“Nah, not a chance.” His dimples appear. “Have to make you smile somehow. Why so glum today,sourpuss?”
“I’m notglum.”
“Yesterday you disappeared for hours, today you’ve been moping around like a pre-teen at Hot Topic whose debit card gotdeclined.”
“Harsh!”
He shrugs. “Calling it like I seeit.”
“Well, you must be going blind because I’m perfectlyfine.”
“Uhhuh.”
“Let’s talk about someone with real problems. You, for instance.” I eye his gaunt face. “You’re noteating.”
“Menu here isn’t to my taste. Lots of seafood and, gotta be straight with you, I’ve always been more of a steakguy.”
“Uh huh. I’ll get right on that,” I say wryly. “In the meantime, how about you try some fruit? Those weird melon things on trees with the red flowers are actually pretty good. I don’t know what they’re called, but they taste like a cross between a mango and apapaya…”
“No,” he cuts me off. “I’m nothungry.”
I chew my lip worriedly. “You really should try to keep your strength up. Thefruit…”
“Violet. Unless it’s Kobe-beef-flavored fruit, I’m notinterested.”
“Fine.” My hands lift in submission. “Is there anything else I can getyou?”
“A margarita would benice.”
“I realize it’s a struggle for you to take any of this seriously, but I need to know about yourcondition.”
“My condition? Hmm, let’s see. Single. Sagittarius. Stunningly handsome. Recently lost about thirty pounds, all in the lower extremity region. Enjoy long hops on the beach at sunset, followed by fluorescent-lit dinners at the International House ofPancakes.”
I choke down alaugh.
“Oh, come on,” he drawls. “Not even a chuckle forIHOP? That was a goodone.”
I lose the battle for composure and giggle helplessly. “Fine! If I admit it was funny, will you agree to tell me how you’re actuallyfeeling?”
“Yes.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. You areoh so hilarious,” I deadpan. “They should give you your own late night show. That guy Jimmy has nothing onyou.”
He grins. “Thanks Violet. That means so much to me, especially knowing you were blackmailed into saying everyword.”
“Quit stalling. How are youfeeling?”
“Neverbetter.”
I stare himdown.
He sighs deeply, then finally relents. “Lightheaded. Dizzy. The leg pain is intense, and the burns itch so bad, I’d scratch them raw if I knew it wouldn’t do more nerve damage. I’m tired all the time. Physically, emotionally. Tired of sitting under this damn raft tent, tired of not being able to move, tired of pissing into coconut shells and handing them to you to take care of for me. I am a grown ass man, weak as a fucking kitten, withering away in hundred-degree heat. Worse, I’m a burden on you. Just being here, I make things doubly hard, because you have to take care of me in addition to yourself. You’ve got enough to deal with already without me bogging youdown.”
“Ian… Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling this way? I had no idea.” My stomach flips at the thought of him being in so much pain. I reach out, grab his hand, and give it a tight squeeze. “You have to know, it’s not true. You’re not a burden. You’re just about the only good thing on this entireisland.”
His eyes drift over my shoulder to Beck, where he sits on the crest of the beach attempting to lash together a fishing trap using sticks and vines. I’m not sure whether he’s within earshot. I don’t care, at the moment — I’m too focused onIan.
His lips twitch when he takes in the sight of my expression. “That look on your face right now? That’s exactly why I prefer to joke and laugh. Talking about this stuff isn’t nearly asfun.”