Chapter 12 VERA
VERA
Ever since the divorce, I’ve been a cynic.
Before Brent’s betrayal, I teared up at cute kitty videos and old people celebrating diamond anniversaries. And tumbling toddlers never failed to make me smile.
These days, I don’t give a fuck about cats and octogenarians.
As for kids, the hurt that I’ll never have any runs deep, and taints every interaction with men.
Crazy, because I’ve never been the maternal type, but having the option taken away from me sucks.
I haven’t frozen eggs. I haven’t investigated IVF and donor sperm.
I haven’t considered fostering. Instead, I allow my silent hatred for the world to fester, so when the teensiest bit of good comes my way, I sabotage it.
That’s what I’d done with Linc, and if anyone doesn’t deserve it, it’s him.
I stayed because of it.
Not for the sex—though that’s a huge attraction, pun intended—but because he’s a nice guy and it’s been years since I felt as cherished as he made me feel last night. I’ll attend the wedding as his date and leave on New Year’s Day.
What’s a few more days in paradise?
The repairs are done, some of my best work.
I thrive under deadlines, and the cyclone damage hadn’t been as extensive as first thought.
But from the other cottages I inspected, the place could do with a serious revamp.
The showers needs re-grouting, plaster needs replacing in some walls that have copped tropical dampness, and every cottage should be repainted with the latest weather-resistant sealants.
I plan on sending Linc a report when I get back to Brisbane, because if I show him what needs to be done, a small part of me is terrified he’ll ask me to stay and do the job.
And I like the thought of that way too much.
I should go in search of Linc and tell him I’ll be his date to the wedding, but I’m in a weird funk.
He’ll think I’m nuts, after the way I brushed him off this morning, and I hate having tough conversations.
Not that I owe him an explanation, but he’s been lovely to me and I want to leave the island in a few days as friends.
I’m not thinking beyond New Year’s Day, but who knows, when Linc returns to Brisbane he might be up for the occasional booty call?
I’m too emotionally exhausted to date, and I’m tired of my married friends glancing at me sideways like they think I’ll run off with their husbands because I’m single. Hence my social hermit status. But I’ve already connected with Linc, so I’m not averse to hooking up now and then.
Before I search for Linc, I’ll clear my head at the beach, but when I open the front door, Linc’s on the other side, hands thrust into his pockets, consternation creasing his brow.
“You stayed,” he said, sounding less than pleased.
“Yeah, I had a hankering for some wedding cake, so thought I’d stay an extra few days.”
His eyes widen slightly. “You’re coming to the wedding as my date?”
“If the offer still stands.”
“It does.” His lopsided smile does something weird to my chest. “The groom is Emery’s brother, and she said it’s super casual, so the more the merrier, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you.”
That deflates my ego a tad, but before I respond, he adds, “I’m trying to put you at ease, so you don’t feel like you’re intruding. But I really want to spend more time with you, so that’s why I asked you to be my date.”
Hating that he can read my mind so easily when we’re virtual strangers, I say, “Sorry about this morning. I’m grouchy most of the time, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“I’ve noticed.” He laughs when I playfully slug him on the arm. “Lucky for you, I’m the one with the dazzling personality.”
“And zero modesty.”
“Fancy a dip?”
I fancy you. Wisely, I don’t say it, and he takes advantage of my hesitation.
“Or we could have an afternoon nap? You must be exhausted after finishing the repairs.”
His gaze focuses on my mouth like it’s the tastiest morsel he’s ever seen, and I liquefy, his ability to turn me on with just a glance almost as startling as my rampaging libido when he’s near.
“The ocean isn’t going anywhere,” I say, feigning nonchalance, and he lets out a jubilant whoop as he backs me into the cottage and reaches for me.
I doubt there’ll be much napping involved.