Page 45 of Undeniably Unexpected (Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires #6)

I watch the spray leap from the bow of the boat as we cut through the afternoon water, heading back to our island.

The sun is high in the sky, and with it reflecting off the water, I can already feel my shoulders starting to burn despite the massive amounts of sunscreen I put on.

I love the island and the quiet, and I love being here with Loomis, but part of me isn’t sad about having to go home to Boston at the end of the week.

Loomis cradles Fen against his chest, one hand cupped protectively over his ear to shield him from the growl of the engine.

The sight of them together like that, so sweet and peaceful and tender, never fails to make my heart pitter-patter and my chest squeeze.

I steer the boat, already so much better at this than I was when I first did it, but I think from now, I’m going to leave the sailing to Stone.

My phone buzzes against my thigh, no doubt another message from my girls who haven’t stopped blowing up our group chat since I told them this morning about me and Loomis. And because apparently Loomis had told Tinsley that he loves me, so now it’s just insanity with them.

“Everything all right?” Loomis asks, his voice rising above the noise of the motor and the wind.

“Just my girls,” I tell him, glancing at my phone. “They’re relentless. You know, because someone had to tell his bestie that he used the L-word.”

He smiles. “And I make no apologies for it. Though Tinsley’s words to me were, “It’s about f-ing time!”

I laugh. “I doubt she said f-ing.”

“No. She used the full word, but I have small ears here, and I won’t be that father. Like mine was. You should have heard my mouth as a lad. Worse than a pub during a Liverpool-Manchester match.”

“Now you sound like Katy around Willow. We can’t say any bad words.”

“Then you should be used to it because that will be the new law of the land.”

He shifts Fen slightly in his arms as his eyes grow heavy with the motion of the boat, lulling him toward sleep. Plus, it is his naptime, and Fen does not like to be kept from sleeping.

I quickly look down at my phone to hide my smile.

Kenna: Keegan, did you know that my socials are covered in your face?

Wren: Same! So same. It’s like all Keegan, Loomis, and Fen. Oh, and the headlines and speculations… *Shocked emoji*

Katy: For the record, I win the pool. My bet was closest.

Me: You all placed a bet?

Tinsley: *Eye roll emoji* Of course we did. We called this last year. Loomis was just Loomising, and yes, that’s now a verb, but we knew weeks alone on a secluded island only ended one way. Just ask Stone.

I snort a laugh. Tinsley ran away from her life and hid on Stone’s boat, except Stone was doing the same thing at the same time, and the two of them ended up sailing around the Bahamas together. Did I mention she’s his younger brother’s ex? Yeah, it was messy for a bit.

Wren: Remember when you said “He’s just a friend” and “Nothing will happen” and we all laughed in your face? In a happy, totally supportive way of course.

Heat rises to my cheeks that has nothing to do with the eighty-five degrees of blazing sun on me.

I focus on steering us toward the island and not out to sea, and after I get us safely against the dock and the boat is tied off, I linger for a moment, my fingers hovering over the screen as I try to formulate a witty response that doesn’t betray how completely right they all were.

Then again, they all knew I had a massive crush on him and was hoping for something to happen between us this past fall, so it’s not like I can play the totally shocked and annoyed card here.

Me: And yet you all failed to predict that we’d be heading home early and abandoning our private island lifestyle, so clearly you don’t know everything.

Sorel: Ten minutes too late, Keegs, and that was the lamest response ever.

She’s not wrong. It was pretty bad.

Wren: Speaking of details that you have yet to give us, how is island life with the sexy British tattooed actor? Is the sex as hot as I imagine it would be?

Tinsley: EARPLUGS! I do not want to hear this. Or read this since it’s a text. *Vomit emoji*

Me: Stop. I’m not saying anything.

Katy: So the sex is that good.

Me: Obviously.

Sorel: He better be handing out orgasms like party favors at a club.

Me: Speaking of none of that, when are you due, and can I deliver your baby?

Sorel: Any freaking minute, and hopefully tomorrow since it’s my day off and Mason is officially done with football until the summer except for workouts. And absolutely not. We’re family and I love you, but your hands are not going in my vagina. Especially not when you have a broken freaking wrist.

Again, touché .

“You coming?”

“What?” I sputter, my freaking face heating once again.

“You’re standing on the dock in the blazing sun instead of coming inside.”

Oh. Right. That.

“Yes. I’m coming.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “What has you blushing like a virgin?” Loomis asks, his eyebrow raised.

“Nothing,” I say too quickly. “Just girl talk.”

“Girl talk about me, from the look on your face,” he observes dryly. “You better be touting my sexual prowess, Keegan Fritz, or I’ll have to film us and post it.”

I gasp. “You wouldn’t dare. Fritzes do not make sex tapes. Nor should single dads actively dealing with the Department of Child and Family Services.”

“Such a buttoned-up little mermaid.”

I follow him toward the house as I slip my phone into my pocket and place one hand on his back. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’ve told them all how you’re horrible in bed along with all your dirty secrets. I also told them how you like it when I call you Daddy.”

He chokes and misses a half step, stumbling but catching himself quickly.

“Daddy?”

I grin. “Haven’t tried that one yet.”

“Maybe tonight I’ll spank your pretty arse and make you call me Daddy.”

I belt out a laugh, especially when he spanks my ass.

My phone buzzes again, and I pull it out expecting more teasing from my friends. Instead, I see a different name that sends a jolt through my system.

Alden: I need to talk to you ASAP. It’s important. Can you call when you get a chance? I’m around for most of the afternoon and evening.

My stomach tightens. I haven’t spoken to Alden since right after we got here.

He also stopped texting or calling after our last conversation.

I slide the phone back into my pocket without responding.

I don’t want Loomis to see his message. The problem with happiness is that it creates something to lose.

Standing next to Loomis as he holds Fen, I’m keenly aware of just how much that is.

“He’s almost asleep,” Loomis whispers as our feet hit the grass about a hundred yards from the cottage. “I should put him down for his nap.”

“Go ahead,” I agree. “I need to call my parents anyway.” The lie feels like acid on my tongue.

He kisses me, a quick press of lips that carries the promise of more later, and takes Fen into the house. My stomach plummets with what I’m about to do.

When they disappear inside, I pull out my phone again and stare at Alden’s message. My thumb hovers over the call button. Whatever Alden wants, it can’t be good news. People who bring good news don’t label it as important and require you to call them back ASAP.

I walk to the edge of the pool and sit down, letting my feet dangle in the water.

I should tell Loomis about the text. That’s what people in healthy relationships do.

They communicate and shit. It’s what we said we’d do with each other, and I don’t know why I lied now other than if it’s simply Alden calling again to say he wants me back, then it’s a useless conversation on both accounts.

But what if it’s not that?

I press call before I can think myself out of it. The phone rings three times, and I almost hang up before his deep voice hits my ear.

“Keegan?”

“Hey,” I say, my own voice sounding annoyingly high-pitched. “You said it was important?”

“It is. Thanks for calling back.” He pauses. “How are you? How’s your wrist?”

I glance down at my wrist that’s been pain-free and seems to be healing well. Except I’m not in the mood for small talk. “It’s good. Healing. What’s going on, Alden?”

He clears his throat. “This is awkward. I... I got a strange call yesterday from someone. I don’t know his name, and he wouldn’t tell me it. He said he knew about our history and how we not only broke up shortly before you got together with Loomis but how I’ve been trying to win you back.”

My skin prickles with unease. “Um, wow. That’s… weird. And what the fuck now?”

“I know. I nearly hung up on him, but the way he spoke made it sound like he heard our conversation outside the café that night. He knew you fell on the ice, and he knew Loomis was there in disguise. He knew he stepped in when I arrived and… said he was your boyfriend. In fact, those were the words he used. He said he stepped in and pretended to be your boyfriend.”

Jesus. It’s the person who took the pictures. Who alerted the press about us. It has to be.

“Alden… I don’t know what to say.”

He sighs. “Is it true?”

Fuck!

“Loomis and I are very much a couple, and we… Alden, we love each other, and it’s not a stunt. It’s real.”

He’s silent for a long moment, and I hop in the water, wading through and not caring that I’m wearing shorts and not a bathing suit.

“Keegan, he offered to help me get you back.”

I frown. “What? How would he help you do that?”

“That’s why I’m calling. He said he had information about Powell. Your... well, I guess he’s your boyfriend for real now. That’s what you’re telling me, and I hope you wouldn’t lie because I’m not lying to you.”

“I’m not lying to you.”

“He has information, Keegs. At least that’s how it sounds.”

The muscles in my stomach clench. “What kind of information?”