Page 68 of Meet Me in Tahiti

“I figured as much.”

Russ leaned against the railing. “She’s not just a fling, George. I didn’t… I didn’t go looking for this. But I’ve been looking for work in Florida, where she lives. Where I used to live. Where my family still lives.” The thoughts stung, making his throat almost close. He missed them all so much. He missed his old life, even with as good as this one was. He went on. “I didn’t make promises I couldn’t keep. But I thought… maybe, if it worked out, I’d go.”

More silence. But this time, there was something different on the line. Not judgment. Just reflection. “Well, now your reason for wanting to get back to Florida makes more sense.”

Russ was glad he understood.

“Lonely line of work,” Walker broke the silence again. “Charters. Passengers. Sunsets. Everyone’s on vacation but us.”

Something seemed to catch in Russ’ throat. He nodded to himself. Ran a hand across his jaw. Stared out at the open sea. “Yeah.”

“I met my wife on a boat like this,” Walker continued, voice softening. “Twenty-two years ago. She was a guest. We kept it quiet, did it the right way after. I waited, she waited. Wasn’t easy.”

Russ blinked, his eyes opening wider. “I didn’t know that.”

“No reason you would. Doesn’t go in the company newsletter.” Walker paused. “But I get it. She’s still the light in the dark for me.”

Russ swallowed hard. Waited. “Thanks for not saying anything earlier. I appreciate it. I wanted to handle it the right way.”

“I could see that,” Walker said. “You’re a good captain, Russ. You’ve earned respect. That doesn’t go away just because you fell for someone.”

Russ felt something ease in his chest. Not relief exactly—but something close.

“I gotta ask you something, though,” said Walker.

“Anything.”

“You said all the women on your boat were here with boyfriends or husbands. This gal married?”

Russ blew out a breath, then pinched the bridge ofhis nose. That was right—he’d said that. The man must think he was a total piece of garbage. “No, no, she’s not. And sorry, Walker, I only told you that to throw you off the scent. Tessa came on the trip alone. All the other women on my boat are spoken for, but she’s single.” It was what they called a little white lie. Not cool, though. Not cool at all.

“Oh,” said Walker, letting the word linger. “Well, okay, then. That makes me feel a lot better.”

Thank goodness the man had asked the question. He’d hate to think people would’ve thought he was a home-wrecker, on top of being a rule-breaker. He was certain Walker would clear that up on the gossip mill.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen next,” Russ admitted.

“You’ll land on your feet. And hey,” Walker added, tone shifting just slightly—lighter now, “Good luck to you. Florida’s not a bad place to end up, if you can make it happen.”

If only he could. “You’re right. It’s not.”

“Go get some sleep, Captain. You’ve got a long day tomorrow on the water. We all do.”

“Thanks, Walker. I will.”

“Night.”

The call ended. Russ stood still for a long moment, the breeze brushing past him like a whisper.

Tessa splashedcool water on her face, then patted it dry with the small towel hanging beside themirror. The skin beneath her eyes was still a little puffy, but not terrible. She leaned in, studying her reflection—barefaced now, with her hair pulled back and her favorite tank top and pajama shorts on. The cotton clung to her in familiar ways, comforting in the face of everything that was not.

She let out a breath, slow and deep, and braced her hands on the tiny countertop.

Talking to Marin had helped.

It didn’t make the ache disappear, but it gave it somewhere to go. Out of her chest and into words. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed that until the words started tumbling out. Marin hadn’t judged, hadn’t even looked surprised. Just held her—and promised not to say a word.

Tessa closed her eyes.

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