Fuck.
It was an awkward ride across the island to the dock where a fishing boat with a canopy bobbed against the current.
I’d stayed at Ring Gold Island before, so it wasn’t a surprise to me. But judging by the look on her face, Saylor had been expecting something…different.
I swallowed my chuckle and watched as Vili helped her aboard, then I helped him stow our luggage.
A few minutes later, we were bouncing across the water, a faint mist spraying our faces. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and just let the peace of the moment wash over me. Something about the water here just felt different. I might have a house on the beach in Cali, but nothing felt like the pristine beauty of the water in the South Pacific.
Saylor felt differently, judging by her shriek and the way she scrambled to get out of the spray.
My chuckle was lost in the roar of the outboard engine and the wind.
Since I’d been at the resort a year ago—for almost a month—I was welcomed by every employee we passed with back slaps and promises of great fishing.
I waved off an escort to my bungalow. “Same one, right? I know the way.”
“Err actually, the Hales uh, I mean Miss Tate has booked that treehouse. We have you in the other one.”
The other,lesserone he meant. I tried to hide my snarl of disappointment. I loved that treehouse. It had the most privacy. And a private plunge pool.
Vili gestured helplessly. “When the call came for your reservation, that one was already booked. Had been for almost a year. I’m so sorry.”
Saylor studiously avoided looking in my direction.
No offer to switch.
No conciliary shrug of apology.
I might as well not exist.
I tipped my head at Vili. “I understand. I guess I’ll take that escort after all. Don’t wanna take a wrong turn.”
“Great, great. Let’s just get—” he gestured to one of the guys lingering near the dining area. “Jone! You mind helping Logan to his bure?”
Leaving Vili to escort Saylor? Oh hell no.
“Jone looks busy to me.” I jerked my chin at the broom Jone clutched. “How about we all go together and drop Saylor off first?” My words might’ve been in the form of a question, but my tone definitely was not.
No way in hell was I leaving her to Vili and his leering
For the first time since we’d arrived, Saylor turned to me. She gave me a relieved look, and I nodded at her.
Our introduction might’ve ended awkwardly, but no way in hell did that mean I was going to hang her out to dry. Cleary, the woman had some heartache to work through. She didn’t need me or Vili circling her when she was so vulnerable.
And then we were off to our bungalows with the promise of someone bringing our luggage to us later.
I waited at the top of the steps as Vili showed her around her treehouse bure—not present for the tour but still close enough tohear if she needed some help. But Vili was solicitous and stayed in his lane.
Then Saylor and her curves and wounded eyes were forgotten after we crossed the beach and climbed the stairs to my treehouse. This one might not have all the amenities as the other treehouse, but the deck was stellar.
I leaned against the railing and stared at the endless ocean as the sound of the gentle waves lapped against the sandy beach below, and that sense of peace I’d been chasing washed over me. Closing my eyes, I soaked it in.
Ten months, nineteen countries, and so much jet lag.
I hadn’t been able to convince any of the guys to come with me. They thought I was nuts to immediately get on another plane and fly however many hours to get here. But this was something I just couldn’t find anywhere else.
Peace.