“Do I get paid more for my private lesson?” I teased, since I was getting paid nothing.
“You could practically max out your 401k,” he teased back.
I was kind of surprised that Trav knew what a 401k was. “Are you going to miss me when I leave?” I asked.
He grinned at me. “The islands bring us when we need them, and they send us home when we are ready to go.”
“I don’t feel ready to go,” I said, pouting.
“You can’t argue with the islands.” He cupped my chin in his hand. “I bet you’re more ready than you think.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure walking up the dock. It couldn’t be. But it was. My entire body tensed. Conner.
“Who’s that good-looking yoga instructor?” he asked as he got closer.
Trav looked at me protectively with a questioning eye. I nodded inconspicuously. This wasn’t some creepy guest he needed to intervene with on my behalf. This was adorable Conner. I felt a little nervous at seeing him for the first time in a couple weeks.
“I want to ignore the fiancé in the room but…” he said as he reached us. I could tell he was nervous too, which, strangely, made me feel better.
I laughed. “He’s gone,” I said. “I was actually having a closure breakfast with him that morning when you saw us. I sort of thought I’d never see you again.”
He scoffed. “Conner Howard doesn’t walk away from a challenge.” He smiled at me.
“Don’t talk about yourself in third person, please. It’s super creepy.”
He nodded. “Duly noted.”
I could feel both our nerves melting away. “How has the rest of your trip been?”
He shrugged. “Good. Fun. Less fun than when you were with me?” he said hesitantly.
That was when I finally relaxed. Our dynamic was back. “Same,” I said. Then I paused. “Wait. How did you know I was here?”
He smiled. “Well, my parents stayed here for a couple nights before they went home, and my mom was going on and on about this paddleboard yoga instructor she thought was so cute and who was going to finish architecture school.” He raised his eyebrow.
I laughed, remembering the petite lady with the kind eyes who had really wowed me with her balance. “That was your mom?”
“It sure was. You’re going to finish your professional degree?”
“I like trying things out on strangers, but, yeah, I’m thinking about it.”
He grinned proudly. “I took a leap of faith that maybe it was you, that maybe you hadn’t gotten back with that guy, and that maybe, just maybe, you were still here.”
I nodded. “That’s a lot of leaps.”
He locked his eyes on mine. “You are worth it.” He paused. “Hey, want to go have an opening breakfast?”
“An opening breakfast?”
“Yeah, you know. Like the opposite of your breakfast with Hayes.”
I laughed. “I wish I could, but I have a private lesson.”
He pointed at himself. “Me. I’m your private lesson.”
I smiled. I had hoped that was the case. “Well then, let’s get out there.”
“I’d really rather just go eat breakfast if it’s all the same to you.”
