looked in the bathroom mirror. “My beach bag is set. Call for a golf cart.”
Melanie and Richelle had donned bathing suits with summer dresses atop them, since they didn’t want to have to head back to their rooms to change. They’d also decided to pack small bags with towels, sunscreen and reading material. Thanks to Richelle’s work as an editor for a publishing house in New York, she had a number of novels for Melanie to choose from.
Minutes later, the golf cart arrived with a man named Henry, who already knew them by name because he’d driven them around the previous day. They rode the golf cart to the Fijiana, a restaurant overlooking the pool and the ocean. Melanie took in the stunning decor only briefly—then surveyed the place to see if Lawrence was anywhere in sight.
He wasn’t.
“Table for two?” a smiling woman asked them when they approached the restaurant’s entrance.
“Yes,” Richelle said.
The woman led them to a table close to the pool as a band played lively island music for the diners. Melanie took the seat that faced the ocean as well, and as she looked out at the view, she sighed happily. This place was truly stunning.
“I love how the pool looks as if it leads right into the ocean,” she said. “Maybe we can hang out at the pool instead of the beach until our eleven o’clock appointment?”
“Works for me. A couple drinks poolside? No crazy schedule? I’m going to hate to leave this place.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Melanie. “You left your phone in the room, right?”
“Yes. And you didn’t sneak one of your author’s manuscripts into your bag?”
“Not a chance,” Richelle said. “I’m thrilled to be able to use my free time to leisurely read a novel I’m not working on. I think I’m going to read that time-travel horror everybody’s raving about.
“But since I am getting married, maybe I should read something romantic.”
“Whatever you want,” Melanie said, lifting the menu. But Richelle suddenly frowned, so Melanie set the menu back on the table and asked, “What is it?”
“Here I am, worried about which novel to read.” She shook her head. “Shouldn’t I be doing something else?”
“What do you mean?” Melanie asked.
“Everything just seems so easy and peaceful and beautiful, and I feel like I should be a stressed-out bride. Am I missing something?”
“That’s the reason you came here, right? Because you didn’t want the stress. Because you wanted a simple yet incredible Fiji wedding.” Melanie smiled. “So here we are. And if your biggest decision right now is which novel to read, be grateful, not wary.”
Richelle drew in a breath and nodded. “You’re right. I don’t know why I keep expecting disaster.”
“Probably because, between the two of us, we’ve had two failed weddings,” Melanie supplied. “But this one’s different. This one’s gonna happen. Don’t you worry.”
The waitress arrived and offered coffee, then took their orders. They both opted for a plate of fresh fruit and omelets. As they waited for the breakfast to be prepared, they enjoyed the sounds of the Fijian music and the tranquil setting.
“Here you go,” the waitress said cheerfully. “A plate of fresh fruit.”
“This looks amazing,” Melanie said, eyeing the splendid-looking display of pineapple, papaya, kiwi, oranges and strawberries. And as she glanced up at the waitress to say thanks, she saw Richelle’s eyes widen.
The waitress walked away, and Melanie asked, “What is it?”
But by then, she felt his presence behind her. And she knew.
“Melanie. May I talk to you for a second?”
Melanie shivered. She felt a tremor through her entire body at the sound of Lawrence’s voice. And then her eyes fluttered shut.
“Mel, it’ll only be a few minutes.”
Richelle speared a piece of pineapple with her fork and got to her feet. “Why don’t you sit here?” she suggested. “By the way, great to see you, Lawrence.”
Oh, my God, no! Don’t leave, Richelle—don’t leave me! With her eyes, Melanie tried to implore her friend to stay put, but Richelle was already walking through the restaurant toward the far edge of the pool.
And then, Lawrence lowered himself onto the seat Richelle had vacated.
Melanie could hardly breathe, as her throat had suddenly constricted. The inevitable meeting with Lawrence had come sooner than she was prepared for.
As if she would ever be prepared for it.
Melanie tried to swallow, but couldn’t. There he sat, looking as fine as she had ever seen him, staring at her in this beautiful restaurant with a backdrop of palm trees and the perfect ocean. And as her heart began to hasten, all she could think was that this was exactly where they should be right now. The two of them together here in this restaurant. On this gorgeous island. But not by chance. Because if things had worked out for them nine months prior, they would be here as husband and wife, together on this trip to Fiji for Richelle’s wedding.
Which was exactly what she didn’t need to be thinking. “Good morning,” Lawrence said casually, as if their sitting together like this was entirely normal.
“Lawrence, this is a bad idea.”
“Actually, I think it’s a good idea. It’s the one way I know to get the answers I need from you.”
Melanie’s jaw flinched.
“I know you, Mel,” Lawrence continued. “And you’re not going to want to make a scene. So with me sitting here, you’re not going to jump up and leave, or go into hysterics or anything like that. I figure this is my best shot at finally having the conversation we should have had nine months ago.”
Nervously, Melanie glanced around. The other diners were all absorbed in their own lives. Their own relationships. Most were couples, and they all looked happy and carefree and deeply in love.
“I know that yesterday it was a shock for you to see me,” Lawrence said. “Trust me, it was a huge shock for me, too. And when you left me standing on the beach, I told myself that I didn’t care why you stood me up. But I’ve had a night to reflect, and I can’t lie to myself any longer. I’ve cared since September 15. Here I am at this resort, and here you are. And if there’s any chance I’m going to enjoy the rest of my vacation, I need to know why. For my own peace of mind, for me to have closure, I need to know why you left me at the altar without even letting me know that you were having second thoughts.”
Melanie picked up a piece of pineapple and put it into her mouth, buying time. She chewed the morsel, but couldn’t savor the sweet taste. All the while, Lawrence’s eyes bore into her.
The moment she swallowed, he said, “I’m waiting.”
Then he picked up a strawberry and popped it into
