Page 3 of When Forever Comes

The flight attendant takes our plates and I whisper a thank you so I don’t disturb my sister.

By the time I’m halfway through the book, the pilot comes over the intercom and announces our descent, pulling me out of the romantic thriller and waking up my sister.

Dana sits up and rubs her eyes as the pilot says, “I would like to welcome you to Amber Island.”

* * *

Our personal chauffeur pulls the limousine to the base of the airplane’s stairs where I only need to take two steps to get in. It’s a short ride, but the service still provides a snack, beverage, and warm compress to unwind from the flight. This place doesn’t do mediocre.

“Brad is going to be so mad when he discovers he’s paying for our getaway,” I say, staring out the window as the palm trees whiz by.

“He deserves to,” Dana singsongs. Her feet pound on the floor, sending vibrations up my leg. I assume she’s doing her happy dance.

The driver pulls down the road leading to the resort. As I stare out at the gorgeous landscape, guilt eats away at me.

“This was a terrible idea.” I cover my face with my hands. “I’m going to pay him back when we get home.”

Dana shakes my shoulders. “Oh no, you won’t!” She forces me to look at her. “He owes you this. You agreed with me on the plane, remember?”

Before I can answer or object, the chauffeur opens the door and helps Dana and me out.

“I can’t wait to see the suite.” My sister grabs my hand and squeezes.

We approach the check-in desk where the concierge waits with a smile.

“Welcome to the Golden Sands, how can I help you today?”

“We are here to check in,” Dana says.

“Name?” The concierge, whose name tag reads ‘Mindy,’ asks.

Dana drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “It was under Brad Washburn, but it should be under Olivia Swann now.”

Mindy types in the information, and immediately her face falls.

“I am so sorry, but your room was double booked. The other couple is already checked in.”

“What?!” Dana exclaims.

I put my hand on my sister’s arm to calm her down.

“I am so sorry,” Mindy says. “This has never happened before.”

“Do you have any other rooms available?” my sister asks.

I already know the answer. This resort is known for its long waitlist. Part of what makes it so exclusive is the difficulty in snagging a reservation. There is no way they have anything available.

The woman gives us a sympathetic smile. “We’re fully booked.”

It’s not surprising. We had to book this place two years in advance. Brad was determined to stay at this resort for whatever reason and made the reservation minutes after he proposed. It was the earliest slot we could get and the reason for our two-year engagement.

The reality of my situation releases the dam of tears I’ve bottled up since catching Brad and Lexi in the act.

I turn and run to the lobby bathroom, my insides twisting and churning as if they’re attempting to dissolve those painful memories. I wallow in self-pity for a few minutes before I hear the gentle squeal of the door opening and closing.

“Liv?” Dana whispers.

I don’t answer.

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