Luca stalked off in the opposite direction, not glancing back. I swallowed my pride. Hearing that he didn’t want me out loud and admitting it all in the same night was not doing me any favors.
Declan helped me to our room. I locked myself in the bathroom to take a hot shower and rinse the makeup off. By the time I got out of the bathroom, it was almost nine, and Declan was already asleep. As soon as my head hit that over-fluffed pillow, my racing thoughts of the night ceased.
Day Two
8 AM - 9 AM - Breakfast
Gerald’s pugnacious voice from last night echoed in my mind. Too bad Luca never thought she was good enough to stick around for. My nails bit into my palm. That couldn’t have been further from the truth but could my dumbass speak up? No. Of course not. Because it was easier that way.
I kicked myself as I made my way down the corridor to the dining hall for breakfast. My eyes found Mags first like they always had. Her hair was still in that greasy bun from yesterday, and she hadn’t bothered to cover her wound. She wore sweats and a t-shirt with her eyes red and puffy. It looked like she’d cried all night. A pang shot through my chest at the thought.
Declan sat next to her looking as put together as always. I clenched my teeth and plopped down in the chair next to Asher.
Two members of our party were missing: Evelyn and Gerald.
“Anyone seen Eve?” Faith typed away on her phone.
Mags’ eyes shifted down as she pulled her phone out. “I’ll try to call her.” She put the phone to her ear for a few seconds before a frown took over her features. “She’s not answering.”
“I’m sure they’ll be here later. Maybe they’re skipping breakfast.” Declan shrugged.
I narrowed my eyes. Was he that fucking dense?
Faith groaned. “Eve just texted me. She said she and Gerald were talking through last night and she will see us later at the beach.”
A lingering tension hung thick in the air. Nobody with a brain trusted Gerald with Eve. Even Jamie and John shared a look of concern.
I rubbed my face. “I wanted to apologize for last night. It’s your wedding week, and drama is the last thing you two should worry about.”
Asher shook his head. “Listen, what Gerald said was totally out of line. I don’t like the guy, but we love Eve. We’re willing to put up with it for her.”
Jamie sat her juice down and cleared her throat. “I don’t know any of you very well, but I have to admit… I worry for Evelyn. Gerald doesn’t seem... safe.”
Faith nodded. “We all worry about her.” She turned to Declan. “I hope you don’t take what Gerald said to heart. He’s pretty manipulative.”
His lip snarled back. “I appreciate your words, but Gerald seemed fine to me last night.”
Mags snorted. “He’s not fine. He’s a total asshole.”
Declan glanced at her with a shrug. “I judge people on how they treat me.”
“You don’t think the way he spoke to Mags was shitty?” I narrowed my eyes.
He took a bite of eggs before answering, “Yeah, his tone could’ve been better.”
“His tone?” Mags gaped at him. “Dude, fuck you,” she snapped.
Asher slammed a palm down, forcing everyone to shut their mouths and stare at him. “Consider breakfast over, and grab lunch by yourselves. Get your shit hashed out, and we will have fun at our volleyball game at one.”
Faith had her lips pursed. “This is supposed to be fun. Please get your stuff worked out.” She got up with Asher, and they started walking away.
Mags had her eyes trained on her glass of juice as Declan stared at her. Jamie and John whispered to each other. I groaned before getting up and chasing after them.
I caught up to Faith and Asher right outside of the dining area. “Hold up.”
Faith whirled around and jabbed her finger in my chest. “What the hell is going on with you?”
I held my hands up and stepped back. “What do you mean?”
“Mags. Why can’t you just admit that you like her?” she whisper-shouted at me.
Asher put a hand on my cousin’s shoulder to reel her in. “She’s right. You have feelings for the woman. Just get over your fears and go after what you want.”
I rubbed the stubble on my chin, a reminder that I forgot to shave this morning since I couldn’t get the woman out of my fucking head. “I can’t ruin her.”
Faith’s eyes softened. “Not this again. Luca, you are nothing like Uncle Mark.”
I shook my head. “You’re wrong.” My voice cracked. “I’m exactly like my father. And I can’t hurt her the way he hurt Mom.”
Asher clasped a hand on my shoulder. “Luca, you’re a lot like your old man, but you’d never do what he did.”
I was at a loss for words. They didn’t understand the torment my father put himself and us through for what he did. He regretted his actions every damn time and told me he couldn’t stop himself. Like, it was meant to happen, and he couldn’t change the way it was. I was so much like my father, I knew I’d make the same life-altering mistake he did if given a chance—maybe worse.
After all, like father like son.
Day Two
10 AM - 11 AM - Free Time
The beach was a blaze of golden hues. The sand burned underfoot. The waves came in bursts, white-tipped, and lapped at the sand we walked on. With every step, the sand shifted. Despite the morning heat, I found myself unable to take my eyes off the ocean.
Declan sighed. “I’m sorry I’ve been acting like a tool. It’s because I’m jealous of Luca.”
I whipped my head toward him. Had I ever known someone to be so blatantly honest? I wasn’t sure, but I had to
