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“Hey.”

“Hey.” I stand from the office chair behind the front desk and offer it to him.

He shakes his head with a smile then looks around for Noah. “Hey, I know I said I wasn’t going to ask questions, but I’ve gotta know. Is this—are you and Noah…?” He trails off, but I know what he’s asking.

I flush. “Um, we’re just friends. I guess I can see why you’re asking, but honestly, that’s it. I’m heading back to the States soon anyway.”

“Ah.” There’s a pause.

I’m about to say something else, but just then Noah returns and we both look around guiltily.

Noah pauses in the doorway and looks between me and Jack. “Was he being a jerk?”

“No! Not at all. I was just telling him I’ll have to head home soon. I’m not looking forward to that long flight.” My distraction seems to work.

Noah grunts and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Anything else that needs doing around here?”

“No. You guys have been great. I don’t know what I would have done without your help. The usual cleaner called in sick today, and I was staring down the barrel of a mess of a day. If I didn’t mention it already, I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it.” Noah puts an arm around my shoulders. “Come on Olivia.”

We wave to Jack and head out the door and back to his bike.

“What do you want to do the rest of the day? Your choice. Anything you want. I owe you.”

I smile. “Oh I don’t mind. Honestly.”

Noah frowns. “Come on, anything. Let me take you somewhere nice. Is there something you haven’t seen around here?”

I shrug. “It’s just nice to spend time with you. I guess I won’t get to do that forever.”

He scowls and opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something before shaking it off. Reaching for the spare helmet, he fits it over my head. “Let me take you to the best beach, then. I reckon we’d have it to ourselves this afternoon and I could use a swim.”

TWENTY TWO

Noah

There’s something off with Olivia. I had a hunch as we left the Inlet Views, and the moment we step into the water and I transform, I can taste it. My legs split into tentacles, and the second I’m fully shifted they’re searching for Olivia’s skin.

When I make contact, though, her flavor is not what I’m expecting. Of course the sweet, bright sunshine scent of her remains, but it’s muted. Like a dish that hasn’t been seasoned properly.

What the hell? Have I done something?

Most likely. I’ve been pretty preoccupied with my own shit for the last couple days. Relying on her for comfort, treating her like a good feelings dispenser to get my hit whenever I need it.

I should have been checking more closely on how she’s doing. Because it occurs to me now that it’s literally on the tip of my tentacle, that it matters.

It fucking matters if she’s not OK.

I can’t really pinpoint the exact moment when it started to matter. If I’m really honest, maybe there wasn’t one, because hasn’t it always mattered? Didn’t I drop everything that very first night when I found her crying in the cupboard at The Snapper just to make everything OK for her?

I guess maybe the whole fated mates thing might not be such bullshit after all.

On that terrifying realization, I wrap myself around her and draw her close. The water is at the level of her knees, lapping at our skin, waves rolling in. This beach is sheltered. The waves never get big here unless the weather is truly wild.

I pull Olivia close and stroke my thumb along her cheek. “Did I tell you already today you’re amazing?”

The smile that breaks over her face is reassuring, but her flavor hasn’t changed.