean to, but you have.”

He chuckled softly, and his face was probably flushing, but fortunately it was probably too dark for her to tell. “I told you, you’d find your sea legs in no time.”

She laughed, the sound light and free, making his heart swell. “You were right. And tomorrow, I’m going back in the water.”

“Leg doing better?”

She nodded. “It’s closing up nicely. Doesn’t sting anymore.”

“Good,” he said. “Because we’re snorkeling again tomorrow. You ready for round two?”

“Bring it,” she said with mock bravado. Then, meekly, she added, “I hope.”

They both laughed again, and the moment stretched a little longer than it should have.

“Hey,” she said, glancing up at him as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is really nice. Talking up here like this.”

Russ nodded, his throat tighter than he liked. “Yeah. It is.” He meant it more than was willing to admit. He let his gaze linger on her, wishing things could be different, because he’d kiss this girl right now if he could. With long, slow, passionate kisses from one ear to the other. And he was fairly certain she’d kiss him back.

He sucked in a deep breath and forced his gaze back to the ocean. So much for a platonic friendship.

She stepped back from the railing. “Same time tomorrow?” She looked so gorgeous there in the moonlight.

She felt something for him, too, didn’t she? But did she understand he couldn’t make a move? Even though he wanted to—so badly it hurt.

“Sure. Same time tomorrow.” He smiled wistfully.

Was he playing with fire? Should he hide out in his cabin tomorrow night?

The last five years flashed in front of his eyes. The yearning for someone that had never truly been filled since Mia. The loneliness—the search for another woman who could replace her. He’d failed, though,time and again. No one had ever quite fit the bill, leaving him restless and uninterested. But Tessa… she checked all the boxes. The more he got to know her, the more his interest grew.

So no, this wasn’t just friendly, harmless conversation. He was way past platonic.

But he wouldn’t kiss her. He couldn’t take that risk.

Could he?

Why was it that he couldn’t stop thinking about it, then?

As she descended the stairs, he raised his beer bottle to his lips and threw back a taste of the cold liquid.

He gazed at the moon, waxing silver and high as it cast a pale shimmer across the gently rippling water, and sighed.

Okay, so maybe his heart sprang to life every time she looked at him. Was that a crime?

Because, honestly?

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