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“Do what makes you happy, Kaia. Just be smart about it, not that it isn’t okay to make mistakes. You’re young, so you’ve got time to figure out life.”
She smiled. “Jeez, I wish Dad would sound like you.”
My lips lifted upward at the corners. “Don’t count your dad out. I don’t think he hates you. He just loves you so much that he wants what’s best for you, and he’s convinced that it’s becoming a doctor. Maybe try talking to him again. He might surprise you and understand where you’re coming from.”
She pulled in a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. You know… You’re alright, Grumpy Gus.”
My shoulders shook with barely contained amusement. “You are too, kid.” I fished my wallet out of my pocket and took out a business card. “If you ever need help while you’re seeing the world, give me a call.” I meant it. She was pretty much a stranger, but I felt this urge to help at least one person achieve something I never had… Happiness.
Kaia stared at the business card wide-eyed and then she looked at me. “Like seriously? No bullshit?”
I snorted. I liked her. “No bullshit.”
“Awesome. Thanks.”
I nodded and held up my glass. She tapped hers on it and then we drank in silence. After a while, I glanced back at our hut. Everyone was there except Charlotte.
“Hey, Kaia. Charlotte hasn’t left, has she?”
“No, she said she was taking a walk over to the quieter side of the beach.” She pointed in the distance where the lantern lights barely reached.
“Okay. Let me walk you back to the others.”
I had to find Charlotte and apologize.
9
CHARLOTTE
“Bye, Vicky. Love you.”
I ended the call with my sister. I’d found a comfy, private spot a good distance away from the lively dining area. I sat in one of the cabanas scattered on the beach and stared out at the water. Dad had come up during Victoria’s and my conversation, and I was feeling a little sentimental.
He would have loved this view. The moonlight glistened on the ocean’s dark surface, and millions of stars lit up the sky. I leaned against the plush cushions of the cabana and got lost in the rhythmic lullaby of the waves. Dad appreciated the beauty of nature and I understood why. Sitting there, surrounded by pure tropical beauty, the cares of the world melted away.
“Charlotte?”
I gasped and jumped at the sound of the timbre disrupting my peace. “Oh, it’s you.” I scowled at Jamie who stood at the cabana’s opening with his hands in his pockets.
His lips twisted into a wry grin. “Yes, it’s me… I’m sorry to disturb you.”
“Look, if Lincoln twisted your arm to come and apologize, let’s just skip it and say you did.”
He cleared his throat lightly and rocked back on his heels. “He didn’t exactly twist my arm…”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care for insincere apologies.”
“This isn’t one. I want… I need to apologize. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to sound…”
The remorse flitting across his features was enough to tell me that he really was sorry.
I sighed. “It’s okay. It’s none of my business what you do with your time or what you do on your birthday. You are none of my business.”
I tried desperately to ignore how good he looked framed by the glow of the moon and the backdrop of the stars and ocean. The warm breeze fluttered his hair and the T-shirt he wore. He looked like a hot hero on the cover of a romance novel. Ugh. Why did my mind go there?
He pulled his hands from his pockets and shoved one through his hair. “Would it be weird if I said I like that you’re interested in me?”
I sat taller and my eyes darted from side to side. While I tried not to read too much into his question, my silly heart shimmied with hope. “Why would it be weird?”
