Page 15 of Tropical Inferno

She shuddered a little, nodding up at him. “Did what I said freak you out? You know, about you loving me? I didn’t—”

“Shh.” He shook his head. “Believe it or not, I know exactly what you meant and I feel it too. I don’t understand it, but I feel it.”

“Thank goodness.” She rested her head against his chest. “As soon as I said it I felt like I made a total fool of myself. Again.”

“No.” He stroked her hair. “It’s what I’ve been thinking too, but without framing it in such a thoughtful sentence.”

“But what do we do now?” she whispered. “I feel kind of silly.”

“We’re going to spend three days pretending I’m not a screw-up and that you’re going to save me from myself.”

“You already saved me from myself,” she said softly. “So it’s only fair I return the favor.”

“Damn, baby.” He pressed his lips to hers and held them there for a long time.

8

They spent another day at the beach, baking in the sun and going for a timed, measured swim where Maddie beat him by nearly two minutes. She tried not to gloat, but she jokingly waited for him on the shore with her hands on her hips. As he got out he splashed her and they wound up having an all-out water war. It was the most fun she’d ever had with a guy, her heart growing more and more invested as they talked, laughed and held hands. He told her funny stories about growing up working in his stepfather’s repair shop and she told him all about the lawyers she worked with.

It felt like she could tell him anything, like he understood her when almost no one else did. Her most trusted confidante had always been Jamie, but there was no way she could tell her brother he was the reason she was having nightmares and losing weight. He had enough struggles right now; she refused to add to it. It had left her feeling very alone, but with Garrett she didn’t feel that way anymore.

Her phone rang as she was getting out of the shower later that afternoon and she smiled when she saw Jamie’s name flash on the screen.

“Hey!” she said, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder as she tried to towel-dry her hair.

“How’s Hawaii?” he asked.

“Wonderful!”

“Yeah? Mom said you switched hotels and had gotten a room at that fancy resort.”

“Yup.”

He paused. “Maddie… I know you can’t afford a room there on your own. What’s going on?”

She sighed. “Promise you won’t judge?”

“Me?!” He burst out laughing. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Some guys were trying to break into my rental car at the cheap motel I’d originally booked and this guy stepped in and stopped them.” She wouldn’t tell him about being shot at until they were together. If she did, he’d be on the first plane to Hawaii and she didn’t want that.

“And he just invited you to stay at the resort with him?” Jamie sounded wary.

“Kinda. It’s a long story, but I promise I’m fine. Safe, happy and truly relaxed for the first time since—” She stopped abruptly.

“Since my attack.”

Her brother knew her well.

“I thought you were going to die,” she whispered harshly. “I know you’re fine, but I’ll never forget sitting next to you and hearing the doctors say they didn’t know if you were going to make it…if your kidneys would start working again…if you were going to wake up. You’re my big brother and I’d be lost without you.”

“I love you too, kiddo,” he said quietly, a catch in his voice. “And I’m sorry my situation has impacted you so strongly. But you know I’m healthy and happier than I’ve ever been. If my hair would just grow out some, I’d be peachy!”

She giggled. “You’re such a dork.”

“Back atcha.”

“So…did you call for something specific or just to check on me?”

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