The captain’s laugh was deep and rich. “The marketing doesn’t lie. I guarantee you will remember this trip for the rest of your days.”
Lennox shot him some very strong side-eye, muttering, “I don’t doubt it.”
Evan flashed his toothiest smile in response.
There’d been a bout of grumbling when they’d figured out they were the only two passengers from The Flight of Doom who were continuing on to the island. Evan was certain karma was rounding on him early, because that was the best explanation for why he’d been blessed with additional quality time with Lennox the Uptight.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.”
Finally, something he and Lennox could agree on.
“Welcome to Stout Rock, my friends.”
All his tension and annoyance magically disappeared at the first glimpse of the island. Endless green, with glimpses of craggy cliffs and blinding white sand dotting the shore.
The boat swung toward the tiny footprint of the actual resort, white stucco and bright clay roofs amid dense palms and torrid tropical blooms. Small, exclusive, and private. That was the promise, and that was exactly what he needed right now.
Two weeks of sun, sand, and crystal-clear water. He’d reset, put the wedding catastrophe behind him, and work on Plan B. Revenge was still the plan; he’d just need to be more creative in getting it.
seven
. . .
Evan had his pants rolled to his knees and his shoes kicked off before they reached the dock.
He didn’t even like the beach. It was always hot, usually crowded, and much of the New England coastline was rock. If he was going to visit the ocean, he generally preferred to beonit, because nothing beat a dinner cruise. But something about the island’s pristine sand called to him, demanding he sink his toes into it immediately. Who was he to argue?
This was the sort of beach you wanted to walk along. All those sunset images of cozy lovers strolling barefoot through the surf made sense here. The sand was soft and clean. Waves lapped gently along its edge. Perfection as far as the eye could see.
There wasn’t a soul outside. All the sleek wooden loungers sat empty, and not a single butt occupying the bar cabana’s stools. The silence doubled the pace of his relaxation. He just needed GingerandMary Ann to get this deserted isle story rolling.
“Did you rent the entire island?”
Do you have a mode other than snide?
“Obviously not, since you’re here.”
Lennox’s responding huff was satisfying.
At the entrance to The Great House, the resort’s main building, a woman with wild, curly brown hair and a bright smile stood waiting for them. Her dress, patterned in coconuts, pineapples, and other assorted tropical flora, swung off her hips and fluttered in the gentle breeze weaving up from the water.
“Welcome, gentlemen! I’m Marta, concierge and issue fixer. I’m so sorry about the snafu with our reservation system. Gracie, our hotel manager, has updated your info and ensured nothing else went awry. With that out of the way, who is Evan and who is Heath?”
Ah, soHeathwas the name he hadn’t bothered to ask for. Well, mystery solved, but he’d still be calling him Lennox, as befitted an archenemy.
Evan held out his hand to Marta and introduced himself. She clasped his fingers in her warm hands and gave him a wink. “Welcome, Evan. Your special requests have been taken care of. Everything is all ready for you.”
Tension crept up the back of his neck. Special requests? Lucy had handled everything. Had insisted on it, actually. What subliminalfuck youhad she specially arranged for him?
Marta next turned to Lennox and repeated the hand-squeezing gesture. “And welcome to you, Heath. We are so glad you chose us for your special trip.”
Evan’s curiosity piqued. What sort of special trip was this for Lennox? Did he have a dramatic backstory of his own?
“Yes, well, I wasn’t really given much choice.”
Marta’s smile wavered, and Evan shrugged when she looked his way. How the hell was he supposed to know what the guy meant? That wasn’t his native dialect of snark.
Lennox dragged his hand down his face, then brushed backhis hair and smiled. “I’m sorry; that was incredibly rude. I’m very glad to be here, honest. It’s just been a terribly long day.”
