The flight to Hawaii was long.
I slept through most of it, my body finally surrendering to exhaustion. When I woke up, the ocean stretched endlessly below us, impossibly blue, glittering in the afternoon sun.
Hawaii.
The hotel was stunning—white buildings against lush green hills, the beach a ribbon of gold stretching into turquoise water. Sebastian and Aria had done well. The perfect backdrop for a perfect wedding.
I checked in and found my room. It was a suite overlooking the water, all clean lines and soft fabrics and a balcony where I could hear the waves crashing. I dropped my bags and stood at the window, letting the view wash over me.
My phone buzzed. Naomi.
I'm here. Where are you?
Room 412. Come up.
She arrived ten minutes later, still in her travel clothes, her braids piled on top of her head.
"Finally." She pulled me into a fierce hug. "I've been on planes for approximately seventeen hours and I need to complain to someone who cares."
"I care."
"I know. That's why I'm here." She flopped onto my bed, kicking off her shoes. "Catch me up. What's happening? How are you? How's the Matteo situation?"
The name sent a jolt through me. "There is no Matteo situation."
"Isa."She propped herself up on her elbows, giving me her full attention. "I talked to you two weeks ago and you were in Tuscany. At his vineyard. Something happened."
"Something happened."
"And?"
I sat on the edge of the bed. Stared at my hands.
"And I couldn't say it back."
"Say what back?"
"He told me he loved me."
Naomi was quiet for a moment. "Oh."
"Yeah."
"And you didn't..."
"I couldn't. Something stopped me." I looked up at her. "And then he asked if I still loved Femi, and I couldn't answer that either, and he told me to figure it out, and now I'm here, and Femi is here, and Matteo is probably here too because he's supplying the wine, and I don't know what I'm doing, Naomi. I don't know what I want."
She sat up fully, taking my hands in hers with firm warmth.
"What does your gut say?"
"My gut is confused."
"Okay, what does your heart say?"
"My heart is an idiot."
"Isa."
