Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
After the snorkeling excursion, the group returned in two trips to the catamaran, still buzzing with energy. Salt clung to Tessa’s skin, her hair wet but tousled from the sea breeze. Jules handed out towels as they all stepped off the dinghy.
“Mocktails on deck when you’re ready,” said Jules, gesturing to a tray of frosty, colorful glasses with slices of fruit skewered on top. “Hydration is key,” she called with a wink.
“Aw, thanks, Jules,” said Jenna sweetly. “You think of everything.”
Jules grinned back. “Just doing my job.”
The others thanked her before Russ offered quick instructions to be back on deck in thirty minutes for their next land excursion. “Quick rinse, fresh clothes, and we’ll meet out here,” he said.
Tessa showered and changed, pulling her hair into a ponytail and slipping into shorts and a strappy blue tank. When she emerged, she found the others lounging with their fruity beverages in hand, nibbling on crackers and cheese laid out on a tray beneath the shade of the upper deck’s canopy.
Avery was lounging with her feet propped on the bench, sipping a fancy coconut drink. “Okay, that snorkeling spot was insane,” she said. “Did you see how many rays were under us?”
Kyle nodded. “I counted at least twenty-five. Never seen anything like it in my life.”
Tessa smiled. “You’re telling me…” She took a seat next to Marin after claiming one of the cool drinks Jules had prepared. The citrusy tang of mango hit her tongue, and she let out a contented sigh.
“Now, this,” Jenna said, raising her glass, “is the kind of afternoon I signed up for.”
By the time Russ and Malik returned from tidying the gear, everyone was refreshed and ready. Jules waved them off with a grin. “Hey, everyone, behave over there!”
They laughed. “We will!” called Marin.
A few minutes later, Tessa climbed out of the dinghy last. It was time for another land excursion—a vanilla plantation and rum distillery nestled against the coast on the island of Taha’a. Snorkeling had been amazing this morning, but these types of outings were quickly becoming her favorite.
Because, although she might be learning to love and not fear the water, there was nothing like firm ground under her feet to ease her nerves.
Her sandals slapped against the wooden dock, and Russ reached out to steady her with one hand. He gave her fingers a small squeeze before letting go, and her pulse jumped at the warmth of it. Too bad he couldn’t come with them.
She gave a quick wave before following the others, trying to act casual. No one seemed to notice. Or if they did, they didn’t say.
“Where’ve you been, Tess’?” Avery asked, glancing over her shoulder as she caught up.
“Sorry, rock in my shoe,” Tessa lied.
Avery smirked. “You sure about that?”
Tessa just smiled.
The path wound beneath flowering trees and along a fence made from branches. At the gate, they were met by a cheerful guide wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
“Welcome to our little corner of paradise,” she said. “Let’s take a walk.”
They entered the plantation and followed her into a sea of leafy green. Wooden poles held up hundreds of vines, their glossy leaves twisting toward the sky.
“These are vanilla orchids,” the guide explained. “Each vine must be pollinated by hand, and each bean takes nine months to mature.”
Kyle leaned toward Marin. “As long as a baby.”
Marin elbowed him, laughing softly. Tessa gave them a groan.
Jenna gasped softly as the guide plucked a dried pod from the vine and split it open with a small knife. “Smell this,” she said, passing it around. The scent was warm and heady, earthy and comforting. “This will be used to create some of the best vanilla products in the world. ”
Tessa inhaled deeply before she passed it to Nate, who stood next to her. “Incredible,” she murmured.
They continued down the path, stopping at a small shaded structure where beans were drying on wooden racks.
“This is where the magic happens,” the guide said. “With sunlight, patience, and time.”
After the tour, they stepped into a breezy pavilion shaded by palm fronds. A long table waited with small glasses and bottles.
“Now,” the guide said, “we sample.”
They tasted rums infused with vanilla, coconut, and even one with a chili kick. Avery coughed after her first sip. Kyle asked if he could buy the spicy one. Marin declared the coconut version “basically, a vacation in a bottle.” Tessa laughed and agreed.
Someone turned on music from a portable speaker, and the mood lightened. They sipped, laughed, and drifted into small groups.
Tessa felt warm—not just from the rum. From something stronger.
Island time. This is what Marin had been talking about.
Relaxing, forgetting about work and bills and traffic and deadlines.
Just enjoying life, stepping outside her comfort zone, trying new things.
It was soothing, and it brought peace. She inhaled deeply and let it out.
Jenna grinned at her. “You are glowing, girl. Is it the nectar of the gods,” she held up a shot glass, “or is there something you’re not telling us?”
“You mean someone …?” said Marin .
“Exactly,” said Jenna. “ Someone with wide shoulders and a nice tan and drives a white catamaran?”
Tessa’s cheeks brightened, and she laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I’m fine.”
Jenna let it go, still grinning, and turned back to Avery, who, thankfully, started up another subject when she saw that Tessa wasn’t going to cave.
Marin leaned in, lowering her voice. “You sure it’s not Captain Hotstuff making you sweat? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”
Tessa’s eyes shot wide again, and she gave her a warning glance. “Oh, my gosh, stop…”
Marin smirked. “You’re not denying it.”
“Yes. I am,” she insisted.
Marin still looked doubtful and crossed her arms, her voice still hushed. “Come on, this is your best friend asking. I can keep my mouth shut, if I’m so inclined.”
Tessa sighed heavily and crossed her arms. “And are you so inclined?” she said, still grinning. She wasn’t going to lie—the various sips of sweet island rum were definitely affecting her.
“Of course!” Marin laughed.
Tessa sighed again. The game was up, at least with Marin. Now, if she could keep it quiet, everything would be fine. “Okay, then.” Tessa gave her a knowing look and a nod, along with a silent plea. “You cannot tell anyone !”
Marin smiled with satisfaction, her eyes wide with interest, just the same. “I knew it,” she whispered. She slipped an arm around Tessa’s waist in a quick, excited hug. “Okay,” she whispered. “Mum’s the word. But oh, my gosh. You and Hotstuff. I’m so excited for you.”
“Easy,” Tessa teased back, “Sounds like rum’s the word, in your case, girl… He’s not allowed to date passengers, so you really have to promise me.”
“Pinky swear,” said Marin, holding out her finger.
They both laughed as Tessa linked fingers with her best friend, the secret tucked between them like a shell in the sand.
After ferrying the group to the vanilla plantation, Russ finally had a couple of hours to himself.
The guests would be busy sampling rum, touring the well-known farm, and snapping photos of the vanilla vines clinging to tall wooden poles.
He and Malik would take turns swinging back in the dinghy in two hours to retrieve everyone, since the boat was close to shore, but for now, there was quiet.
He paused by the helm, taking a moment to log the snorkeling route and check the instruments on the navigation panel. Every setting was habit by now—the wind readouts, the GPS markers, even the alignment of the small solar panels to maximize energy for the night.
Sailing this catamaran wasn’t just a job. It was muscle memory. Precision. Years of logged hours on the water made this second nature, but he never let himself go on autopilot. Not when the sea could change in minutes .
“Need anything, boss?” Malik’s voice came from the top of the stairs.
“Thanks, but no, we’re all set. Go take a little break.”
Malik smiled. “Will do.”
With everything in order, Russ stretched out in the shade on the bridge deck, a half-finished cup of coffee resting on the table beside him.
A light breeze whispered across the surface of the lagoon.
He kicked off his shoes and found his Bob Marley playlist, setting it to play low on his phone.
The mellow soundtrack suited his mood, calm, sun-drenched, peaceful.
He'd stopped at the open-air market on shore before he’d returned to the boat, with Tessa’s birthday on his mind, finding something small he’d give her tonight.
Her birthday was still two days away, but she might want to wear what he’d found while she was still on the trip.
It wasn’t much—nothing that would call attention.
Just a traditional Polynesian trinket from the shops that he thought she’d like.
Then he’d scrolled through his inbox as the boat gently rocked in place, checking in on a few bills, confirming an auto-payment, deleting spam. But the email he was hoping to see—the email from Gulf Wind Charters—still hadn’t come.
He blew out a breath, frustrated. How long were they going to keep him waiting? He’d sent in his application nearly a month ago. And they said they’d make a decision by the end of the month.
He sat forward, fingers flying over the screen, composing a polite follow-up asking for an update. He hit send .
Might as well. They were nearing the end of the charter. Just three more days until he dropped Tessa—and the rest of them—back in Tahiti, where they’d board a plane to return to the States.
He needed to know.
Because he needed a plan. One that didn’t involve gutting him when Tessa stepped off the Latitude for the last time.
Meanwhile, back at the distillery tasting room, the guys had settled around the bar and were throwing back mini rum shots with the other tour groups—one of which was an American group of divers. The new group was friendly but a little too rowdy for Tessa’s liking.