Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
By the time they reached the port village at Raiatea, the Latitude was trailing salt spray and a few drowsy passengers who had yet to recover from the long sea crossing.
Tessa felt great, though, and donned the wide straw hat she’d brought along with a soft pink sundress that reached just above her knees, her wedge sandals on her feet once they’d hit the dock.
The humidity hadn’t done her any favors, but the hat certainly helped.
Outside, the village bustled with a kind of effortless charm under the afternoon sun—pastel buildings, wooden docks lined with small fishing boats, and the scent of grilled fruit and roasted coffee wafting from open-air cafes.
This was certainly Tessa’s speed. No threatening sea creatures. Only shopping and food and culture. She couldn’t wait to soak it up.
The group began to split up. Marin and Kyle wandered off toward a row of boutiques, hand in hand. Avery and Nate, always looking for something adventurous, were already talking about finding a scooter rental.
Jenna stopped and turned to wait for Tessa to catch up. “Hey, you want to come with us?” she said.
“Yeah, Tess, come on,” offered Drew. “It’ll be fun.” The open market stood straight ahead, beckoning. Drew smiled politely and gestured toward a shop with colorful beach wraps hanging from the doorway. Then he grabbed Jenna’s hand sweetly and kissed her on the lips.
Suddenly, a wave of doubt washed over Tessa. She adjusted the long strap of her purse over her shoulder. She was probably going to feel like a third wheel to any of these couples, no matter how much they loved her.
They were here to connect with each other, not just as a group. She ought to let them have some time alone. This was their vacation, too, and strolling these tropical village streets was like a page off of the ultimate guide to romantic escapes.
“Sure, thanks,” she said casually, as if it were nothing, “I’ll join you in that shop, but I’m going to take my time with those beach wraps and catch up with you guys later,” she lied, following them toward the shop Drew had mentioned. “I mean—it's shopping. What’s not to like?”
Jenna smiled. She seemed to believe Tessa was truly interested in shopping on her own.
“Okay, if you say so.” They all stopped to browse the beachwear store.
Soon, Jenna and Drew moved on, checking on her first, but she assured them again that she’d be fine.
“I’ll see you guys back at the boat in a couple of hours if I don’t run into you. Go! Have fun.”
Of course, she wanted to have someone to walk around with, but not if it meant piggybacking on someone else’s potentially very romantic port-strolling date.
She’d be fine. This was just shopping, after all. What nearly thirty-year-old woman on holiday didn’t love that? She owed the girls their alone-time.
A couple of minutes later, she walked out of the shop and glanced around. Where to go next? Rows of counters full of handcrafted artwork gleamed from a large, open-air building ahead.
“Hey there,” a familiar voice called from behind.
She stopped and turned around, her brow lifting at the familiar face. Captain Russ was walking up from the pier, a cloth tote slung over one shoulder.
He smiled, catching her eye. “Thought you all would’ve disappeared into the crowd by now.”
First of all, how did the man manage to look so good?
His tanned forearms and muscular biceps under a soft blue polo made her nearly blush.
The fishing hat he wore today, probably just to protect his face from the blazing midday sun, made him look even more approachable.
Good thing she was wearing sunglasses, or he’d have caught her staring.
She tore her gaze away from his broad chest and brought it up to meet his stunning blue eyes.
“Well, the rest of them wandered off. I was kind of hanging back until they left. My girls need some time alone with their guys. Romantic vacation, you know…” She po inted to herself, faking a wide grin. “Third wheel, tag-along.”
He scoffed. “Hardly.” Then he shot her that Hollywood smile he’d apparently perfected without realizing it. “But I get it.” His gentle tone warmed her heart. He was out here alone, too. He probably did get it better than anyone.
“So, you want a shopping buddy, then?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. Her heart bumped.
She hesitated, then nodded gratefully. “I would love a shopping buddy.”
Tessa fell into step beside Russ as they walked the village road.
The shops were bright and breezy, open to the warm air.
Friendly faces lit up everywhere, welcoming them in.
He pointed out a few places she wouldn’t have noticed and explained a few Polynesian words she’d never have known had she been here alone.
“This is so cool,” she said absently. “How’d you learn all this stuff? ”
“You just get to know it when you’re around it every day,” he said. “I live on this island, by the way. On the other side, though. A long way from here.”
Tessa nodded with interest. “Really?” This guy was full of surprises. They chatted a little more about his current apartment and a couple of other places he’d called home on the islands since he’d been here.
Strings of woven hats hung like streamers across the entrances. Handmade jewelry glittered from tables shaded with vibrant awnings. “Your friends wouldn’t have ditched you if you’d asked, you know,” Russ said gently .
Tessa grinned. “Do you read minds now?” How had he guessed at what she’d been thinking earlier? She sighed. “And I know, but I’d rather be alone than get on my best friends’ and their highly smitten boyfriends’ and husband’s nerves. Don’t want to wear out the third-wheel welcome, after all.”
He chuckled. “They’re a nice group, by the way. But you knew that already.”
“They are. I’m very lucky. We’ve only been friends for two years, but it feels like forever.”
“How long did you date Ethan, anyway?” he asked casually.
There was no harm in discussing her ex. He’d been far from ‘the one’, and Tessa had known it for a long time. She wasn’t even missing him; she’d barely noticed his absence since the first day, except on occasions like these when she had no one to pal around with.
But Ethan worked with Avery in advertising, and once she’d introduced them and they’d started dating, it had simply become comfortable because the large group spent a lot of time together.
That arrangement had already changed now that they’d broken up, fortunately.
Ethan was no longer welcome. “We dated for about six months. And honestly, I only stayed with him that long because… well, because I’m almost thirty, and I felt like I was supposed to be with someone by now.
I mean—one of my friends is married and one is engaged.
It’s not lost on me that I’m a little late to the game. ”
Russ gave a nod. “I know what you mean. And I couldn’t help but notice the massive rocks on your friends’ fingers.” He grinned.
“Right?” Tessa paused, examining a small handmade tiki figurine on the table, beautifully carved from a piece of driftwood.
“How about you? Anyone special in your life?” She kept her eyes on the artwork, keeping her tone casual, although she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t dying to know the answer.
Russ didn’t reply immediately. They stopped next, at a vendor’s table lined with sparkling necklaces and bracelets made of sea glass. Tessa picked up a small conch shell, tracing its ridges with her thumb.
“Nah. I’ve dated a few women since I’ve been here, of course,” said Russ, “but it’s all been casual. Short-lived.”
Tess grinned up at him boldly. “Just looking for a good time?” Why did she have to feel flooded with relief that he wasn’t seeing anyone special? There was no future with him. She’d only be here for a week. She had to stop kidding herself.
He laughed, and the way his face relaxed made her want to see him smile again. “Not really,” he said. “Just passing the time.” Then he winced. “Although, you make me sound like some kind of?—”
It must’ve been all the sunshine and pleasant music playing in the shops, but she was feeling flirtatious now. “—Skirt-chaser? Player?” she teased.
He laughed and set down the tiny Polynesian surfboard replica he’d been looking at. “I was going to say ladies’ man , but no. I’m not like that. I just like finding people to pass the time with. That’s all. Life’s short. ”
Her gaze met his. Was that what he was doing now ? Passing the time with her? Because, unfortunately, she found herself enjoying every minute she spent with him.
But this week was about proving to herself that she could enjoy this trip without a man next to her. Wasn’t it? Or could she just enjoy the trip, even though a very handsome man might be keeping her company some of the time?
Because there was no harm in it, was there? She straightened her shoulders, then shot him a sly glance.
They walked on. She was overthinking this. As usual. This wasn’t a boyfriend, not even a potential boyfriend. Russ was just a person. And they were just walking and talking. End of story. No harm done.
Moreover, she’d just gotten out of a relationship. She had no business looking for another one.
They passed through the market, weaving between other tourists and a few locals, until they came upon a gelato stand nestled beneath a bougainvillea-covered trellis. The smell of fresh pineapple and lime emanated from the stall. “This place is great,” said Russ. “You want to try some?”
Tessa’s nod was eager. A grin tugged at her lips. “Absolutely. What’s good here?”
He smiled and turned to the counter. “Two coconut, please,” Russ told the vendor, and the woman greeted him by name. “Thanks, Lani.” He glanced back at Tessa. “My treat.”
Her heart melted, but no, this was just walking and talking. Not dating. “You don’t have to treat,” she protested.
“I know,” he said. Why was he doing this—being so nice to her?