Page 79 of I Wish He Would

I let go of Austin’s hand and wrap my arms around my middle. “We should get back, too. I need to shower and get ready for dinner.”

“Of course, but before we do that”—Austin shoves his hands in his pockets—“I know you’re someone who needs time to process things, and I want to give you the space to do that. But I want to acknowledge that we need to talk.” He pauses like he’s trying to figure out the right thing to say. “About a lot of things.”

Emotion grips the back of my throat at how well he knows me while my head and my heart resume their battle, trying to think through every possibility of what he might tell me when we talk.

He could say the kiss was a mistake and he wants to be friends. Or he could explain that everything is blurred now because of our ruse, and maybe it’s best we cut our losses and end our friendship now, since he could be traded at the end of the season. Or there’s the possibility that he likes me too, and he has a reasonable explanation for why he pointed out Bianca and Bradley after our kiss.

I do my best to shove the thoughts away. Stewing over what Austin may or may not say isn’t going to do me any good. What I need to do is take the night to decide if it’s worth it to lay all my feelings—and my heart—on the line, knowing I could lose him.

“Is it okay if we talk tomorrow?” I ask.

His gaze turns soft as he looks into my eyes. “Tomorrow.” The word sounds like a promise coming from his lips.

And I hold on to that promise for the rest of the night, hoping it will end with us both getting what we want.

All I can do is wish on every palm tree that we both want the same thing.

It’s finally tomorrow.

Not gonna lie, it was difficult getting through the seafood feast last night when all I wanted to do was scoop Alyssa up in my arms and kiss her again. But knowing I get to clear the air with her today and tell her everything I’m feeling leaves me with anxious jitters.

Alyssa must have snuck out earlier while I was still sleeping, so I quickly get ready and head out to grab a quick breakfast sandwich and coffee and head to the spa, since that’s what was on the schedule she sent me before the trip. My heart beats faster when I spot Alyssa sitting on a bench outside the spa.

“Good morning.” I extend the iced toasted-coconut coffee I bought toward her.

She smiles up at me. “You didn’t have to get me this.”

“You said you could drink one every day for the rest of your life.” I wrap both hands around the coffee sleeve on my cup. “I’m doing what I can to make that happen.”

She dips her head. “Thanks.”

“You were gone pretty early. How’d you sleep?”

“Good. I decided to go to a reformer Pilates class they were offering.”

“Was our friend Felicity there?” I tease.

She laughs. “Thankfully, no.”

I take a sip of my coffee. “I can’t believe you call that torture exercise.”

“I think reformer Pilates is easier than mat Pilates since you have the machine helping you in a way, but not everyone may agree.”

“Are you inviting me to a class?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure your body is built for that kind of core workout.”

I pull my shirt up and glance at my abs. “I think I’m good.”

Alyssa’s eyes dart to my stomach before she takes a few large gulps of the iced coffee. I don’t miss the way a slight blush covers her cheeks. I try to stay humble, but her staring at my abs like that just gave me the reassurance I needed that she feels something for me too.

She stands and walks toward the door. “We should head in.”

I hurry and grab the handle, opening it for her.

“Thanks.” The floral aroma from her perfume hits as she steps past me like a sweet summer breeze. I close my eyes and breathe it in before following her inside.

“Can’t say I’ve ever been to a spa before,” I whisper.