I look up at Jax, who is standing on the platform at the stern of the speedboat, being fitted into her wet suit.
“Pro: he’s smart. Con: he’s a little too humble.”
Jax snorts as she zips herself in. “As if humble is a bad thing. If anything, we need more humans with a little bit of humility.”
I love that she doesn’t see the irony in her words, considering she has such an intensely hot body that she looks gorgeous even in a wet suit. “I disagree. We need more people who know their worth. Like you.”
She rolls her eyes. “All right, moving along. We don’t need to get into one of your philosophical discussions; we’re about to go parasailing for the first time. Now put that away and soak it up.”
I perk up. “Philosophical discussions…That’s it! He’s not a big talker but when he does talk? He’s intense. Also, a good listener.”
Jax cocks her head at me. “Are you making a pro/con list for his sperm or a relationship?”
“Do you have to be so crass?”
“Sierra, have you met me?”
“Have I met the version of Jax who is about to go parasailing even though she’s terrified of heights? No. Never met her.”
“Haha. Have fun with your list. And while you’re at it, you need to change that list heading from ‘Having sex with Austin’ to ‘Havi
ng a relationship with Austin.’ Because that’s where you’re headed, and for the record, I approve all of the above.”
I stare at my friend. This is illogical. Austin might say he wants to explore this chemistry between us, but he makes no sense.
“Con: he’s delusional.”
Jax shakes her head at me, then blows me a kiss, and she’s in the water.
“Pro list: he’s direct and says exactly what he wants.” I say this out loud even though I’m alone with Brooks, who steers this vessel. I remind myself I’m in paradise, and there are zero repercussions for what I’m talking about out loud.
“Con: I don’t know what I want.
“Pro: adventurous spirit.
“Con: I barely know him.”
I tap my marker against my lip and stare behind the boat. There, I see something I never thought I would see: Jax, sailing over the water, the wind in her hair, forgetting that she is afraid of heights and having the time of her life.
Next, it’s my turn.
Chapter Eleven
Sierra
“May I?”
I look up from where I’m lounging at the beach, and it’s a vaguely familiar-looking man towering over me. My heart leaps for a second, thinking that it’s Austin. My pulse calms down when I see it’s not him. My eyes flick down to his wrist, where he wearsthe official wristband for the resort. He’s gesturing to the empty lounger next to me.
I tell him he can join me as long as he doesn’t mind giving up the chair when my friend arrives in a few minutes.
“That’s okay; this will only take a few minutes,” he says.
I laugh. “Why does this sound strangely menacing?”
The man squats down to face me, and I recognize him then as a memory from our first night on the pier comes back. “Wait a minute, I know you,” I say. “You were at the bar the other night.” Not one of the kids from the yacht, but some other guys we also talked to briefly.
He looks a little too proud of himself and tugs at the buttons of his polo. “I’m flattered you remember me.”