I set my phone down and stare at the ceiling, smiling in the dark like a teenager with her first crush.
Only this is more than a crush.
So much more.
I close my eyes and for the first time in longer than I can remember, my last thought before sleep isn’t about Jake or my family or what needs doing tomorrow.
It’s just Lucas.
Then my phone vibrates. I roll over to check, not sure if I’m half smiling or half annoyed with Lucas.
Except, that isn’t the four-buzz Lucas tone.
It’s the two-buzz Jake tone.
Dread pulls the feeling from my limbs, centering it in a pit in my stomach.
Scottie’s Boyfriend
agent is BIG mad
we need to talk tomorrow
Just like that, I’m wide awake.
The smile is gone.
It’s going to be a long night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Scottie
It’s 5:11 a.m., and the resort is so quiet it feels staged, like someone pressed pause on the entire building.
I’ve been up for ten minutes, sitting cross-legged on my bed in pajama shorts and an oversized top. My laptop is open and the blue glow is frying my retinas while I pretend I’m working. But I’m having a hard time focusing on my work.
Instead, I keep glancing at my phone.
I’m not waiting for my morning coffee, or anything.
Obviously.
Not eagerly checking for the delivery app notification that means Lucas ordered me coffee from four floors down without technically breaking any rules. It’s not like I rely on it to start my day. This safe, thoughtful gesture that tells me he’s thinking about me while being aware of the ever-shifting yet uncrossable line between us …
This stupid, uncrossable line.
How dare he be so respectful? And does he think that’s what he’s doing now, not sending me a drink?
A glance at my phone confirms no notification. No cheerfulYour order is on the way!banner.
Knock knock knock.
It’s so soft, if I weren’t awake, I’d miss it. Is it my coffee? Maybe the notification system is down. I slide off the bed and pad to the door.
Then my heart leaps to my throat, because it’s not the delivery guy.
It’s Lucas.
