“I’m still feeling off,” I admit. “I’m trying not to be, but I am.”
“That’s okay,” he replies. “We both thought this week would be different. Hell, I never expected you to be on a boat like thisever.”
I laugh before sobering. “It would have been terrible to have Rob here, by the way. I’m glad it’s you.”
He gives me a half smile. “I’m glad it’s you too.”
A moment passes between us, one where I think he could mean something more. But I shove that away. I’m not ruining this by letting whatever has come over me make me question him.
“We’re on Grand Cayman today, right?” I ask. “Should we get breakfast before we explore again?”
Nate looks down at the sweat covering his body—something Idefinitelydid not notice—and winces. “I think I need a quick shower, but yes.”
A shower means seeing his ass.
Which I cannot do.
“I’ll just tidy up in the pool deck bathroom then,” I say. “And check in with everyone back home!”
The high pitch in my voice is back, and Nate frowns.
“Are you?—”
“Yep! Bye!”
I groanwhen I flop onto a pool chair. I’m still in my running outfit, but I refuse to be anywhere near a naked Nate. My leggings and sneakers will have to do.
Pulling my phone out, I finally open the messaging app. Since I’ve been with Nate, I’ve been so focused on us that I’ve not looked at a thing. I have a few unread messages waiting for me.
Quinn
Hey, just checking in. Want to hang out?
Haven’t heard back from you. Call me when you see this?
The second I see the message, I video call her.
“Maisie?” she answers. “Thank goodness. How are you?”
“I’m okay.”
“I should come over. How about a girls’ movie day? I need it after all the drama with my birthday party and ... other things.”
I grimace. I feel even worse for what I’m about to say. “I would say yes, but I’m not home. Nate convinced me to go on the cruise with him.”
She goes quiet. “I thought you said you didn’t want to go.”
“I didn’t, but he made some good points about how I shouldn’t be alone. It’s ... fine, I guess. Hard to complain about life when you’re surrounded by water, right?”
It’s a bald-faced lie, one that wouldn’t work on Nate.
Thankfully, I’m not talking to Nate.
“Well, that explains a lot.” She lets out a laugh. “We were all worried about you when Rob went by your place and you didn’t open the door.”
I blinked. “Rob went to my house?”
“Yeah, he wanted to talk it out. But when you didn’t answer, I figured I would check in on you. Not that you have to answer for him, of course. I’m on your side here, but usually you do.”
