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you—here at the hotel we both love that deserves nothing less than the two people who dream of bringing it to life again.
    You close your eyes for a moment and slightly nod before tugging me along again through the tall grass. “So, we’ll leave the eastern edge wild. A lot of the interior work we can do ourselves. Are you up for painting and helping me replace some windows?”
    This has to be a test. Instead of approaching me from the standpoint of an employer offering a job, your new angle is to team up and make this a fun, friendly renovation. “Merrick, I can’t stay. You know that.”
    Your arm circles my shoulders. “You can. I told you, I took care of everything.”
    “How did you take care of everything? What did you tell my mom? Shannon? I’m still finishing up an internship, you know.”
    Your chin jerks up in annoyance. “Internship. Please, Rachael, don’t tell me you turned down my offer because of your internship. My assistant contacted your roommate and let her know you’d changed your mind about my offer and you’re spending time in Florida to solidify your decision.”
    “Nice cover story. And what about my mom?” Irritation tangles with amusement inside me.
    “Your mom’s on an extended European cruise with your aunt. I talked to her personally. I let her know it was a perk for you joining me for a short time in Florida to consult on the Turtle Tear Hotel renovation.”
    “What?! She’s on a cruise?” I yank your arm and make you face me. “What did you tell her, exactly?”
    You smile with your entire face, reveling in my shock and laughing softly. “On our way down here, I had a nice talk with her. I told her it was last minute, that I escorted you down here, and I knew your concern for leaving her. I asked if she would have anyone to join her on a vacation—it was the least I could do for taking you away for a while.”
    I stand looking up at you, dumbfounded. “Everyone knew I was coming here except me.”
    You tilt your head. “You were the last to know.”
    You did take care of everything. My mind is blank, because I honestly have no idea what to make of all of this. Nobody would be worried or looking for me. What if you really had intended to hurt me? The sudden realization that I was taken away so easily sends waves of panic from my back to my chest. I try to tell myself to be calm. I’m not in danger. Don’t think of what could have been.
    “What are you thinking?” you ask.
    I throw my hands in the air. “I have no idea what to think.”
    “Then don’t.” You hook your arm through mine and we begin walking again. “I’ll show you where the helicopter lands.”
    Everything about the past few days is surreal.
    I’m here with you, Merrick Rocha, on Turtle Tear Island.
    My mom is on a European cruise that you sent her on.
    I have a happy mom on a dream cruise, my dream hotel renovation and you…my dream man? I’m not certain, but I think I would feel that way if I let myself forgive you.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     

     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    We stand in the center of a clearing beside a black helicopter. The tall grass around us has been blown over. It lies flat on the ground. “It’s the only spot on the island where there are no trees. I was afraid it might be a marsh when I first landed the helicopter here.”
    “When was that? How many times have you been here?”
    You pat the side of the helicopter and lean against it. “About two years ago. This is my third time.”
    Third time’s a charm . Funny, I’ve only slept with my high school boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend, Lance, who I met my second year in college and dated for two years—you’d be my third. Experience isn’t on my side.
    I run my eyes up your strong legs, over the lines of your chest where your t-shirt hugs, down your well-defined arms—I can’t imagine how good they would feel wrapped around me.
    I want you to be my third. If I get the courage to make a