Page 24 of Special Delivery

I shrug, rolling her words off my shoulders. Though it’s obvious she’s still wary of Mom and I, I’m not hurt by her words. Still, I can’t resist getting under her skin. For a person so averse to conflict, I sure enjoy pushing her buttons.

“Look, Paige, they have your favorite.” Emma lifts an almond croissant from a tray.

Paige’s expression brightens, and she grabs the croissant, stuffing it into her mouth. I ignore the soft moan that escapes her, focusing on the mouthwatering spread in front of me.

There’s everything you could want, from eggs prepared three different ways, crispy bacon, pancakes, and at least ten types of cut-up fruit. A little of everything finds its way to my plate, though I doubt I’ll be able to eat much since the pressure in my head has already started. This place might be heaven on Earth, but the six of us spending time together sure sounds like hell.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Paige

One by one, we exit the two golf carts in the small harbor that is part of the resort. My hat is wide enough to cover my shoulders, but I fix my kaftan when the breeze blows it away. With my complexion and the way the sun is beating down on us, it will take me less than fifteen minutes to get sunburnt.

A straw beach bag perched on my shoulder, I follow Kim and Dad, who walk hand in hand, while chuckling to themselves. I try to focus on them, so that my eyes don’t flick to the thorn in my side on my left, no matter how much his wide shoulders break into my line of vision. The stitching endurance of his dark blue Bermuda shorts is being tested with every step he takes, but it’s not my problem to worry about. His face is mostly hidden by the shade of his cap, and I prefer it that way, since every time our eyes connect, something stupid rolls off my lips.

Kim and Dad stop next to a beautiful yacht anchored in the harbor, their faces stretching into a grin. “Here we are,” Dad states excitedly.

Three crew members, decked out in white, wait for us with polite smiles plastered onto their faces. “Welcome aboard Maria,” one of them says and introduces himself as Anthony before holding out his hand to help us across the gangway.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I enter the boat, stunned by its beauty.

The teak decking looks brand-new, which is probably the result of the crew’s meticulous maintenance. The railing sparkles under the blistering sun, perfectly polished. Another crew member leads us to the back deck, where a large table sits, served with six plate settings. Atop of it I count three champagne coolers surrounded by orange juice bottles and a tray of pastries. I find a spot between Jordan and Emma and immediately pour a mimosa into my champagne flute.

The cool glass touches my bottom lip just as Dad shoots me a pointed look. Everyone’s holding their flutes up in a toast, I realize and freeze mid-motion.

He looks around the table with warm eyes before lifting his glass even higher in the air. “To family.”

Kim repeats the same, while the rest of us murmur in response. The six of us will never be family.

“Speaking of family...” Jordan starts, lowering her flute. “Kim, was there a Mr. Owens at some point?”

Kim glances at Dad before answering. “Of course.” She swallows. “He died when Ryan was six.”

My chest constricts. Jordan’s confidence falters, but she still continues. “I’m sorry to hear that. Were you a single mom this whole time?”

Kim’s lips turn up into a proud smile. “I was. I did my best.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second, but I’m guessing this is the first time you could afford a vacation like this?”

Ryan’s jaw clenches, and Kim places her hand on his. Dad’s eyes widen before lowering with disapproval. Embarrassment and anxiety paint my chest pink.

Emma speaks first. “I think what Jordan is trying to say is that it must have been hard being a single mom. I was raised by one, too. The yearly budget rarely included lavish vacations.” She emphasizes her words with a chuckle, and Kim joins it.

“You got that right.” Her hand wraps around Ryan’s lovingly. “I worked hard to provide everything I could, but I can’t say luxury was a part of it.”

“You were—are—incredible, Mom. You gave me everything I could ask for,” Ryan tells her, planting a kiss on her temple.

“Thank you, darling,” she responds, smiling.

It’s a sweet, intimate moment between a mother and son, but Jordan’s glare burns through my skull. I left her hanging. She opened the door to incriminating Kim as a gold digger, hoping to get Dad’s money, and instead of joining her, I choked. That wasn’t part of the plan. I simply couldn’t, though. Seeing Kim’s soft eyes crinkled with upset and Ryan’s need to protect her made me feel like absolute shit.

“How about we go lie in the sun on the deck upstairs?” Roger suggests to Kim.

She nods. They both make their way upstairs, but not before Dad pierces us with a warning glare.

An hour later, we’re approaching a small piece of land. It consists only of sandy beaches and palm trees, and it looks like paradise. I imagine myself sunbathing in the shallows, my hot, loving boyfriend bringing me a mimosa. Then I remember: the love chapter is closed for me, I’m not into travel anymore, and my skin tone definitely doesn’t do sunbathing on tropical islands. It’s why I spent the time on the back deck, scrolling mindlessly on my phone, instead of joining the others tanning in the front.

Emma and Jordan return to my hideout first. Jordan already sports a soft pink shade, sharing my skin tone, but she would rather get sunburnt than spend time away from her wife. I glare at them, just to show their love disgusts me. As if reading my mind, Jordan chuckles.