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“Okay, I'm going to try one more time to tell you the truth, so my conscience is clear.” His eyes traced my face and when I didn’t say anything he went on, “I offered to be your captain because I wanted to hunt for treasure, and I had this map—this real treasure map I stole from pirates—and I was using it as a guide when we crashed into this island. Last night, I snuck out to find the treasure, but the pirates found me first. They forced me to take them to the treasure. When we found the spot, we dug in the sand and found a box.”
Pulling my hair over my shoulder, I smoothed it a few times, as he confirmed everything I had already guessed. “Okay,” I replied softly and decided to give in too. “Ah, while we are at it,” I rushed, “I might have lied about the amnesia. I don’t have any memory loss. I actually saw the pirates on the dock, and when I found you, I thought it would be fun to go on a treasure hunt, so I made all that up to try to get you to confess.”
“You what?” His lips spread into a grin that was so sensational, it made the corners of his eyes crease and he laughed, a deep bellied laugh like he thought I was the funniest person in the world. I hadn’t planned on it being a joke, but I joined in his laughter. It was like, for the moment, we both forgot we were still stranded on this stupid island with no way home, and we giggled together, finding home in each other.
When the laughter faded, he swapped his humorous expression for a more serious mask and in a low voice he said, “The pirates tied me up and then tried to open the box, but it wouldn’t open, and something happened to them. It was like they went insane or got scared and they all ran back to their boat, leaving the box behind.” He pivoted on his heel and motioned to the box setting by the tree. He ushered me closer, and we both reached forward in unison, gently touching the box . . .
The lid opened right up, almost as if it was spring loaded.
My eyes widened as I looked back at Jasper, and I held my breath as we both peered inside. I don’t know what I was expecting to find, but it was a ratty old note. I lifted the note, keeping one eye on him, knowing this note had to have come from somewhere. If he was making up this pirate story, it wouldn’t explain how he had this box or this piece of paper that hadn’t been soaked and ruined in the ship wreckage.
As I slowly unfolded the note, I was overcome with a tingling sensation, starting in the tips of my fingers and spiraling down to my toes. It was pulling out all my doubts, all of my worries, and fears and pushing in new hopes and dreams into the voids that were left. I had a glittering perception when I read:
This quest is special and not for one,
You can’t go home until it’s done.
Only soulmates can unlock this island,
The prize they win is each other’s hand.
My eyes lifted back regarding Jasper, and I saw he was still looking at the box. When I followed his gaze, I saw what he was looking at. Inside the box was a small mirror, just big enough to reflect both of our faces.
“What is this?” I asked, lowering my hands, still clenching the note.
“I don’t know what it is.” He took a step closer, “but when you read it, something inside me changed. I saw how fate was bringing us together.”
“Hmm,” I thought about what he said, still perplexed by the whole thing. I shrugged off his comment when a comet stole our attention. It blasted through the sky, headed straight to the sea. As it glittered down, it slowed and right before it hit the surface, it stopped and rolled into a ball. With a flash, the night sky lit up and right where the comet had been was a ship heading in our direction.
“That must be our ride home!” I exclaimed, jerking my hand to the ship, only half believing what I had just seen.
“Right . . .” Jasper’s brow lowered, but he tacked on a grin when he added, “Or more pirates.”
I took his hand, holding it in pause, but something about it made me feel like he was holding my heart. I couldn’t explain what had happened any more than he could, but I also couldn’t deny something had intervened. Slowly I laced my fingers into his, giving him a reassuring squeeze and said, “I think we’re going to be okay. Even though we sailed in a ship I believe it was fate that brought us here.”
“Yeah, that’s what scares me a little.” Jasper took a few even steps toward the ship. “I’m wondering what else fate has in store for us.” He stared forward at the boat that was now tendering offshore. “But I think we are about to find out . . .”
To be continued.
A Note From J.P. Sterling
NAME YOUR ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITY! Guess what? This story continues, but not without reader feedback. I’m asking my readers to vote on what they want to see happen next. Voting is open on my Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqS90qvAwsz/
SHIPWRECKED WITH MY CELEBRITY BOSS is one of the books in my new Bosses and Billionaires romcom series. The entire series is clean and wholesome, packed with tropes you love, and wrapped up in happy ever afters, with new books being added over the next few years.
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The Perfect Pairing
A Deliciously Sweet Romcom
Grace Worthington
Chapter One
Dear Summer,
