Page 5 of Meet Me in Tahiti

What did Marin know about being single anymore, anyway? She and Kyle were blissful newlyweds who’d dated for three years prior.

“Shame,” Marin said with a smirk. “You could start a whole new trend: rebound-on-the-reef.”

Tessa shot her a look.

From the main deck came the sound of laughter. Male voices. The guys had clearly settled in. Tessa breathed a sigh of relief for the distraction.

“Let’s go,” Jenna said, peeking her head back into Tessa’s room. “We’re doing drinks before dinner. You’re not hiding in here like a honeymoon widow.”

Tessa’s mouth fell open. One hand flew to her hips. “As if…” she muttered, following them out.

In the open-air galley above deck, the guys were already relaxed—beers in hand, cracking jokes, sleeves rolled up in the bright midday sunlight. Jenna’s fiancé, Drew, was showing Marin’s husband, Kyle, a waterproof camera he’d bought for the trip. Avery’s longtime boyfriend, Nate, leaned against the rail, arms crossed, soaking it all in like he’d already slipped into vacation mode.

Tessa breathed in the salty sea air and poured herself a splash of champagne. She smiled as the conversation flowed.

She loved these people, even though she’d only known them for about two years. Loved how they teased each other and shared sunscreen and still argued over who cheated during game night six months ago.

But there was an extra glass on the table where Ethan’s would’ve been. A chair that no one pulled out.

She swallowed and said nothing.

Then Captain Russ reappeared—quiet, composed, but somehow commanding the room, anyway.

“Afternoon, everyone,” he said, placing a hand casually on the back of one of the chairs. “We’ll be shoving off within the hour. If anyone gets motion sick, now’s the time for a patch or a pill. Dinner will be served on deck. Any questions, talk to me or Jules. Malik’s our other crew member—he’s your guy if you need gear or have questions about the water toys.”

“Water toys?” Kyle asked with interest.

“Snorkel sets, paddleboards, fins, kayaks, tubes,” Russ clarified.

Tessa’s stomach twisted again. She’d have to pretend not to be worried aboutanyof that. But how?

“Oh, and,” Russ added, his eyes flicking briefly toward her, “you’ve already found your cabins, but if you need to make changes, let me know tonight.”

Tessa smiled politely but looked away. She didn’t want anyone pointing out the obvious again—that she had a cabin all to herself, like some sort of sad cruise-ship statistic.

The chatter resumed, then Russ’s voice came again, directed to her more quietly this time.

“Miss Reed?”

She turned, trying not to startle. “It’s Tessa. Please.”

He smiled. “Tessa, then. I stocked your cabin with ginger chews and electrolytes,” he said. “Just in case the first night on the water gets a little rocky.”

“Oh,” she said, surprised. “Thank you.” Was it written all over her face that she’d never been sailing before? “That was very thoughtful of you.” She was able to see his eyes now, with the sunglasses off. Yes, just like she’d guessed. A dazzling set of pale blues.

He gave a small nod. “We take care of our guests.”

He moved on, offering a quick smile to Jenna and then Kyle and a question to Malik, who’d emerged with a tray of appetizers.

Tessa watched the captain go, unsure whether she felt slightly better—or significantly more unsteady.

Russ braceda hand on the winch as the anchor chain rattled out, the final length slipping into the dark water with a heavy thunk. The boat settled with a gentle sway, the cove cradling them in near silence—just the hush of the wind in the palms onshore and the occasional clink of rigging.

“Nice spot,” Jules said, stepping up beside him. She handed him a coil of line, neatly looped. “Can’t believe how quiet it is out here.”

Russ nodded, grinning. “That’s the point.”

Jules smiled.

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