Page 91

“You make it sound like a bad thing,” I say.

“It’s a good thing, but only if Gio deserves the real you. Remember, not everyone who chooses you is worthy. You’re in the position of power. That means you decide who you give your heart to. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you again,” she says, pointing at me.

“I don’t know Gio well enough yet,” I say, though that’s not the complete story.

What I do know of him suggests he’s a good guy. He cares about his employees, his fan base, and his found family with Tina. And strangely, he cares about me.

Despite how things started, we’re entering new territory. Gio’s not just growing on me, he’s taken up residence. And he’s not just setting up on my beachfront property—he’s knocking at the tiny door to my heart. I haven’t let him in yet, but I’m tempted to crack it open to see how it feels.

“The person I was with Roman doesn’t exist anymore, Amelia. That was the old me. I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m breaking my curses. No more idiotic men.”

“And Adam? What if you meet up with him and sparks fly?”

In the past few days, I’ve let the search for Adam fall by the wayside. I’ve been distracted by Gio and enjoying the island. It’s been nice.

“This thing with Gio, it’s different,” I say, carefully sidestepping her question.

“Go on,” Amelia says.

“If I hate the person I have a fling with, then it’ll be fine, right?”

Her eyes widen.

“A potential fling. Nothing’s happened. Nothing major,” I say quickly.

“So, we’re calling all the heart-filled eyes, the way he protects you, and the fact that you’re getting closer nothing? You still think that’s hate?”

I reach over and twist my fingers with hers.

“It’s nothing important. It’s not like that. Okay?” I say, even though my grudges with Gio are hanging by a thread. A feather could knock them down.

“Whatever you do with Gio or Adam, or any other guy, just promise me you’ll protect your heart this time.” She squeezes my hand.

“I will.” I squeeze her hand back and release it. “Besides, if it goes sideways, I’ll blame you for making us roommates.”

“I guess I deserve that. I honestly thought you’d kill each other before you ever got to the banging. In my mind, everything with men ends in murder. Or it should.” She laughs, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Sorry I let them invade the house without talking to you first,” I say.

“They’re okay-ish.” She sighs.

“I mean, they are people. So, what did I expect?” I play along, knowing there are only a few humans in this world who pass the Amelia test.

“Exactly. People. Bleh.” She sticks out her tongue.

With the subject resolved, I close my eyes and relax under the sunshine.

“Now, don’t bother me.” Amelia adjusts herself under the shade of the cabana. “I’m at the part of the book where they discover there’s only one . . .” Amelia’s train of thought dies until she says, “Oh. My. God.”

My eyes pop open at the intensity in her voice.

She settles her book on her lap, sits upright, lifts her sunglasses, leans forward, and squints at the water. “Oh no, no, no.” She covers her mouth with her palm like she’s watching a horror movie unfold.

“What is it?” I frantically scan the direction of her outstretched hand, expecting to see a deadly sharknado.

My gaze lands on something worse. A young woman drags a clear kayak out of the water and onto the sand. I recognize her, but she’s only half of the problem. Behind her, a sunburnt, waterlogged, and out-of-breath man struggles to keep up.

Roman.