Page 55 of The Plus One

“Because you didn’t ask me out.”

“You would’ve said no just to be difficult.”

“That’s not true.” Ace raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I might’ve said no if you didn’t answer my questions.”

“You’ve been asking questions all morning.”

“And you still haven’t told me where we’re going.”

He nodded ahead. “There.”

A small island appeared in the distance, surrounded by clear blue water. White sand curved the one side I could see, while palm trees covered most of the land, and a wooden walkway stretched toward a bungalow sitting by itself. “That’s where we’re going?”

“Yeah.”

“Is this somebody’s resort?”

“Not today.”

“What does that mean?”

“I rented the island.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You rented a whole island?”

“Until tomorrow morning.”

“Ace Davis.”

“What?”

“This is not normal.”

“You wanted a good surprise.”

“I would’ve been happy with breakfast at the resort.”

“We got that too.”

When we reached the dock, Ace helped me off the boat. There wasn’t another person in sight besides the crew, and the water was so clear I could see fish beneath us. The bungalow was even better up close. “This is beautiful.”

“Better than nice?”

“A little.”

Ace laughed and opened the door. Inside was a large living area and bedroom overlooking the water, with glass panels built into part of the floor. Outside, a table had been set beneath a shaded canopy with flowers, fruit, french toast, eggs, potatoes, chicken sausage, and champagne.

I turned toward him. “You planned all this last night?”

“I made a call.”

“You just make calls and private islands appear?”

He shrugged, “sometimes.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Are you hungry?”