She bit her lip and glanced away. “I read this completely wrong then.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head and gave me a small smile. “When you invited me to the wedding I thought it was because you were finally going to give me a chance. We’ve been hooking up for a year now. I want something more.”
I sucked in a breath. “I can’t give you more.”
“I know that now, Luca. This was a mistake. I should’ve never come.” She turned from me and grabbed her suitcases. “I’m leaving.”
She started to pack her things, and I stood there like an idiot. We should have never started the fucking arrangement. Asher told me it was a bad idea, and I should’ve listened. “Let me pay for your flight back.”
“Thank you.” She paused before staring back at me. “The pretty long-haired blonde. You couldn’t take your eyes off her at brunch. Who is she?”
“Nobody important,” I lied through my teeth.
She sighed. “Liar.”
I ran another hand down my face. “I’m sorry, Delilah. I’ll give you space. Let me know when you’re leaving, and I’ll give you money for the flight.” I turned my back on her and walked out of the room.
It always ended this way. Delilah had lasted longer than any of my other arrangements. I’d thought we were on the same page. I couldn’t give myself to another person. I couldn’t be trusted with something as fragile as someone’s heart.
But fuck, seeing Mags today made me wish I could change it. I couldn’t do that to her. She was too perfect. I knocked on Asher and Faith’s door. Asher answered it in a towel.
“Hey man, what’s up?” he asked.
The shower was on, and I groaned. “Gross, dude.”
“Your cousin and I have a healthy sex life, there’s nothing wrong with that.” His eyes rolled. “What’s up? You look panicked.”
I shook my head and kicked at the floor. “Delilah’s leaving. She confessed her feelings for me.”
He nodded his head and leaned against the door frame. “Listen, I’m only saying this one more time. Get it through your thick skull. You are not your father. You’re allowed to commit to someone.”
Pain shot through my heart as he mentioned Dad. I gulped. “I don’t know, man.”
“Faith and I saw how you were staring at Mags this morning. Faith said she doesn’t really like Declan.”
“Why’re you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I need to get back to Faith, so I’ll see you later.” He shut the door in my face before I could reply.
I groaned. I knew I wasn’t my father, but I was like him in every other way. I couldn’t hurt someone the way he did Mom. I’d be damned if I hurt Mags that way. I wouldn’t even give myself the chance.
Day One
1 PM- 3 PM - Mini-Golf
The putt-putt course was on the mainland. Tacky green fabric covered the ground, and there were a few different courses scattered about. The first one was easy, just a hole to hit the ball in a few feet away. Then as the course progressed, there were obstacles. Windmills, slides, boats, and other objects to hit the ball through to get to the hole. It was interesting. I was never a huge fan of putt-putt, but even I could appreciate the complexity of the course.
“If anyone’s worried about sucking ass, don’t feel too bad. I’m sure nobody sucks as much as my sweet baby cousin,” Luca announced, holding his bright blue club as a microphone.
Asher chuckled before Faith shot him a glare. “I’ll do better than you!” She stuck her tongue out at him.
Luca winked at her, and his eyes found mine. Delilah was nowhere to be seen, which brewed curiosity in the back of my mind that was better left alone. It was none of my business where the cute pink-haired woman was.
I pulled my gaze away from him and gave Declan a forced smile. “Are you any good at this?”
He flashed his perfect smile at me. “Oh, I’m a putt-putt master. Our duo will win for sure.”
