Page 17 of The Best Man's Secret

“About Victoria?” I pressed gently.

He shook his head. “Us. I mean, this—us being here, together.” He rushed to clarify.

I reached to place my hand on his arm and squeezed gently. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How life throws these curveballs.”

“More like grenades,” he muttered.

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the setting sun casting a warm glow over our faces. Adam closed his eyes, giving me the opportunity to drink in the sight of him, bathed in golden light.

“River?” Adam’s voice was low, tentative.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for being here,” he said sincerely, reaching across the table to rest his hand near mine. “For everything.”

“I’ll always have your back, Adam. Always.”

It was the coward answer because it was a lie. If Victoria hadn’t run, I would have broken my promise.

The clink of glasses and the low hum of conversation enveloped us as we mulled over the glossy brochures Noah had picked up from the reception desk, each promising its own brand of paradise. Adam’s fingers brushed against mine as he passed me a pamphlet featuring a snorkeling tour.

“Swimming with turtles, exploring coral reefs, deep-sea fishing…there’s certainly a lot to do around here.”

Adam smiled while his brothers buzzed with their own excitement, making plans.

“Can you imagine what it’d be like?” Lex asked, leaning back in his chair with a contemplative look. “Us, out there in the big blue, free from everything.”

I glanced at Adam again, watching him as he listened to Noah recount a story from his recent honeymoon in Australia. I admired the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed.

“Hey, River,” Noah called out, snapping me back to reality. “You in for the scuba diving? Don’t want to miss out on the chance to see some sharks up close.”

“Sharks?” My throat tightened around the word. “Definitely. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Adam snorted and then coughed “Liar” in my direction.

“Good man!” Noah raised his glass.

“Here’s to making memories,” Lex declared, his eyes sparkling with mischief before he pulled his boyfriend into a quick kiss.

“Memories,” I repeated softly, my gaze lingering on Adam once more.

“Cheers” filled the air as we each took a sip.

“All right,” Adam said, setting his glass down and meeting my gaze with an earnest intensity. “Let’s make this a time we’ll never forget.”

“Agreed,” I replied, my heart pounding with a blend of excitement and trepidation. “What are we doing?”

“Whatever you’re doing, you can decide tomorrow because we’re out,” Lior said, staring intently at Noah.

“Hell yeah, we’re out.” He stood in a rush and dragged his husband away. “See you at breakfast.”

“Those two,” Lex said. “I swear they fuck more than bunnies.”

Emery chuckled, his face going all red.

“Um…I guess we should probably head off too. Have to unpack and?—”

“Have all the sex. Yeah, yeah,” Adam said, interrupting Emery.