Page 67 of The Wedding Shake-up

Now I’m annoyed. “Ensley!” I fire back.

“Come on, Ensley,” Drew says, his voice a gentle undertone. “Let’s paddle.”

Saved by the brother-in-law.

“I’m going to text you!” Ensley says, but her voice gets lost as Drew moves them farther down the bay.

“Sister, I’m guessing?” Kayla asks.

“Big sister. I’m the youngest.”

She trails her hand through a line of blue. “I have two older sisters. Always in my business. They say baby sisters are pests, but I think the older ones are just as bad, but withpower.”

“Right?”

We’re quiet, watching the water light up all around us as other tourists activate the plankton.

“Are you really seeing a local on your vacation?” Kayla asks.

“Yeah. We know it can’t be serious. I’m only here two weeks.”

Kayla grins. “Two weeks is longer than some of my relationships have lasted.”

“Same.”

We laugh. It’s nice to talk to someone completely unrelated to what’s happening, who has no opinion about any of the players and can judge the situation for what it is.

“Well, have a good time,” she says. “Live it up.”

“I am.”

“Are you the sort to get your heart broken?”

“No.” But the word feels like a lie, heavy on my tongue. Something’s already happened. Gabe and I started out as rivals, arguing, jabbing each other with wordplay. But somewhere along the way, it shifted. When? The kiss at the booze brawl? The first brunch?

No. It was Burr Island. That feeling of being the only two people left in the world. All our hang-ups evaporated without the pressure of work or family or any mention of who we used to be. We became better. Shiny and new for each other.

No wonder Ensley freaked. She can see it, same as I was able to see the change in her when I walked up on her and Drew waiting by the kayaks.

We three sisters have always been so close. Something this momentous can’t happen without the others knowing. And of course, Ensleyacknowledging that she spotted my new feelings means that it is, indeed, a big deal. She had to say something.

Kayla dries her hand on her shorts. “I think it might be hard to compare a brief love affair in paradise to normal dating. It’s bound to feel perfect.”

“It definitely isn’t the same.” Even as I say the words, I know I’m guilty of thinking Gabe is the best, most important relationship I’ve had.

But Kayla’s right. It’s only been a week.

It’s like cruise hookups or convention flings. Outside of reality.

Beaches. Cocktails. Sex and sunburns.

Nothing about what is happening between me and Gabe bears any resemblance to regular life. What we’re feeling might not be permanent. While we’re in it, there’s no way to know if it’s anything more than a vacation romance made magical by this perfect place.

Kayla and I keep paddling, the blue glow trailing our movements like a shower of stars.

Despite all these doubts brought on by Ensley’s overreaction, I wish Gabe were with me, his strong arms propelling us through the water, telling me all the juicy details only a local could give.

And then, an important realization hits me.

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