“Well, now you know. Everything is possible.”
He shakes his head. “I need to show Deshni. Can I?”
“Sure. She’s welcome to come have a look. It’s fantastic on this big screen. See? This is why I told you not to judge the images while you’re still in the water.”
For the next three hours, we go through the photos, selecting the best ones. I show him some basic edits, and we’re so engrossed that we both startle when Lexi leans into the closet.
“Oh, I thought you were here alone,” she says in greeting.
“Hey, babes.” At least that sounds natural.
She comes closer, and for a split second I hesitate, but then Jem’s words from this morning ring through my mind. We need to keep up pretenses, so I wrap my arm around her butt and pull her toward me. She doesn’t object, so I hold on.
“Wow,” Lexi says as she leans closer to the screen. “You took that photo?”
I nod in Roger’s direction. “He did. The way he captured the light beaming through those fins is spectacular.”
“I think it’s beginner’s luck,” Roger says, eyes downcast and shy.
“I think it’s talent,” I say.
“Whatever it is, don’t stop.” Lexi looks at us. “In fact, you two can probably help us out with taking some professional photos.”
“Of what?” I ask.
“I’ve been thinking of Deshni and Sarika’s plans on and off today. We’ll need new brochures to put in the rooms and some new spa menus, the type of thing I can have printed in Dar es Salaam. It would be nice to use our own onsite photos.”
“Desh told you about their plans?” Roger says, eyeing Lexi.
“She did, and I think they’re brilliant.”
Roger’s lips curl in a small but pleased smile.
“That’s not usually in my wheelhouse, but we can give it a shot. When do you need us?” I ask, making sure Roger gets that we’re a team here.
“Let’s see how we can fit it in,” Lexi says. “The sooner the better. I don’t want it to drag. I’d love to have this up and running before we leave—see if we can increase the spa’s profits before the lodge closes for the rainy season.” She yawns and rests her hand on my back.
Increasing the spa’s profits would be a feather in her cap, for sure. “We’ll be there,” I say, relishing her touch. “How was your day?”
“I’m whacked,” Lexi says with a grimace. “This wedding can be over already.”
Roger chuckles. “They just arrived.”
“The amount of stuff they flew in is insane. I’ve been on my feet the whole day. We have the rehearsal dinner too, as if every dinner isn’t a rehearsal in some way. Couldn’t they have done that in Paris? Chef is great at keeping his cool, but even he rolled his eyes at me today.”
“I wonder if they’ll even taste the food,” I say. “The cocktails they had earlier were loaded.”
“The champagne was flowing at dinner,” Lexi agrees. “Followed by red wine. Sounds like a headache in the making.”
“We’ll see if any of them comes for a dive tomorrow. I’ll do a sobriety test before we go out.” I run my knuckles down her naked leg and trace a slow circle with my thumb on the back of her knee. Her fingers slide down my back, and a second later, her touch is gone.
“Sounds like a plan.” She stifles another yawn. “I’m off to bed. You’re going to work late tonight?”
I still. I’m not going to go to bed until she’s asleep. I retract my hand from the back of her leg.What the actual fuck am I doing touching her like this?“I have to catch up. If I don’t, I’m going to run into trouble.”
Several beats of silence follow.Fuck. I might have said too much.
“Catch up with what?” Roger asks.
