Page 23 of Beached Wedding

“No, it doesn’t.” She curled her lip. “I don’t want to go and Mom was like, ‘Leave Ryan with Fliss and we’ll have some couple time.’ I told you she only brought me to babysit.”

“Ugh. Been there,” I teased. “Little kids are the worst.”

Fliss narrowed her eyes in a warning look. “You are required by law to devote yourself to your niece. Ryan is my mom’s boyfriend’s kid. I barely know him.” She bit her cuticle. “At least Oliver said it was a family vacation and we should do something together. Then he asked me what I wanted to do.”

“What did you say?”

“I dunno. What is there to do? Do you want to come with us? Walk through a botanical garden and see a waterfall or whatever?”

“Mmm...” I pushed my mouth to the side, not keen to watch Whit and Oliver rub noses when I was feeling so scorned.

“See?” Fliss charged.

“We could take Ryan to the beach,” Fox suggested as the elevator arrived on our floor. “Get some boogie boards and mess around in the surf.”

Fliss flashed him a surprised frown.

He shrugged as we stepped off the elevator. “Kept me entertained as a kid.”

“Still does. Let’s be honest,” I said.

“Guilty as charged. Who wants coffee?” He detoured to the side of the lounge we were passing through.

“Yes.” I was still fuzzy from my nap.

“That’s how I feel. Like I’m this close to being human again.” Fox pinched his fingers in the air. “Coffee and a shower and I’ll be there. I got it.” He waved me off as I started to put down the gift basket from Inga. He dropped a cube of sugar into my cup with a healthy dollop of cream and handed it to me, then started to pour the next one. “Fliss? How do you take yours?”

“No, thanks.” Fliss seemed to be taking note that Fox hadn’t had to ask how I take my coffee. She sent a frown of confusion between us as I hung back, waiting for Fox to catch up before continuing down the hall.

When Fox used his room card as we came to the door, Fliss halted in the hall. “Are you guyssleepingtogether?”

“No. When would we even— He just got here.” I rolled my eyes, pretty sure these robes were made of a non-breathable polyester because I was suddenly so hot I was sweating to death inside it. “It was a dumb mix up. They thought Fox was Shane and gave him a key.”

“I still have to sort that out,” Fox recalled.

“I still have to call off my wedding.”

“Want me come with you?”

“Would you mind?”

“Happy to.”

I smiled, relieved. “Thanks.”

“It’ll cost you a shower, though. I gotta wash off this oil.”

“Go for it. Enjoy your resurrection.” I heard it as I said it and bit my lips.

He took a circumspect sip of his coffee. “Always do.”

“Don’t use all the hot water.” My voice sounded like I was being strangled. “I want to rinse, too.” Which was practically a suggestion for him to invite me to join him.

He didn’t say a word, but his tongue bulged his cheek as he disappeared into the bathroom.

I watched him go, then noticed Fliss was watching me with one brow quirked.

“Fox was kind enough to order the honeymoon package as a wedding gift,” I said as a distraction and waved at the pageantry.

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