Until I Met You

‘That may be true,’ Hugo said. ‘But you wouldn’t have bailed on her.’

‘None of us would have,’ Jasmine said. ‘At the end of the day, we’re here, doing the right thing, supporting our friend in sickness and in health.’

‘Not to mention we had the decency to make our flights,’ Jen added, furious. ‘Think about it. Why did they cut it so close? We’ve been here all week.’

Samantha nodded, eager to flush out the guilt clogging her conscience.

‘What do we do now?’ Jasmine asked.

‘I don’t think there’s much we can do,’ Jen said. ‘She obviously doesn’t want us to know about Ted.’

‘I knew what was up,’ Hugo said. ‘His vibe was off.’

They exchanged worried glances. The truth was there, swirling around them, yet no one dared put it into words. Maybe Anthony’s parents flat out disapproved of this rushed wedding, or perhaps they objected to Naomi as a future daughter-in-law. They might have hoped their son would bring home an easygoing girl, someone from New Haven or New Hampshire or New England or even New Jersey, not this bossy British girl with Caribbean roots.

The sound of heavy footsteps caught their attention. It was Roman, approaching at an even pace. Samantha had never been happier to see anyone in her entire life.

‘Is this where the Illuminati gathers?’ he asked.

‘Too late,’ Hugo said. ‘Meeting adjourned.’

‘That’s good timing. Naomi wants you back at the camp.’

‘That must mean lunch is ready,’ Jen said. ‘I’m starved.’

Samantha stood by Roman. ‘You go ahead. I want to show him the freshwater-saltwater situation.’

‘Pretty sure he’s seen it,’ Hugo said. ‘Considering he’s from the island and all.’

Jasmine and Jen grabbed Hugo by the arms and marched him away.

‘I’ve seen it,’ Roman assured. ‘Many, many times.’

‘Not with me, you haven’t.’

‘Everything is better with you.’

For a while the only sound was the hushed murmur of the stream. But Samantha’s thoughts were roaring in her head.

‘Hey, you,’ she said, nervous. ‘Remember that deal we struck? Our pledge of allegiance.’

He looked confused. ‘To the flag of the United States?’

‘To each other, you fool!’ she said. ‘As the only two singles, we pledged to share information.’

‘Ah … the Rum Punch Agreement.’

Samantha laughed. ‘I like the sound of that.’

‘I remember everything about that first night.’

‘Good,’ Samantha said. ‘Because I’m invoking it now.’

Roman narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. ‘What’s going on? What do you know?’

She took a step back. ‘Promise you won’t say anything to Anthony.’

‘Not if he’s in some kind of trouble—’