“It won’t ring again,” she said, trying to keep her voice from wobbling. Before she burst into tears, she went outside and sucked in the warm air to calm herself once more. Blair and Sienna were in the pool. Emily slipped off her cover-up and waded into the cool water. With every step, her friends in front of her and the sun on her shoulders, she silently released her pent-up feelings into the air.
She would not allow Will to ruin this moment. He’d ruined enough already.
FIVE
Once they’d all dried off and thrown on some fresh clothes, they settled at the dinner table inside. Emily had finally calmed down enough after her call from Will to be present in the moment, and she decided she’d do her very best to keep him from stealing any more of her happiness. She scooted up to the table, immersing herself in the atmosphere of gorgeous food and good friends in paradise.
“This looks incredible,” she said to Patrick as he placed the starter of heirloom tomato and burrata salad in front of her.
The corners of his mouth turned up subtly. “Thank you.”
His voice was careful, soft, deep. She couldn’t imagine him in the armed forces, given how reserved and nonthreatening he was. Instead of being full of command, it seemed as if he’d dart away at the first opportunity. Perhaps his quiet nature was why he was no longer in the navy?
The sun went behind a cloud, darkening the room. He noticed, and immediately pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit the candles in the center of the table. An orange glow illuminated their places, making it feel cozy and intimate.
“He’s not so bad,” Blair whispered in Emily’s ear when Patrick had gone back into the kitchen to retrieve a bottle ofwine. “He was quick with lighting the tapers. I need to teach Rocko that trick.”
Emily chuckled.
Sienna leaned across the table. “We’ll definitely have to get that magazine. I’m so curious. Or I could just try to start a conversation.”
“I wouldn’t,” Emily replied. “He literally told me he actuallylikessilence.”
Sienna made a face. “Weird.”
“For you,” Emily said with a laugh.
“Are you sticking up for him?” Sienna teased, thoughts behind those brown eyes of hers. “He is attractive. Could be a good rebound…”
Emily shot her a look.
“Seriously,” Sienna insisted.
Emily’s expression tightened, and she glanced at the doorway to the kitchen. “I am in no place to entertain any thoughts apart from this girls’ week. I have enough to juggle, thank you very much.”
They hushed when Patrick came back with the bottle of wine and the final plate of salad. He set the plate in front of Sienna and then popped the cork out of the sauvignon blanc. As he reached around the water goblet to fill Emily’s glass, a clap of thunder exploded outside. Patrick jumped, the wine spilling onto her plate and into her lap. Instinctively, she pushed back and sprung to her feet, the liquid dripping a little on the hardwood floor.
Patrick flinched. He gathered himself quickly, setting down the bottle and snatching a cloth napkin. “I’m so sorry.” He reached out to blot her, then obviously thought better of it and handed her the napkin.
“It’s okay.” Her shorts were soaking.
“I’ll get you a new salad.” His words came out in almost a growl. Then he disappeared into the kitchen.
Another roll of thunder rippled above them, as dishes clanged behind the closed doors.
Sienna leaned across the table and made a face, glancing at the kitchen. “What was that?”
“I guess the thunder startled him,” Emily replied, dabbing at her wine-soaked shorts, unsuccessfully trying to remove the ice-cold wetness. “I’ll be right back.”
She ran upstairs, slipped off her wet shorts, threw them over the edge of the tub, and put on a different pair. When she returned, the floor and table were clean, and she had a full glass of wine and a fresh salad, along with a steaming plate of snapper.
As if the heavens opened up, a swooshing sound outside drew her attention to the French doors. Only a slip of blue Gulf was visible through the haze of pouring rain.
Emily sat down, stabbed a forkful of the salad, and took a bite, focusing on the food to avoid thinking about the rain and the fact that she and her friends had yet to really get to talk. The crisp, fresh flavors exploded in her mouth. The sweet, juicy tomatoes complemented the creamy, rich, buttery burrata cheese.
She swallowed. “This is the best salad I’ve had in a while. Wow.”
“I might agree with you on that,” Blair said, taking a bite.
