Page 139 of Wicked

I double blink.

“It appears your passport is on the other side of the island.”

I have no words.

“It will be returned tomorrow afternoon with others.”

Even if the place is spectacular, staying here an extra day will mess up my flight to Tahiti. In saying that, I have my global flight deal for the next nine months.

“For putting you out, we will cover all expenses. And arrange a free private tour to an outer island tomorrow. Free travel, free lunch, and staff at your service.”

I shake my head and realize it’s not the end of the world. “Ok, and thanks, I guess…”

After bumping my international flight to Tahiti a day, I chill. I then unpack some of my things and hit the hay.

As I lay in bed and listen to the light waves in the lagoon, I roll over. I lay on my back and look up at the room.

I used to have no problem sleeping, especially with him. Now, I cannot sleep well without the son of a bitch.

Huffing, I roll over and I feel the soft pillow on my cheek. I think aboutus, and again my chest tightens. Then again… a lone tear runs down my cheek and into my mouth. Again, I taste salt.

I’m broken, and I’ll always be broken…

The next morninga white luxury jeep arrives, and I’m taken to a pier. A fancy white launch takes me to an offshore island, and a lovely young couple in uniforms stay with the launch. Theyexplain the island is privately owned, and we will be here for the morning.

“And at midday, you will be served a special seafood lunch. Lobsters, oysters, crab, and champagne. The island is surrounded by lagoons, and you are the only person on it.”

After I’m given sparkling water and a fresh towel, I walk around my own private island. It is spectacular, and I start to relax and enjoy the space.

I place my daypack and sarong in the shade, and I walk through the lagoon that circles the perfectly white sandy island.

With just me, my black bikini, my sunglasses, and sunhat, I feel all alone. It’s not bad, it’s just what it is. Me…

Alone in the world!

It gives me time to consider where I’m going in my life and what I am doing.

For some reason, Tito, Olive, and Dante keep coming back to me, and it’s hard forcing them from my mind.

As I walk slowly along the palm lined lagoon in my bikini, I realize I miss them all. Even if I’m not good enough for Dante, I have to move on. I have to stay open to meeting another man, someone who likes me for me.

Young. Simple. Innocent-ish and untraveled. Make that semi-traveled.

I swim in several of the long, linked shallow lagoons, and I find conch shells. I also see turtles and angel fish. I find the most remote beach and lagoon, and it’s on the far side of the island. Not a soul is visible.

I decide this will be my home for the day and less than three minutes later, after walking through the center of the island, I am back with my towel, sarong, bag, and cool water.

I lay my huge towel down on the beach, and I take my bikini top off. As I lay topless in the sun, the cell in my bag rings.

I don’t usually check emails on beaches, but I’m half under a palm, and I’m expecting one from my publisher.

The email is from Parker, and she tells me to check a link. I sigh, sit up, and hit it. The link is from a media company in NYC, and the title catches my eye. How could it not?

Fraudulent-Tourism-Advertising-Investigation-Fired.

My old boss’s name then pops up.

I smile and speed-read as a small jet flies past the island. I refocus on the story as my heart pounds hard.

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