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As his words sink in, I hear female voices in the distance.

“Do me a favor and keep my questions about the former hockey guy to yourself. No Brooke and definitely no Oakley. She has no idea how to filter herself.”

“I know. I love that about her.” He smiles.

“It’s funny how close they are, being complete opposites.”

Corbin blows out a puff of air. “Maybe on the outside, but the more they’re together, the more I think they’re the same person. Oakley has a gentle, caring side just like Becca. They both love wine, sports, and obviously, they both love hockey players.”

A lump catches in my throat. There’s that love word again.

“What if she doesn’t want to be the odd girl out while here and she just wants a companion during the vacation?” I ask before the women get too close.

Corbin surprises me when he turns to face me. “I’d make a grand gesture. Make sure she knows what this is for you. And what exactlyisthis for you?”

“Everything.”

Every. Fucking. Thing.

Corbin’s expression holds steady before he smacks my arm. His eyes fill with sincerity. “Then don’t fuck it up. Don’t leave this island without making sure she knows how you feel.” He pauses. “Good luck. Dennis did a number on her.”

Not just Dennis. Hidden Hockey boy too.

Her arms are spread wide as she twirls in the sunlight. The sand squishes between her toes. She’s the light I’ve never had in my life. The only woman who I can say with one-hundred percent certainty that brings true happiness to my life. In fact, it feels as if she’s the only thing that makes me happy.

Do I love hockey? Absolutely. Does hockey keep you warm? Quite the opposite.

“Hey! I’m in the sun!” she shouts. “I’m outside. It’s a beautiful day.”

“Looks like you’re feeling better, sis.” Corbin stands to lightly hug her.

“Yep, I have one more treatment tonight. But I have sunscreen, and John bought me this swim combo with sun protection. It’s cute, right?”

Adalee says, “So cute.”

Lettie adds, “Sometimes, less is more.” We raise our eyebrows. “Wait… I mean she’s more covered, so it adds to the mystery of what’s underneath.” Oakley dies laughing. They’re cut from the same filter-less cloth, and I have to admit they make everything more interesting.

Brooke shakes her head at her best friend.

I stand, grabbing Becca’s thick rubber beach tote. I kiss her cheek, keeping it PG in front of Corbin, per her request. Although Oakley has no problem grinding on her brother in front of her.

“Bryce has the cabana reserved, so shade every twenty minutes. Got it?”

“You’re bossy.”

I hang her tote bag on my shoulder and lace our fingers together as we walk to the cabana. In a hushed, seductive tone, I say, “I’m going to boss you tonight, and you’ll be begging me to do things to you.”

She rolls her eyes, but her cheeks give her away—the apples turning pink at the tip of her smile.

I open the mini fridge and show her the cool, damp washcloths I had concierge stock. Becca leans against my arm, releasing a sweet sigh. “I don’t deserve you, John.”

I’m not sure she’ll feel the same way when I share my secret.

“You deserve better than me. If anyone should have it all… it’s you.”

I lift the bill on my Stallions baseball cap she’s wearing so I have more access. She’s absolutely stunning, just natural. Her blond hair is pulled off her face. Her eyes are as clear and brilliant as the ocean in front of us. And her tight, pint-sized body is perfect—strong, yet feminine. But her mind drives me wild. She’s so fucking smart, rattling off correct answers one after the other last night when the gang joined us for trivia night in our pajamas.

The girls won easily. All graduated with honors, even Brooke, who was a single mom during college. And Oakley has street smarts that allowed them to answer questions we got wrong like: