Page 43 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“Will you be coming with us?” she asked, and he heard the hope in her voice.

He grinned. “Yes, I love this show. We all go to this one to give Jules a night off. It’s great food, too.”

She nodded enthusiastically, her long hair grazing her bare shoulders in the soft breeze.

They drifted farther, paddling now and then, far enough from the boat that they were well out of earshot of the others. “I’ve been thinking about last night,” she said quietly, glancing his way.

“Me too,” he replied. “Jules hasn’t said anything. At least not yet. So, I think we’re okay.”

Tessa looked down at the water, then back at him. “I just hate the idea that you could get in trouble because of me.”

“You’re on vacation,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to worry. Let me do all the worrying for both of us.”

Another smile brightened her face. He wanted to kiss her right then. Right on the board, sun on their shoulders, sky wide and blue above them.

But they would probably fall in, and Tessa probably wouldn’t like that right now, so far from the boat. More importantly, it would not go over well—for any of them, Jules and Malik included, if someone saw them.

So, instead, he taught her how to steer away from the current, how to read the shadows on the water, and how to avoid being pulled too far.

She did it all perfectly.

When they turned back toward the boat, she looked like she’d been paddle boarding for years. That kind of confidence was a good look on her.

He felt it then, more than ever. That he’d found the person for him. Thatshewas it.

Chapter

Thirteen

The sun dippedlow as the girls walked together along the lush garden path toward the resort entrance where the dinner show would be held. Their short and strappy sundresses swayed in the breeze, heels clicking softly against the polished stone walkway. Palm fronds rustled above them, and torches flickered to life as the first stars peeked out.

Tessa glanced back for another look at the lagoon, her fingers on the shell necklaces around her neck that Russ had given her. The resort was a dream come to life. Thatched-roof bungalows stretched in a gentle arc over the glittering lagoon, each one lit like a lantern. The soft scent of vanilla and hibiscus filled the air, mingling with the scent of sea breeze and coconut oil.

“This place is unreal,” Jenna whispered, wide-eyed.

“I want to come back here for my honeymoon someday,” Avery said, snapping a picture of the lagoon reflecting the pink-orange sky.

“Forget that,” Marin added with a grin. “I want tocome back without a man and just book a bungalow for myself. Spa day, fruit drinks, and zero snoring. You’re all invited.”

The women burst into laughter.

“Married life that bad already?” Tessa joked.

Marin laughed. “I’m totally kidding, you guys.”

“We know,” said Avery.

In front of them, the guys walked in a relaxed cluster, shirts tucked, hair damp from quick showers, joking about something or other that Tessa hadn’t been following.

Drew turned around with a grin and a soft whistle. “Looking good tonight, ladies.”

“You know it,” Marin shot back, and they all laughed again.

Tessa smiled, but her eyes slid briefly to the group behind them, where Russ walked beside Malik and Jules. He wasn’t looking at her, but just as she turned away, he glanced up and caught her eye.

He smiled.

Not big. Not obvious. But just enough.

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