Dr. Amy Neilsen. The hot blonde doctor who Kayla had been so sure was flirting with her that day at the hospital. And hadn’t they run into each other a few times in the weeks leading up to this trip? Not exactly run into each other—more like seen each other across the busy lobby or just leaving a patient room. She’d thought Amy was avoiding her because she was embarrassed that Kayla hadn’t flirted back. What a fool she’d been. That first day Amy, had been scoping out the competition. She’d played up the interest in Kayla’s personal life because she’d been spying on her fiancée’s ex. Well, the joke was on her. Kayla would be the one leaving this island with Skye on her arm, and Dr. Wife Stealer would be the one left at the altar.
When Mack cleared her throat, Kayla realized she’d frozen in place for too long. She pasted on a wide smile and shook Amy’s outstretched hand. “Nice to see you again. So glad you could get time off from the hospital.”
“Oh, they’re really good to me. The nurses even threw us a joint bridal shower.”
Amy turned a sickly-sweet smile on Skye that made Kayla want to barf.
“That’s sweet.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mack.”
It seemed to take some effort for Amy to peel her eyes off Skye, but she did a double take when she finally looked up at Mack. Kayla knew, just from Amy’s glazed expression, that Mack had turned on one of her megawatt half-smiles. A burst of pride exploded in her chest. Mack knew she needed a win, and she provided. Skye didn’t immediately react, but the seed had been planted.
“Looks like you have a couple of empty chairs here. Mind if we join you for breakfast?” Kayla didn’t wait for acceptance and dropped into the chair in front of her. Dr. Liar Wife Stealer would have to look like the rude one and tell her to leave.
Amy, however, didn’t bat an eyelash at the intrusion. It probably helped that Mack dropped into the chair opposite Kayla and scooted her chair just a hair closer to Amy. Were their knees brushing under the table? Probably not. Mack would know to play it as cool as possible for right now. She really was the perfect friend.
Skye snatched up her coffee cup and turned her full attention to Kayla. “What a coincidence that you two decided to get married here the same week we did.”
“Oh, you know, when I called to make plans, they mentioned what week you two would be here. I thought it would be fun for us to hang out as a foursome. Don’t you think that would be the best?”
Skye and Amy shared a look that clearly said they’d had at least one fight about this. Excellent. That wedge was a major point in the Plan of Seduction. Make them fight early and often, especially about Kayla. Skye hated confrontation more than anyone Kayla had ever known. When she fought with Amy about this, Kayla would look like the reasonable one, and Amy would be the problem. Everything was coming together.
Even though breakfast was sprinkled with long silences and awkward small talk, it went perfectly with the Plan. While they all picked through individual plates of cut fruit, Mack engaged Amy in conversation about traveling, and Kayla saw her first opportunity.
She leaned in closer to Skye and spoke in a low, soothing voice. “It really is beautiful here, isn’t it?”
Skye turned those sharp green eyes on her, and Kayla’s breath caught. It had been so long since she’d been the full focus ofSkye’s attention. She craved it like a flower craves the sun. It didn’t carry the intensity it once had, even for her, but she knew that would grow over time.
“It’s great, yeah.”
“I’m really glad we both get to see it, even if it isn’t what we planned all those years ago.” Kayla worked hard to keep the longing out of her voice. Instead, she pretended their relationship was a pleasant memory she would always treasure.
She must have hit the mark, because Skye’s posture softened like she’d released tension from her shoulders. Had she been expecting a fight? If she’d thought Kayla was going to be some unhinged ex, she would see something else entirely. She would see a relaxed, happy Kayla. A Kayla she wanted in her life.
“I’m glad, too.” Skye held her eyes for a beat too long, then smiled and looked at her plate. “It wasn’t that long ago, you know.”
“Wasn’t it? I guess it just feels like a long time. So much has changed since then.”
Kayla forced herself to turn her wistful gaze on Mack. To her surprise, Mack returned it, and Kayla’s heart beat extra fast of its own accord. Damn, no wonder women swooned over her. Mack could charm the paint off the walls with nothing more than a look.
Skye cleared her throat, and her words became a touch more clipped when she spoke again. “I guess you’re right.”
Kayla smiled wider, keeping her eyes focused on Mack. Was that annoyance in Skye’s tone? Perfect. She stood and said, “Mack and I were headed to the wedding coordinator now. Have you two talked to her yet? We could all go together.”
Skye and Mack wore matching scowls, but, annoyingly, Amy seemed unfazed by Kayla’s insistence that they do everything together. She hopped to her feet. “Sounds like a great plan.”
Kayla led the way, satisfied with another win. If they visited the coordinator together, she would know exactly when Skye and Amy’s ceremony would be. That would tell her exactly how much time she had to break up the wedding. Everything was falling into place, and the sun had barely climbed over the horizon.
Chapter Eleven
“I’m afraid tomorrow isnot available.” Juliana scowled over her computer screen, a knot of frustration appearing between her brows. “Tuesday is booked as well, and Wednesday there are storms forecast. We don’t have a free slot for either of you until Friday.”
Kayla raised a hand to her lips as if in distress. In reality, it hid her smile. “Oh no.”
Juliana’s eyebrows danced higher on her forehead. “I’m surprised you didn’t book your preferred date ahead of time. When we spoke on the phone, I mentioned how busy we are this time of year.”
Skye turned an angry look on Kayla. “You didn’t mention that to us.”
