Page 38 of That Island Feeling

‘On how long you’ve been brushing for?’ The question rushes out.

His lips press together as its true intention registers.

‘I’m not quite as experienced a teeth brusher as you,’ he says, not breaking my gaze. ‘Thirty-one years of brushing for me.’ I’m still cradling his hand as he murmurs in my ear. ‘What is it that they say about quality over quantity?’

His words send an excited thrill skating down my spine.

‘Excellent.’ It’s all I can manage. I figure it’s slightly better than enquiring after his cavity history.

‘Well, hello! What’s going on here?’

Taylor enters the bathroom and I drop Jack’s hand and step back, immediately flustered.

She narrows her eyes at me.

‘Ah, Jack injured his hand,’ I say. ‘So I was giving it a quick once-over.’

‘Would you believe your best friend here bit me?’ Jack says, eyes twinkling like the tea lights. ‘With a bite like that, I wouldn’t want to cross her!’

‘Really, Andie?’ Taylor sinks down on the edge of the bathtub.

I shrug. ‘Well, he deserved it. And it wasn’t a bite – it was a self-defence nibble.’

Jack straightens his shoulders to look squarely at me. ‘A self-defence nibble,’ he mouths so dramatically that laughter bubbles up my windpipe.

‘This is the best thing I’ve heard all day!’ Taylor exclaims.

‘Actually, Taylor,’ Jack interrupts. ‘I was hoping to have a quick word with you.’ My laughter gives way to tumbling insides. What is he doing . . . ?

‘I’ll be in need of a fresh bandaid tomorrow evening, so I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal nurse Andie. And then it would be rude of me not to treat her to dinner to thank her for taking such great care of my hand.’ The corners of his mouth flutter.

I shoot him a glare. ‘Tomorrow is spa night,’ I say, extra brightly. ‘I did mention that to you, Jack.’

‘Oh, yes, so you did. But I also recall us discussing the concept of changing plans – and occasionally even saying no to them if they don’t suit.’ He draws out the ‘o’ in ‘no’ to really hammer his point home. Frustratingly, he deliberately avoids looking at me.

My head swivels to gauge Taylor’s reaction but, surprisingly, she appears unbothered at the notion of my skipping out on our plans.

But we came here to spend time together, not apart. It’s already night three of our trip, and with all of the hiccups and side quests, we’ve barely spent any quality time together.

‘No, Jack. I’m sorry, but no, I can’t make tomorrow evening.’ I take great satisfaction in repeating the word back to him.

‘What?! Ands!’ Taylor’s shrieks echo around the bathroom. ‘You have to go. It’s about time you got back out there.’

My cheeks flush. I don’t need her making me sound like such a dateless loser in front of Jack. There’s a good reason for my hiatus from the dating scene but he doesn’t need to know about that.

‘Right, well I’m glad that’s settled,’ Jack says, lumbering to his feet. ‘I’d better go now and check how Mum is getting on in the dark.’

As Jack exits the bathroom, he glances back over his shoulder, his glittering eyes finally meeting mine.

‘See you tomorrow, Andie. You, me and a bandaid, 5 p.m. on the dock. Can you make it one of the waterproof Little Mermaid ones, please? Snoopy will scare the fish.’

Chapter Eighteen

JACK

Not as bad as an oyster cut on the nuts. Really, Jack?

My brain screams at me as I take the beach shortcut between Moorings and Mum’s house. I can’t believe that even came out of my mouth.

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