Chapter 16 #2
Russ hesitated. “Honestly? Not sure. Been thinking about going back to the States. Florida, maybe. My sister and her husband have had two kids in the five years that I’ve been here, and I haven’t even met them yet.
” He shook his head slowly. “I guess I’m starting to feel like it’s time to put down roots again, or at least try. ” If only it were as easy as that.
“Makes sense,” Walker agreed.
Russ glanced down at the label on his beer. For a split second, he debated whether to share the rest—but what did he really have to lose?
“There was a job I was going for out there. Captain role with a small fleet that does short-term adventure charters down the coast. Sounded like a good fit, but I found out yesterday I didn’t get it.”
Walker let out a low whistle. “Aw, man. Sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks,” Russ said. “It was a long shot, I guess.”
“You win some, you lose some,” Walker said easily, the tone in his voice more reassuring than dismissive. “Greener pastures’ll be somewhere else, Callen. Just got to keep lookin’.”
Russ nodded. “Yeah.”
Florida, you said?” Walker’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s where I grew up. Tampa, actually. Still got some contacts in the business out there. ”
Russ turned to face him, his interest rising.
“In fact,” Walker went on, “a good buddy of mine runs a charter outfit down in Biscayne. Real tight operation. I can give you his name, if you want.”
Russ felt the tension in his shoulders ease just a little. “Yeah? That’d be great. I’d appreciate that, Walker. Thanks.”
Walker nodded. “You’re a good man, Callen. And a great captain.” Walker slapped him on the back.
Russ smiled and relaxed. “Thank you, sir.”
The moment settled comfortably between them, filled with the quiet understanding of men who knew this life—and all the unpredictability that came along with it.
Russ sat back, watching the flames dance in the fire pit near the water. This could be helpful, and it meant there might still be a chance for him and Tessa, but he’d better not count his chickens before they hatched, because that was precisely how he’d gotten himself into this mess.
He glanced back toward the dance floor. She was still out there, laughing with the others, but he saw her glance around again—searching. Her gaze found him, and this time, when he smiled, it reached his eyes.
Would it be so bad if he spent a little time with her, after all? Because keeping his distance from her like this was torture. It wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
No, it wouldn’t.
Russ stood up, brushing the sand from his shorts.
“Gonna go check in with the guys from our boat,” he said to Walker and Brooks.
It wouldn’t raise any eyebrows if he went to talk with the group for a while.
And Tessa would probably come to him, then.
He’d still need to play it safe, but at least he could check in with her, make sure she was having a good time.
He wouldn’t want to ruin her night, as much as he needed to play it safe. “Catch you two later?”
Walker raised his bottle. “Go get ’em, Capt’n.”
Malik stood, too. “I’ll go with you. They’re probably starting to wonder what hole we fell into.”
The guys laughed, and Russ nodded, turning to wait for Malik.
The party was incredible. Warm tropical air—the perfect temperature.
Soft sand beneath her feet. The pulse of upbeat music drifting through the palms. Tessa couldn’t imagine a more beautiful final night of the trip.
Lanterns glowed from trees, fairy lights crisscrossed overhead, and the full moon hung low and golden over the ocean.
The laughter came easily as she danced with Marin, Jenna, and Avery, and the guys when they came out. It was magical. Something she’d remember forever.
But even as she spun beneath the swaying string lights, she kept looking toward the edges of the dance floor—searching for him.
Why was Russell still acting so distant from her?
Last night, at the dinner show, he’d danced with her in front of everyone.
They’d laughed and talked. He’d even put his arms around her.
It felt like they were already halfway to forever.
So why not tonight? This wasn’t some intimate dinner with eyes on them.
It was a beach party. Loud. Distracting.
Casual. They could’ve hung out. Danced. Laughed. Like everyone else.
She didn’t need him to slow dance with her. Didn’t need him to call her his girlfriend.
But she did need something—some signal they were still connected.
She scanned the crowd again. And then she saw him. He was sitting near the bar with Malik, leaning against a bench, half-talking to some men, perhaps another charter crew.
But Russ wasn’t smiling much. Not really. Just listening, mostly, and sipping his beer.
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
He smiled. But it was the kind of smile that only made her chest ache more.
He looked sad.
Was he thinking about tomorrow? About saying goodbye?
Because she was.
And staying so far apart here was wasting their last night together. She wanted to be close to him—just for a few moments. She had to know what was going on.
Just then, he stood and said something to the men at his table, then he and Malik headed for the bar.
“Come with me,” she said quickly to Marin.
Marin blinked. “Where?”
“I just want to say hi to Russ and the others. It’ll be less weird for him if we go together. ”
Marin nodded and grabbed Kyle, who’d been dancing with them, by the arm. “Come on, say hi to the captain with us. We’ve totally abandoned him tonight.”
Kyle chuckled and followed her. “Oh yeah, good idea.”
The three of them strolled across the sand through the crowd. Tessa felt suddenly nervous, her heart pounding. It was just Russ. The man she couldn’t stop thinking about. The man she’d fallen head over heels for. Thank goodness for Marin.
So why did this feel like she was stepping into unknown territory?
Marin led them to the edge of the bar where Tessa looked up and found him and Malik talking to Drew and Nate. “Well, look who we found slacking off,” Marin teased, her tone light. “I thought captains were supposed to be fun at parties.”
Russ gave a soft chuckle and greeted them as the group approached. “Hey, Marin.”
Kyle clapped him on the shoulder. “You good, man? We haven’t seen you on the dance floor. Afraid you’ll show us all up again?”
Russ laughed politely. “I’m just letting you guys shine tonight.”
Malik shook Kyle’s hand. “I see you’ve been holding your own out there?”
“Barely,” Kyle said and elbowed Drew, who stood next to him now. “But we’ve got a little rum to back us up.” Everyone laughed, the guys falling easily into conversation .
Russ greeted Tessa with a nod, and her breath quickened. “Hey. You having fun?”
“I am,” she said with a smile, stepping closer so they could talk. “It’s so beautiful here.”
“Yeah, it is. I knew you’d like it.”
“So, who are your friends over there?” She motioned with a nod toward the group he’d been sitting with.
“Oh, just a bunch of crew members I’ve known a while. Couple of captains, too.”
He’d replied with a warm enough tone, but he didn’t lean into her. Barely made eye contact. Kept one of his ears on the group’s conversation.
Of course, he wasn’t allowed to act like they were a couple. Not here. Especially not in front of other captains and crews. She got it. She really did.
But it stung.
She stared across the venue, her heart falling as she noticed one or two couples drifting away, disappearing into the shadows of the palms and the moonlight for some precious time alone.
Wandering off toward the shore or the edge of the beach, where the music faded and the waves could be heard more clearly.
Soaking up the romance of this place together.
She longed for that. Her last night here with him needed to count. Something she’d remember long after she returned home. It would be months before she saw him again. She needed something to hold on to, and she couldn’t let this magical night go to waste.
She looked up at him again. He glanced at her, offering his characteristic smile but no real affection, no answers, none of the intimacy they’d built.
Scanning the edges of the palm-lit sand, she chewed her lip. If he wouldn’t talk to her out here, then she’d have to find a way to get him alone.
Russ stood near the bar, surrounded by voices. Malik, Kyle, Drew, Nate, and a couple of young guys from neighboring crews were deep in conversation about who’d make it to the NFL playoffs this year, who was washed up, and who never should’ve gotten traded this year.
Russ nodded and chimed in just enough to stay present. But all the while, he was aware of Tessa standing just off to his right. He turned to her, met her eyes briefly, and gave her a quick look that said, quite obviously, sorry .
He hoped she’d understand. He wished so badly he could reach for her. Throw an arm around her. Let her know how much this was killing him to pretend. But he had to keep pretending—for the public eye, and to lessen the blow they’d both feel when she left tomorrow night. This was the only way.
Still, as soon as he’d gotten close and felt the surge of heat between them—no surprise—he’d realized the danger again.
So, he’d shut down, afraid he might act on it and pull her in close like a girlfriend.
He might even forget himself, given the alcohol in his system, and slip a warm kiss to her cheek .
But he was probably confusing her. Heck, he was confusing himself. He’d have to cool it. Find a happy medium between the two extremes.
He turned away from the guys to face Marin and Tessa, forcing a lighthearted tone. “So, how’s your night going, ladies? Having a good birthday, Tessa?”
She brightened a little. “I am. It’s been a great day.”
Marin nodded and added that the D.J. was superb.
“You having fun?” Tessa asked, and he felt her studying his face.
He nodded. “Yeah, it’s a fun party, isn’t it?”
Marin cut in with a grin. “I mean, who wouldn’t have fun with this many tiki torches?”
Russ grinned. Tessa laughed. It seemed that if Marin knew about them, their secret was safe with her. Because so far, no one else seemed to suspect a thing. She must’ve kept quiet.
Malik and the guys broke into another rant about something football-related just then, and Marin got involved.
Tessa touched his wrist lightly because no one was paying them any attention. His skin burned at her touch.
She gave his hand a quick squeeze, and he squeezed it back. He wanted to keep holding her hand, but of course, he couldn’t. He let go.
He hesitated and turned to her gently, quietly. “Tess’, you know we can’t?—”
“I know.”
Before he could say more, she leaned closer and whispered. “Meet me in the trees over there in five minutes.” She gestured subtly with a nod toward the edge of the beach to the left, where firelight faded into the palms.
He blinked, stunned, keeping his voice down. “Are you serious?”
She nodded again but said nothing, only squeezed his wrist. His heart began to beat faster. The idea was exciting—he wasn’t going to lie. He could be alone with her—finally—but this was… a little reckless. He hadn’t been expecting something like this from her.
“I’ll see you guys later. Going to find Avery and Jenna,” she said brightly to the group as if she hadn’t just set up a clandestine meeting between them. “I love this song!” She turned and headed back onto the dance floor as Marin waved her off, then she disappeared into the crowd.
Russ was rooted to the spot. He scanned the direction in which she’d gone, found her once more, and watched as she made her way off the other side of the dance floor.
He watched, stunned, as she headed further out across the property, following to where the line of trees opened up just a few yards in front of the water. She’d meant it.
Five minutes?
Nearly four now, probably.
He glanced at his watch.
Yes, this seemed reckless, and he’d been focused on not behaving recklessly tonight.
But as Kyle and Drew quickly drifted off to grab another round, and Marin followed with a friendly wave, he crossed his arms. Should he follow Tessa? They could talk. Just for a few minutes. He’d let her say what she needed to say, since she obviously needed to talk, and then he’d bring her back.
Malik stepped into place beside him, oblivious to the situation that was making Russ tap his fingers nervously against his beer bottle. “You’ve finally seen the light, huh, boss?”
Russ glanced at him as Malik curled his lip.
Malik went on. “I gotta admit, I wasn’t sure you were going to play it smart tonight.”
Russ raised an eyebrow, not sure whether this was praise or an insult, although, at this point, Malik was spot on. “What do you mean by that?”
Malik shrugged. “She’ll be gone tomorrow. You’ll forget about her in a week. Two, tops. You were smart not to hang out with her tonight.”
The words stung his throat. Russ looked away.
He wouldn’t forget Tessa in a lifetime.
He scanned the edge of the beach, then the trees. No sign of her now.
He checked his watch again. Two minutes left.
He told himself to stay put. Be smart. Let it go. She’d come straight back if he didn’t show, right? And he’d explain what was at stake here.
But he couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.
He couldn’t leave her out there alone. It’d be dark beyond the beach bar, apart from the light of the moon tonight.
And it’d be deserted even though there were open groves among the palms that couples frequented in order to escape the crowds at these parties, or so he’d been told. She’d probably found one by now .
But there were also snakes and who knew what else out there… And what if some other guy came along, drunk and out of control? His mind went to all the worst places. He straightened. He needed to go, now.
Just then, someone from a nearby table called Malik over, talking smack about a poker game from the rainout a week and a half ago.
Malik stood and wandered over, drawn into the friendly crowd, beer bottle in hand with a nod to Russ, who waved him off.
Russ seized the moment.
He slipped off the bench and hurried as casually as he could across the sand so he didn’t draw attention to himself.
Away from the lights, away from the music—toward the shadowy grove of palms.
Toward her.