Seven years of lying to myself. Seven years of missed opportunities to tell her how I feel. Seven years of suffering in silence. Because I’ve refused to let her know that she holds my heart hostage. And all it took was one night.
Seven fucking years.
And now she’s here, sitting across from me, looking like a dream come true. During a one-week vacation. Spending her nights inmy bed.
I’m such an idiot.
I’m a better man than this. I may not deserve her, but that doesn’t mean I won’t put up a fight for her.
My last bit of resolve snaps at the playful look she gives me while taking a sip of her drink.
And it’s in that exact moment that I make the decision. I no longer want to sulk in the shadows. I want to dance in her light.
I’m going to make this right. I’m going to make her mine.
14
Nikki
Dinner is surprisinglyenjoyable after Antonio and I agree to start over.
The food is delicious, and the drinks are flowing, but what keeps my attention the entire time is Antonio’s smile. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile this much in the whole time I’ve known him. I was sure the scowl was permanent, at least around me. But it looks like he’s actually going to give us a shot at civility, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me giddy.
“So what should we do tomorrow? Same as today?” he asks as he licks his dessert spoon. I swear my brain almost short circuits, but apparently, my two remaining brain cells have my back.
“We should go somewhere. On the main island.”
“That could be fun. This place is a little too stifling for my liking. I’m afraid someone might ask if they can wipe my ass for me.” He chuckles.
“I’m sure Anya wouldn’t mind,” I say to myself. Unfortunately, not low enough, because he goes into a coughing fit that ends in laughter.
Before he can call me out on it, I continue. “Leave it to me. I’ll plan something fun for us tomorrow.”
He raises a brow. “Should I be concerned? The last time I let a woman plan something for me, it landed me here with you,” he teases.
“Well, then, looks like you’re a lucky man,” I tease right back.
“Oh, Nikki. Don’t start something you can’t finish,” he says in a daring tone.
I can feel my skin flush, and I move my hand around my neck in a poor attempt to cover up my reaction.
Antonio smiles. “Relax. I know this is new between us, but what I just did was called a joke.”
I take a generous sip of water because I clearly need to cool down. “Yes, obviously. Ha ha. I was just distracted by the thought of all the fun activities we’re gonna do tomorrow.”
Antonio swirls the drink in his hand and mouths the word “liar.”
I’m instantly turned on and guilt ridden at the same time. He has no idea how much that word weighs on me, and he probably never will.
Since there is no bill to pay, I stand up abruptly, causing my chair to screech behind me. “Well, would you look at the time.” I fake a yawn. “This was fun. Meet you back at the room.”
I go to push my chair back in and look up just in time to see Antonio towering over me. “I’ll go back with you.” He extends an arm, indicating for me to walk ahead of him.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“Friends don’t let friends walk back alone.” He playfully bends his elbow for me to hold, and I think the alcohol must be hitting me all at once because the sight of his smile and his flexed bicep almost makes me faint.
In an attempt to avoid any further embarrassment, I take the offered arm and let him lead me out of the restaurant.
