“Callie?” The stroke of his thumb along her cheek grounded her. Brought her out of her head and back into reality. “Talk to me.”
She spoke in a blurted rush, the words jumbled and breathless. “I know I signed waivers and agreed to everything, and I don’t want to mess things up for the crew or make their jobs harder, but I wish we didn’t have to follow the itinerary for the day.”
He nodded and didn’t say anything.
She ticked off her concerns on her fingers. “The thought of parasailing makes my stomach churn. Whoever tries to buckle me into my harness better be wearing washable fabrics, because I’ll probably throw up all over them. Also, Tess tells me the show we’re going to see is serviceable, but not spectacular. And I don’t think I can absorb another lengthy production or tour without at least one good night’s sleep beforehand.”
He tilted his head. “Who’s Tess?”
“A friend who recently visited Renaissance Island.” And snagged a much-younger, former-tennis-pro boyfriend during her visit, but that was a subject for a different conversation. “She and Belle talked to me about everything they saw, everything they did. They’re the reason I wanted to go on Island Match in the first place. Their descriptions made the island sound…”
She splayed her hand on his chest and thought for a moment. “They made it sound magical. Peaceful. Quiet. Like a place where I could clear my head and get my feet beneath me again.”
His brows drew together at that last part, but he didn’t pursue the remark. “So you planned to pick this third island from the beginning?”
“From the first moment.” She snuck a glance at Gladys, who appeared to be enjoying the supply of free drinks. “But very little of what I actually want to do is on our itinerary. And yes, if you’re willing to go along with my plan, I know we’ll have three more days here, but I may not survive until then. Parasailing equipment isn’t made for people built like me, and I’m beyond terrified of heights.”
She curled her fingers in his tee and summed up the situation. “I want to sit in clear, warm water and let the waves rock me back and forth until my brain quiets. I want to take a nap in the shade of a palm. I want to get a massage and order room service. I want to meet Tess’s new boyfriend, so I can determine whether he’s good enough for her. I want to go on a cruise around the island.”
He was quiet. Concentrating solely on her, his eyes tempting and deep enough for her to drown in them.
“I don’t even care if cameras are around for part of it. I just don’t want crowds or tour guides or set schedules.” She tugged at the fabric of his tee. “And I want to spend time with you. Private time.”
She’d omitted her other, Thomas-specific worries. Her anxiety about whether she’d somehow misinterpreted his cues, about whether a romantic relationship with him would founder when they returned to work and he left her stranded on the desk, etc., etc.
Maybe someday she’d be brave enough to talk about those issues with him. But not now.
“That’s it,” she said. “That’s why I’m anxious today.”
His hand covered hers on his shirt, surrounding it with protective warmth. “Callie, is this a situation where discussing your worries is enough? Or should one of us do something?”
“Like talk to Gladys?” She grimaced and looked down at her sandals. “I don’t know.”
Ducking his head, he regained eye contact. “Why does that thought scare you?”
She had to laugh, the sound bitter even to her own ears. “Because I’m anxious, Thomas. Almost everything scares me, but especially confrontation. I hate making people angry or disappointed. Even the thought of it gives me hives.”
“You think Gladys and the crew might be upset if you told them what you wanted?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “And that’s the problem.”
Every time she considered asking Gladys to change the schedule, her heart kicked into a gallop, her breath grew short, and her chest started itching.
He thought for a moment. “How about we talk to her together? We can ask her whether the crew can accommodate what you want, at least for some of the day, without causing too much disruption. How does that sound?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “You don’t have to do that. This isn’t your problem.”
But what a kind, wonderful offer. What a kind, wonderful man.
“Callie…” His hand tightened over hers. “I’m not like you. What other people think, what they might expect or want from me, doesn’t concern me. But you do. I’m happy to talk to Gladys or the crew or the president of HATV or whomever. Anyone who can help you get what you need.”
She had to admit he had a point. His mind clearly didn’t work the same way as hers, as she’d lamented countless times over the previous six months. But she’d never imagined taking advantage of that often-frustrating difference.
“Besides, I want to spend time with you too.” His lips curved in the sweetest expression of affection she’d ever witnessed. “Just the two of us. Do you want to find out whether we can make that happen?”
All she had to do was nod, and they were walking toward Gladys.
Ten minutes later, Callie had a new crop of hives on her chest. She also had a new itinerary for the next twenty-four hours, one that did not include death-defying heights over the cerulean waters.
