Paradise in Progress

16. Chapter Sixteen

Chapter sixteen

Tristan

Victoria: Hey big brother! How’s island life?

Me: Hot and humid.

Victoria: Still the same man of few words…have you seen much of Kennedy?

Me: Every day. We are sharing the suite.

Victoria: SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR!!!

Victoria: OMG! Does this mean the two of you will have an island fling?

Me: None of your business.

Victoria: OMG! That wasn’t a no!

Me: *eyeroll emoji*

Victoria: In all seriousness…you deserve to have fun, Trist.

Me: I’ll keep that in mind. I’ve got to go. We have a reservation in an hour.

Victoria: Have fun creating your own romantic comedy!! *squealing*

It’s been a week since Kennedy and I went on the helicopter tour. The views were unmatched, and hearing Kennedy squeal will live rent-free in my head. With a rocky takeoff and landing, her grip left tiny half-moons on my arm. But the pure joy that radiated from her as we traveled over the Piton Mountains, red-roofed villages, the resort we’re remodeling, jungles, and the ocean made every second worth it.

The truce between us remains. We’ve established a sense of common ground and our living arrangements have gone smoothly. Since our more meaningful conversation, I haven’t divulged any more of my deep, dark thoughts. The truth is, there’s still a lot I don’t know about Kennedy.

I don’t understand why she works so hard. Yes, I get that she’s good at her job, but she goes above and beyond. She’s persistent and doesn’t believe in working hours. It’s why when I overheard Destiny speaking to some of the resort staff, I suggested weekly trials with Kennedy and myself.

Did I have an ulterior motive of getting her alone with me in a non-work setting? Absolutely. But above all else, I wanted to see Kennedy Reed let her hair down and have some damn fun .

In college, I never heard about her attending any frat parties. She arrived early to class, sat in the front of the room, and voluntarily raised her hand to participate. Her dedication to her academics is one of the things that drew me to her. I loved her tenacity. Hell, I still do. But life is too damn short for her to spend all her time worrying about Nelson Signature. My dad’s stupid comment about firing her was completely out of line, and I refuse to watch her shrink into work.

We’re in paradise, while New York is sitting under a foot of snow. Fuck the conventional; we are stepping out of our normal.

And today, I’m going to push her even more.

“Ready, Kenny?” I call from where I’m standing in the dining room. I hear her sandals slapping against the marble before I even see her.

“Ready.”

Fixing the collar of my shirt, I watch through the mirror as Kennedy strides past me, her nose engrossed in her phone.

Holy. Fuck.

I whirl around to take in the woman in front of me. Her hair is parted in two unique-looking braids, with a white straw fedora sits atop her head, with strands of curled hair hanging around her face. Freckles are still visible, with her light makeup, and her lashes are coated in black, making them appear longer. The coral dress with floral details she’s wearing is in two pieces. The skirt hugs around her delicate curves, exposing her tight midriff, where the cropped, off-the-shoulder top sits. And I love that she picked coral. Something about her outfit screams she’s up for an adventure.

“Stunning.” The compliment is out of my mouth in a whisper before I can think .

Her head whips in my direction, as if she didn’t realize I was standing there. Eyes wide, it’s her turn to peruse. I’m dressed in the same combination, as usual. Only this time, it’s a navy short-sleeved collared button-down and cream-and-navy striped chino shorts. I wait for her to get to the best part.

A brimming smile spreads across her lips that I want to kiss so badly. “Birks,” she says with a laugh.

Eating up the space between us, I don’t stop until we’re toe-to-toe.

“Had to wear them. I know how much you love them.” Clearing my throat, I watch her mouth curve up. Why is my voice so raspy?

“Come on, Golden Boy.” She reaches for her handbag she left on the couch, then pushes the button to call the elevator. My heart races as my palms begin to sweat as the thrill of what’s to come sinks in. With a deep inhale, I follow her footsteps. Here goes nothing—or everything.

For the past two days, Destiny and I have worked together to plan the perfect evening. Tonight is the night I make Kennedy Reed spill her truths. I need to know what I did in college to earn such an enemy status and how I can make her forgive me. She’s always been more to me than competition, and it’s about damn time I tell her that.

“Oh my gosh,” Kennedy gasps as we pull into the marina.

Rows and rows of pristine white catamarans, sailboats, and yachts line the docks, with restaurants along the shoreline. Her face brightens and eyes widen while she glances from side to side, taking in the marina and tropical landscaping. A large, red-roofed building welcomes us as we arrive. The sky slowly changes as it cascades us in its golden hue.

“What are we doing here, Tristan?” she whispers in wonderment.

“Thought I’d surprise you with a sunset cruise. It’s one of the resort's top excursions.” Pausing to run my fingers through my hair, my nerves spike. “I thought we could be tourists for the night.”

Her face softens as curiosity morphs into something I can’t quite put my finger on. Jayden parks the BMW, and his eyes find mine in the rearview mirror. With a nod and a quick thanks, I step out of the car and move around the back to open Kennedy’s door. When I reach inside, she takes my hand, and I ignore the electricity that sparks every time our hands brush. Only this time, I watch her features and see the moment she realizes there’s a connection between us.

Hmm, she does feel this too.

Long, golden legs slip out of her slit as she exits the vehicle, and I can’t keep my eyes off her. She looks stunning, but that’s nothing new. Kennedy might have come from a small town in the middle of nowhere, but you would never guess that based on the way she dresses and carries herself.

Once she rights her dress, her hand slips from mine. Instantly, I find myself missing our warm connection. Sliding my hands in my pockets, I use the distraction to keep myself from reaching for her again.

We fall instep beside each other as we make our way toward the waiting catamaran. The pathway is a mixture of concrete and weathered wood. With each step, the weathered planks from years of salt and sun leave us with a symphony of creaks, telling us a tale from years of footsteps .

Briny sea air fills our noses, the perfume of the sea mingling with the mouth-watering scent of fresh grilled seafood from the local eateries. But it’s the light floral fragrance that has my senses buzzing. Sweet orchid and citrus mix with the marina aromas, and it can only be coming from one person.

Sounds of seagulls and the water lapping against the hulls of boats surround us, along with chatter from radios and men on board. Through the speakers lining the pathway attached to the lampposts is a soft island melody. The atmosphere is a soothing backdrop as we continue our walk until we find the resort’s catamaran.

“This marina is beautiful.” Her comment pulls me from my assessment.

Finally, we find ourselves outside of our catamaran. A young woman waits for us on the cobblestones.

“Good evening and welcome aboard. We are so excited to have you joining us,” she greets.

After a few minutes of pleasantries and her explaining the events for the evening, we step aboard the shiny, pristine fiberglass. The boat is in immaculate condition, not a watermark in sight. Making our way through the helm, we climb a few stairs before we’re on the foredeck.

A member of the crew welcomes us with two glasses of chilled champagne.

“Thank you,” Kennedy and I say in unison as we each take a glass. With a brief nod, the crew member leaves us alone. There aren’t any seats on the deck, only two large netted trampolines in front of us. Kicking off her sandals, Kennedy steps down onto the trampoline and sits on the fiberglass deck .

Within minutes, we’re setting sail over the glass-like blue water. “Please tell me you’ve been on a boat.”

She scoffs. “I’ve been on a boat. My grandparents had a farm with a five-acre pond. We used to go out on their pontoon boat, but it was nothing like this.” Pausing, she gestures around us. “It was pretty much a floating dock. I remember we all had to grab plastic chairs from the deck and bring them down if we wanted to sit. Otherwise, we sat on the floor.”

“I’ve never heard more of a country bumpkin story in my life.”

“Yeah, well, not all of us have the luxury to vacation on yachts.”

With only the island melodies coming from the speakers, silence falls over us. Truth is, I would give anything to have a simpler life. I wasn’t kidding when I told her that owning an outfitter was my dream job growing up.

Not wanting to waste any time, I nudge her shoulder, and she stares up at me under her long, black lashes.

“That was rude.”

“It was.” She chuckles.

Staring out in front of us, I watch as we slice through the water, causing splashes of waves to come up over the side of the hull.

“Why New York?”

I can tell I catch her off guard with the way her body stiffens. Turning to face me, she assesses me for a moment before releasing a sigh. “I needed to get out of the country. Don’t get me wrong, I never hated living in a small town, but I always wanted more.”

Hitching an eyebrow, I wait for her to elaborate. She brings the flute to her lips and takes a long pull .

“There’s a certain pressure that comes from living in a small town,” she says, averting her gaze. “You go to school, graduate, marry your high school sweetheart, and have babies. I’m not knocking anyone who chooses to do that, but the idea of marrying young and popping out a slew of babies never struck my fancy. Growing up and watching Friends , I wanted to be like Rachel Green.”

“What do you mean?”

“She left the guy she was supposed to marry at the altar, moved to the city, and started her own life. She was career driven, and that inspired me.” Kennedy looks down, twirling the bangles on her wrist, as if she’s biding time. “My mom always told Olivia, my sister, and me how special we were. That we were courageous, strong, and smart. Of course, she told us we were beautiful, but the words she spoke to us were centered around our strengths outside of beauty. And that stuck with me.”

“That’s admirable, Kennedy.”

She blushes. “Studying always came naturally. When most people were out partying in a cornfield, I was inside my room, reading textbooks and taking practice tests. NYU was always my dream school, so instead of nights out with friends, I chose to spend time with McGraw-Hill and Merriam-Webster.”

“Who?”

Nudging into me, she fights her embarrassment. “The people who publish textbooks and the dictionary.”

I can’t help the chuckle that leaves my lips. “Only you, Firecracker.”

She finally turns to face me and my breath catches. We stare at each other for what feels like hours, both of us trying to read the other. Her eyes bore into mine before she finally reaches for the champagne flute without another word and walks away, leaving me sitting in confusion.

When she returns, empty-handed, I watch in fascination as she climbs back down to where we’re sitting. Only, instead of sitting on the fiberglass, she moves on shaky legs to the center of the trampoline, where she settles with her legs stretched in front of her and her body resting on her hands.

“Coming, Golden Boy?” Mischievous eyes stare back at me, daring me to follow. And I do just that. With her eyes on mine, full of longing and playfulness, I’d follow her to the ends of the world, it seems. Taking a seat next to her, our arms brush, and to my surprise, goosebumps trail down her bare skin at the contact. I knew she was just as affected.

The sounds of the ukulele fill the silence as we stare out at the open water and the beach houses hidden by the surrounding jungles. Many of the private estates can only be seen by water. Maybe this is what I need, a little island house to get away from the city when the overwhelming deadlines and suffocating sounds wear me down.

Would Kennedy like the escape too?

The question is on the tip of my tongue when we hit a choppier spot in the ocean from a passing ship.

A frightened gasp leaves Kennedy’s lips as she snuggles closer to my side, fingertips digging into my forearm. I welcome the opportunity to wrap my arms around her shoulders. With my thumb, I rub tiny circles as I try to calm her.

“I’ve got you, Ken,” I whisper as my lips brush her hairline. She grips me tighter, and I relish the moment, savoring every second .

The walls she’s been building between us for years have slowly started to fall. As much as I want to press her for answers to why she hates me, I don’t want to burst this bubble we’ve created.

Rounding a corner where the land juts out, the captain steers us toward a cove. Ahead of us, I spot the familiar stone buildings as our resort comes back into view. Cabanas and palm trees are dotted along the boardwalk, where the sand kisses the turquoise waters. The tower at our main pool captures your attention, as does the peer that stretches out across the sea, where flags line the wooden planks.

Everything looks so strange from our vantage point since the resort is closed. It won’t be long before the white beaches are filled with honeymooners snuggled together and resort staff bustling to keep guests happy and our resort looking clean.

“You did good, Firecracker.”

“The resort looks so beautiful from here. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when we have guests.”

I hum against her warm skin. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Nelson,” a crew member interrupts. “Would you and Miss Reed like another glass of champagne as we prepare to watch the sunset in the next few minutes?”

“That’d be great, thank you.” He steps down onto the trampoline, handing Kennedy and I each our own flute before he pours the bubbly into our glasses.

Within minutes, the golden hue melts away and transforms into shades of purple, orange, and pink across the horizon. We sit there in awe at nature’s painting. The engine cuts off, blanketing us in a peaceful quiet as soothing sounds from the waves lap at the boat as we float .

Kennedy rests her head against my shoulder as her soft voice breaks the silence. “This is breathtaking. Thank you for doing this.”

Turning her attention upward, our faces are only inches apart. Our gazes lock, and I watch as she scans my face, her eyes landing on my lips. Her tongue peeks out and licks at her lower lip, and my body urges me to make a move.

Does she want me to kiss her? Because I want to. I’ve been desperate to know what those plump lips feel like. It’s all I’ve been able to think about. Every night before I fall asleep, I’m tormented by images of her. Seeing her outside of the office, and in a setting where she’s let her guard down, has me wanting to explore this newfound comfort between us.

Leaning forward, I slowly, painstakingly, erase the space between us. So many thoughts flash across her eyes, but she never moves away. In fact, I think she leans closer, which has my heart racing.

Without any more hesitation, my mouth finds hers. Fireworks flash through my mind at the contact, at how soft her lips are, how she kisses me back so effortlessly. Before I have a chance to deepen our connection, the captain’s voice sounds from around the corner. Kennedy springs away from me with wide eyes, her fingers grazing her lips as she puts space between us.

“Thank you so much for joining us tonight,” the captain says, before explaining what the next steps of the night include for guests. He tells us how the staff will transition the salon into a nightclub atmosphere where a DJ performs with LED lights to set the mood while unlimited rum punch is served.

“Oh wow, that sounds like so much fun,” Kennedy says from her new position, where she stays at a distance.

“The guests seem to think so. Would you like me to have them set it up for you two to enjoy?”

With a warm smile, she shakes her head. “No, thank you. As much fun as it sounds, we’ll just sit out here and enjoy the ride back.”

“Of course.” He nods. “Is there anything else I can do for you two?”

We shake our heads. “No, I think we are good. Thank you, though. This has been a lovely evening.”

“We’re glad to have you on board.” And with that, he leaves, and an awkwardness settles over us.

Within minutes, the captain has the engine started, and we’re returning to the harbor. My mind spirals with ways I can salvage this evening. I want more of what we started. More touching. More kissing. More relaxed Kennedy. Wordlessly, she moves up from the trampoline to sit on the fiberglass deck, her feet dangling over the netting. The soft chords of a ukulele still play, and I recognize the melody this time.

Standing to my feet, I move on wobbly legs until I’m in front of her. “Dance with me?”

“Wh-what?” she asks, a pinch to her brow.

“Dance with me, Kennedy.”

For a moment, she only stares at me. I can see the gears turning in her mind, debating if she should embrace this moment. Selfishly, I hope she does.

When I think she’s going to ignore my hand, she accepts.

With a nod, she takes my outstretched hand as I pull her up so both of us are on the flat deck. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her in close to me as her arms circle my neck. The lyrics to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” begin as our bodies sway together. Daringly, I pull her closer until our bodies are flush.

“Tristan…” Her breathy voice is laced with confusion and desperation.

“One song, Ken. That’s all I'm asking for.”

Soft curls tickle my chin when she rests her head against my chest as my thumb grazes against the exposed flesh above her skirt. A shiver runs down her spine, and I long to see how else she’d react to my touch.

“Cold?”

“No,” she whispers against my chest as the two of us continue to sway.

“My mom used to sing this song to me. She loved The Wizard of Oz , so whenever she would rock us to sleep, or whenever we needed comfort at night, she would sing this song.”

She doesn’t lift her head from my chest and doesn’t respond. Her silence is deafening and has me paranoid I shared too much. Just when I’m about to open my mouth to say something else to ease the tension I feel, she lets out a soft exhale, relaxing deeper into our connection.

“I can see why she did that.”

I swallow, unable to find a response as I trace shapes against her skin.

I savor this moment for as long as I can, before the bubble we’ve found ourselves in is inevitably broken. But she surprises me by pulling me close to her as the song ends. The two of us stand against the railing and watch darkness settle around us. It didn’t happen overnight, but somewhere along the way, our time together on the island has shifted everything between us. The quiet nights spent together relaxing after work. The way we no longer struggle for conversation, but speak freely. Her smile is no longer forced and fake, but has brightened in a way that takes over her features. I no longer feel the need to prove myself to her. There’s no edge, no rivalry. Just us.