Page 40 of Meet Me in Tahiti

She stared, struck by the gesture.

He handed her a small, folded cloth pouch. She opened it slowly, and inside were three coordinated shell necklaces, white and yellow, delicate but clearly hand-strung. Traditional Polynesian leis, but the kind meant to last.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted them. “Russ... they’re beautiful.”

He placed them around her neck. “I thought they’d be something to remember me by, when you’re back home. And this place, of course…”

The thought of leaving him stung. She furrowed her brow as her gaze dropped to the floor.

She felt his hand on her chin as he lifted her head gently. “I didn’t mean to make you sad. I swear.”

She laughed softly. “It’s okay. I just… I love them.” It was so sweet. But it made her ache to think about going home when this vacation was over. Wouldtheybe over, too? Would this whole thing be out of their control?

They stood in quiet affection for a moment, forehead to forehead, her fingers still fixed on the necklaces like the precious reminders they were.

She pulled back and looked up at him, determined to focus on the time they still had together, because whoknew what would happen when she left here? Their future was so uncertain.

Still, they had tonight. They hadnow.

“So how wasyourday?” she said before the worry came back. “I wish you could’ve joined us for the tour. It was so amazing. I missed you there.” She grinned. “And thanks again for the save. That guy really wouldn’t leave me alone.”

He chuckled, then gave her a knowing look. He’d enjoyed the secret kisses as much as she had—she knew that. “Any time.” He exhaled. “About that…”

She studied his face, her brow tightening. “What?”

He paused. “When I came to pick you up today at the plantation—when I saw those guys talking to you and the others at the rum bar... I hate to admit it, but I was… jealous.”

She blinked and reached gently for his arms. “You were?” This was hard to believe. “Why?”

He looked at her, more vulnerable than she’d ever seen him. “Because I realized you’re going to be leaving soon. And once you’re back in Miami, you’re going to be hit on by guys left and right. I won’t be there to put my arm around you, or walk you home, or kiss you goodnight, or anything.” He paused again. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not a good look. I’m not really the jealous type. That’s why it caught me so off-guard.”

She reached up and kissed his lips once, gently. “Don’t be sorry. I wasn’t interested in those guys, Russ. Honestly, all I could think about the whole time he was talking to me was how much I wished I was standingthere with you. And I’m afraid… that’s how it’s going to be when I go home.”

“Really?” His lip curled up on one side.

She nodded. She couldn’t believe a guy as amazing as Russ could be worried he wasn’t first on someone’s list.

He reached down and kissed her softly. “Thanks for saying that. Anyway, it made me realize how much you mean to me, Tess’. How this whole thing isn’t just a game for me. How much I want this to work for us—somehow.”

She gazed up at him, her heart filling with hope. “Have you heard about the job in Florida yet?”

He shook his head.

She would not focus on the uncertainty. “You’ll get it. I know it. And then we’ll figure it out. Alright?”

He softened again. “Yeah, alright.”

He pulled her close again, held her tightly in a hug, and then kissed her. This time, with long, tender, slow kisses—everything they hadn’t been able to say in the daylight, pressed into a single breath of moonlit longing.

She melted against him, her fingers curling into the back of his shirt.

But a few seconds later, Tessa heard something. Footsteps… on the stairs?

She pulled back to listen. Her stomach did an uncomfortable little flip. Someone was definitely coming up.

She stepped away quickly, straightening her hairjust as Jules appeared at the top of the deck, her eyes immediately catching on them.

Jules froze as if she hadn’t expected to see anyone there, let alone the captain standing so close to one of the female passengers. Finally, she spoke, her voice a little too nonchalant, perhaps trying to play off her embarrassment? “Uh, hey, guys.” Tessa could hear the awkward tone of her voice.

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