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n Mana Island, they got to see several of the locations involved with the show Survivor . Almost a dozen of the show’s challenge arenas, including the tribal council area and Survivor Sanctuary, were on this island. They were spread farther from one another than Liam had assumed they’d be, but they were already on a day of walking, so they simply did what they’d come here to do. Visiting each location, getting some pictures, though none quite as revealing as the ones taken at Yoga Beach, as there were other tourists around at each of these spots, Liam and the others spent a good two hours on Mana Island.

The next island they passed, Tavua Island, also had a couple of sights related to the show, though no resorts or places to stay, so they just observed it from the speedboat they’d rented for transport farther north. Curling westward, the five of them added the beaches used when filming Cast Away to their growing album of pictures on Monukiri Island. Naturally, Avril continued to battle with Evelyn over who had seen the better sights on their ongoing vacations.

While the rest of them took in the sights, they could also see the other islands they’d visit over the remainder of their time in the Mamanuca Islands. Tokoriki Island was the final one they’d visit, where they could catch a flight back up to their resort. By then, it ought to be getting dark enough for them to fly under the stars. Anna probably wouldn’t like that too much.

His attention chased after the youngest woman on the trip as she and Tess walked up the beach toward a jutting, curling—like a cowlick—peninsula. Liam caught her eye, and she waved for him to come along.

The three of them made their way up to the isolated end of the beach, standing on a tip of white sand surrounded by water. The sun beat down on them, mercilessly hot—hotter than it’d so far been all week. Wearing her wide-brimmed hat, Tess looked out at the distant humps that made up the nearby islands. Unbothered by the sun’s harshness, she smiled.

“I think we’ve all gotten our steps in for the day, at least,” Tess said. “I don’t feel as bad about the lack of a gym at our resort, now. Or having eaten so many desserts since we arrived.”

“You were fretting over things like that?” Anna said.

“A nice figure is harder to keep at my age,” Tess pointed out. She held up a hand before either of the younger people with her could reply. “I was just making an idle comment; don’t read too much into it. Mostly, it’s just strange to fall out of a long-standing habit. This’ll be the first time I’ve gone a full week without visiting my gym since Victoria and I started going together. I was just remarking on that; it’s not something I’m actually stressing over.”

“You’d better not,” Liam said. “There’s no stress allowed on this trip.”

Tess curled her lips in a maverick way. “Oh? Aren’t you stressing over something, Liam?”

He knew help when he got it; he’d gotten a lot of it over the past many months, after all. The response from the other woman with them was immediate and exactly what Tess had intended.

“What’s on your mind, Liam?” Anna asked.

“Victoria,” he admitted.

Anna glanced back the way they’d come, though Avril and Victoria were distant silhouettes. “What about her? Did something happen this morning?”

“Actually, yeah,” Liam said, but he stopped himself before he stumbled into breaking the one rule Victoria had stipulated. “Well, I mean, kind of. I’m still trying to figure out when her birthday is. She still won’t share it with me.” He nodded at Tess. “Yesterday, I convinced Tess to tell me that today isn’t her birthday, at least, but I’m still going to be guessing. I want to wake up and be the first person to wish her a happy birthday, not just find out when I finally see you all do it, you know?”

“I’m surprised Victoria won’t just say when it is,” Anna said. “I wouldn’t have thought she’d keep it hidden from you.”

“Same,” Liam agreed. “So, how about it? Would you be willing to tell me when it is?”

Anna worked her luscious mouth from side to side, thoughtful. Liam didn’t expect a favorable response. This was all part of the most basic negotiating tactic around. Ask for more than you wanted, be denied, then ask for what you were really hoping for.

“If she wants it hidden, for whatever reason, I think I should stay silent on the matter. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Liam said. He nodded toward Tess. “Would you consider doing what Tess did last night, though? Could you tell me one of the days her birthday isn’t? Just kind of helping me have better odds of getting it right?”

Anna tilted her sunglass-covered eyes to Tess. The older woman nodded.

“It felt fair to me,” Tess said. “It’s not like Victoria asked us to stay silent about her birthday. And well, Liam was very convincing last night.”

God, I love this woman, Liam thought, hiding a grin. She was so helpful.

After a moment, Anna said, “I… suppose that seems okay.” She spent another few moments shifting weight from foot to foot. “I could be convinced.”

Liam grinned. “Just say how. If it’s within my power, I’ll see it done.”

Anna glanced at Tess, and Liam almost wondered if she’d ask the older woman for some privacy. However, she didn’t. Instead, she produced a piece of paper.

“We could do what’s on my fortune,” Anna said. “That’ll convince me.”

Astonishment brought up Liam’s eyebrows. The lone professor here, who didn’t realize there was a chance she’d have them both as students next fall, seemed similarly surprised. Impressed, too. They both shared that emotion as well.

“Right here and now?” Liam asked.

“It’s not really a big deal… comparatively,” Anna said. Stepping forward, she handed him the fortune, which Liam then read.

There’s a makeout session in a public place in your future.

#051

“Wow,” Liam said, focusing less on the promise’s tameness—by Avril’s standards—than the number beneath it. “You actually got the lowest number one.”

“Yes,” Anna said. “I guess I’m happier than if I’d immediately received the highest one, which I know would probably torch my face red, but I think I have to finish this one before I’m allowed to receive another.”

“That seemed like the implication, though it’s another thing Avril didn’t fully think out beforehand,” Tess said. She looked around, then smiled. “So, this is a public space? Is that why I’m here?”

Anna blushed but nodded. “Strictly speaking, I think it counts. I’d rather not do something like this in front of a crowd of strangers.”

Tess’s smile stayed. “I’m in full agreement, Anna. Clever thinking on your part.”

“Thank you,” Anna said quietly, looking down at the sand.

While she did so, Tess looked toward him. She beckoned toward Anna.

“Just don’t pull out a timer on your phone,” Liam told the brunette beauty.

“I’ll judge if it’s been long enough to count as a ‘session’ by sight and ear,” Tess said lightly.

It was at least a minute, which Liam considered session-worthy. He and Anna, who only spared Tess a slight glance before they brought their lips together, kissed, then kissed, then kept on kissing. It occurred in a public environment, and there was even a witness. So, in the court of law, it ought to hold up.

Amused though he was by how things had come to pass, Liam quickly focused on one of his favorite feelings in the world: Anna’s lips. They were as wonderful as ever, soft, sensual, naturally pillowy. With her becoming bolder and more confident by the day, case in point, this very situation she’d cooked up, he was allowed more and more opportunities to press his lips against hers.

Today, it was indeed special, as it took place in front of a professor they might share in a few months, no less.

After the kiss ended, Liam and Anna shifted their eyes toward Tess. She made them wait a few seconds before passing judgment.

“It’s enough,” the older woman said. “Fortune fulfilled.”

Liam grinned and, for his own pleasure, kissed Anna a little bit longer. She didn’t seem to mind, as she wrapped her arms back around his neck and let him do so without complaint or objection.

“Her birthday isn’t tomorrow,” Anna soon said.

“So, it’s on one of the final two days of the trip,” Liam said, rubbing his chin. He was grateful that Anna had chosen to mark out tomorrow. Now, he didn’t need to race over to Avril and get the final piece to the puzzle. He had a fifty-fifty shot, even if she wouldn’t break. That was certainly an improvement.

“That’s right,” Tess confirmed. “So, your odds are getting better.”

“Are you going to try the same tactic with Avril?” Anna asked, curious.

“That’s the plan. Maybe I should do it before the tennis match, though. If you and Victoria win, I have a feeling that the judge will be the one who receives the most blame.”

Anna smiled. “I could see that being the case, unfortunately.”

“Then I’ll have to work fast. Maybe she pulled number fifty-two and wants to get rid of her fortune quickly.”

“Speaking of that, are you going to ask for a new fortune right away, Anna?” Tess asked.

The younger woman shook her head. “Maybe later in the trip. Which fortune did you get?”

Ensuring he couldn’t see what was inscribed upon it, Tess revealed her fortune to Anna. Even behind her shades, Liam could see her eyes widen.

“W-Wow,” Anna said. “They definitely scale up a lot.”

“That they do,” Tess said.

Folding his arms and making it clear he was pouting, he glared at them both. “Like Avril said earlier, uncool.”

“You’ll get to find out in a few days,” Tess said.

“Meaning you’re going to make me wait until the final day?!”

“Yes,” Tess said, smiling broadly. “That is precisely what I mean.”