Shrugging, she says, “I guess it’s what you grow up with, right?”
“Yeah, I suppose,” I answer, knowing she’s the type who grew up with name brand everything. No thought to cost, only to what was the best, which is completely the opposite of how I was raised.
She takes a bite, then suddenly adopts the demeanor ofa very serious businesswoman. “We should keep a tally of everything we use, so we’ll know exactly how much we owe the homeowner.”
I shrug, digging into my pancakes like a starving man, which I sort of am at the moment. “We can just leave a hundred bucks and call it even.”
She gives me a stern look, reminding me of a librarian when someone’s whispering too loud. “Do you have a hundred dollars on you?”
I stop midbite, and say, “No. You?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Well, a thank you note will have to suffice.”
“We can’t just leave a note. An imposition of this size requires cash.”
“Is that what they taught you at finishing school?” I ask. “Make sure you always travel with a hostess gift in case you’re ever stranded on a deserted island.”
Raising one eyebrow, she says, “You’re trying to get a rise out of me? Really?”
“It’s just so easy,” I say, having a sip of iced tea. “Besides, I’d rather see you mad than sad.”
“How aboutneither?”
I scratch my head as though considering the question. “You mean like happy?”
“Yes, like happy,” she snaps. “Well, as happy as a person can be under the circumstances.”
I stare into her lovely green eyes. “I think a person could be pretty damn happy in this situation.”
“Not pretty damn happy,” she answers. “Just … you know … make-the-most-of-it happy.”
“Huh.” I stare at her for a moment, trying to figure her out. “So, you’re going to cap how good you let yourself feel based on the situation?”
“Yes,” she says, looking defensive. “It would beappalling for me to be overly thrilled right now. Not after missing my sister’s wedding, or when I’m stuck out here with you when I should be back home working.”
Stuck out here with me? Ouch. “Well, you go ahead and let yourself be at whatever level of happiness you believe to be appropriate. I’m going to go all-in and enjoy myself.”
Paige folds her arms across her chest. “Even though your plane is wrecked, we may never make it off this island, and if we do, your career might be over forever? You’re cool with all of that?”
“Yup. I am.”
“Bullshit.”
Shrugging, I say, “Believe what you want, I don’t really care. Every day you wake up on the right side of the grass is a good day.”
She stares at me, and somehow it feels almost as if she can see right into my soul. “That’s cute, but I’m not buying what you’re selling. Last night, you told me all about my life. Now, I’m going to tell you about yours. You pretend you’re living the dream—you’re single and free without a care in the world, right?”
“Yup,” I say, slicing into my pancake a little harder than necessary.
“That’s just a nice way of saying you’re completely alone in this world. At least my family might be looking for me as opposed to a gecko. You put on this whole devil-may-care act to hide the fact that you’re scared of having anything meaningful in your life. Instead, you spend your life alone, pretending you want it that way.”
I snort at her, even though her words are hitting a little too close to home. “I have plenty of meaningful relationships. They’re just short-lived.”
Rolling her eyes, Paige says, “Of course you do. Well, then forgive me, because it turns out youdohave it all figured out. Random flings are truly the secret to happiness.”
“At least I’ve had plenty of amazing sex.”
