The night continued like a fairytale that Gabi couldn’t believe was reality. The waitress and waiter—the man who originally greeted them at the front door— had served canapés, champagne, and mixed spirits until Mitch and Alana finished “celebrating.” Then a chef prepared a mouthwatering crab, avocado, and mango tower for an entrée, and stuffed quail with baked vegetables for the main meal.

By the time they finished eating, Gabi was buzzing from the alcohol Blake kept plying her with. Each time he handed her a new champagne flute, he’d wink and give her a devilish grin that spoke of naughty things she couldn’t wait to experience.

After dinner, Leah announced they had another hour before the helicopter returned. Mitch and Alana went on a private moonlight stroll along the beach, while the rest of them stayed inside chatting, laughing, and drinking.

“Come out onto the balcony with me.” Blake tugged her outside onto the wooden slats that made up the floor. He’d discarded his jacket earlier in the night and rolled up his shirt sleeves to expose the skin she loved so much.

The cool coastal breeze was warmed by four portable patio heaters that stood evenly spaced along the wooden railing. At either end of the balcony stood a staircase leading down to a pool sparkling from underwater lights. The rush and ebb of the ocean sounded in the distance.

“I’m counting down the hours until we’re back at the hotel, you know that, right?” he murmured in her ear, pressing his body into hers against the railing.

The fire from the portable heaters warmed her cheeks, increasing her alcoholic buzz and adding to the lava rushing through her veins. Her core pulsed in reply, her nipples hardened, and it was only through sheer determination that she didn’t moan.

They were in plain sight for everyone inside to see, yet hiding behind the broad expanse of his shoulders, she didn’t care. She wanted Blake too much to worry about the opinions of others tonight.

“I’m not sure I can wait that long,” she teased.

His hand came up to trace the necklace he’d given her, causing more blood to flow to the needy parts of her body.

The sound of the glass sliding door opened and the heavy thud of footsteps followed.

“Christ, you guys are driving me insane,” Ryan spoke softly.

Blake glanced over his shoulder. “Suffering from blue balls, buddy?”

“Blue balls and chafed palms,” Ryan muttered and started descending the stairs, moving out of view.

Gabi’s eyes widened. Didn’t these men have a social filter?

“Poor guy.” Blake ran an arm up her back, stopping at the base of her neck to hold her tight. “Now where were we?”

She groaned at the tingle that ran down her spine and placed her hands on his waist. “I think you were trying to slowly kill me with pleasure.”

He chuckled and grazed her chin with his teeth. “I missed you today.”

Gabi sucked in a breath. His touch always found her erogenous zones, making her shiver with a mere brush of his fingers, or mouth, or tongue.

“God, woman, I can smell your arousal,” he growled.

“Well, stop touching me,” she replied, breathless, weightless and totally hoping he’d ignore her statement. She closed her eyes, sinking into the dreamy sensation taking over her body, then groaned when the glass door slid open again.

“Sorry, guys…didn’t mean to interrupt.” Leah pulled the door closed behind her and strode toward them. “Have you seen Ryan?”

With a heavy sigh, Blake glanced over his shoulder. “He took the stairs a few minutes ago.”

Gabi poked her head around Blake to look at Leah. Her forehead was creased with concern, her lips pressed firmly together.

“Everything all right?” Gabi asked, sensing an uncomfortable undercurrent.

“Yeah.” Leah swallowed. “Just checking on all my little chickens.”

“Have you spoken to him yet?” Blake asked.

Leah narrowed her gaze and glowered. “Blake,” she chastised.

“Spoken to me about what?” Ryan came into view at the top of the staircase, his phone alight in his palm. Silence hung heavy in the air while he glanced between Leah and Blake. “Spoken to me about what, Leah?”

Blake swore under his breath and Leah turned to face Ryan. “We need to talk.”

Ryan shrugged. “Then talk. Blake obviously knows what you’re about to say, so go ahead.”

“Umm,” Leah shot a glance to Gabi, then Blake, her eyes widening in panic. “We should do this in private.”

Ryan stepped forward and slid his phone into his jacket pocket. “Come on, Leah. Spill.”

She let out a shaky sigh, her gaze finding Blake’s for a fleeting second before turning back to Ryan. “It’s just gossip and entirely unfounded at the moment. I didn’t want to bring it up unless the claims were true.”

Ryan crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. When she didn’t elaborate, he huffed, “What claims?”

“One of the tabloids back home is saying they have proof of Julie cheating on you—”

Ryan’s boyish features transformed to a mix of heated fury and shock. “What?” He stalked forward, his hands fisted at his sides.

Gabi’s stomach hollowed, and she turned to grip the rail, focusing on the darkened beach. She didn’t want to be here. She had no business being privy to something so private.

“It’s a load of rubbish. They won’t validate their claims,” Leah continued. “They’re only digging for a story.”

Ryan let out a self-deprecating laugh. “If they have no proof, then why the fuck am I the last to know?”

Gabi glanced over her shoulder, surprised by the vehemence in Ryan’s tone.

He threw his hands into the air. “Jesus Christ, Leah, how dare you tell Blake before me?”

Leah startled, her mouth gaping for a brief moment before she snapped it closed to swallow. “Nobody else knows.” She lowered her voice, “I didn’t want to hurt you unnec—”

“Oh, OK.” Ryan nodded with sarcasm. “So I should be happy that you only told Blake before me?”

Blake tensed and dropped his hands from Gabi’s body. “Back off, Ryan. I know this must be hard to hear, but it’s not Leah’s fault.”

Ryan turned his scathing glare to Blake, making Gabi shrink under the fury in his eyes. “You think this is fair, do you?” He stepped up to them, getting in Blake’s face. “You’re meant to be my friend. My fucking brother. And yet you kept this from me. For how long, Blake?”

“Calm down.”

“For how long?” Ryan raised his voice.

“Only early this morning!” Blake spat. “Damn it to hell, Ryan. I know you’re cut up, but Leah’s been going through some pretty heavy shit. She didn’t want to hurt you for no reason. We all know how hard it is for you to be away from Julie.”

Ryan poked Blake in the chest. “You don’t know shit.”

Gabi covered her mouth with a gasp. They were going to fight, and she couldn’t stand to see either of them hurt.

The click of Leah’s heels tapped against the wooden patio floor, followed by the glass door sliding open. “Mason. Sean,” she called. “I need you.”

“Great.” Ryan backed away. “Get everyone else involved.” He shook his head and turned on his heels. “I’m outta here.”

“Where are you going?” Leah cried. “The helicopter will be back in half an hour.”

Ryan ignored her, striding to the top of the stairs before jumping down more than one at a time and going out of view.

“What’s going on?” Mason asked, following their gaze to the end of the balcony.

Blake stepped forward, giving Gabi space to breathe. She felt horrible for Leah and Blake and most of all her heart ached for Ryan. The thought of leaving the person she loved tomorrow had already been tearing her apart, yet Ryan had been doing this for years.

Leah let out a shuddering breath and lowered her head. “Oh, god, what have I done?”

Blake went to his band manager, gathering her in his arms and holding her as she began to weep. As Leah’s tears continued to fall, Gabi inched along the railing, moving silently to the other side of the balcony. She didn’t belong in this moment. Blake was comforting and finding comfort with Leah…not her. She needed to clear her head and put things into perspective. It was a friendly hug, nothing more. Her brain could rationalize it, and still, she felt insignificant.

Bloody alcohol.

At the final step, she tiptoed onto the gravel path and let the inside house lights guide her to the gate at the front of the building. The rush of the ocean called to her, and she was thankful to find a sandy trail running along the outside of the fence. She undid her shoes, carrying them by the straps, and leisurely walked into the darkness.

The path steepened, with wooden planks forming makeshift steps to ease the way. Above, the yellow moon glowed full and bright, making the reed covered dunes visible. When she made it to the beach, she stopped and so did the beat of her heart.

Up ahead, Ryan sat in the sand, his hands wrapped around his indrawn knees, his gaze focused on the water.

“Ryan?” she asked softly. She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if she should turn back and leave him alone with his thoughts.

He didn’t answer.

On silent feet she moved beside him. “Ryan?”

“Shit!” His head jerked up. “You scared the crap outta me.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

He scoffed and turned his attention back to the waves. “I should be the one apologizing.”

“No, not at all. You have good reason to be angry.”

“Yeah?” He shucked his suit jacket and laid it down beside him. “Wanna sit?”

So sweet, so thoughtful, even when he was falling apart. “Thank you.” Straightening her dress over her bottom, she sat on his suit coat and brought her knees to her chest.

They sat in silence, watching the white foam burst to life with every breaking wave.

“You know,” Ryan started, his voice low. “For a brief second, I felt relieved when Leah said Julie had been cheating.”

Gabi turned her gaze to face him, resting the side of her head on her knees.

“I don’t think I’m in love anymore.”

She froze, not sure what to say. Apart from the information Blake had shared over the years, Gabi didn’t know much about this heartbreakingly vulnerable man. Yet, everything inside her screamed to move closer and wrap a warm arm around him. Just like Blake had done to Leah.

“We’re not happy anymore. We’re barely even friends.”

Gabi opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“I feel like a failure.”

“Don’t.” She straightened and shook her head. “Marriage isn’t easy.”

“No, it’s not, but loving someone shouldn’t be so hard.”

Ryan continued to stare at the water in silence. Heartbreak emanated from him. She didn’t know what type of woman would let a wonderful guy like Ryan fall out of love with her. If it was Gabi, she would fight with everything she had to keep him in her life.

“You and Blake have something special going on, don’t you?”

It was Gabi’s turn to stare at the water in contemplation. What she had with Blake went beyond special. However, she wasn’t sure if they could make it through the alone times.

“He’s a great guy,” she replied.

“And?”

She gave an unenthusiastic chuckle. “I love him.” She glanced at Ryan, who waited for her to continue. “He means the world to me. I’m just scared—and insecure.”

She dug her heels into the sand and watched her feet disappear. Her face heated, knowing Ryan still stared at her.

“I get the scared part. Blake freaks me out sometimes, too.” Ryan leaned over and nudged her shoulder with a laugh. “Unfortunately, I think the insecurity will be a battle for anyone who decides to take on one of us guys. I know my wife hates the thought of groupies. But hey, I’ve never cheated on her. Not once, in all the years we’ve been together.”

The burr of a helicopter sounded in the distance, growing louder over the rush of the ocean.

Ryan sighed, “I really don’t want to go back up there.”

She couldn’t blame him. She didn’t want to go back herself. Thankfully her alcohol buzz had lessened. Now she only had to calm her irrational thoughts and she would be fine. “Come on.” Gabi stood and picked up his suit jacket, doing her best to dust off the sand. She held out her hand and he took it, allowing her to pull him to his feet. “Let’s get this over and done with.”