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“Idiot,” Marco grumbled.

“I’m serious. I need to find a restroom before I publicly humiliate Millie.”

“Oh, my gosh,” she turned in her seat enough to look at me. “Just go!”

“Cruz?”

“I’ve got eyes. Go before you pee your pants like that one time in––”

“Shut the fuck up,” I growled and darted through the restaurant to the hallway that held my heaven.

“Where did he pee his pants?” Emilia asked.

“This one time doing recon in the middle of nowhere. Javier wouldn’t let him leave the car.”

I couldn’t do anything to stop Cruz from sharing my most embarrassing moment, so I ignored him while releasing the most glorious stream of my life.

“Damn, Derek. When did you manage to drink three gallons?” Marco teased.

Fuck me.

The comms caught that?

Emilia was giggling, so yes. It did.

“For future reference, the comms are more sensitive than the last set we used.” I washed my hands and headed back outside.

“At least we know he washes,” Javier joined in the fun.

Emilia’s wide smile taunted me when I stepped out to the patio. She didn’t even bother attempting to hide it before she stood and strutted over.

“I paid while you were away.”

“Perfect,” I spoke through gritted teeth.

“There’s one more place I’d like to go,” she said, walking away without awaiting my answer.

I followed dutifully behind as she headed toward a large shop with no windows in the front like the others, just plain white walls and a white logo on either side of the doors that I didn’t recognize.

I hurried ahead to open the door for her, and she stepped inside, pulling off her sunglasses in a graceful move before handing them to me.

Well, this was a first.

“Hello,” a slim woman in all white with her blonde hair slicked back into a bun greeted Emilia immediately. She sized her up, taking her in from her shoes to her hair. “May I assist you?”

“I hope so,” Emilia gushed, pulling her thick hair off her neck and dramatically waving her hand in her face. She let out a breathy laugh. “My father did not adequately explain the humidity here. I’m used to the drier heat of L.A., and I’m afraid my wardrobe simply won’t do here. I need a bit of everything. From shorts to gowns, can you help me with that?”

The woman’s eyes flashed dollar signs. “Of course, my name is Rey.”

She offered her hand, and Emilia immediately took it. “I’m Millie.”

“Millie, you said you’re new to the area? Is that why I haven’t seen you in here before?”

“Yes, I just arrived this week. I’ve been living in the pool to try to stay cool, but I’ve come to accept I will have to get out of the water at least a few times a week. I met the sweetest woman at the OSC event this weekend, and she mentioned your store. I decided it was finally time to drag myself here. Sometimes it just feels like too much work to leave the island.”

“Where do you live?” Rey asked as she led Emilia to the women's section.

“The . . . oh . . .” She spun toward me. “I still can’t remember the name. The tower?”