I speed walk down the hallway, driven by the sudden, crashing need to know who Noah is with. Jealousy coils tight in my chest, pushing out every other thought until there’s nothing left but the burning need to see for myself.
The music grows louder with every step, each note tightening the knot in my stomach. By the time I reach the door, I’m gripping the keycard so hard it cuts into my palm.
I take one final, shaky breath, trying to hold on to whatever calm I have left… which isn’t much. My heart pounds as I press down on the door handle and lean into the door, bracing myself for what I’m certain I’m about to see.
But what’s waiting on the other side isn’t at all what I expected. In fact,nothingcould have prepared me for what I was looking at.
16
ELIJAH
“Whiskey sour, please.”
I tap two fingers on the bar top while pulling out a chair and admiring the view of the ocean from the resort’s outside cantina.
The orange sun hovers above the waves, and the salty, soapy scent of the sea eases my tight muscles and refreshes my soul. Honestly, it feels pretty amazing.
“Sure thing, brother,” the bartender replies.
With an easygoing smile, he places a coaster in front of me and finishes wiping down the countertop before tossing the rag off to the side and reaching for a shaker.
Trading my usual bourbon for something different isn’t all that surprising while on vacation. I like to keep things interesting when traveling, even if it’s just back home on my beloved island of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is a friendly, laid-back island, so different from the constant hustle and bustle of the States. That’s what draws me back here every time. Well, that and my parents. But here, everyone lives on island time. No one rushes, yet somehow,everything still falls into place. It’s a pace that feels right, a quiet happiness that hugs you. And the locals are a joyful bunch, with their boisterous laughter echoing through the streets. Whether working or playing a game of dominoes outside a bodega, the vibes are all the same. It’s a happy island, for sure.
I really do miss living here. Every corner of this oasis holds a fond memory. The warm weather, abundance of sunshine, and the way food and drink are shared so generously—it all feels like home. As it should. The island is deeply rooted in family values. Puerto Ricans are proud people, no doubt about it, and there’s a special joy they feel in seeing others appreciate the blessings their island has to offer.
“Amigo.” The bartender grins as he passes over a dressed-up whiskey sour.
Wasting no time, I take a much-needed sip of the drink, savoring its refreshing taste while slurping the frothy head, which softens the bite of the lemon.Delicious. Citrus zings across my lips and over my tongue. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and sour. Alex would enjoy the flavors in this particular drink. I’ll have to remember to order him one when he arrives… which is tomorrow, and my parents are already busy preparing an authentic Puerto Rican meal for us.
Taking another sip, I think back to when I spoke to him last night. Poor guy. He sounded thoroughly exhausted. I hope he got a good night’s sleep.
A soft pink hue sweeps across the sky as I let my gaze drift down the beach. With the sun setting, a full orb of orange sits atop the ocean waves like a bouncing ball of fire. It’s absolutely breathtaking. I can’t wait for Alex to experience these spectacular sunsets. There’s truly nothing like them anywhere else in the world. Of course, I might be a bit biased when it comes to my native island.
A warm, balmy breeze flutters off the ocean, filling my nostrils with a waft of salty island air. Humming contentedly, I kick back and relax into the wicker barstool, taking another leisurely sip of my cocktail, motioning for the bartender to shake up another.
“Mmm, you must be enjoying those.” A familiar voice brushes across my ear, deep and unmistakable, just as a large hand settles on my shoulder. My breath catches as I turn toward the voice.
“What are you doing here?” I gasp. Gabriel’s beautiful smile lights up his handsome face, and for a moment, it rivals even the sunset. Both are spectacular, but his smile might just be my favorite.
“I’ve come to join you,” he purrs, dropping into a seat beside me. His bare thigh brushes lightly against my leg, and goose bumps spring from my flesh as the bartender strides over and slaps down another coaster.
“Two shots of Bacardi, and… one of those fancy drinks with the umbrella,” he slurs, tapping his finger against the glass of my freshly made whiskey sour.
“Why are you here?” I ask again, confused by this unexpected visit. The last I knew, he was still in Spain.
Returning with two shots of Bacardi and a whiskey sour, the bartender places them down in front of Gabriel, who proceeds to slide a shot glass over to me and raises his own. “You come to Puerto Rico, Elijah, you’re supposed to enjoy the fruits of the island.” He taps the bottom of his glass against mine with a grin and a wink, then knocks back his shot in one go. Shaking his head, he lets out a dramatic hiss as the alcohol scorches his throat.
The rum is not as harsh as he makes it seem—he’s just beingextra—and I toss mine back as well, allowing the smooth spirit to glide deliciously down my throat.
I grew up drinking this particular brand of rum. It’s made right here on the island at Casa Bacardi in Cataño, and my father had cases of it in the cellar. Probably still does.
I sit back and lick my lips, listening to Gabriel order another round of shots in that smooth, melodic Spanish of his. Even though he’s from Spain, our Spanish isn’t all that different. Although his has a sultry slur to it, which I happen to find very sexy.
Aware that he’s deliberately avoiding my question, I press on. “So, what’s the occasion, love?” I swivel around on my stool; eyes locked on him as he struggles to find the right words. His hand runs through his thick, shoulder-length hair, betraying his hesitation. Something’s not right.
“I needed to be here, Elijah… with you.” He stares straight ahead, reaching for his glass, and takes a hearty sip of the whiskey sour.
