Page 59 of Meet Me in Tahiti

But he was probably confusing her. Heck, he was confusing himself. He’d have to cool it. Find a happy medium between the two extremes.

He turned away from the guys to face Marin and Tessa, forcing a lighthearted tone. “So, how’s your night going, ladies? Having a good birthday, Tessa?”

She brightened a little. “I am. It’s been a great day.”

Marin nodded and added that the D.J. was superb.

“You having fun?” Tessa asked, and he felt her studying his face.

He nodded. “Yeah, it’s a fun party, isn’t it?”

Marin cut in with a grin. “I mean, who wouldn’t have fun with this many tiki torches?”

Russ grinned. Tessa laughed. It seemed that if Marin knew about them, their secret was safe with her. Because so far, no one else seemed to suspect a thing. She must’ve kept quiet.

Malik and the guys broke into another rant about something football-related just then, and Marin got involved.

Tessa touched his wrist lightly because no one was paying them any attention. His skin burned at her touch.

She gave his hand a quick squeeze, and he squeezed it back. He wanted to keep holding her hand, but of course, he couldn’t. He let go.

He hesitated and turned to her gently, quietly. “Tess’, you know we can’t?—”

“I know.”

Before he could say more, she leaned closer and whispered. “Meet me in the trees over there in fiveminutes.” She gestured subtly with a nod toward the edge of the beach to the left, where firelight faded into the palms.

He blinked, stunned, keeping his voice down. “Are you serious?”

She nodded again but said nothing, only squeezed his wrist. His heart began to beat faster. The idea was exciting—he wasn’t going to lie. He could be alone with her—finally—but this was… a little reckless. He hadn’t been expecting something like this from her.

“I’ll see you guys later. Going to find Avery and Jenna,” she said brightly to the group as if she hadn’t just set up a clandestine meeting between them. “I love this song!” She turned and headed back onto the dance floor as Marin waved her off, then she disappeared into the crowd.

Russ was rooted to the spot. He scanned the direction in which she’d gone, found her once more, and watched as she made her way off the other side of the dance floor. He watched, stunned, as she headed further out across the property, following to where the line of trees opened up just a few yards in front of the water. She’d meant it.

Five minutes?

Nearly four now, probably.

He glanced at his watch.

Yes, this seemed reckless, and he’d been focused onnotbehaving recklessly tonight.

But as Kyle and Drew quickly drifted off to grab another round, and Marin followed with a friendly wave, he crossed his arms. Should he follow Tessa?They could talk. Just for a few minutes. He’d let her say what she needed to say, since she obviously needed to talk, and then he’d bring her back.

Malik stepped into place beside him, oblivious to the situation that was making Russ tap his fingers nervously against his beer bottle. “You’ve finally seen the light, huh, boss?”

Russ glanced at him as Malik curled his lip.

Malik went on. “I gotta admit, I wasn’t sure you were going to play it smart tonight.”

Russ raised an eyebrow, not sure whether this was praise or an insult, although, at this point, Malik was spot on. “What do you mean by that?”

Malik shrugged. “She’ll be gone tomorrow. You’ll forget about her in a week. Two, tops. You were smart not to hang out with her tonight.”

The words stung his throat. Russ looked away.

He wouldn’t forget Tessa in a lifetime.

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