Page 81 of I Wish He Would

She slurps up the remaining iced coffee from her cup. Right when it’s empty, a resort worker comes over and takes it from her. “That’s some quality service.”

“Lyssa.” I shoot her a look.

Alyssa sighs. “I might have researched it this morning to make sure it wouldn’t impact your body too much for baseball.” She shifts in her plush lounge chair uncomfortably. “Can’t have you feeling anything other than one hundred percent for your game this weekend.”

Her thoughtfulness warms my heart. “That was sweet of you. Thanks.”

“Anytime.” She smooths her hands along her robe.

I turn to face her. “Are you ready to talk about things?”

She huffs out a laugh. “Yes and no.”

“Just talk to me like you always do.”

Alyssa stares down at her lap. “It’s not as simple anymore. Things are different between us now.”

I nod. “That tends to happen when people kiss.”

“It’s not even that.”

I lean over and take her hand in mine, lacing our fingers. “Then tell me what it is.”

Alyssa looks toward the private pool. “Can we talk out in the water? Maybe get a lemonade?”

As long as I’m with her, figuring things out, I’m down for anything. I’d even do Pilates again. “Whatever makes you comfortable.” I stand, pulling her up with me. I shrug out of my robe and pull off my shirt before tossing my mostly empty coffee in the trash. I step into the outdoor section of the spa just in time to watch Alyssa drop her robe, revealing her bikini. She looks amazing in anything she wears, but she’s downright gorgeous in this sky-blue bathing suit. It matches her eyes perfectly, making them pop even more. The contrast between her curled blonde hair and the blue is also stunning. Like the color was made specifically for her.

She peers over her shoulder at me with a smirk. “Are you going to swim or keep staring?”

I chuckle, walking the rest of the way to the chairs she’s claimed. “Can I do both?”

She sits on the edge of the pool and gracefully slides in. I follow her into the water, and what I lack in her gracefulness I make up for in my ability to cause a small wave in the pool.

I slip into the water, relishing in the cool temperature in this Caribbean heat. When I come up for air, I run my fingers through my hair and find Alyssa watching me.

From this level in the resort, I can see the beach and ocean behind her, along with the mountainous greenery surrounding us on the island. A striking backdrop for an even more striking woman.

“Beautiful,” I breathe.

She turns and looks behind her. “The water is so blue it almost looks fake.”

“I wasn’t talking about the view.”

I shift to look at Austin. He’s watching me with cautious eyes and that lopsided grin I love so much, his dimple on full display. “Do you mean that?”

“I mean everything I say, especially when it comes to you.” Austin swims closer, stopping right in front of me. He places his cool, wet palm on my cheek. I immediately melt into his touch. He gently tilts my face until I’m meeting his gaze. “Talk to me, Lyssa.”

“I’m confused about where we stand.” I look at the lush green trees on St. Lucia, unable to bear looking at his face. “About what we are.”

“Then let’s get everything out in the open.” He brushes his thumb along my cheekbone. “When I told you I wanted you, I meant that.”

“And that kiss?” I ask, hoping he understands the underlying question.

“Don’t get me wrong, our first kiss was amazing. But this one was even better because it felt like the first moment we both truly chose each other.”

I take a deep breath, mustering the courage to ask the question that’s been holding my mind captive since yesterday. “And the comment about Bianca and Bradley watching?”

He drops his hands. “I wanted to clear that up. I didn’t point them out on the beach because I wanted them to see.” Austin’s jaw tenses. “I was worried they did see. That anyone saw that kiss when it felt so special and monumental. Something just for the two of us.”