“Don’t change the subject.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Why did you tell that guy that we’re married?”
He shrugs. “Just seemed easier to go with it than explain that we’re not together.”
I stare at him, wide-eyed and flabbergasted. “I’m sorry, what?”
“He thought we were married. It seemed like a lot of effort to explain that we’re not. Sometimes, it’s easier to just go with the flow.”
“You mean, lie.”
He laughs a deep sound, and it annoys me that my body reacts to it. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
“Well, it is a lie. So, I’ll definitely be calling it that.”
“Honestly, I thought I was doing you a favor.”
I round on him. “You thought what?”
“You seemed uncomfortable about being here alone, and I just thought I was helping.”
Oh. Well, that takes a little wind out of my sails.
“You’re alone,” I say.
“But it doesn’t bother me.”
“How do you know it bothers me?”
“I can just tell. You give off a vibe.”
“A vibe?”
“Yeah. And also, you made a whole big deal about the fact that you were here alone. You started talking about some movie where a chick sings a song about being alone, and then you said you were gonna change your name to Eeyore or something.”
For.
Fuck’s.
Sake.
I’m never, ever, ever drinking again.
“I, uh … said all that?”
“Yep.”
“Wow. That’s … embarrassing.”
He laughs.
“And I appreciate the sentiment, West. I do. But in the future, can you please not tell anyone else that we’re married or together? I’m sure I’ll live through the ensuing conversations that I’m here alone.”
“Okay, Double D. I will make sure to correct the next person who assumes we’re together and say that we are in fact not.”
“Good. Thank you. And for the love of all that is holy, will you stop calling me Double D?”
“Will do, Double D.”
Ugh.
We sit in silence as the other guests start to trickle onto the boat. West stretches those long legs of his out. He takes up so much space. His thigh is almost touching mine.
I’m so aware of him. Every breath he takes. Every move he makes.
And now, I sound like that song. Which is about stalking.
Great.
“So, is your surname really Oakley, or was that made up too?”
“It’s really Oakley.”
West Oakley.
Dillon Oakley …
Huh. It actually has a nice ring to it.
Whoa there, Fast Love! You’re fresh off one engagement. You definitely don’t need another ring on your finger. At least, not for a long while. So, don’t be getting ideas about the hot American sitting next to you.
“So, I know you’re on this snorkeling trip alone, and you were in the bar alone last night, right?”
“Right.”
“So, are you here on the island alone? Like I am. Or with friends?”
“Just me.”
“You take trips alone often?”
“Not usually.”
“Why this time?” God, I’m so nosy.
His eyes slide to mine. I feel a little jolt inside. “I just needed to get away for a little while.”
I can’t get a read on what the reason might be. I hope he hasn’t been crapped on from a great height by people he cared about, too, and needed to get away from them.
I decide to lighten the mood.
“You commit a crime?” I grin, so he knows I’m teasing.
“Dammit. How did you guess?”
I spread my hands. “It’s a gift. What did you do?”
He sighs solemnly. “I stole my neighbor’s cookies.”
“What flavor were the cookies?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face.
“Triple chocolate. Why?”
“Just wondering if they were worth it.”
A sexy grin slides onto his face. “Oh, they totally were. They were melt on the tongue kind of cookies.”
Sweet. Jesus.
I didn’t think I could get any hotter right now, as it’s a thousand degrees in the shade, but apparently, I can.
I swallow down and look away.
“Have you snorkeled before?” he asks me.
“Oh. Nope. First time. Total virgin.”
Virgin? For crying out loud. Why do I have to say stuff like that?
“Well, I’m experienced in snorkeling. So, if you need any help when losing your snorkeling virginity, just say the word.”
Okay. He’s definitely flirting with me, right? This isn’t me being dense. I mean, I know the whole virgin comment was dense, but him saying what he just said … that was flirting. I’m almost sure of it. And the cookie thing just then, the whole melt on the tongue thing. That was flirting, right?
“Okay then. I will. Thanks.” And then I say nothing else because, you know … I’m me.
Everyone is on the boat now, and it starts to move.
Aden is standing up at the front of the boat, and he claps his hands to get everyone’s attention. “So, we’re now on our way to see some of the most beautiful reefs the Ari Atoll has to offer. Now, you all have your equipment, yes?”
There’s a bunch of lowly murmured yeses in response.
“Good. Now, do we have any of you here who have never snorkeled before? Please raise your hand.”