Page 18 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“Yeah, you too,” I mumble, trying to look anywhere besides at him.

Holden walks over to us with a scowl. He grits out, “Good game,” like it physically pains him to say it.

Carly laughs at his side. “I’m going to take this sore loser to get a drink.” She ushers Holden up the stairs to the bar on the pool deck.

Hawke and I start walking down the beach. “I feel like a teenager again. No responsibilities. Just hanging out with my best friends. Beating Holden at everything. It’s like a second chance at childhood.”

I laugh. “Yeah, it has been fun. I’m glad your parents decided to do this.”

“Me too. I’m glad they’re still as in love as they were when they got married. Love is powerful. Maybe the greatest feeling ever.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I say dreamily. I used to think love was the most important thing in life. I would’ve done anything for Holden when we were together, but then he decided his life goals were more important than mine. I felt like I had been cast aside. And every guy I dated after Holden couldn’t handle how much I traveled. They either hated that I wasn’t around to give them attention, or their jealousy consumed them. Maybe I’m just not meant to be loved. Or maybe I don’t know what love is yet. I want the type of love where my partner would do anything to see me smile and vice versa. I’m starting to think that’s an impossible dream.

“What do you mean maybe?” he asks.

I stop walking and look out into the ocean. “I don’t know. I feel like I constantly have to choose between love and my dreams. Why can’t I have both? As if no one will love me enough to support what I want. I’m just not sure I’m cut out for it.”

“Sounds like you just haven’t found the right person yet. If someone truly loved you, they’d do anything to keep you around. Trust me.”

I look at him to find him staring at me, his expression more serious than I’ve ever seen, and I can’t help but believe him.

“Well, what about you? You’re still single, aren’t you? You obviously haven’t met the love of your life yet, either.”

He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, something like that.” We stand there in silence, staring at the ocean before heading back to the resort. I’m oddly aware of Hawke’s presence right now. Every move he makes, every time his hand brushes against mine, every time his eyes are on me, I feel it. It’s got me on edge.

I’m grateful for a distraction when Asher calls as soon as I get to the room.

“Hey, Ash.”

“Hey, girl, hey.” Hawke goes on the balcony to give me privacy while I pull my laptop out and sit on my bed. “How’s it going? Any more tension from rooming with the hot older brother?”

I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “How do you know he’s hot?”

“Uh, I saw him on your Insta story, obviously.” Oh, right. I forgot I posted a video of him driving the boat. It was an out-of-character move for me to do that, but I felt compelled to share his joy with the world. I barely hesitated a second before clicking the post button.

I make sure the door is shut before I whisper, “It’s fine. But I feel like there’s a new kind of tension between us.”

“Like a sexual tension?” she asks, sounding almost giddy.

“Something like that. I don’t know. It’s weird.”

“Two incredibly hot people sharing a room. Some attraction is bound to happen. Please tell me you’re going to hook up with him.”

“What? No way. I couldn’t do that!”

“Why not?” Her voice goes up a few octaves to prove that she thinks I’m crazy.

“He’s Holden’s brother, remember? Holden, who was my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first lover. There is no way I could sleep with his brother. It would be too weird.” Even as I say it, my mind starts to think about what it would be like to be with Hawke. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. I bet he knows exactly how to make a woman come. It took Holden. . . a while to figure that out.

“I don’t think it would be weird at all! You and Holden broke up years ago. You’ve both moved on, and you’re adults. What if Hawke is the brother you were always supposed to be with?”

I snort. “Yeah, right. Hawke doesn’t do relationships. I’ve never seen him have a long-term girlfriend. You know I’m a relationship person.”

“I know. I know. But relationships haven’t been working out for you recently. Maybe it’s time for a new approach. Have a little fun while you’re waiting for Mr. Right to stumble in. You better not come back to New York sexually frustrated. I don’t need a grumpy Summer storming through the city. I’m sure it’s not good for my baby.”

I think that ship has sailed. I sigh. “Yeah, yeah. Did you call for a reason or just to tell me I should sleep with any man that looks my way.”

She laughs. “I called for a reason. I got those redlines back on the contract we discussed. They agreed to our terms, but they’d like you out there in the next few weeks, so we might need to reschedule some other things. I just want to make sure you’re ok with that.”