Page 60 of Stuck in Paradise with You

‘Sorry, it’s been a long day already.’

She nods. ‘We still have Charithonia to prepare when we get back.’

I watch her drill. ‘You know, you didn’t have to come over here today. You could have stayed back with Alisha and Ella.’

‘I know but they have the justification of looking after the kids. I wanted to help here.’

‘It’s really decent of you.’

She scoffs. ‘Despite your apparent hatred of me, Luke, I’m not a bad person. At least, I try not to be.’

She finishes the last screw and we’re standing in front of each other, a power drill the only thing between us.

‘Is that what you think?’ I ask. ‘That I hate you?’

Her jaw tenses but she doesn’t speak. I can only shake my head at how wrong she is. Though, maybe just days ago, I could understand her reaction. There might have even been some truth to it. Today…

‘You couldn’t be further from the truth.’

I feel and see her sharp intake of breath. The way her chest rises and her green eyes fix on me, widening, then softening,until there’s something in them I like, that I know from long ago, that I want to see in her eyes. A tenderness.

My arm aches by my side and my hand twitches until I need to reach out and touch her. I’m wary, my heart is hammering in my chest, but as my arm begins to rise, I think her expression is telling me she wants the connection too.

When her gaze falls to my mouth, I know I need it.

‘Here they are. The dream team.’ Joe’s words cut into my mind like an unwelcome axe. Carrie jerks her body away from me so fast, anyone would think I was trying to set her alight. Just like that, she’s not my Carrie; she’s Hettich’s tax advisor.

Joe’s attention flicks between us and I could honestly scream at him for bursting the bubble, bringing Carrie and me back to reality.

‘I’ve got to tell you, watching you two work together like a Granny Smith and cheddar cheese, I know my finances are in good hands. You’re the perfect pairing.’ Hands on his hips, Joe lets out a long, steady whistle as he surveys the windows.

Carrie raises a brow and asks me, ‘Granny Smith?’

‘Apple, as opposed to an elderly relative,’ I say, not missing the pinkening of her skin around her long, very,veryenticing neck.

I feel myself drifting again, to some place where I’m caressing and kissing the skin I see heating now, then Joe asks, ‘How did you get so good with a drill, Carrie? You know your way around power tools better than Luke and me put together.’

She gives him a gentle turn of her lips. ‘My mom. When my dad left her, she vowed never to rely on a man again.’ I feel like she’s looking my way through the corner of her eye. ‘She took courses in just about everything she ever relied on Dad for and she taught me whatever she knew. Including how important it is to not need a man.’

This time, she full-blown glares in my direction. I guess I did nothing seven years ago to change that perception for her. Slowly, surely, I’m starting to get a picture of what happened between us – at least Carrie’s version of it all. Maybe it’s more that I’m slowly prizing off the blinkers I put on to protect myself. To lie to myself. Because admitting thatI’mto blame for everything that could have been and never was is painful.

‘Good on your mom, that’s what I say.’ Joe puffs out his next breath. ‘We should get going. Henry called and said the other crew are almost done and the ocean is already fighting back against Isabel.’

‘Right behind you,’ I tell him, watching him walk away. Then I turn to Carrie, our moment gone but not wanting to fall right back to griping at each other. ‘There aresomethings you need a man for,’ I venture, trying to joke into a better place with her.

She pouts, her eyes narrowed, and I’m pretty sure my attempt has failed. ‘Forthat, there’s always sex toys and artificial insemination.’

Then she sets about packing up our tools. Despite myself, I laugh, and I’m fairly sure she’s wearing the trace of amusement about her lips as she focuses on clamping the drill box shut.

28

CARRIE

It’s beena dayalready, and when we get back to Joe’s island, we still have work to do. Yet I can’t say it’s been entirely unenjoyable. Jenny is great company, Joe is bizarre in a truly warm-spirited way – in fact, everyone I’ve spoken with today has been bubbly, unexpectedly light and happy, and they’ve made the day fly.

More than anything – though I despise myself for even admitting it – I’ve enjoyed moments with Joe. Like flashbacks into the past, the way we used to laugh and joke together, torment each other. I’ve found myself wanting to be around him.

I know it isn’t him now that I’m interested in. It can’t be. Too much hurt and pain have passed between us. But theoldhim, the oldus, before everything imploded,God, I’m pining after him.

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