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Don’t think about it now. Just enjoy the moment.

I could see my issues snowballing into an avalanche. It was just waiting for the moment to hit me hard. I’d have to face reality when I returned to Providence. What happened in Maui stayed in Maui.

My body tensed as tears brimmed my eyes.

Shit.What was wrong with me? Why was I being so sensitive?

Attikus shifted, looked at me, and smirked. “What’s wrong, my sexy wife?”

“I’m not your real wife.”

“As I recall, you sounded like a satisfied wife not long ago. Want me to remind you?” He tickled me, and I giggled. “There.” He touched my lips with his fingers. “I love your smile and yourlaugh.” His expression turned serious. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

Oh. Gosh. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about my emotional state. So I replied, “Nothing important.”

He arched an eyebrow. “You’re not a good liar. Tell me.”

Before I could share my emotional mess, I had to sort outwhyI was feeling this way. Most of all, what did I want from Attikus? This fake marriage would end when the time came, but right now, as I lay in bed with him, I didn’t want it to end. I was the one who asked for the concrete terms and conditions. But now I wished I hadn’t.

Was he taking advantage of this situation like I was? This vacation was an escape for both of us. My heart shouldn’t hurt. What was wrong with me?

You want him towantyou regardless of the contract.

The stark truth of it terrified and confused me even more. Why couldn’t things be simple?

“If you don’t tell me. I’ll keep asking.” He brushed a tear away. “Did I hurt you earlier?”

“No. Not at all. You were magnificent.”

Concern warred in his eyes. He wouldn’t drop this topic unless I gave him a satisfying answer. This was something I had to tell him anyway.

“You asked me what triggered me that day on the beach when we were attacked.” I sat up. “Ready for a story?”

“I’ve got all night.” He straightened and took my hand in his.

As I prepared to share the horrific event in the alleyway, I shared another story that had been etched in my memory.

I stand outside Jacksonville Elementary School, waiting forM?to pick me up from the after-school program. My fifth-grade science teacher, Mrs. Bumpus, is teaching us how to garden for healthy eating. There’s a garden bed outside her classroom. Students can sign up to grow a vegetable.

I smile down at the cucumber plant in my hand.

Two other classmates, Miranda Sargent and Mary Forcier, stand near me. But we don’t talk. I’m not friends with those mean girls.

Miranda holds her tomato plant and says, “Some kids need to know how to dress.”

“Yeah.” Mary glances at me and laughs. “Did your mom buy your clothes at the Goodwill store?”

I look down at my ripped jeans, plain T-shirt, and dirty old sneakers. They wore designer jeans, cool knit tops, and sneakers I could never afford. My simple clothes aren’t purchased at the fancy stores in the mall. My mom works very hard to pay the rent and utilities. We don’t have extra money for fancy stuff.

“Some kids need an attitude adjustment,” I say. “I don’t shop at snobby stores.”

They roll their eyes. I don’t know how the rumor started, but they know I don’t have a father. They often make silly jokes about it. Just because I don’t have a father doesn’t mean I’m a bad kid.

I see Miranda’s dad flirting with the fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Palacios, all the time. But he’s married. I don’t say anything because it’s not my business. Miranda and Mary are mean girls who bully others. I’m not afraid of them, but I don’t want detention. I don’t want to makeM?sad.

“I bet your father saw how ugly you were at birth and left you and your mom.” Miranda laughs.

Anger rises in me. “I know your father is cheating on your mom because he can’t standyou.”