Page 106 of You Kissed Me First

“I went and worked out. Then met Nessa up on the deck where she was hanging out,” Grant offers.

Nessa sighs. “It’s going to suck going back to the real world after this. Being able to wake up whenever I want and throw on a bikini and tan. Talk about a dream life.”

“You have time before you have to go back to work. You still have your wedding, then honeymoon,” I point out.

“We really did get lucky with how much time we could take off.” Nessa smiles. “What about you two? What did you do today?”

“We hung out, ate some food,” I say.

Dominic chimes in. “Watched some movies, talked. It was a pretty chill day.”

“I’m surprised we didn’t see you guys,” Grant says.

“Nah, we decided to stay in. Keep off my foot so it’s good by the time we hit our next destination.”

“How is your foot?” Nessa asks as she curls into the couch next to Grant.

“Not bad. A little tender when I stand, but that’s about it. Katie’s made sure I’ve stayed off of it as much as possible.”

“Oh really?” Nessa teases, looking at me.

“It’s nothing.” I roll my eyes. “Now are you guys just stopping by or do you want to hang out?”

18

DAY NINE: ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS

“Are you sure you’re okay?”Katie frets next to me.

“I’m fine, I promise,” I say, squeezing her hand.

“Well, if it becomes too much, let me know and we can turn around.”

“Come on, slowpokes!” Nessa calls ahead of us.

“Is it wrong I wish they would have done something else?” Katie asks softly.

“Nah, I feel the same way. I like having you to myself. But at the same time we are here for them,” I say, nodding toward the happy couple.

“True.” Katie sighs.

“Why is it so hot?” Barrett whines from behind us.

“Because we’re in a tropical region, dumbass.” Alan snorts.

“I swear to God if he bitches the entire time, I’m going to find a way to pitch him off the top of the waterfall,” I whisper to Katie.

“I’ll help,” she mutters.

“Do you need a distraction?”

Katie cringes. “Kind of. My legs are oddly burning already.”

The path narrows and the overgrowth presses into the walkway, forcing me to fall into step behind Katie rather than next to her.

I hear Katie say something, but it doesn’t register.

“I’m sorry. What was that?” I ask, pulling my eyes from her ass.

---