Ivory
April 2
“Hey, Ives,” Taylor greets when she answers the phone. “How are you?”
“Currently, I’m drinking coffee on the patio and looking out at the water surrounding the island.”
“Great, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
“I’m good.”
Taylor laughs at my response. “Come on, I know you better than that. How are you really?” Damn my friends for being able to read me even without seeing my face.
“I’m feeling a little awkward.” Reality hit hard last night over frozen pizza. I agreed to stay on an island with a relative stranger for a full month.Who does that?
“About what? Did something happen?”
“No, nothing happened but hanging out at the resort a few times is completely different than being in the same house with someone.”
“Okay?” The question lingers in Tay’s voice.
“Last night after we ate dinner, I just bolted.”
“Why?” Taylor laughs.
“There was some tension.”
“Oh? Sexual tension?”
“No, I don’t know. God, I’m going crazy.”
“Ivory, you’re not going crazy. It’s weird to be in your situation but don’t hide in your room.”
That’s exactly what I did this morning. I waited until I didn’t hear Preston and ran out to get coffee, which he left for me because damn him, he is considerate.
“What am I supposed to do? Neither of us have a job to stay busy. The island and house are only so big. I don’t know how to act.”
“Act normal. You enjoyed hanging out with him at the resort. He’s a great guy from what we’ve heard. There isn’t anything to feel awkward about. Besides, he probably feels it and senses it too. Everything is fine!” Tay emphasizes the last bit to drive the point home.
Blowing out a breath, I concede. “Thank you.” I needed the sounding board only my best friend can be. Taylor has been so busy that we haven’t exchanged more than a few texts since she arranged this stay. Which reminds me. “By the way, how did I not know you have a friend that owns a private island?”
“I wouldn’t call him a friend,” Taylor scoffs.
“What would you callhimthen?” I would remember if she had ever mentioned this person.
“Someone I used to know.”
“You clearly still know him if you were able to call in this favor. It’s a pretty big favor.”
“You needed a place to stay and I found a solution,” she clips.
“It’s a handy solution. Seriously, how do you know these people? You should see this place. It has all the amenities of a private resort packaged on a secluded island.”
“It is pretty dreamy.”
“Wait. You’ve been here?” How did I not know this?
“A long time ago. I’m sure it’s changed, but I remember itbeing special.” Taylor sounds wistful as if daydreaming of a different time and place.
