Page 58 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Just then, he stood and said something to the men at his table, then he and Malik headed for the bar.

“Come with me,” she said quickly to Marin.

Marin blinked. “Where?”

“I just want to say hi to Russ and the others. It’ll be less weird for him if we go together.”

Marin nodded and grabbed Kyle, who’d been dancing with them, by the arm. “Come on, say hi to the captain with us. We’ve totally abandoned him tonight.”

Kyle chuckled and followed her. “Oh yeah, good idea.”

The three of them strolled across the sand through the crowd. Tessa felt suddenly nervous, her heart pounding. It was just Russ. The man she couldn’t stop thinking about. The man she’d fallen head over heels for. Thank goodness for Marin.

So why did this feel like she was stepping into unknown territory?

Marin led them to the edge of the bar where Tessa looked up and found him and Malik talking to Drew and Nate. “Well, look who we found slacking off,” Marin teased, her tone light. “I thought captains were supposed to be fun at parties.”

Russ gave a soft chuckle and greeted them as the group approached. “Hey, Marin.”

Kyle clapped him on the shoulder. “You good, man? We haven’t seen you on the dance floor. Afraid you’ll show us all up again?”

Russ laughed politely. “I’m just letting you guys shine tonight.”

Malik shook Kyle’s hand. “I see you’ve been holding your own out there?”

“Barely,” Kyle said and elbowed Drew, who stood next to him now. “But we’ve got a little rum to back us up.” Everyone laughed, the guys falling easily into conversation.

Russ greeted Tessa with a nod, and her breath quickened. “Hey. You having fun?”

“I am,” she said with a smile, stepping closer so they could talk. “It’s so beautiful here.”

“Yeah, it is. I knew you’d like it.”

“So, who are your friends over there?” She motioned with a nod toward the group he’d been sitting with.

“Oh, just a bunch of crew members I’ve known a while. Couple of captains, too.”

He’d replied with a warm enough tone, but he didn’t lean into her. Barely made eye contact. Kept one of his ears on the group’s conversation.

Of course, he wasn’t allowed to act like they were a couple. Not here. Especially not in front of other captains and crews. She got it. She really did.

But it stung.

She stared across the venue, her heart falling as she noticed one or two couples drifting away, disappearing into the shadows of the palms and the moonlight for some precious time alone. Wandering off toward the shore or the edge of the beach, where the music faded and the waves could be heard more clearly. Soaking up the romance of this place together.

She longed for that. Her last night here with him needed to count. Something she’d remember long after she returned home. It would be months before she saw him again. She needed something to hold on to, and she couldn’t let this magical night go to waste.

She looked up at him again. He glanced at her,offering his characteristic smile but no real affection, no answers, none of the intimacy they’d built.

Scanning the edges of the palm-lit sand, she chewed her lip. If he wouldn’t talk to her out here, then she’d have to find a way to get him alone.

Russ stood near the bar,surrounded by voices. Malik, Kyle, Drew, Nate, and a couple of young guys from neighboring crews were deep in conversation about who’d make it to the NFL playoffs this year, who was washed up, and who never should’ve gotten traded this year.

Russ nodded and chimed in just enough to stay present. But all the while, he was aware of Tessa standing just off to his right. He turned to her, met her eyes briefly, and gave her a quick look that said, quite obviously,sorry.

He hoped she’d understand. He wished so badly he could reach for her. Throw an arm around her. Let her know how much this was killing him to pretend. But he had to keep pretending—for the public eye, and to lessen the blow they’d both feel when she left tomorrow night. This was the only way.

Still, as soon as he’d gotten close and felt the surge of heat between them—no surprise—he’d realized the danger again. So, he’d shut down, afraid he might act on it and pull her in close like a girlfriend. He might even forget himself, given the alcohol in his system, and slip a warm kiss to her cheek.

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