Rob
Are you serious? You went on OUR honeymoon with him?
I huff out a humorless laugh. Whatever his deal is with Nate, it’s still there.
It’llalwaysbe there.
With a long sip, I finish my own coffee and shoot off one more text before I stand and follow Nate.
Maisie
Of course I did. What else are best friends for?
chapter fourteen
When I finally catch up toNate, he seems determined not to talk about Rob. He smiles and hands over my flower sunglasses, giving me a half-ass excuse that I’d need them. Judging by the way I’ve squinted all morning, I’m inclined to say that it’s the right choice.
“This isn’t a massive island,” he says. “But there’s a botanical garden.”
I can still see the tense line of his shoulders, and the way he doubts I’ll stay away from Rob hurts.
But my bravery is waning. I pushed things by asking Nate what he really thought. And now I regret it. I want today to be fun, and I’m determined to get rid of the lingering awkwardness between us.
“That sounds fun,” I say. “Shall we get in line?”
He nods. It’s later in the morning and there are less people getting off the boat this time, yet the line seems to be slower. I’m mostly focused on Nate and wishing I could start some sort of banter to completely melt any remaining tension.
I haven’t given the island a second thought, but when we get to the front of the line, I realize I’ve made a massive mistake.
The water glistens below and I see a smaller ferry waiting for us. It rocks in a way the larger ship doesn’t as people are walking on to sit. Looking out, I realize there isno port. We’re in the middle of the ocean still, and we have to ride the dingy little thing to shore.
Ohfuckno. I’ve grown used to the sight of water, but the cruise ship makes it feel farther away, so much so that it doesn’t feel as dangerous. But the tiny thing looks like it’sinthe water, barely above it.
“Shit,” Nate says. “You okay? I didn’t know there wasn’t a port here.”
I wish him being within just a few inches of me would cure my fear, but I’m still about to board a tiny boat that I can barely trust when I can’t fucking swim.
Nothing feels scarier.
All I can do is jerk my head side to side. Words are impossible.
His hands land on my shoulders. He moves us to the side so others can get on the boat. I’m worried he’ll let me go the second we’re out of the way, so I grip his wrists to keep him close.
He’s warm and real.
“Okay, here’s what we can do.” His green eyes meet mine. “We can stay here and find something else to do for the whole day. Or I can help you onto the boat. But either way, you’re in control, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
“It’s just ... small.” At least I can talk. He doesn’t take away the fear, but he helps.
“I know. And I should’ve looked into it further. What do you know? I actuallyambad at reading. But we can walk away now.”
I study the planes of his face. This close, his eyelashes curl against his slightly tan skin. He’s got a little stubble; he must have forgotten to shave this morning.
Usually, he’s far enough away that I can’t see these things.
And that distance has been bothering me.
I hate this. I hate that there’s any tension at all between us. It feels wrong after being friends for so long without it.
