And Brett…
He hardly glanced my way after River and that other guy showed up.
Jake.
Who the hell is Jake?
He’s supposed to be dead.
Brett’s words.
I returned to this island for Brett. He loves me. I have to remember that. Just because someone from his past returned and he’s visibly shaken doesn’t mean his feelings have changed.
But I can’t ignore the nagging voice in my head remindingme of how quickly things can change. Of how fickleness often masquerades as love. It only took one stripper at a bachelor party to turn my relationship with Leroy upside down. In an instant, he fell out of love with me and left. Granted, he says now that it was all a huge mistake, but what’s done is done.
How much time did I spend pining for something that was never what I thought it was? When I saw him again, to say goodbye to Lavonne, I knew it was over.
Brett is the one.
We reach the deck, and June makes a beeline toward the bar where Sebastian stands alone. Heather is talking to Darby, the new doctor who just arrived.
Emily and I stand together by the doorway.
“Are you okay?” she asks me.
“Fine. Why do you ask?”
“Brett seems odd,” she says. “So does River.”
“A friend of theirs apparently just came back from the dead.” I shrug. “I suppose they’re allowed to act a little odd.”
Emily’s lips tighten in a thin line. “I suppose. But something doesn’t feel right.”
Before I can respond, Heather waves us over to where she’s standing with Darby. “Join us, ladies!”
I like Heather, even though she’s friendly with June, who I’m ambivalent about. Funny that I really don’t know anyone very well, other than Emily.
It’s my own fault. Before the men arrived, we were superficially friendly with each other, but since then, I’ve really only spent time with Emily. Of course I was just interested in chasing orgasms those first days, so I have only myself to blame.
My instinct is to retreat, to wallow in my uncertainty and confusion. But even as my mind churns with thoughts ofBrett and his estranged companion, I follow Emily over to Heather and Darby. Socializing might be good for me. It might take my mind off things.
Darby offers a warm smile. She’s polished but approachable, her green eyes sharp with curiosity.
“Where’s that hunky surfer god you were hanging on earlier?” she asks, flicking her gaze toward the doorway.
Okay, maybe not so approachable.
“He’s otherwise engaged,” Emily says before I have a chance to reply.
Fine by me. “We’ve got a new visitor,” I add. “An old friend of Brett and River’s, I guess. His name is Jake.”
Heather widens her eyes. “There’s a new guy here?”
Emily nods. “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. Right now, though, they’re not talking.”
Heather scoffs. “I don’t know why men think it’s okay to shut us out. Like we’re just supposed to sip cocktails and wait for them to decide what we need to know.”
Darby lets out a laugh. “I know I just got here, but I’m good with sipping cocktails.”
