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“I think I need a cold drink.” I point to her frozen cocktail. The ceramic mug is shaped like a mermaid with something icy inside that might make my temperature drop quickly.

Amelia frantically gestures at the bartender.

Moments later, my own drink appears in a pineapple-shaped mug with a hot-pink orchid garnish. I chug half the icy beverage, causing brain freeze. I cringe.

“Slow down. You’re acting crazy.” Amelia places a palm over my temple to check my temperature. “You don’t seem hot, but you are clammy.”

I bark out a laugh and gulp the rest of my drink because it’s helping. My temperature is regulating. If I’m lucky, the alcohol will dull the sensation of the next buzz.

Sure, I could remove the vibrator, but then I’d have to admit I couldn’t handle it. When Gio meets us after his event, and I don’t react to his remote control, he’ll know he won this round.

I really need therapy.

Apparently, Amelia decides I’ll survive whatever ails me and tells me about her morning. And Gio? He’s giving me a temporary reprieve.

“What’s going on with your interviews?” I ask.

“I’m up for two jobs. One I really want. It’s the perfect scenario, a high-end hotel chain. If they hire me and the tiny mermaid program takes off, I could be running it for all their locations.”

“And option two?”

“Less amazing. In fact, I wouldn’t even use the word amazing in the same sentence. It’s one location in the sticks. I’d probably freeze my fins off all winter.”

“Sounds like we have a winner. Here’s to winning the job where you don’t become a mer-popsicle.” I raise my mug and tap hers. We sip our drinks, but when I raise my gaze again, my smile falters.

Strutting across the resort like he owns the place is Roman. He’s wearing a mishmash of clothing he sells at his gift shop. The grossest is a dark button-up patterned with hotdogs. A pair of wrap-around sunglasses the color of mustard rest on his head. All of it screams, Look at me!

I sit ramrod straight in my seat. All my fear, anxiety, and anger stand at alert.

Amelia follows my line of sight.

“Not again.” She slams her drink on the counter and rises. Like Gio, she would do anything to protect me, but this isn’t their fight. It’s mine.

“No. I’ve got this.” I hold out my arm.

I’m cool. I’m calm. I’m a hurricane-tested palm tree.

Leaving her behind, I make my way to intercept Roman. It could be the liquid courage running through my blood, but it’s mostly I don’t want this man to haunt me for a decade, like Adam has. Good or bad, I don’t want to give any person that kind of control over me ever again. It’s unhealthy.

When Roman’s attention lands on me, and he grins, I know he found what he came for.

“Finally come out from hiding, eh?” Roman asks as I approach. He’s not much better than a snake, and that’s an insult to snakes.

“I was busy living, not hiding. It’s you who’s been coiled under a rock.” I stop several feet away.

“Thanks to you, my online business is skyrocketing.” He tugs at the Roman’s Italian Beef logo on his chest.

“Sure, if you’re in the business of being a troll.” I cross my arms.

“I never said I was perfect, bunny.” He holds out his hands in defense.

“Don’t you dare call me that!” I point.

“What are you going to do, sweet-talk me to death?” He chuckles.

Why is he acting like I didn’t give him a black eye at our non-wedding? Like there’s not a shadow of a bruise there to prove it. Like he isn’t one of the most hated men on the planet right now. And how the heck does he still have the nerve to face me after cheating, lying, and ruining what was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives?

I remind myself of something important. Yes, he did those terrible things. He’s a monster, but there’s another part of the equation, one I can control. I’ve given him too much power. I’ve allowed him to invade my thoughts. It’s me who’s been shaken by seeing him here, by simply knowing he’s on the same island.