Who’s the speechless one now?
“That shouldn’t have happened,” I started.
Macey jerked up and reached for her tote. “You’re right, it shouldn’t have.” She tucked a spare tendril of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I didn’t mean?—”
“I’m going to go set my camera up for the sunset photos.”
Then Macey ran off, leaving me alone with thoughts that screamed for her to come back.
Macey
I’d done an excellent job of avoiding Noah since the pool kiss. Maybe people should learn from me. I’d write and publish the 101 guide to avoiding someone in public. Only ninety-nine cents plus tax.
Even now, inside the intimate lounge, I’d managed to avoid him. Potentially not a good look considering we were supposed to be playing the role of the happy couple, but couples needed space too, right?
I leaned against the centerpiece of the lounge, a marble-topped bar illuminated by pendant lights hanging from the vaulted ceiling, and sipped at my soda water. I wasn’t a relationship expert by any means, but deep down I knew couples on a short weekend trip to Aruba wouldn’t want any space from each other.
Up until now, I hadn’t wanted any space from Noah either. We were having a great day until I had to go and ruin it with thatkiss. I should’ve followed Noah’s lead and insisted against it, but I didn’t think one kiss would have the power to change things between us.
How wrong I was.
Because that one kiss made me want to skirt my responsibilities for the rest of the weekend to continue kissing him. Which was a capital P problem as Noah’s reaction had been a look of disappointment coupled with the phrase every girl wants to hear:“That shouldn’t have happened.”
Getting involved with Noah would be a guaranteed path toward heartbreak. I’d done the whole date-an-influencer thing, gotten the T-shirt, and never intended to return.
All that was left on the schedule today was the sunset cruise. Fake a few smiles, take some photos, and be the first ones off the boat.
Next to the lounge’s exit, Jennifer stood with a clipboard in hand. In her other hand, a mic. She raised it to her lips, cutting through the hum of conversations to announce, “Good evening, all. I hope everyone has enjoyed their day so far. If you’ll please follow me, we’ll head to the pick-up point for the sunset cruise.”
I glanced down at the heels I wore. God, I hoped the pick-up point wasn’t far. At least my outfit was comfortable—a deep purple, silky dress with a pearl lining. Despite the risqué red dress from last night, Britney had taste, and I was grateful she let me borrow her clothes. I made a mental note to buy her those peanut butter cookies from The Velvet Whisk she liked so much.
As I exited the lounge and bumped shoulders with various strangers, a familiar hand pulled me back. Noah laced our fingers together and whispered in my ear, “I hope you’re finished.”
A shiver snaked down my back. “With?”
“Ignoring me.”
Jennifer led us through the gardens and to a set of stepsheading toward the ocean. I slowed my pace, focusing on not tripping in these shoes. The steps were even, but I wasn’t taking any chances. “I wasn’t ignoring you.”
Noah met my pace, never letting go of my hand. “Oh? Then please elaborate on why you haven’t spoken to me since kissing me and running away.”
“I wasavoidingyou,” I admitted. At the end of the stairs, we walked over a series of smooth stones. “There’s a difference.”
Ignoring someone involved turning your head away from them in conversation and pretending they didn’t exist. Avoiding someone was being very aware they existed but not wanting to alert them to your presence.
“Semantics,” he hissed.
I let go of Noah’s hand as we approached the boat. We had probably convinced everyone around us by now that things were hunky-dory between us, and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. Again.
A sleek and elegant catamaran awaited us in the harbor. The pristine white exterior gleamed in the golden light of the setting sun and accents of polished teak wood added nautical charm. Small bottles of water were handed out as everyone boarded the catamaran. I could smell dinner wafting from the kitchen.
Cushioned benches lined the spacious deck. A retractable awning provided shade over part of the deck, not that we needed much cover from the sun now. Soft, ambient music played from hidden speakers as we took a seat on the edge of the bench.
Noah set his arm on the bench behind me—not touching me but close. “We both look good tonight.”
I snorted. “You know, most people would say ‘you look good tonight’ and wait for the other person to say ‘you do, too’.”
