“Luca.” The way my name came out of her mouth caused me to flinch.
She still held a grudge. I knew that from the way she’d ignored me after the morning I drove away from her at Asher’s. It was better that way, easier if she hated me. I couldn’t be what she needed. A woman like her deserved better than a man like me.
“Who’s the guy?” I nodded toward her room, where I assumed Declan was.
Her gaze faltered. “A guy I’ve been seeing.”
My tongue clicked. I hated seeing her with another man, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Not that I’d wanted to. “That so? Doesn’t seem like your type.”
Something behind her eyes flashed, and she took a step back. “What do you think my type is, huh? Men who fuck with my feelings and leave the next morning with no explanation?”
“Mags, I didn’t mean—”
She put her hand up to cut me off. “I don’t care what you mean.” She pivoted on her heels and walked away.
I groaned before I yanked my key card out and unlocked my room. Magnolia Miller was a piece of fucking work. She was gorgeous, a firecracker, and everything I’d wanted in a woman. Too bad I wasn’t worth any of it. My worth amounted little to nothing—all because of my father.
Delilah laid stretched out on the bed in her underwear. Her toned body on display. I pushed away the thoughts of Magnolia and focused on Delilah.
She smiled when she noticed me. “When are you going to make us official?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know that’s never going to happen.”
She huffed and pushed up from the bed. She made her way over to me and ran her hands down my chest. “Why not? You enjoy my company, right?”
I shook my head and grabbed her hands. “Delilah, you know we barely spend any time together. We use each other. That’s what we’re good for.”
She frowned and hesitated. “I know that was the arrangement we set at first, but I think I’m falling for you.”
That was the moment I realized I had misinterpreted her actions. She’d never been satisfied with the arrangement, and now I was going to hurt another woman.
I rubbed my forehead as I shook my head. “I don’t date. I don’t fall in love. That’s why we had the arrangement in the first place. I’m sorry Delilah, but I can’t continue whatever this is.” I motioned between us. “It’s not fair to you.”
Her lips parted, and her eyebrows raised. “You don’t have any feelings for me?”
“I’m sorry.”
She bit her lip and glanced away. “I read this completely wrong then.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head and gave me a small smile. “When you invited me to the wedding I thought it was because you were finally going to give me a chance. We’ve been hooking up for a year now. I want something more.”
I sucked in a breath. “I can’t give you more.”
“I know that now, Luca. This was a mistake. I should’ve never come.” She turned from me and grabbed her suitcases. “I’m leaving.”
She started to pack her things, and I stood there like an idiot. We should have never started the fucking arrangement. Asher told me it was a bad idea, and I should’ve listened. “Let me pay for your flight back.”
“Thank you.” She paused before staring back at me. “The pretty long-haired blonde. You couldn’t take your eyes off her at brunch. Who is she?”
“Nobody important,” I lied through my teeth.
She sighed. “Liar.”
I ran another hand down my face. “I’m sorry, Delilah. I’ll give you space. Let me know when you’re leaving, and I’ll give you money for the flight.” I turned my back on her and walked out of the room.
It always ended this way. Delilah had lasted longer than any of my other arrangements. I’d thought we were on the same page. I couldn’t give myself to another person. I couldn’t be trusted with something as fragile as someone’s heart.
But fuck, seeing Mags today made me wish I could change it. I couldn’t do that to her. She was too perfect. I knocked on Asher and Faith’s door. Asher answered it in a towel.
“Hey man, what’s up?” he asked.
The shower was on, and I groaned. “Gross, dude.”
“Your cousin and I have a healthy sex life, there’s nothing wrong with that.” His eyes rolled. “What’s up? You look panicked.”
I shook my head and kicked at the floor. “Delilah’s leaving. She confessed her feelings for me.”
He nodded his head and leaned against the door frame. “Listen, I’m only saying this one more time. Get it through your thick skull. You are not your father. You’re allowed to commit to someone.”
Pain shot through my heart as he mentioned Dad. I gulped. “I don’t know, man.”
“Faith and I saw how you were staring at Mags this morning. Faith said she doesn’t really like Declan.”
“Why’re you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I need to get back to Faith, so I’ll see you later.” He shut the door in my face before I could reply.
I groaned. I knew I wasn’t my father, but I was like him in every other way. I couldn’t hurt someone the way he did Mom. I’d be damned if I hurt Mags that way. I wouldn’t even give myself the chance.
Day One
1 PM- 3 PM - Mini-Golf
The putt-putt course was on the mainland. Tacky green fabric covered the ground, and there were a few different courses scattered about. The first one was easy, just a hole to hit the ball in a few feet away. Then as the course progressed, there were obstacles. Windmills, slides, boats, and other objects to hit the ball through to get to the hole. It was interesting. I was never a huge fan of putt-putt, but even I could appreciate the complexity of the course.
“If anyone’s worried about sucking ass, don’t feel too bad. I’m sure nobody sucks as much as my sweet baby
