AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kira drops her hands and rolls her eyes. “A lost cause, that’s what you are.”
“You’ve done what you can. Now go have some fun,” I say, nodding toward the party.
Kira gives me a sympathetic smile and leaves me with a pat on the arm before going to make her rounds.
I’d like nothing more than to kiss Dana at midnight. Not to make a show of it. But to really kiss her. Let her know exactly how I feel. It’s my fault I’m in this mess. Who knows how this all would have shaken out if I hadn’t told Willow that stupid lie. We could have had two weeks in paradise together. Seen if we could be a little bit more.
Okay, a lot bit more. I’d like everything with Dana if she’d let me.
The shuffling party goers seem to part ways before me, giving me a glimpse of the exact object of my thoughts and affection. Dana is swaying side to side, a drink in her hand (one of her favorites, those Maldivian Sunsets), while Amy talks to her at a mile a minute as Amy is wont to do.
She looks nice. Better than nice. But nice is the only word that feels polite to use to compliment her without it teetering into “I want more” territory.
Gorgeous is the word. Breathtaking.
She’s wearing a black cropped shirt and silk shorts tied at the waist with a bow, and her hair is clipped back in a loose ponytail.
I feel like a slob compared to her. I’ve gone through all my linen shirts and suits, had them cleaned by the hotel too. But tonight I’ve opted for a simple short-sleeve button down patterned with watermelons. I brought it because she likes this one. Now, though, I feel like a clown.
“Ten minutes to midnight!” someone shrieks excitedly.
The energy in the room shifts, the bustle turning into hushed, excited conversation. I can only imagine it’s everyone plotting out how wonderful their upcoming year is going to be. What great adventures they’ll have with the love of their life.
I’m bitter. I’m bitter at people I care about. I used to feel that way when I saw people with their mothers in public. It felt like everyone was showing off their happy, healthy, living mother.
I need a breath of fresh air. If a fake kiss with Dana won’t do for everyone, then what would be so bad about no kiss at all?
The party is all starting to gravitate toward the deck surrounding the restaurant that overlooks the water. I don’t even want to think about how much money Hunter put into arranging a fireworks display for us.
I go the opposite direction, toward the boardwalk. I think I’ll go back to the room. Turn in early. That way Dana doesn’t even have to deal with me. I’ll be in bed, on my side of the Great Wall of Pillows, which remains tall and firm, sleeping. And she doesn’t have to even worry about my lips touching hers.
I shove my hands in my pockets as I walk down the dock, my sandals slapping hollowly. I’m in paradise and I’ve never felt worse.
I end up walking past our villa by accident, but then just keep walking on purpose. The boardwalk forms a loop where villas and cabins jut off in all directions, leaving a pool of sea water in the middle, like a lagoon. I’ve jogged around it a few times in the mornings. A walk will do me good.
I walk until I’m on the opposite side of the boardwalk, moseying down, until I spot some movement out of the corner of my eye. I look up and frown. Across the way, right in front of our cabin, is a silhouetted figure. It saunters up to the railing overlooking the central lagoon until it’s…she’s bathed in light.
Dana.
“I was wondering how long it was going to take you to notice me,” she calls out.
I lean on the railing. “What are you doing out here?”
“Coming to ask you whatyou’redoing out here.”
I laugh bashfully. “Oh, well. It was getting a little stuffy in there for me.”
Dana tilts her head to the side. “You alright?”
“Yeah. Fine.”
“Mm. Not convincing.”
“Really, Dana, I’m–”
“You forget I know how to read you like a book,” she interrupts. Though we’re shouting across the lagoon, her voice doesn’t sound strained.
I bite my lower lip.I wish you didn’t.
