Page 39 of For the Promise

I grab a key card and escape the room.

I dig my ear pods out of my pocket and switch on a podcast to listen to as I wander around the resort. There’s plenty of space to wander as the chalets are spaced a good distance apart to provide privacy to the guests. Considering Hudson caters to celebrities, it’s necessary.

It’s peaceful as I meander the paths through the gardens and cross bridges over the narrow streams of water. I avoid the beach and the ocean as I suspect most guests can be found there. I don’t need anyone’s company but my own.

And Blossom’s. I force thoughts of her away. This obsession needs to end since it can’t lead anywhere. She’s not fromSmuggler’s Hideaway. And she hasn’t put down any roots here. She hasn’t bought a house. Her only friends are her boss and Dakota. Mainlanders never stay on the island.

The bush beside me rustles before Alan appears. He’s breathing hard as if he’s been running. His mouth is moving but I can’t hear him with my ear pods in. I pause my podcast and remove my ear pods.

“I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

Alan frowns at me. “You didn’t hear me?”

Obviously not. “No.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe you’re married to Blossom.”

Jumping straight to the matter at hand. Good. I abhor small talk. “Why not?”

He brandishes a hand at me. “Blossom would never marry a man like you.”

A man like me? She didn’t have any trouble chasing a man like me. I want to tell him as much but goading him won’t help me figure out how he hurt her. And I’m determined to discover the truth.

“A man like me?”

“A nerd.”

I push my glasses up my nose. “Are you making fun of me wearing glasses?”

His cheeks darken. “No.”

“What makes you think I’m a nerd?” I am a nerd and I’m proud of it but I get the feeling he thinks nerd is a derogatory term.

“It doesn’t matter. You’re not Blossom’s type.”

I study Alan for a moment. He’s several inches shorter than me and is thin to the point of being scrawny. Whereas I’m muscular from the time I spend rowing. I row for an hour most mornings before work.

I started rowing to keep an eye on Miles while he surfs. To my surprise, I enjoyed it. Nothing can compare to being out on the ocean while the sun rises before any of the tourists are on the beach. It’s quiet. Unlike the rest of my life, which is filled with five brothers who talk nonstop. I can ignore them, but it’s nice not to need to.

“Blossom’s type isn’t tall, fit men?”

He sneers. “Don’t be an asshole.”

If I were one of my younger brothers, I’d remind him he started this conversation. Instead, I nod and make to leave. He stands in my path to stop me.

“You won’t get away with it.”

“Get away with what?”

“Pretending to be married.”

I sigh. “This again.”

“I won’t drop the lawsuit for this charade.”

Finally, we’re getting to the heart of the matter. “The lawsuit?”

He barks out a laugh. “This is precious. She didn’t tell you.”

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