Page 37 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Tessa’s cheeks brightened, and she laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I’m fine.”

Jenna let it go, still grinning, and turned back to Avery, who, thankfully, started up another subject when she saw that Tessa wasn’t going to cave.

Marin leaned in, lowering her voice. “You sure it’s not Captain Hotstuff making you sweat? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”

Tessa’s eyes shot wide again, and she gave her a warning glance. “Oh, my gosh, stop…”

Marin smirked. “You’re not denying it.”

“Yes. I am,” she insisted.

Marin still looked doubtful and crossed her arms, her voice still hushed. “Come on, this is your best friend asking. I can keep my mouth shut, if I’m so inclined.”

Tessa sighed heavily and crossed her arms. “And are you so inclined?” she said, still grinning. She wasn’t going to lie—the various sips of sweet island rum were definitely affecting her.

“Of course!” Marin laughed.

Tessa sighed again. The game was up, at least with Marin. Now, if she could keep it quiet, everything would be fine. “Okay, then.” Tessa gave her a knowing look and a nod, along with a silent plea. “You cannot tellanyone!”

Marin smiled with satisfaction, her eyes wide with interest, just the same. “Iknewit,” she whispered. She slipped an arm around Tessa’s waist in a quick, excitedhug. “Okay,” she whispered. “Mum’s the word. But oh, my gosh. You and Hotstuff. I’m so excited for you.”

“Easy,” Tessa teased back, “Sounds likerum’sthe word, in your case, girl… He’s not allowed to date passengers, so you really have to promise me.”

“Pinky swear,” said Marin, holding out her finger.

They both laughed as Tessa linked fingers with her best friend, the secret tucked between them like a shell in the sand.

After ferryingthe group to the vanilla plantation, Russ finally had a couple of hours to himself. The guests would be busy sampling rum, touring the well-known farm, and snapping photos of the vanilla vines clinging to tall wooden poles. He and Malik would take turns swinging back in the dinghy in two hours to retrieve everyone, since the boat was close to shore, but for now, there was quiet.

He paused by the helm, taking a moment to log the snorkeling route and check the instruments on the navigation panel. Every setting was habit by now—the wind readouts, the GPS markers, even the alignment of the small solar panels to maximize energy for the night.

Sailing this catamaran wasn’t just a job. It was muscle memory. Precision. Years of logged hours on the water made this second nature, but he never let himself go on autopilot. Not when the sea could change in minutes.

“Need anything, boss?” Malik’s voice came from the top of the stairs.

“Thanks, but no, we’re all set. Go take a little break.”

Malik smiled. “Will do.”

With everything in order, Russ stretched out in the shade on the bridge deck, a half-finished cup of coffee resting on the table beside him. A light breeze whispered across the surface of the lagoon. He kicked off his shoes and found his Bob Marley playlist, setting it to play low on his phone. The mellow soundtrack suited his mood, calm, sun-drenched, peaceful.

He'd stopped at the open-air market on shore before he’d returned to the boat, with Tessa’s birthday on his mind, finding something small he’d give her tonight. Her birthday was still two days away, but she might want to wear what he’d found while she was still on the trip. It wasn’t much—nothing that would call attention. Just a traditional Polynesian trinket from the shops that he thought she’d like.

Then he’d scrolled through his inbox as the boat gently rocked in place, checking in on a few bills, confirming an auto-payment, deleting spam. But the email he was hoping to see—the email from Gulf Wind Charters—still hadn’t come.

He blew out a breath, frustrated. How long were they going to keep him waiting? He’d sent in his application nearly a month ago. And they said they’d make a decision by the end of the month.

He sat forward, fingers flying over the screen, composing a polite follow-up asking for an update. He hit send.

Might as well. They were nearing the end of the charter. Just three more days until he dropped Tessa—and the rest of them—back in Tahiti, where they’d board a plane to return to the States.

He needed to know.

Because he needed a plan. One that didn’t involve gutting him when Tessa stepped off theLatitudefor the last time.

Meanwhile,back at the distillery tasting room, the guys had settled around the bar and were throwing back mini rum shots with the other tour groups—one of which was an American group of divers. The new group was friendly but a little too rowdy for Tessa’s liking.

Kyle waved Marin and the girls over, eager to introduce them. Tessa followed, sighing.

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