After watching the little drama unfold, Hunter took his time wandering around downtown Nassau.
By the time he returned to his rental villa, it was very late.
He toyed with the gold necklace in his hand. He had bought it last night from the pawnshop where Jared had hocked it.
After overhearing Jared confess the pawnshop's location to Sam during their argument, Hunter had slipped away. A little disguise, a few crisp dollar bills to smooth the way, and he had easily located the shop.
He bought the necklace for $1,000—double what it was worth, but a small price to pay for the leverage it provided.
Before returning home, he spent a few more hours investigating the local power players in Nassau. It was well past midnight when he finally slept.
Jared's actions were even more reckless than Hunter had anticipated.
But Hunter was pleased.
His expertise in micro-expression analysis had caught the shift in Sam's face last night.
She was wavering.
When her boyfriend sold her dead mother's necklace without permission, the crack in her loyalty finally appeared.
Excellent.
The wall was loosening itself. Hunter's excavation work was about to get much easier.
He slept soundly.
The Next Few Days
The next morning, Hunter woke early and prepared a lavish breakfast, tailoring it to the preferences he had gleaned from Sam.
Unfortunately, when Sam arrived, her eyes were red and swollen from crying all night. She politely declined the meal.
For the next two days, she remained professional. She guided him on yacht trips, accompanied him on dives, and showed him the local reefs. But her spirit was dampened. She was quiet, distracted, and clearly hurting.
Even when Hunter painted another portrait of her on the boat, she refused to accept it.
Hunter didn't push. He knew she was deeply wounded by Jared's betrayal. Instead, he played the role of the supportive, gentle friend, offering quiet comfort without overstepping.
By the fifth day, Sam's mood had improved slightly.
As the day ended, Hunter managed to convince her to join him for dinner at the villa. He cooked a feast, and afterwards, Sam insisted on washing up again.
When she finished, she prepared to leave.
"Hunter, it's getting late. I should go. Jared will worry."
Sam smiled, extending her hand. Her five-day contract was officially over.
Hunter nodded, smiling warmly. "The Bahamas has been amazing. It's given me so much inspiration. And I'm very glad I met you."
He paused.
"Sam, are you sure you won't reconsider? I'd love to hire you for a few more days."
He had already asked yesterday, and she had declined.
"No, thank you," Sam shook her head. "I haven't been the best guide this week. If anything, you've been taking care of me. If you need, I can show you around for free in a couple of days."
She hesitated.
"But not tomorrow. Jared's friend is flying in from the States for a vacation. We have to host them."
Hunter knew exactly what this meant.
The plot of Into the Blue was kicking off.
Jared's childhood friend, Bryce (and his girlfriend Amanda), were arriving. Bryce was a lawyer with access to his boss's luxury yacht. Jared, broke and unable to fix his own boat, needed Bryce's resources to chase the treasure map Hunter had planted.
"I understand," Hunter said, letting disappointment wash over his face.
He looked at her with a soft, intense gaze.
"Sam. I know you might not believe in love at first sight. I didn't either. Until I met you."
Sam froze. Her smile faltered.
She had felt his care over the last few days. She wasn't blind to his feelings.
If she were single... maybe. But despite everything—despite the necklace, despite the fighting—she still believed Jared was redeemable. He had protected her for years. She couldn't just throw that away.
"I have a boyfriend," she said softly.
Hunter's face fell. The disappointment was palpable, heartbreakingly real.
"Is that so? It seems I met the right person at the wrong time."
He looked at her with a mix of sorrow and resignation.
Hunter knew Jared was watching. He had spotted the stalker again early this morning.
He also knew Sam wasn't going to comfort him.
So, Hunter activated his [Acting: Level 4].
His smile turned bitter.
"Sam," he said suddenly. "I'll probably be leaving the Bahamas in a few days. Once I go, I doubt we'll ever meet again."
He took a half-step closer.
"Can I... can I hug you? Just once?"
Sam looked at him. He looked so sad, so earnest.
She knew she should say no. But his kindness over the last week had been a balm to her soul, especially compared to Jared's selfishness.
She hesitated. A hug wasn't a betrayal. It was a common greeting here.
"Okay," she decided.
She opened her arms.
Hunter smiled—a sad, broken smile—and stepped into her embrace.
He hugged her tightly. He controlled his muscles to tremble slightly, as if he were holding back a flood of emotion.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear.
He held her for a long time. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
He held her like he wanted to melt into her, imprinting the feeling of his body against hers.
Finally, after a minute or two, he let go.
He stepped back, his expression clearing into a brave, grateful smile.
"It's a shame I met you so late," he said softly. "And thank you. Thank you for letting me meet you."
He didn't give her a chance to respond.
"I'm going for a run. I won't walk you out."
He turned and jogged away down the coastal road, disappearing into the twilight without looking back.
Sam stood there, stunned.
Watching his retreating figure, she felt a pang in her chest. For a moment, she truly believed she had just broken the heart of a man who genuinely loved her.
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