Page 18 of The Best Man's Secret

“We’re not…”

It was my turn to laugh. “You totally are.”

Emery’s face was redder than the wild curls on his head, but he met my eyes and nodded.

With Adam’s brothers and their partners gone, we were left on our own to decide what to do for the rest of the evening.

“What do you say about checking out the other bars in this place, roomie?” Adam asked.

I stood and held my fist up for a bump. “Let the bad decisions begin.”

8

ADAM

Istood at the edge of the wooden dock, my gaze lingering on the sun as it appeared slowly on the horizon.

“Whose idea was this?” Lex said, yawning.

“I believe it was a joint one,” Noah added.

“Never. I would never agree to being tortured. I thought this was a vacation,” Lex said, pulling Emery closer and hiding his face in his boyfriend’s neck, pretending to snore.

“Like it or not, we’re here,” Lior said. “I, for one, am looking forward to finding out if my husband can provide for me if the end of the world comes and we have nothing more than our natural resources.”

“Baby, I could flirt the fish out of any fisherman, but if you’re hoping for me to provide in a case of need, you might go hungry.”

Lior wrapped his arms around Noah’s waist and lifted him over his shoulder. “I guess I’ll just have to eat you instead.”

I looked away. The sight of both my brothers so perfectly in love made me as happy as it made me sad. While I would never ask them to tone down their affection in front of me, I was also…jealous.

I was supposed to be doing that right now too. Lazy breakfasts in bed, sunscreen application turning into another round of hot sex, talking about the future with a margarita in hand.

Pushing those thoughts away, I glanced at River, who was right beside me, his gaze reflecting the orange hues of the rising sun, a subtle excitement in the tilt of his smile.

“Ready for this?” I asked, half teasing, half serious.

“Yup. Let’s see if any of us has improved since we last went fishing with your dad,” he replied with a chuckle.

The guide, a seasoned sailor with a weathered look, came out from the boat.

“Good morning, gentlemen. I’m Kianu, and I will be your captain, guide, and, if you’re lucky, your chef. I hope you’re ready for a good day of fishing. We’re forecast for smooth water, so no excuses today. My children’s dinner depends on your success.”

We all looked at each other, panic setting in everyone’s eyes.

Kianu laughed. “Only joking. I don’t have kids, and my wife is a vegetarian, but whatever you catch will be your lunch, so I hope you’re either very good or brought snacks.”

Emery raised his arm, holding a backpack. “Snacks.”

“My kind of dude,” Kianu said. “All aboard. We’ve got a pot of coffee to get through while we sail to our destination.”

We helped each other onto the rental boat, ready for the safety brief before the start of our adventure and definitely ready for a good cup of coffee.

As the boat sailed farther into the Pacific, I took note of the light of the rising sun on the island’s shore. It was truly a beautiful sight.

Kianu delivered on his promise. The coffee was good, and he even threw in a batch of pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies made by his wife.

By the time we arrived at our destination, the sun was high in the sky and we could no longer see land.