After arriving at the accommodation, Rue was left on her own for a while as the others sorted out the reservation.
She wandered along the beachfront, eyes fixed on a horizon painted in soft pastels, streaked with hints of orange.
The sky was so clear—so unlike the city, where the mountains were barely visible behind a curtain of haze and pollution.
In a perfect world, she could see herself living somewhere like this. Embracing a slower pace. Feeling content with a simpler life. Maybe she'd learn to surf. Or drive a boat. Dreamy.
She took a deep breath and glanced back toward where she'd left the others, her thoughts drifting—inevitably—to Elijah.
It surprised her, how deeply she still felt about him.
Law school and her part-time job had kept her distracted, kept her too busy to dwell. As long as she stayed in motion, she never really had to feel anything.
Relax, unwind.
How was she even supposed to do that?
She let out a soft chuckle .
So silly. Most people would kill for a day off, and here she was—resisting it.
From the corner of her eye, Rue saw Jason walking toward her.
This worked out well. Of the three, she'd rather be with Jason right now—not Charlotte, who would probably be teasing her nonstop or cooking up another scheme. And definitely not EJ, whom she was determined to avoid for a little while longer.
She gave Jason a soft smile as the wind blew across her face. She let down her long brunette hair, allowing it to dance freely in the monsoon breeze.
Jason approached, cautious, like he might be apologizing on Charlotte's behalf without saying it outright. He wasn't totally innocent—he was her greatest enabler—but he always managed to soften the blow.
"I'm happy you made it," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets as he joined her in admiring the view. "You could really use the time off, you know. For real."
Rue let out a short laugh. Everybody said that. Was she really that person—the one so buried in studies and work that people thought she didn't have a life?
In her defense, she liked what she did. She was built for stress. How else would she have survived being best friends with Charlotte?
"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?" she replied. "Didn't have much of a choice."
Jason chuckled and shook his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few mint candies, offering one to Rue.
"Charlotte made me quit smoking," he said, as if that explained everything. "These help."
Rue took one politely and unwrapped it. The mint opened up her airways, blending perfectly with the salty breeze rolling in from the sea.
"It's kind of a miracle, actually," Jason added, folding his arms. "Usually you're always too busy. What did she say this time that finally convinced you to come?"
Rue rolled her eyes. "I'm telling you—she's a witch. You should run while you can. She told me you had something grand planned here on the island. That you were going to propose."
Jason's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at her, mouth slightly open, as if processing what he just heard. Then he grabbed her shoulders.
"Wait. Are you serious?"
"What?" Rue laughed. "Don't tell me you didn't even know? Shut up."
Jason blinked. "I mean, why am I surprised? She's always ten steps ahead." He scratched his forehead and laughed, defeated.
"What do you mean?" Rue asked, squinting at him.
"I am actually going to propose."
"Get out of here!"
"No, seriously. Does she know?"
"I have no idea. For all I know, she made that up just to get me here. Probably used it as a distraction to set me up with EJlijah"
Jason groaned. "Well… EJ is helping me with the proposal. When I told Charlotte he was coming, she insisted on inviting you. I didn't know you and EJ knew each other."
Rue stared at him as if she was about to throw a punch at him. Then she let out a loud, disbelieving laugh.
"Everything's your fault then."
"Guilty," Jason grinned.
Rue crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "So let me get this straight. You're actually going to propose… and you told Charlotte?"
"No," Jason said quickly. "I wanted it to be a surprise. I only told EJ."
Rue's brow furrowed. "So there's a chance she doesn't know—and made it up just to lure me here?"
Jason sighed. "God, I hope so. I've been planning this for months. I'm not about to let it slip just because Charlotte wants to play matchmaker."
"So what are you planning to do, then?" Rue asked.
"Proceed as planned," he said. "You keep her distracted."
Rue groaned. "This is exactly why I don't hang out with you wackos."
She laughed despite herself, and Jason cracked a grin.
Then, without a word, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
Rue gave him a look. "What happened to quitting?"
Jason shrugged, exhaling slowly.
They both laughed.
Rue pulled out her video camera and pointed it at Jason. "Alright, what do you want to say to your future wife?"
Jason cleared his throat and flashed a big, goofy grin.
"Babe, I win."
He tried to look cool—composed—even as he realized the cigarette was still in his hand.
"And I'm going to start quitting… now."
He quickly doused the cigarette, and they both burst out laughing again
As they turned to head back toward the group, Rue smirked and uttered under her breath,
"Overruled."
As they approached the group, Rue slipped her camera back into her backpack and straightened up—though her mind was already spinning.
Right. She was back with two problems now.
And she was about to approach the first.
Charlotte was sitting on the patio just outside the reception area, sunglasses perched on her head like a crown, a bag of chips in one hand and a whole tub of ice cream parked beside her. She looked bored.
Very dangerous.
Rue approached cautiously. Only one of them would come out of this victorious—and she couldn't afford to lose, not after the stunt Charlotte had pulled.
She plopped down beside her and casually snatched the chips.
"If you were going to pull something like this," Rue said, "you could've at least not encouraged me to bring my entire camera system. Saved me the trouble."
Charlotte gave her a triumphant smile. "Girl, if I hadn't, would it have been believable?"
Rue narrowed her eyes. "Ah, you and your schemes. So that's it then? No big surprise? No sudden commitments? Am I just the amusement?"
"Oh please, Rue." Charlotte popped a chip in her mouth. "This is a team-building getaway for Jason's company. It's a nice island. I needed a tan. I'm Jason's plus-one, EJ needed one, so—you're here."
She's good.
"Look," Charlotte said, softening, "I thought I was doing you a favor. 'Cause you're my bibi."
Rue raised a brow. "Oh god."
"No, seriously," Charlotte continued. "When I saw EJ again, I immediately thought: He's gonna be the father of my godchildren. Look at how fine he's become."
"Hey, free will here," Rue snapped, holding up a finger. "You're not allowed to manifest my future without permission."
They both laughed.
"God, I thought I was finally going to get rid of you," Rue said.
"In your dreams, cupcake." Charlotte blew her a kiss. "By the way, here's your key to your deluxe room—as a token of my sincerity."
She handed it over with a dramatic flourish.
"Where's Jason? I need a massage."
And with that, she walked off like a distracted child chasing glitter.
Rue shook her head. How someone functioned with that much clutter in their mind, she'd never understand.
She took one last look around to bask in the feeling of being somewhere that looked and smelled like paradise.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled.
Then she checked the room number written on her key and followed the signs to where it led.
A hot soak sounded divine after the travel, and maybe—if she was lucky—a little bit of self-care.
Except all she packed were a few changes of clothes and a whole lot of camera gear. No skincare. No bath salts. Not even a sheet mask.
"Room twenty-eight," she muttered to herself.
But just as she raised her key to the door, it swung open.
Standing in front of her, framed by warm wood and soft coastal light—was Elijah.