Page 54 of Promise Not To Fall

2 parts Tommy Bahama Golden Sun® rum

2 parts pineapple juice

1 part fresh orange juice

1 part Coco Lopez®

Mix all ingredients over ice in a hurricane glass. Garnish with an orchid.

When I wake up, it’s no surprise Jake’s gone. He likes to fuck, but apparently not spend the night.

Rylee’s in my room though, eating blueberry pancakes on my balcony. Sitting up in bed, I glance over to the nightstand to see what time it is and notice a note from Jake.

I smile, a full-on cheesy smile that makes me think,Why the hell am I smiling this much?

Wrapping my robe around me, I make my way out to the balcony. “Where’s lover boy?” I ask Rylee, stepping out into the harsh sunlight of the midafternoon. I take my sunglasses out there with me to hide the light. I’m living an alcohol-infused night these days, and the unforgiving sun isn’t nice to me.

“I should ask you the same thing,” Rylee replies, sending her fork my way with a bite of pancakes on it.

Opening wide, I take it, chewing slowly and savoring the sweetness. It’s so fucking good too. Like blueberries, and it’s heaven with a hint of lemon zest. “He left this morning, I assume. He’s never here when I wake up.”

“Oh, so kind of like my vacation.” Rylee sets down her fork and passes the plate to me. “You can have the rest.”

I stare at them, but I don’t take another bite. “What’s the matter?”

“Fucking Wesley has been a complete prick this week. Every day we’ve been fighting, and he spends all his time in the casino while I’m in the spa or shopping by myself.” She groans. “And where have you been, besides living the lover boy dream?”

“I’m sorry.” I had no idea she felt that way. I’ve been trying to give them space to be together. Never did I think she was alone all this time. “Do you want to hang out today? We can do whatever you want.”

Smiling, she stands. “Good. Let’s go shopping.” And then she sits back down and reaches for her half-eaten pancakes. “Those are too delicious to waste.”

“Go ahead. I’m not in a hurry.” And I’m not.

“You’re so…” Rylee stops and cocks her head at me.

I wave her off, feeling defeated. “I know. I’m hideous. In love with a fucking island boy.” I can’t believe I just said that out loud. Am I in love with him? That can’t be. It’s impossible to fall in love that quickly. I don’t know anything about him, other than he works at a bar, owns a house, street bike, and a jet ski. He doesn’t like to talk about his past, hates frat boys and can make any drink imaginable. Okay, I guess I know quite a bit, but still… I can’t be in love. At best, I’m infatuated with him.

Rylee grins at me. “I was going to say different. I’ve never seen this side of you. It’s good. Fits you.”

My smile gives me away, and I grin wider. “I even rode on the back of a street bike. How’s that for wild and crazy?”

Rylee gasps, her hand covering her mouth. “I might cry at how grown up you are. Next thing you know, you’re going to be having sex in the sand.”

“Whoa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I do have boundaries.”

That afternoon Rylee and I go shopping. I find the perfect dress to wear to go out with Jake, a loose-fitting cream-colored little number that hangs off my left shoulder. I might add, it goes great with my newly tanned skin.

Rylee helps me do my hair and makeup, and when we’re done, I look freaking amazing. We even teased my hair and gave it that beach look, perfect for the island atmosphere.

Just before I’m heading down to the lobby, I wonder if I should wear something different, considering Jake will be taking me on his street bike. The new Kendall wouldn’t worry about things like that though.

Jake picks me up late, twenty minutes late to be exact, but I don’t freak out. I keep my cool, but I do voice my opinion. “You’re late,” I say when he arrives, his eyes on my dress.

“And you’re sexy.”

He looks good too, cleaned up from the usual shorts and T-shirt he wears at the bar. Now he’s wearing jeans, Puma tennis shoes, and a dark gray polo shirt with the top few buttons undone. He’s fucking sexy as hell, and I decide to ignore his tardiness based on his appearance.

It’s a short drive into Nassau, the wind does a number on my hair, but yet oddly adding to the beach look I had been going for. And my dress actually stays clean too, so it’s a win for me so far.

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