Page 13 of Official

“Okay, let’s do it.” Smiling, I spread my arms and realize too late that I’m still holding a full cup of coffee. It spills over the edge, the warm drops splattering across the tops of my feet and the carpet.

“Fuck it. You’ll clean up when we get back.” Xander nudges me toward my closet.

“I need to clean that before it sets.” I set the cup on top of a coaster on my nightstand. “Besides, what’s the rush?”

“I already bought us two tickets, and our flight leaves in two and a half hours.”

“We’re not going to make it. Traffic alone will be ridiculous. And I need to pack, cook and eat breakfast, do my yoga and meditation—”

“Grab a swimsuit and your passport. We’ll stop for coffee and bagels on the way. You’ll meditate on the plane. Maui, Sam.Maui.” He whispers the last word, and his lips twitch with similar excitement to the energy fluttering in my chest.

His enthusiasm is infectious.

“Maui,” I repeat, smiling wider than a whale during feeding time.

In the name of vacation, I pack like the wind, even faster than I thought I could move. Without time to plan, I pack way too much, so I toss out a few pieces of clothing I know I won’t need. I just want my favorites, anyway.

I still have to sit on top of the suitcase to zip it.

“And done,” Xander announces like he has a stopwatch in his hand.

He yanks on the bag, and I slide off with a yelp. “If I would’ve known vacation mode makes you this crazy, I might’ve reconsidered.”

“Too late!” he calls over his shoulder, my suitcase rolling behind him with a gurgling sound.

One of the wheels needs to be tightened, but he refuses to stop. I chase after him, fumbling to find the right key to lock up. Then we race through the courtyard to the parking lot, where we both come to an abrupt stop.

“Oh, fuck.” He places his hands on his head and spins in place, letting out a groan that echoes around us. “My truck is at Tito’s, which means we have to take your damn Prius.”

“Seriously? You want to miss our flight to Maui because my Prius isn’t good enough for you?”

He studies the compact car, doubt coloring his features, and after what feels like an unnecessary amount of time for such a tiny decision, he holds his hands out. “Give me the keys.”

I toss them to him and rush toward my eco-friendly car with my head held high. Once inside, he taps on his phone in his lap, then checks behind us and peels out like they do in the movies, stray rocks flying backward with the force of two determined people.

A muffled greeting sounds from Xander’s phone from an unfamiliar voice.

“Klein, can you please get my truck from a bar? The spare key is in my room on the dresser, and I’ll text you the address.” He slides his hands along the steering wheel as he takes a turn onto a busy street.

“Sure thing, bud,” his stepdad chirps. “Where are you off to?”

“Maui.” Xander flits his mischievous gaze at me.

“And who is the lucky lady you’re sweeping away to such a romantic place?”

“It’s not like that.” He rubs his chin, and the previous glimmer that was there disappears. “I’m going with Sam. You know, Teddy’s sister.”

“Of course, of course. You two have fun, and I’ll take care of the truck as soon as Jerry finishes grabbing his mail across the street. If I leave now, he’ll certainly stop me, and we’ll be stuck discussing the pickleball match yesterday.” He groans. “I’m not a sore loser, but losing toJerryreally stung.”

“Tough break.” Xander shakes his head, and his cheeks turn red from stifling a laugh, which he lets loose as soon as they end the call.

“Wait!” I grip his thigh, and my hand barely covers his hard quad. “What about your stuff? You don’t have any clothes or even a toothbrush.”

A sly grin spreads across his face. “I have my credit cards, and they’re all I need. I’ll buy new stuff. I mean, I just need swimming trunks, flip-flops, and sunscreen, because all I plan to do is drink on the beach and swim. Maybe snorkel.”

“What if we go hiking? Because I definitely want to go hiking.”

He shrugs, more nonchalant and collected than a sloth. “Okay, I’ll buy sneakers.”

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