Before she stepped off the boat, she let out a deep exhale.I forgive you,she thought, addressing Mrs.Liang in the wind.I forgive you in Claire’s stead.As Sal stepped off the ferry platform, she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her chest.
***
Moments later, Sal arrived at the Dusit Thani feeling drained.She entered the pool area where the concierge said the party was and spent a good ten minutes scanning the area for Willow and Theola.
The evening had melted into a cocktail of loud sounds, people laughing and drinking, while bubbles foamed at the pool.It was a foam party by the pool, after all.Ugh, Willow, why did you have to choose this place for dinner?She thought, needing a quieter place to talk to her friend and process what she had just found out about Harmon.
When she finally spotted both by the pool lounging in their swimsuits, relief came first—then concern.Willow’s posture was loose in that way that meant either she was relaxed or the night had gotten ahead of her.Sal knew which one it was.Theola looked preoccupied, munching on a taco, while Willow was conversing with a handsome young man, whose features became clearer as Sal approached them.
“Willow!”she called, already weaving through bodies.For a second Willow didn’t respond, just blinked like she was waking up from a nap.Then her eyes focused when Sal was in front of her.
“Hey,” Sal said, trying to keep her voice calm and light even though her pulse was sprinting.“We need to talk—but not here.Are you all right — is she all right?”She glanced at the man beside her, instinctively cataloging him: he looked fit, had a beautiful shade of mahogany to his skin, and his green eyes were arresting.
Willow waved it off.“I’m fine.Just tipsy.”
The man introduced himself—Baron, assistant to Mr.Moon.The name hit her like a shard of glass stabbed right through Sal’s chest.Moon.Harmon Moon.
“He’s here?”The words came out thinner than she intended.“Where is he?”she asked Baron.
Baron turned, scanning the deck.Her eyes had already caught Harmon at the infinity pool deck, staring into the ocean.By the time Baron had pointed in his direction, Sal was already moving.
Every step toward the infinity pool tightened something old and unfinished inside her.She hadn’t planned this.She hadn’t rehearsed what she’d say if she ever saw him.They were now tethered to the same story through Claire, her best friend, and now, his half-sister.
She reached him and tapped his shoulder.
He turned.Surprise flickered across his face.“Sal?What—?”
“So you’re Claire’s brother?”she snapped.
Harmon’s demeanor visibly hardened at her statement, and he didn’t have to say anything more.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Two Flames
SAL
Presently, Dusit Thani Cebu
Bleary-eyedandwitheyebrowstilted upward, Harmon considered Sal with a look of sympathy.
Don’t look at me like that, damn it!Sal thought as tears flowed down her cheeks.“You’re Claire’s brother…” she said again, this time not as a question, but as a reality that had sunk in the last minute.
Despite the loud music, all Sal could focus on was Harmon.He took a few steps closer, probably so she could hear him.“Let’s not talk here—it’s too noisy, and I have a headache,” he said.There was something unreadable in his gaze.
His cheeks flushed bright pink.Is he inebriated?she thought.
Then a soft hand cupped her cheek and gently wiped away a tear.“Please don’t cry…” he muttered.His voice was tender and deep.
Before Sal could react, Harmon pulled her by the wrist out of the pool area and into the hotel’s main lobby.As he did, she noticed he was wearing a black muscle shirt that had a revealing low cut on the side.She had never seen him wear anything casual.She didn’t know why her eyes lingered on his taut arms as he led the way, but they were very distracting.
He arrived at the concierge and pulled out his wallet.“I’ll need a room,” he said.
The concierge looked at him and back at Sal, smiled and nodded.“What type of room would you like?”
Sal’s eyes widened.“Wait—”
“Give me the biggest room you have available,” he shot back while massaging his temples, handing over his ID and his credit card.
