Page 23 of Shy Girl
A wry smile showed on his face. “Exactly.”
Several seconds passed while I comprehended that, but I took it for the warning I sensed in his words. We were about to enter the world of wealth, resources, and getting ahead. Even if this trip was just for a wedding and I had no ties to anyone there but Jayson, I already felt overwhelmed.
“Y-yikes.”
“Same feeling. She's bringing a new guy with her to the wedding and I just didn't want to be there alone if she had someone else. That's all.”
I gave him a little, reassuring smile. “I'm g-glad to b-be here. Sh-should I be worried ab-bout her?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “No one’s getting near you, Dag. I got you.”
The edge of uncertainty in his voice told me he wasn’t entirely sure, which meant I could expect any number of things at this wedding. A little thrill charged up my spine at those words, anyway.No one’s getting near you, Dag. I got you.Those would replay through my mind for my entire life.
Victoria didn't bother me, which was a relief. She'd probably ignore both of us for the new guy she'd bring along, since she seemed to have so many. I drew in a deep breath and steeled myself for the next step of our plan. Somewhere on the island waited Anthony Dunkin, which meant an ending I’d been looking for for a long time was about to happen.
Jayson Hernandez at my side, looking as adorable and kissable as I’d ever seen him.
My biological father, on the near horizon.
The cold-hearted woman who spurned my new friend.
A spectacular Caribbean getaway in an unprecedented way where I knew absolutely no one.
This wedding would be one for the record books.
8
Jayson
Awall of warmth met me the moment I exited the puddle-jumper airplane that I had feared would kill us. Dagny and I stepped off our third plane hours later and into a glimmering world of sun, sand, and sky. Dagny grinned, her head tilted back and eyes closed.
Sunlight warmed my face and neck as the pilot stepped off the plane and gestured toward a golfing cart not far away. A familiar, athletic body climbed out of the cart and moved toward us with a pearlescent smile. He wore a bright floral shirt and a pair of khaki shorts with flip flops.
“There’s the hideous groom,” I called.
Grady slammed into me with the force of two colliding titans, unmistakable with his coiled black hair and ultra-white teeth. We chest-thumped and back-pounded for a few moments, then pulled away laughing.
Grady glanced back, saw Dagny there, and smiled warmly.
“Hey Dagny.”
She shuffled forward, her arms at her side as a quick smile brightened her face. “Hi G-grady. Good to s-s-see you again.”
Again?
She stuck out her hand but he wrapped her in a long embrace that lasted at least twenty minutes too long.
“You have a fiancée, you dog,” I muttered, and Grady laughed. The wind fluttered Dagny’s hair off her shoulder as he pulled away, but she looked ready to curl up there all day long. Yeah, not happening. Not with Grady. Nor Vik. Definitely not Bastian. I yanked her back.
“Thank you for coming with this knucklehead.” Grady winked at her. “We can’t dress him up or take him anywhere.”
I slammed a good-natured fist into his shoulder, but Grady laughed it off and reached for Dagny’s bag, which the pilot had unloaded behind us.
“Come on,” Grady said. “Your shared bungalow is all ready and Vikram’s already here, looking for the wet bar and the closest single woman.”
“He’s probably half drunk by now.”
“We can only be so lucky.”
