I glanced at Olivia and Alex, and then Mia and Michael, who were huddled on the same seat. I wanted what they had.
Spencer eyed everyone with a smirk. “Even though I’m the only one without a partner, I think we should make this our spot this year. We’re already here. The place is amazing and there’s plenty to do.”
“I agree,” Michael said. “After this, I’m going to be pretty busy. Who knows when we'll get another chance?”
“Same here,” Alex said.
“I like it,” I chimed in. “What do you ladies say?”
“I’m in,” Mia and Oliva chorused.
Charlotte grinned. “Me too. And Ava is staying with us, right?”
Ava shook her head. “What? No, I can’t impose on your group vacation…”
“Come on, Ava,” Mia said. “You have to be a part of this. You’re a part of the family.”
Ava’s cheeks glowed under everyone’s attention as they watched her with pleading looks. Just as I was about to rescue her by saying she had work, she gave in.
“Okay, I guess I can spare a few more days. I can still work from here and wrap up when I head back to LA.”
Satisfaction rolled through me. I’d have her on this island paradise a bit longer. It was perfect. That gave me more time to persuade her about us as arealitem.
Ava’s laughter rang out across the water as she teetered on her paddleboard. She was terrible at this, comically and hopelessly terrible. Her knees wobbled, and she failed to use the paddle properly.
She’d already fallen off twice, and judging by the way she swayed, she was seconds away from a third.
“Don’t laugh at me!” she called, trying to steady herself.
“I can’t help it,” I said. “You’re adorable.”
“Adorable?” she snorted. “I look like a drunk penguin trying to moonwalk.”
I burst out laughing, nearly tipping my own board, but I caught my balance.
Mia wasn’t so lucky. On account of her laughing at Ava’s joke, she lost her balance and face planted into the water. Ava’s giggling then escalated, causing her to flail around and take a tumble. She resurfaced wearing a grin.
I was immediately at her side. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great.”
Despite her not wanting to stay at first, I knew she was having a blast. My friends had welcomed her with open arms, and all the couple-centered activities we’d done together had been fun. It seemed Ava genuinely liked all of them, and I was glad.
Mia huffed and slicked her hair back. “Alright, guys, I finally quit. I suck at this. Meet you back at shore.”
She took off, kicking to propel herself and board toward shore. Michael met her halfway to help her carry the board. The others had retired to the beach minutes ago, but Mia andAva had been determined to become paddleboard pros. I’d been their patient teacher.
“I think I should follow Mia and quit,” Ava said. “I’m hopeless.”
“You did great.”
“You’re only saying that to make me feel better.”
I chuckled. “It’s harder than it looks. Go easy on yourself.” Sitting on my board, I held out a hand. “Come on.”
I helped her up, so that she was seated in front of me. Then I strapped her board to mine and began a leisurely row back to shore.
She leaned against me, and I loved the feeling of her back pressed to my chest.
