“Yeah. The night before I was supposed to leave for Azure Island. The entire agency went into full damage control mode, which meant me working around the clock for days.”
“Is he okay?”
Nodding, I say, “Yeah, he had to have a double bypass surgery, but he’s supposed to recover fully. But honestly? Worst publicity ever for a drug.”
“No kidding,” he says. “How do you manage to fix that?”
“It’s going to be a long dig out of a deep hole, but we had to immediately get some doctors on the news talking about how safe the drug is if taken in the recommended dosage,” I answer. “Luckily, Guy knows everyone in the business so he was able to get some interviews going the next day.”
“Sounds like an exciting job,” he tells me.
“It can be. I mean, I work with a lot of celebrities, which, at first was a big thrill, but after a while it just feels normal, you know?”
“Not really, but I can imagine.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the job. Not everything about it, but I did love working on that campaign. It was a chance to show what I could do—that I could be versatile and creative and clutch under pressure, which is what ittakes to be a good executive. It was my chance to show Guy that I could do it.”
“I’m sure you can do it. I’ve seen what you managed to come up with here with some clothes, a few coconuts, and a tarp,” he says. “You’ve clearly got talent.”
“Thanks.”
“And when you get back there, hopefully you’ll get your big shot.”
“If I even have a job by then,” I say, chewing on my lip. “Honestly, the thought of going back right now is … not a welcome one.”
A hopeful look crosses his face, but I don’t let myself read into it. Instead, I just keep talking. “Being here has been the break I didn’t know I needed. I haven’t had a chance to unwind for years. It’s always go-go-go. Every day. I was too busy to even realize how tired I was.”
“Well, in that case, I’m not sorry I crashed.” He gives me a grin that says he’s joking, but underneath it, there’s some truth to his words (says my wishful thinking).
I stare at him for a second, then say, “Are we going to play cards or sit here chitchatting all night?”
“Let’s play cards.”
“Good, because I figured out your big tell.”
He raises one eyebrow. “Really?”
“No, dammit. But with enough time I will.”
22
Warm Breezes, Beautiful Women, and Desperate Anacondas…
Mac
I findPaige lying on the hammock under the palm trees, one foot on the ground as she rocks herself from side to side and sips a vodka iced tea. It’s late in the afternoon, and she looks so calm and relaxed, dressed in her bikini with an oversized, see-through shirt over it. I feel my entire body react when I think about what’s under that flimsy piece of fabric. She’s so gorgeous like this, so carefree and happy. It’s as if the uptight, frantic woman I met on the dock is completely gone.
These last few days with her have been sweet torture—being so close to her all day but not being able to touch her. I find myself telling her things I’ve never told anyone and asking her about her life. I want to know everything about her—every little detail of her childhood, what she likes and dislikes (likes anything made from potatoes, hates licorice). I want to know what she thinks of everything under the sun. It’s almost as if I’m addicted to her and Ineed to gather every bit of knowledge about her I can get, so I’ll have it to take home with me.
I’m in serious trouble here. If it weren’t for Jack, I’d be praying that we never get rescued because, for the first time in my life, I’m truly happy in a way I’ve never been before. Everything feels so simple between us out here. We work well side-by-side and we have fun. I happen to know the sex would be incredible with her as well, which is why I’ve been trying like crazy not to lead her on. I’m not what she wants. She wants the husband, the kids, and the house with the white picket fence. And I’m just not that guy.
She turns her head to look at me, her eyes landing directly on my abs. I may or may not have stopped wearing a shirt around her so I can see the look on her face that she’s wearing right at this moment.
“You look happy,” I say, wanting to snuggle into the hammock with her.
She grins up at me. “I am. For the first time in my adult life, I’m not a ball of stress. There’s literally nothing to do but wait for someone to notice us, so I’ve finally given in to laying back and enjoying myself.”
Feeling like a fool standing here staring at her, I make my way over to the lounge chairs and stretch out, watching the tide come in and roll out. Paradise. A warm breeze, an ocean view, and a beautiful girl. After a minute, her shadow crosses over me as she makes her way to the lounger next to mine.
