After they finished eating, they walked together toward the huts. It was dark, but the water glowed as if an entire world existed below it. It was magical to see. Like all Anna’s childhood fantasies about life under the water were real.

She let out a relaxed sigh and glanced over at Michael who was studying the ground. He looked deep in thought, and she contemplated leaving him alone, but decided against it.

It seemed as if he had the world on his shoulders, and she wanted to help. This was Michael, after all.

“You okay?” she asked, leaning closer to him. She could hear the soft voices of McKenna and Sam behind them. It felt good to hear them talk. It wasn’t about anything groundbreaking, just the scenery around them. But it was a start. Perhaps, there was a chance for them after all.

Michael massaged the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.”

She glanced up at him, and he flicked his gaze over to her. She could tell from the uncertainty in his eyes, he wasn’t okay. Something was wrong.

She threaded her arm through his, hoping it would come across as supportive. “You can tell me, Michael. It’s me. Anna.”

He pulled a goofy expression. “Oh, that’s who you are. I was about to call security about a crazy lady on my arm.”

She smacked his shoulder with her free hand. “You’re so funny.”

He winced as if she’d really hurt him but then straightened and sighed. “I guess I just never saw my life going in this direction.”

“Fake married and at a relationship resort?”

“Well, not that. I saw that.” He smiled at her. “It’s where I’m at right now. I’m hoping things take off with sponsorships, but I’m not really getting anywhere. I’m”—he emphasized his swallow as if what he was about to say was painful—“getting old.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not always going to be able to play hockey. I’ve made a mess of all my relationships.”

Anna’s heart picked up speed from what he said. What relationships was he talking about? Did she want to know? Instead of focusing on that part of their conversation, she decided to lighten the mood. “Yeah. You’re ancient. Do you need me to get you a walker, grandpa?”

He laughed. It was deep and soulful. And so familiar. “You’re no spring chicken yourself.”

Anna chuckled as they stepped up onto the boardwalk. The sound of their shoes on the wood slats filled the air. She kept their arms hooked as they made their way toward their hut. They paused outside of it and said goodnight to McKenna and Sam.

When they got inside, Anna grabbed her pajamas and slipped into the bathroom to change. Michael mentioned that he was going to do the same. Once she slipped on her nightgown, she paused outside the door.

She didn’t want to walk in on him getting dressed. And she definitely didn’t want to catch him putting his shirt on. She had enough times of seeing him bare-chested to last her a lifetime. Plus, she was about to climb into bed with this man. She needed her wits about her.

So, she knocked on her side of the door.

“You can come out,” Michael said. His voice was muffled.

Anna took a breath and opened the door. She wasn’t too scantily clad. But it was a silk nightgown. And for some reason, the thought of Michael seeing her in it made her heart pound.

Thankfully, he was turned around when she stepped out. He had on a pair of pajama bottoms but when she saw the tight muscles of his back, she tried not to groan. Of course, he slept shirtless. Why had she expected anything different?

When Michael turned around, his eyes widened. Heat raced to her cheeks as she felt his gaze sweep over her.

“Those are your pajamas?” he asked, dropping his gaze and making his way over to the bed.

She glanced down at her nightgown. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing. Just a step up from the My Little Pony set you used to wear.”

Anna made her way over to the bed and began to pull off the pillows. “Yeah. They don’t exactly make them in my size anymore.”

He glanced up at her, a smile playing on his lips.

She decided to ignore whatever it was that he was thinking about. “What about you? Do you just not believe in shirts? I swear, I’ve seen your chest more times in the last two days than in our entire childhood.”

Michael straightened, brought his arms up, and flexed a few times. “These babies just hate to be confined.” He leaned over and kissed one.

Anna rolled her eyes as she pulled the comforter back and slipped into bed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously handsome, maybe,” he said as he climbed in as well.

“It’s good to know that your ego is healthy.” She leaned against the pillows, trying to calm her nerves. She didn’t like being this close to Michael. His presence was becoming too familiar, and that frightened her.

“In all seriousness, I can’t stand sleeping in a shirt. It makes me too hot.” He glanced over at her. “But I can put one on if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Uncomfortable, no. Not ready to admit the feelings racing through her, yes. But she couldn’t say that. So she decided to laugh it off as she pulled the covers up to her chin. “Nope. No problem over here.”

“Good.”

Silence fell around them.

“Well, I’m going to get to sleep,” Michael said as he flipped to his side, turning so his back was to her.

“Good idea.” She turned.

“Anna?”

Her heart quickened. “Yes?”

Michael was quiet for a moment. “I’m happy you decided to come here with me. I know it’s for McKenna, but I couldn’t imagine trying to do this with anyone else.”

Great. Why did he have to say that to her? A warm feeling spread through her body. This was the Michael she knew. Despite his flirtatious demeanor, he was kind and sweet. But still, the last person she should have feelings for.

“Of course,” she said. “Anything for you and McKenna. You’re like family. And family members help each other.” If only she could convince her emotions that they were just family, then she’d be set.

“Family,” Michael whispered.

Anna needed to end this conversation before it went into uncharted territory. She faked a yawn and said, “Goodnight, Michael.”

“Goodnight, Anna Banana.”

The next morning, Anna rushed into the bathroom the minute she woke up. There was no way she wanted Michael to see her with bed hair or morning breath. Once she was showered, she glanced around and cursed herself.

In her haste to get into the bathroom, she’d forgotten her suitcase or a change of clothes. She tightened the towel around her body and took a breath.

She quietly pulled open the door and peeked out. Michael was still a lump on the bed. Thankful that he hadn’t stirred, she tiptoed over to her suitcase and grabbed it.

Back in the bathroom, she dressed and put on her makeup. She pulled her hair up into a bun on the top of her head and headed back out into the room.

Michael was up, leaning against the railing of the deck outside. Anna glanced over at him, and for a moment considered joining him. But from the butterflies racing around her stomach, she decided against it. Instead, she made her way over to the phone and located Javier’s number.

After a few rings, his spicy accent filled the receiver.

“Javier,” he said.

“Hey, Javier. It’s me. Anna.” She squeezed her eyes shut as she scolded herself.

“Did you want to order room service?” he asked. “There’s another number to do that.”

Anna shook her head. “No, that’s not why I’m calling. I actually want to see if I can set something up. Something for McKenna and Sam.”

“Okay.”

“Do you have cooking classes here?”

“Sure. I’m sure I could come up with something.”

Anna smiled. This was perfect. It was exactly what she wanted to hear. “Great. Can we plan for something around lunchtime?”

He clicked his tongue a few times. “I should be able to make that work. Head on over to the restaurant at one.”

“Perfect. Thank you for doing this.”

Javier chuckled. “Of course. Anything for you. I’ll see you soon, mon chéri.”

Anna parted her lips to respond but wasn’t sure what to say to that. Did she thank him? What did ‘mon chéri’ mean?

“Okay,” she said as she hung up. She stared at the phone. What had just happened? Was what Michael said about Javier true? Was he flirting with her?

She shook her head. That was ridiculous. There was no way an attractive, mysterious man would be interested in her, and she cursed Michael for putting those thoughts in her mind.

“Who was that?” Michael asked from behind her.

She yelped and whipped around. “Nobody,” she blurted out.

He raised his eyebrows. As if he suspected that what she said wasn’t true.

“I mean, that was Javier.”

Michael faked an excited look. “Yay. Javier. What did he want?”

Anna studied him. What did he have to be jealous of? But then she shook it off. “I was asking him if we could arrange a cooking class for McKenna and Sam.”

Michael glanced at her as he crossed the room and pulled open his suitcase. He grabbed out a few items and then disappeared into the bathroom. Anna took this time to head out to the deck.

The sun beat down on her, warming her skin. She couldn’t help the sigh. The feeling of stress from her encounter with Michael left with her breath. How could anyone feel anxious when they were literally standing in paradise?

The water was so blue, that it almost didn’t look real. With the sun beating down on it, she could see all the way to the bottom. The air smelled sweet like summer perfume.

Closing her eyes, she let the wind surround her as she took a deep breath. She’d come here to relax, and she was going to. She just needed to push out all the confusing thoughts that seemed to be bogging her down.

“You ready?” Michael asked from behind her.

She turned to see him leaning against the door frame with his arms folded in front of him. A smile hinted on his lips.

She nodded and crossed the deck. “Yep.”

They made their way through their room and over to the door. They’d grab McKenna and Sam, and when they were all together she and Michael could finally begin operation “get Sam and McKenna” back together.