Michael’s blood boiled as he kept glancing in Javier’s direction. What was with that guy? From the way he was leering at Anna this morning, to the way he’d touched her at the Jeep. It took all his control not to punch the guy.

And Anna? Why was she so okay with it all? Had he been completely misreading her these last few days?

He felt like an idiot. Of course, he had. For some reason, he thought that they were growing closer together. But after her flirty encounter with Javier, he was beginning to doubt his ability to read women.

Javier pulled up to a small building with a faux straw roof. Like they were trying to make the building appear authentic. He turned off the Jeep and nodded toward the front door. “Both of your therapy appointments are in there. I’ll be back in an hour and a half to pick you up.”

They piled out, and Anna turned and waved at Javier before he drove away. “I’ll see you,” she said.

Michael stared at her. What was with the sudden flirting with the resort guide? It didn’t seem like her. He wanted to say something but then set his jaw. It wasn’t his place to say anything. He’d already made the stupid mistake of picking her up and putting her in the Jeep. Something was seriously the matter with him.

He lengthened his stride and was the first to the front door. He pulled it open, and the cool air flowed out around him. After they all stepped into the building, he followed them. There was a woman sitting at a desk at the far end of the room. She was busy reading a book with a half-naked man on the cover.

They approached, and she didn’t look up. Michael tried not to laugh at her saucer sized eyes.

“Excuse us,” Anna said.

The woman yelped and slammed the book closed. She whipped her gaze up and her cheeks turned red. “I apologize. I didn’t hear you coming in,” she said, laughing uncomfortably.

“It’s okay,” Anna said. “I get that way sometimes when I’m sucked into a book.”

The woman pinched her lips together as she opened a drawer of her desk and slipped it in. Then she planted her hands on the desktop and smiled. “How can I help you?”

“We have a therapy appointment,” Anna said.

The woman glanced at each of them. “Together? All of you?” She let out her breath. “That’s a first.”

“No, no. Not the four of us. Me and her and McKenna and Sam,” Michael said, waving his hand to each person as he listed them off. “That would be gross. We’re siblings,” he said, motioning toward McKenna.

The woman followed his gesture and then nodded. “Okay. I see. Sorry,” she said as she picked up two packets and motioned for them to follow. “This way. I’ll get you set up and the therapists will be in shortly to meet with you.”

Michael kept step with Anna as the woman led McKenna and Sam to their room, and then across the hall to where she opened the door and ushered them in. “This one is for you two,” she said, nodding toward the couch.

They took a seat, and the woman set the packet on the side table that was next to the large armchair across from them.

“Can I get you guys some water? Or a soda?” She glanced from Michael over to Anna.

“Water would be great,” Anna said.

The woman’s gaze fell on Michael.

“Yeah, for me, too.”

She nodded and left the room.

Michael leaned back, resting his hands on his thighs. The room was quiet and grated on his nerves. Things with Anna had gotten so weird this morning. What had that been with Javier? Why was she flirting with him?

He cleared his throat and glanced around. The room was decorated in a Polynesian manner. A palm tree mural adorned one wall and the colors of the furniture and pillows matched the beach.

“So, how are we going to handle this?” Anna asked. She was studying her hands but then turned to look at him.

He scrubbed his face with his hand. Why had he allowed this to become so complicated? Problem was, it only seemed complicated with him. He was the only one allowing his feelings to cloud his judgment. Anna seemed so relaxed.

“I’m guessing we just answer their questions. Shouldn’t be too hard,” he said.

Anna smiled and nodded. “Yeah. I’m probably over thinking it.”

“Who knows, maybe we can get Javier to join us. You two seem to be hitting it off.” He winced as the words tumbled from his mouth. What was the matter with him? Anna could flirt with anyone she wanted to. It wasn’t like they were dating or married.

Anna’s eyebrows rose as she turned her attention over to him. “We’re doing this again? Javier isn’t interested in me.”

Michael leaned back as he studied her. “Right. Anna you can be so naive sometimes. You don’t ever see that someone’s interested in you until it’s hitting you over the head.” Heat raced up his spine at his words. Even though they rang true in more ways than one, he felt bad saying it. “I’m—”

The door opened, and a small woman entered. She looked no taller than five feet. She had on thick glasses, and her dark hair was pulled up into a bun on her head. She glanced over at them and smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I presume,” she said. Her accent was heavy on her words.

Michael straightened and nodded. “Michael. And this is Anna.”

“Sefina Lopez, but you can call me Sefina.” She made her way over to the arm chair and sat down. She grabbed the folder next to her and opened it. Her gaze roamed over whatever was inside of it. After a moment, she glanced up.

“How long have you two been married?” she asked.

Michael glanced over at Anna whose skin had paled. They really hadn’t gone over the specifics. She met his gaze and looked as if she were waiting for him to answer.

“Just a few months. It’s relatively new.” Being vague seemed like the best idea.

Sefina nodded and turned her attention back to the folder. “Well, most couples fill out the questionnaire before they come, but it seems as if you two didn’t do that.” She reached over and grabbed a pen. “Is there a reason why?”

Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “To tell you the truth, Doc. We’re here because we are helping out my sister McKenna. She’s struggling with her marriage and wanted us to come along for moral support.”

Sefina glanced from Michael to Anna. She clicked on her pen and wrote something down. “Interesting. So, there’s nothing you want to discuss? You have me for an hour.” She gave him a smile. It was warm and reminded him of a grandmother.

“I think we’re good,” he said, leaning back.

“I have something.” Anna’s voice surprised him. He glanced over to see her studying her hands.

“Perfect. Why don’t you speak, Anna,” Sefina said with her pen poised.

“I guess I’d like to discuss why I was most recently called naive.” She turned to look at Michael. “I may have made some mistakes in the past, but I’m not the only one.”

Michael stared at her. Was she serious? “Anna, I’m just looking out for you. You know, protecting you.”

“Hang on,” Sefina raised her hand, halting their conversation. “It’s important to first validate her words.” She glanced at Michael from over her glasses.

Michael cleared his throat. “Validate?”

Sefina nodded. “Let her know that you heard her concerns. Turn to her and look her in the eye. Really engage her.”

Michael swallowed. That was the last thing he wanted to do. If he let Anna know the real reason why he cared so much when she flirted with Javier, it wouldn’t end well. There was no way Anna could have feelings for him, and if she did, there was no way he could encourage them.

“Look at her?” he asked.

Sefina studied him. “There are two types of languages. Words we speak and body language. It is important to utilize both.” She waved her hand to the two of them. “Try it.”

Michael cleared his throat and turned, facing Anna. Her eyes were wide as she studied him.

“I heard what you said. It hurt your feelings that I called you naive.” He leaned in. “I’m sorry.”

Anna’s eyebrows rose. Her gaze softened as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s okay. You’re probably right. I can be naive sometimes. I mean, look how things turned out with Patrick. I was an idiot to let things go on that long.”

Michael’s chest squeezed at the thought of her ex. If he ever got in the room with that guy—Michael let out a deep breath. There was no reason to get worked up right now. Besides, that seemed like the last thing Anna needed right now.

“Very good, Anna. It’s important to take ownership of past mistakes.” Sefina’s words drew their attention over to her. She was writing something on her pad. “Now, Michael, why did you feel that you needed to call her naive? Most times the words we say in frustration have a deeper meaning to them. Did it have to do with the past relationship with Patrick or something else?” She sat there with her pen tip on the paper, as if what he was about to say was the most riveting thing.

Michael parted his lips. He and Anna had come to a good place. It felt wrong to stir things up again. “I—um.” He glanced over at Anna. “I think I’m good. We don’t need to delve into it anymore.”

Sefina clicked her tongue. “Mr. Jones, it is not healthy to hang onto past thoughts. If you felt it once, you will most likely feel it again. Please,” she waved toward Anna. “Be honest with your wife.”

Your wife. Those words rolled around in his mind. But Anna wasn’t his wife.

“You can say it,” Anna said, leaning forward. “I’ll be fine.”

If she only knew how much he wanted to tell her but couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to her, and he didn’t deserve her, even if there were a tiny possibility that she could care for him.

“Well, Anna is really oblivious to when other men are flirting with her. Or noticing when another man really cares.” He cleared his throat and leaned back, hoping the movement would dispel the uncomfortable feelings that were rising in his chest.

Sefina’s eyebrows rose. “There are other men flirting with her?”

Michael cleared his throat. “Yes.”

“And this makes you upset.”

“Yes.” He stopped. What was he agreeing to? “Wait. Yes and no. Yes, because I don’t want to see her get hurt. And no because she has every right to have men flirt with her. I just wish she would show a little more restraint.”

“Restraint?” Anna pulled back and stared at him. There was fire in her gaze. “I’m the one who needs restraint? You flirt with any girl that breathes.” She folded her arms.

“I do not.”

She scoffed. “Oh yes, you do. I’ve seen the magazine articles. New York Ranger at it Again.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re a date ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy.”

He stared at her. Was that really what she thought of him? As much as he wanted to deny it, there was some truth to her words. He swallowed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re right. I was like that. I’ve made mistakes.” He paused. “I’m sorry.” If she only knew how bad some of those mistakes were, she’d never even have agreed to be his fake wife.

“Wow. Okay. We unpacked a lot here,” Sefina said, sitting straighter in her chair. “Even though a lot was mentioned, I do have to say that it’s refreshing to have a couple that is so candid with each other. It takes many sessions to get couples to even accurately express just how they are feeling.” She nodded toward them. “It bodes well for you that despise infidelity. You can discuss this openly.”

“Infidelity?” Michael asked and then nodded. Right. They were supposed to be married.

“Yes. All the flirting and other men and women? Unless you two have an open marriage?” She glanced at them from above her glasses.

“Open? No,” Anna said.

Sefina nodded. “Okay. Then we have some work ahead of us.” She leaned back. “So, your assignment for our next meeting will be for the two of you to really dig down deep inside and remember why you fell in love in the first place. What is it about the other person that makes your heart beat?” She took some paper out of the folder and handed it to them. “Write it down, and then we will discuss it.”

Michael stared at the piece of paper and then nodded. That seemed like something he could do. Especially when he was alone and not sitting in front of the therapist who was analyzing his every move.

The last fifteen minutes were filled with answering questions about their own personal histories. Michael was grateful that none of them really had anything to do with his relationship with Anna. Or his growing feelings for her.

His occupation and his relationship with his mother was something he could answer with no deeper thought. But his emotions seemed to rise to the surface anytime the conversation moved over to how he felt about Anna.

The truth was, he didn’t know. And it was getting harder and harder to figure it out the longer he was around her. Perhaps this resort had been a mistake all along. He should have known better. Impulsive Michael does it again. Except this time, he’d be the one walking away with a broken heart.