Page 22 of Official

SAMANTHA

“Igot the drinks.” Xander holds up two coffees as best he can since there’s a bottle of Kahlúa under his arm. “You have breakfast?”

I hold out the bulky tote with a giant pineapple on the front, which I bought from the hotel gift shop to serve as a picnic bag.

And this morning, I put actual pineapple slices inside it.

He sets the coffees on the counter of the kitchenette and gets to work pouring Kahlúa in each. When he turns back to face me, I take note of his T-shirt with a cartoon dolphin and a cloud above it that reads “Where have youfinall my life?”

Pointing at it, I snort. “What the hell is that?”

“Hotel gift shop clothes. Is it my fault each item is more ridiculous than the next?” He nods toward my quirky bag with a challenge in his smirk.

“Fair enough.” I move to toss the two canvas totes over each shoulder, but he stops me.

“Take the coffees, and I’ll carry the bags.”

I swat at his hands. “I’ve got them.”

“Come on. It’s a lot. Let me be a gentleman.”

I scoff. “You, a gentleman?Please.”

“Hey.” He clutches his chest dramatically, as he does when he’s joking, but there’s a very real edge to his tone when he asks, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I tilt my head, and my smile falters. “No, it’s just that, you know… you’re as loose with the gentleman quality as you are with your pants zipper.”

He lifts a brow, his lips curling at the ends. “Just because I enjoy a woman’s company doesn’t mean I don’t take care of her. I pick her up for dates, open doors, pay for dinner, and cook breakfast.”

“And in between all that, you tell her you’re not looking for anything serious.”

“No, that’s the conversation we have before we ever go out. I believe in being upfront with my… desires. No need for false expectations.” He shrugs. “Zoey just didn’t listen.”

I barely hear the last part.

Out of nowhere, I find myself licking my lips when the worddesiresfalls from his mouth like honey. It’s seductive, even though I don’t imagine that’s how he meant it.

Not toward me, anyway.

Xander has only ever seen me as Teddy’s little sister. Hell, he probably thinks of me as his own sister. Why else would he have invited me to Maui for an indefinite amount of time?

He wouldn’t have asked had he felt anything romantic for me. He doesn’t usually go on a second date with a woman, let alone on a tropical vacation with her.

This is him being a good friend to distract me with delicious food, a few laughs, and plenty of sunlight and fresh air to replenish my soul.

It’s working too. It’s as if my stress has been carried off by the sea breeze like a Hawaiian magic carpet.

With Samantha Ray on the backburner and her drama trapped in airplane mode, I’m finding Samantha West again.

Here on the island, I can be myself again, and it’s all thanks to Xander.

Suddenly, guilt turns my stomach.

“You’re right,” I say to Xander, my voice faint. “There’s nothing wrong with a healthy sex life, as long as both parties are on the same page.”

“Glad you see it my way.” He winks and throws his hands back out. “Now, can I carry the bags, please?”

“No.” I sidestep him toward the door, and he scoffs behind me. “I have my principles too, which include being capable of carrying my own bags. You’re not intimidated by strong women, are you?” I challenge over my shoulder.

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