Page 87 of XOXO

I nodded, my throat closing with emotion.

“That’s what this trip is for,” I said, low enough for no one to hear it. “At least for me. I needed some space and time to think.”

“I hope you find your happiness and peace.” She smiled softly.

“We are going to the islands tomorrow,” I said, as Levi and Matteo came up to us with fresh drinks. “Do you have any plans for the next two weeks?”

“Don’t think about it,” Levi said.

“Come with us,” Matteo said, throwing an arm over her shoulders.

“Isn’t it supposed to be some boys’ trip?”

“We are still with our boys,” Levi smirked, looking at me. “You would just happen to be in the middle, right where we want you.”

“Think about it. It will be lots of fun,” I said, hearing them call for me.

I walked away hearing Levi and Matteo telling her not to say no. Yeah, sue me cause I used my friends to convince her to come with us. I knew it from past experiences. It was hard to say no to them. My agent narrowed his eyes like he knew what had just transpired between us. Maybe I was an idiot for not having her sign a NDA, but it felt wrong. I hoped I wasn’t making a huge mistake.

23. Violeta

This is how the other half live.

When the boys talked about island-hopping, I assumed it was through ferries or boat rides or how regular people traveled. I didn’t imagine the guys had their own private boat to take us wherever we wanted, whenever.

The guys walked up to the boat like this wasn’t the first time they had done this. With how comfortable they were with this, it made me wonder how rich the guys really were. I grew up middle-class; we had enough for bills and the occasional vacation. Once my father started making good money, things hardly changed—maybe the car got bigger and a small home upgrade—until right before I left for college. Then status became everything to them.

Stepping onto the boat with my Target flip-flops made me feel like I should just walk barefoot instead.

“Mr. Moon.” A man stood at the entrance of the boat. “We are fueled up, all the food has arrived and we are ready to go when you are.

“I appreciate that, Mark,” Ru said, shaking his hand.

“Lunch will be ready in forty-five minutes and appetizers will be out in twenty,” he informed us, his accent posh like a British man.

“Marky Mark, we've missed you,” Levi said, hugging Mark who looked uncomfortable.

He sighed. “I have missed you too, Mr. Burgos.”

I laughed, but I saw the affection Mark had for him.

“This is our friend⁠—”

“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Vega,” he said, extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you too. Please call me Vi or Violeta,” I said, shaking his hand.

“Ok, Violeta,” he said smiling.

“Mark, it's good to see you. It’s been too long.” Matteo hugged the man too.

“It has been too long, Mr. Notaro,” he said with a fond smile. “Now, let me show you to your rooms and we can get ready for lunch.”

The boat was extravagant, screamed luxury and I really felt out of my element as he led us down to the rooms. Levi and Matteo took the first two rooms immediately, going in excitedly.

“This will be your room, Violeta,” Mark said, opening the door.

I expected a twin bed with a small window, much like a room I had when I went on a cruise, but I was very wrong. The room was modest with a desk and in the middle, a queen bed with tan bedding and pillows for days.