Page 62 of Sand in My Boots

Cameron

For Juli’s sake, the breakfast had a variety of food, including all the things on her list of must-haves. While she stuffed her face at the feast, she made it clear she needed steak fries, a brownie, and a Bushwacker—not necessarily in that order—before she leaves.

Tomorrow.

My heart twists at the thought. I can’t decode her thoughts about her leaving tomorrow, though there have been statements of not wanting to return to reality. That could have everything to do with being on vacation or being at the resort itself. Which stings a little.

Erica’s message rings loudly in my head: “She doesn’t do casual.” I can’t make head nor tail of it. Does that mean she—Juli—is more than a fling? Does it mean she—Erica—knows what this actually is? How could she? I’m half of it and haven’t the faintest idea.

Thing is, I’m good with casual. Casual is my middle name. I don’t have much time for a relationship, especially one of a long-distance nature. On top of that, things would never work between Juli and me. She deserves someone who can give her the world, someone who will treat her like the princess she is, even if she doesn’t believe it herself. I can’t be that guy. I’ve got nothing to offer her. I’m only now getting to a place of being comfortable with not having to worry about my finances.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Juli’s sweet voice draws me out of my head. Good thing too, because I need a reprieve.

“We’ve got a lot of daylight left. We should take advantage of it. Considering we’re abstaining from sex until later.”

My comments intrigue Juli. “What did you have in mind?”

“Hadn’t gotten further than suggesting it. What are you in the mood for?”

She ponders the question, her brows creasing in concentration, making her more adorable than usual. I can’t help but smile, wondering what’s going through her mind.

“I don’t have a preference. I have to pack later tonight. Among other things on the agenda we’ve previously discussed.”

If tomorrow weren’t the end of whatever this is, I’d take her sightseeing at all my favorite places. Show her the rest of the island. But right now, none of that matters, seeing as she’s leaving. Unless she suggests it.

“Let’s say goodbye and go for a walk. Start there.”

So we do.

It’s tearful between her and Erica, who won’t see each other for a while. Jonah thanks me profusely again for my assistance yesterday. When I hug Erica, she lets me off easy, and by that I mean with no comments or suggestions, which I very much appreciate.

I wave to the staff as we scoot out of the restaurant. Outside on the sidewalk, Juli fits her hand into mine. Goose bumps jump up and down my arm at the perfect fit.

It means nothing. Don’t read into it.

For over an hour, we walk around the outer grounds of the resort, onto one of the walking trails. Our conversation is low-key, talk of what’s coming up in the next few weeks for each of us in our jobs. She’ll be diving into new projects once she’s home. Since it’s not our busy time, I’ll have some downtime, something I usually cherish. Come tomorrow, not so much.

The third time we loop around the building where she’s staying, she leads us over to it.

“Want to sit on the balcony? We could bring out my laptop and watch a movie.”

“Sounds great.”

Sounds more like torture.

A small smile graces her lips. Even she’s not convinced it’s a great idea.

Upstairs, Juli steals into the bedroom, returning in comfy shorts and one of my Whispering Tide T-shirts, her laptop in her hand. My cock weeps because he wants action. Fuck the consequences.

“We should have grabbed some beer or a bottle of wine or something on our way up. All we have is boring water.”

“Trying to get me drunk, cutie?”

She points her finger my way, an excited gleam in her eye. “I approve.”

My brows furrow. “To getting drunk?”

Her head shakes. “No, the other thing.”