Page 53 of Meet Me in Tahiti

He let go gently, clearing his throat. “Someone might see,” he whispered.

She nodded, but confusion flickered in her gaze.

The trail grew steeper. Russ adjusted his pack as he watched Tessa climb ahead, stepping carefully over a narrow ridge of rock. Then she hit a slick patch. Her foot slipped.

“Hey, careful,” he called.

But it was too late. She wobbled, arms flailing.

In two quick strides, he reached her, arms wrapping tight around her waist, pulling her away from the edge.

They landed hard against the slope, his boots catching in the damp earth, both of them panting, hearts racing. The others, ahead, apparently hadn’t noticed.

She gripped his arm. “Okay. That was… steeper than it looked.”

“You alright?”

She nodded, breathless. “Yeah. Thanks. That could’ve been bad.”

He looked down at her, still holding her steady, his heart pounding—not just from the near-accident, but from how much it had scared him. The idea of her getting hurt, of not being able to protect her—it did something to him.

How could he keep pretending she didn’t matter to him? Because she did. She mattered way too much.

Malik’s voice called from up the trail. “Everything cool back there?”

Russell’s voice came out steadier than he felt. “She slipped. We’re good.” He stepped away, his hand still hovering at Tessa’s back. But he forced the space. Forced the calm. Because this wasn’t just attraction.

This was something else. Something big that was going to gut him for a very long time after she left.

But the consequences…

And the job hehadn’tbeen offered…

He had to keep his distance.

Back on the catamaran,the heavenly scent of garlic greeted Tessa before she even stepped on deck. The hike had been incredible, and the ache in her calves from hours of steady walking was only a pleasant reminder. She felt accomplished. Happy. Energized, even though her limbs were tired.

“Hey, guys! How was the hike?” Jules had outdone herself again and smiled, greeting them as they piled in around the table after they’d all showered and changed.

“It was so great,” said Avery. “I wish you could’ve come with us.” And Tessa knew that she meant it. Jules had become one of the group as much as Russ and Malik had.

“Who would’ve cooked you this amazing dinner,then?” Jules smiled, and Drew and Nate each raised a glass to toast their chef.

Jules smiled and set some plates on the table. Dinner was fresh seafood pasta with lemon butter, grilled shrimp skewers, and a side of tropical slaw made with papaya and cabbage. Everyone was relaxed and sun-warmed, stretched around the long table with drinks in hand, talking about the hike and teasing each other about sore feet and how many mosquito bites they’d returned with.

“Next time, I’m bringing a net for my entire body,” Drew joked.

“Next time,” Kyle said, raising his glass, “we’re doing Bora Bora in the winter.”

“Guess what, guys?” said Malik. “Thisisthe winter in French Polynesia. You’re here when we’ve got the fewest insects we’ll have all year.”

“You’re kidding me?” said Jenna, sitting forward.

Kyle crossed his arms. “We’ve been here for six days already, and I didn’t realize it was winter here.”

Neither did Tessa. She grinned.

Marin raised a glass. “To celebrating opposite seasons here in the tropics.”

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