Page 51 of Tempt Me

I tell him about Luke coming into Magnolia’s Petals. Another careful nod.

“When did you get engaged?” he asks.

“Three months ago.”

“I thought he lived in the city.”

“He does,” I say.

“Are you moving to New York then?”

I shrug. “We’ll split our time between there and here. We both have obligations.” I smile privately. “We don’t have to be living together to have a good relationship.”

Caden looks surprised. “You’re not going to live together after you’re married?”

“No, that’s not—we just need to work out the specifics,” I say. “He knows how important the Thorn is to me, and I know how much he needs to be in the city to advance his career. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance.”

“Oh.” He doesn’t sound convinced and it makes me bristle. Who is Caden to judge my relationship?

“So what do you guys do together?” he asks.

“What’s with the twenty questions, Caden?” I say, exasperated.

His jaw clenches. “I just want to know that you’re happy.”

“Seriously? If you cared about my happiness, you wouldn’t have left.” I see him flinch and it fills me with righteous indignation. “I am happy. Luke makes me happy. Yes, he lives in the city, but we make it work. He’s always there when I need him. He knows that I love what I do, and he respects my independence. He’s kind to my parents and to Grace. He wants the same kind of life I want—marriage, kids, a happy home together.”

“I just can’t picture you living in the city,” Caden says.

“I don’t care what you can picture,” I say, louder than I intended. “I am not yours to be concerned about anymore.”

I move to stand and find myself suddenly pitching forward, another wave of lightheadedness washing over me.

“Whoa,” Caden says, catching me in his arms.

“Getoff,” I mumble, pushing feebly against his huge bicep. It feels like pushing against a brick wall.

“Isla,” Caden says, “you’re burning up.”

“I’m fine,” I say, but my head pounds and I feel dizzy and a little bit nauseous.

“You’re not fine,” he says. “Your skin is on fire.” He still has his arms around me, his face so close. I can see the dusting of a five o’clock shadow along his jaw line, the dent between his brows. His eyes are the color of the ocean.

“You should see a doctor,” he adds.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I say. I mean to snarl but I can’t catch my breath. His mouth is so close. I feel the faint whisper of his thumb against the inside of my elbow. His sun-warmed skin pulses where it touches mine. Then he releases me.

“At least let me take you home,” he says. “You should—it would be a good idea to rest. That’s all.”

I hate to admit it, but he’s right. I’m really feeling terrible.

“Okay,” I say.

“Do you want me to ask Charlotte to take you?” he says.

I look out at the ocean, where my best friend is splashing around in the waves and generally having a blast. I don’t want to pull her away from this day.

“Or I could take you home,” Caden offers.

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