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He nods. Doesn’t push. Doesn’t flinch.
“I can give you that.”
And somehow, that only makes me want to tell him more.
But I don’t.
Because if I do, it won’t just be this bubble that bursts. It’ll be everything. We’ll still be stuck together in this room for lord knows how long and be miserable. I just need to keep this to myself and most importantly… don’t sleep with that chick’s man. Whoever she is.
So I stay quiet.
He finishes his coffee, sets the mug down gently, and leans back in his chair. “If I crossed a line—”
“You didn’t,” I interrupt, voice sharper than I mean. “You were perfect.”
His brows lift, just slightly.
I curse under my breath and look away. “I mean—never mind.”
But the damage is done.
His eyes darken just a bit. Not with anger.
With heat.
He stands, comes around the table, and leans down beside me, his hand brushing the back of my neck as he whispers, “Good to know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t sleep.”
I freeze.
He’s too close. Too warm. Too Carter.
Then he pulls back, grabs his plate, and walks to the sink.
Like he didn’t just wreck me with one line.
I sit there for a long time after that, heart hammering, body on fire, staring at the food I can’t taste.
I told myself I wouldn’t fall.
But it’s already happening.
I need to figure out how to stop it fast.
CHAPTER 10
Carter
“I miss you too, my little crumb cake. You’re my favorite girl, you know that?”
The words leave my mouth with a smile as I lean against the window frame, watching the storm pound against the beach in angry waves. The lights flicker.
My daughter giggles on the other end of the line. “I love you, Daddy. Can you bring me back a seashell?”
I chuckle. “You got it. Pink, purple, sparkly—I’ll find the prettiest one on this island for the prettiest girl I know.”
Then the sound of footsteps. Fast, furious. The door swings open.
And there she is.