Page 64 of Last Night Was Fun

“Of course it’s okay. I’m glad you made it. How’d you know where we were?”

“The front desk told me. I went to the room first, and when it was empty, I figured I’d find you all at the villa.”

“Good thing you aren’t an actual axe murderer swindling information out of innocent hotel clerks to find me,” Emmy said, and sucked her piña colada’s straw. It was easily her fourth of the night.

“Good thing.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “So, this place is incredible,” he said in a change of subject and looked around appreciatively.

“Ah, yes. Did I forget to mention my brother-in-law’s family is filthy rich?” Emmy said with a facetious grimace.

“You may have overlooked that detail.”

“Apologies. But don’t worry; they are all super nice.”

“I would hope so.”

Emmy sucked her straw again until it made a sputtering sound. “So,” she said, trying to embrace the awkward situation they were in by poking fun at it. “Wanna meet my whole family?”

Gabe snorted a laugh and sweetly blushed. “Yes, but could I maybe get one of those first?” He pointed at her empty glass.

“Oh, indeed. I need a refill anyway.”

She led him into the house where the magically bottomless blender held a fresh batch of creamy frozen booze. Emmy honestly didn’t know who kept making the drinks, but they were damn good at it, and she wasn’t about to stop them.

Back outside, drinks in hand, she introduced Gabe to her parents, Ben’s parents, Ben’s brother and his wife, and two of Piper’s friends who’d been on the bachelorette cruise but thankfully had either been too drunk then or were too drunk now to recognize First Mate Gabe. The introductions were pleasant but brief, with most everyone tired from travel and promising to catch up more over the coming days.

Soon, the party was over and the bride- and groom-to-be kicked everyone out so they could go to bed. Emmy and Gabe made their way back toward their building along the paved path. The tropical night hummed with chirps and buzzing. Waves crashed in the distance, and palms rustled. The jungle came alive with a new set of sounds after dark.

“How was your flight?” Emmy asked when the silence betweenthem became too obvious to ignore. She was a hair past tipsy and now into drunk territory, which had been intentional because she didn’t know how else she was going to be able to fall asleep in the same room as Gabe Olson.

“It was fine,” he said. “I had an aisle seat.” He’d been nothing but charming and friendly at the party, but now that it was only the two of them, Emmy sensed a wall had risen. He was guarded with an almost painful effort.

“Love an aisle seat,” Emmy said, trying to lighten the mood. “Good for the legs.” She kicked her foot out in front of her, pointing her toe, and tottered off-balance.

“Careful,” Gabe said, and reached out to steady her. His warm hands gripped her bare arms and sent a wave tingling through her.

She tittered and put her foot back on the ground. “Thanks. Those piñas were strong. I don’t even know who was making them. The Ghost of Piña Colada Present.”

“You are drunk.”

“Indeed. Are you not?”

“Not as much as you, Bird Girl.”

Emmy playfully gasped and held up a hand to her ear. “Do you think we can hear birds?”

“If we’re quiet, probably.”

“Then stop talking.”

“I’m not talking.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Well, now we both are.”

“But you’re talking more—” Emmy cut off with a loud shriek and all but jumped into his arms.

“What! What is it?!” he shouted and squeezed her close.