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“I know.” He eyes me before snatching his wallet and heading to the door.

“But, Gio.” I pop up on my knees.

“Kitten, never do anything you don’t want to. Just tell me if this is a jalopy moment,” he says.

He’s saying the right words. He’s backing down, telling me to speak up for myself, and that he’s listening. He’s that good.

The problem is I only see this gift as a dare, which is my issue, not his. And obviously, I can’t let him think I can’t handle his dumb little toy. My competitiveness won’t allow it. My curiosity won’t allow me to back down.

“I probably won’t even feel anything.” I shrug.

I haven’t come on my own yet. I haven’t even tried because since he’s been on a mission to catch me up, I haven’t had two seconds to myself.

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind as I choose vibration levels.” He winks, and the beautiful jerk chuckles all the way down the stairs.

“I’m screwed.” I fall onto the mattress and stare up at the twinkle lights within the tent.

What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be normal with this man?

Because he brings out your fire.

I blow a loose strand from my face, thinking of what Gio does to me, for me. Him taking care of me after making me his pineapple is the partner energy I didn’t know I needed.

Rolling on my side, I scan the gifts yet to be opened. The first two presents have me grinning. I stare down at my new shoes, but now, visions of his head between my thighs have me heating up all over again. I fan myself with the shoebox lid. If he can do that with his tongue, imagine what else he can do.

Undecided on whether to scream, laugh, or cry with happiness, I face-plant into a pillow. I choose all of them, along with kicking my feet.

How did I arrive here after being in the worst place of my life? Is this what a palm tree feels like after it weathers a storm? The aftermath is filled with Gio’s sunshiny smiles, orgasms for miles, and rainbows behind my eyelids.

I hug the pillow and giggle. Gah!

My phone buzzes in my dress pocket, tugging me out of my Gio-dream. I pull it out, and the screen lights up with a name I didn’t expect to see. I sit upright with a gasp.

“Adam!” I cup a hand over my mouth. I can’t believe it.

A million questions pass through my mind in a matter of seconds.

Did Gio’s friend pass along my phone number? Did Adam receive my letter?

Unmoving, I stare at his name. Because now, after waiting and wondering about him for so long, I’m finally getting what I want. Except, I’m not sure I still want it. At least, not at this exact moment, because this thing with Gio is unexpected.

I like him. Like, I like-like him. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’m not ready for this thirst-trap bubble to burst, not even for a man I’ve placed on a pedestal since the moment we parted ways.

There’s a chance nothing would come from seeing Adam again, of course, but on the flip side, what if it did?

Thinking, I bite my fingernail.

What if I mess up the good thing happening right now with Gio?

I’m too nervous to explore the answer, so I do the only thing that makes sense. I place my phone facedown on the bed, lie back, and stare at my twinkle lights. I can ignore the text, just like I ignored social media right after my wedding, just like I’ve done with so many things in my life.

My time with Gio is limited. This vacation has an expiration date, which means we do too. We live in two different states. We have very different lives. We’re on different trajectories.

I rub my cheek into a pillow and spiral. The only thing that saves me is a text from Amelia. She’s returning from a birthday-party job and headed to the pool bar.

I text her back and note Adam’s unread text has been bumped down one slot. When Jeanie texts a photo of her and Nathan a few moments later, Adam’s text shifts lower. In another day, he’ll be out of sight and out of mind until I’m ready to read his message.

I like this plan. I can handle this plan.