Page 45 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Tessa smiled again, and he could see that this time it was for real.

The photographer waved the next couple in, and the two of them moved out of the frame.

“Thanks, Russ. That was…” She didn’t seem to know what to say.

“It’s okay. Glad to help.”

Her smile seemed genuine. “I should… probably go… catch up,” she said, glancing in the direction of the dining room terrace where the rest of the group had drifted.

He nodded and pushed his hands into his pockets to stop himself from throwing an arm around her. “Yeah, I’ll see you inside.” He watched as she meandered off, his heart lifting further, if that was even possible.

Grinning—because he was finding it impossible not to—he made his way back to Jules and Malik on the other side of the garden. A dry and somber look filled Malik’s face, but he said nothing. Russ studied him.

Jules shifted her weight uncomfortably and glanced between the two men.

“I’ll, uh, go grab a drink and find our seats,” she said lightly, though her eyes flicked between their faces. “You two look like you’ve got something to talk about.”

“Thanks, Jules,” Malik said flatly.

She nodded once and turned toward the open-air pavilion, her sandals whispering against the stone path.

Malik turned back to Russ. “You got a minute?”

Russ exhaled, already sensing where this was headed. “Yeah.”

The garden was quieter now, the sounds of conversation fading behind them. A torch crackled softly beside a cluster of hibiscus bushes. The sky had almost gone deep blue, with a single star beginning to show.

Malik didn’t waste time.

“I saw what happened back there. The photo.”

Russ didn’t respond.

“You didn’t just save her from feeling awkward,” Malik said. “You looked like you were exactly where you wanted to be.”

Russ glanced toward the pavilion, where the laughter and chatter of the evening’s dinner crowd carried faintly on the breeze. “I was.”

Malik folded his arms. “Look, I’m not here to scold you. But you’re not being subtle anymore. Guests are noticing. Crews might notice.” Malik had a point. They weren’t the only charter boat group at the show tonight. Russ hadn’t seen anyone he recognized, but that didn’t mean there weren’t people there that didn’t recognize him or Malik or Jules.

Russ rubbed the back of his neck. “I haven’t crossed any lines.”

“Not technically,” Malik said. “But you're skimming the edge, man. And if someone decides to read it the wrong way, you’re not just losing a gig. You're done with this company. And me and Jules, we could be too, if you’re not careful.”

Russell’s jaw flexed.

Malik’s tone softened. “I get it. I do. I’ve just never seen you like this before.”

Russ let the moment stretch as he tried to decide what to say.

He’d never felt like this before. Not in… years, at least.

Malik kicked a pebble into the grass, then added, “You know, back when I got canned in Papeete? I was spiraling. Broke, no references, nothing lined up.”

He looked at Russ. “And you didn’t hesitate. Just made a call. No lecture. Just had my back.”

It was true. He and Malik had become fast friends after meeting at the marina in Papeete. Malik had been working at the docks, loading and unloading the cargo ships when a massive layoff hit him hard. Russ had gotten him a job with his charter company, and Malik’s life had turned around quickly. The money was significant, and Russell knew that Malik never wanted to find himself in that position again.

Russ dropped his gaze to the stone path.

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