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smile like a cheeseball. My mind wanders to dreamland. I try to think of something clever to say back but I draw blanks.
    “Yeah.”
    Yeah? That’s all I can think of? What a loser. There’s that awkward silence again.
    “Are you staying in an overwater villa?” I quickly ask.
    “Yes. I’ve stayed here once before, so I knew what to expect when I arrived.”
    He’s stayed here before? Probably with a girlfriend or something.
    “Alone?” I spout out before I can stop myself. Oh no. What is wrong with me?
    “I’m so sorry! You don’t have to answer that,” I quickly blurt before he can speak. Why am I so awkward? Why would I even ask him that question? I have no right. I don’t even know the guy!
    He laughs into the phone. And it sounds so sexy, even though it’s at my expense. “It’s quite alright. It’s an appropriate question. I did come with someone the last time I was here.”
    Probably a model, I think sullenly. I bet he only dates Victoria’s Secret models. The crème de la crème. The ones in the Angel fashion show televised every year. The ones who make every hot-blooded heterosexual man drool with desire.
    “It is a very romantic place,” I say. Understatement of the century. Try, it’s like the most romantic setting a couple could ever wish for.
    “It is. But I was here with the wrong person.”
    Oh?
    I can’t stop the rush of pleasure I feel from those words. Visions of me being the right person flash through my mind. I picture us holding hands, walking along the beach, staring into each other’s eyes—
    Sophie! I quickly pull myself out of my reverie and give him a suitable answer.
    “We’ve all been there.” There. That sounds cool. To be honest, I’ve never actually traveled on vacation with a man before so I have no idea what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t need to know that. And it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that being here with someone you love or are, at the very least, massively sexually attracted to, would be the vacation of a lifetime.
    “Have you?” he asks, and there’s a sharp tone in his voice.
    “No,” I answer honestly, but my hand smacks my forehead in horror. Why did I just say that? Me and my verbal diarrhea! I’m supposed to make myself sound worldly!
    “But I’ve heard stories from my friends.”
    “Ahh.” The amusement is back. I throw myself on the bed and close my eyes with the shame of it all. Why don’t I possess the skills of a cool chick?
    “Yeah, well, I hope you have a better experience this time.” This is the lamest thing I can say, but all I want to do is get off the phone now before I embarrass myself even further. And let’s be real, it is entirely possible, given the conversation so far.
    “I think I will. It’s definitely looking better already.”
    Did I hear him correctly? Is it possible that he could be referring to me? The thought is too good to be true.
    He continues smoothly, “I’m having my friends over to my villa for dinner and drinks tonight. I’d love for you and your friends to join us.”
    My heart stops.
    Am I dreaming? He’s inviting me over for dinner? In less than three seconds I picture myself arriving in a long, beautiful gown, with my hairperfectly curled, fake lashes and all. Oh shit. Did I even bring anything appropriate to wear? I think I only have summer dresses and flip flops. I wonder how late the gift shop is open?
    “So what do you think?” He asks when I don’t answer.
    “Umm, sounds great.” I hope I don’t sound too excited.
    “Great. Everyone is arriving from their rooms at seven pm. I’m in the Ocean Haven. It’s the bungalow at the end of the walkway. From your room number I think you might be close by.”
    Close by?
    Try right next door. He’s staying in the Ocean Haven , I tell myself. That’s fifteen thousand American dollars a night! Forget that! He’s right next door to me.
    Right. Next. Door.
    I get up off the bed and walk out to the deck and stare at the