Page 28 of Crossing the Line

We’d been walking for about an hour when a few of the people in our large group started to complain about needing a break. I suspected they were the ones who indulged the most last night were probably feeling the effects of a hangover. Even I couldn’t blame them for needing a break. We’d been walking up a moderate incline for a while, and it was tiring.

“We’ll reach a good stopping point up ahead in about ten minutes,” the guide said.

Damien mumbled something about getting a bottle of water from Cody, who’d told us his backpack was full of them to pass out when we took a break. I didn’t respond to his statement because my phone had just received a text message.

Pulling it out of my pocket, I bit my lip through a smile as I opened my newest thread of messages. Henry had texted me for the first time yesterday during the bachelorette party, simply asking if I was free to meet for a drink. I wasn’t, because of the party, but I told him he could message me today instead.

The message was a picture, which made me nervous until I opened it and saw that instead of the dreaded dick pic that men were so fond of sharing with unsuspecting women they barely knew, Henry sent me a picture of what looked like a clay vase that had collapsed on one side and was now a lump of wet mush on a pottery wheel. He followed it with a simple line of text.

Henry: Thought I’d share this in case you were under the impression I’m some kind of expert pottery maker.

I shook my head, but my smile widened as I typed out a response.

Me: You know, some guys try to impress a woman they want to have drinks with.

His reply came almost immediately, as if he had the phone in his hand and was waiting for me to text.

Henry: I’m going for charmingly humble. Or maybe fumbling and inexperienced.

Me: I guess that’s all a part of your mystery.

“Who are you texting?” Damien asked, his voice more demanding than the question called for. Looking up, I found him staring at me with an intensity that also didn’t match the situation.

I didn’t know why I considered lying to him. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Damien didn’t want to be together, which meant I was single. Besides, he had no reason to care that I was texting another man.

“It’s a guy named Henry,” I said, putting my phone back in my pocket even though I was interested in seeing what other messages he’d send. “He lives on the island, and we met when I was looking for a replacement for Leanne’s veil.”

“And you’re texting him?”

I nodded. “Sure. He’s a nice enough guy. It’s not a big deal.”

“But… is that a good idea? If he lives here, connecting with him won’t lead anywhere.”

Something about the way he said that almost seemed like he was talking to himself more than me. I took in the way his shoulders bunched and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He seemed… upset. Could he be jealous?

It was just a drunken mistake.

That was what he’d said the morning after we slept together. Reminding myself of that, I pushed away all thoughts that he could be upset about me texting Henry due to jealousy. He was just being a good friend, looking out for me. Leanne or Jess would probably do the same thing, questioning the wisdom of getting attached to someone who lived hundreds of miles away from the city I called home.

Damien’s concern meant nothing more than that.

“It’s just some texting, and maybe a date. Besides, I’ve wasted my time on men before, and this is not that.”

The words slipped out before I could think about them, and I regretted what I said when Damien flinched. If I was going to strive to be friends only, I needed to stop bringing up the past.

“Oh my God,” Angela said from somewhere nearby. “It’s beautiful.”

I looked around. We’d been surrounded by a wall of green while walking, but the trees had suddenly fallen away, and we found ourselves standing on the top of a cliff, looking out at the most gorgeous stretch of beach and ocean. It was breathtaking.

“Wow,” I muttered, walking toward the edge without getting too close. “It’s amazing.”

“Sure is.” Damien’s voice came from right behind me, but I didn’t look away from the stunning view. Sunlight danced across the water, and the sand looked white from up here.

“Guys, come over here!” Leanne called out. She was standing off to the side with Ryan and the others in the wedding party. “Let’s take a picture, something to remember the day.”

Damien boldly put a hand on the small of my back and guided me over to them. My heart rate picked up, but I gulped and ignored it.

He stayed at my side, leaning in close when the guide was about to take the picture with Leanne’s phone. The woodsy scent of his shampoo invaded my nose, and the warmth radiating from his body was one that I would’ve sunk right into before. Today, I wished I could put distance between us without making a scene.