The guys all start walking down the wooden pier toward the fishing charter. I lag behind, kicking myself for not at least trying to get Willow’s number so I could text her. That might alleviate some of the boredom I suspect I’m in for. Then again, we probably don’t have cell service out on the fucking ocean. It’s a damn good thing I like Eddie enough to do this.
A couple of hours later, I’m questioning that loyalty. One of the guys caught some big fish, don’t ask me what kind, and I joined in a celebratory beer, but I’m over it. My stomach is roiling as much as the waves are, I’m fucking hot as hell on this boat with zero shade, and I swear, if I hear one more bad joke about how I’m striking out on catching a fucking fish, I’m gonna push someone overboard.
“I’m sorry about them, Sin.”
The sound of my nickname from college ball makes me smile. Eddie’s the one who started it, and it stuck with me all the way to the big leagues. Dropping down onto the bench next to me, Eddie passes over a bottle of water. I take it with a nod of thanks and guzzle half of it down before responding. “Not your problem, brother. It’s fine.”
“I swear they’re not douchenozzles back home. What is it about vacation that brings out the worst in some people?”
I snort. “You mean they aren’t always moments away from whipping out their dicks and measuring them?”
Eddie chokes back his laugh, but it’s loud enough that one of the other guys looks over. Thankfully, someone’s rod starts jerking, drawing the attention away.
“Thanks for coming,” Eddie says. “I know it’s not easy getting away with Peyton and all, so I just want you to know it means a lot that you’re here. Hopefully, you have some fun this week, even if it isn’t today.”
I chuckle, because he might be one of my best friends, but I’m not about to tell him just what kind of fun I would like to have this week. “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here. Even with Tweedledee and Tweedledum over there.”
This time his laugh isn’t as subtle. “Yeah. To be honest, they’re only here because their wives are best friends with Clara. If it were up to me, I’d just spend the day surfing with you and Jer. But she really wants us to hang out and get to know each other, so she planned all of this.”
“You could’ve told her what you wanted,” I say bluntly.
Eddie just shrugs, then stands and scratches his chest before looking down at me. “Someday you’ll find a woman who makes you realize the whole ‘happy wife, happy life’ thing isn’t total bullshit. When she’s happy, I’m happy. It’s that simple. And this, fishing with a bunch of guys, is not exactly a hardship.”
I nod because what else am I meant to say? He’s right, a fishing charter in Hawaii isn’t exactly torture, even if it’s not where I want to be right now. Eddie wanders over to the other guys, and I watch him for a second.
Heishappy. That’s clear to anyone who sees him and Clara together. And someday, sure, I’d love to find that. A partner, someone to do this life with. But today isn’t that day.
Today I’d settle for a dinner date with a beautiful brunette.
Chapter four
Willow
Okay, fine, I looked for Ronan yesterday. Didn’t see him, which is probably a good thing, but I looked. I’d have to be blind not to want to see the gorgeous man. Even if I have zero intention of giving in to his charm and letting him take me out for dinner, the attention is nice. I can’t deny that.
I decided last night that instead of heading to the gym again this morning and risking another run-in, I would drive out of town to hike the Maunawili Falls Trail. And I’ve been told there’s an incredible bakery on the way back that apparently has the best donuts I’ll ever taste.
An early morning hike followed by donuts, then a session in the shower with my naughty bag-buzzing vibrator? Sounds like heaven to me.
But of course, as soon as the doors to the elevator open, I come face-to-face with temptation wrapped up in a six-foot-plus muscular body with a killer smile and dimples I want to lick.
Nope, no I don’t. No licking dimples that belong to baseball players, Willow.
“Well, fancy seeing you here,” he says, moving to the side of the suddenly very small-feeling elevator. “Heading to the gym?”
I glance down at the backpack I’m holding. “Not today. I’m going for a hike instead.”
“Really? Same here.”
I tilt my head at his answer, but there’s not even a hint of deceit in his voice. Chalk it up to coincidence, yet again, I suppose.
“Where are you going?” he asks, and I answer automatically, seeing no reason not to.
“Maunawili Falls.”
Ronan makes a choking sound and I look over to see him lowering his water bottle. “Seriously?” he asks.
Nodding, I step out of the elevator when it opens on the main floor. “Yeah. Why?” Realization dawns on me when I see his smirk. “No fucking way.”
