Harper moved in beside him to lean against the wall, their shoulders touching. “Sounds like I rescued you at the perfect moment back there.”

  “Yeah.” He snorted, closing his eyes. “Barb was needling me about wedding dates.”

  “Yikes.” She laughed, the lilting sound washing over him like chimes. “Your family really seems to be pushing you to commit, huh?”

  “It’s the Parks way.” He shrugged, not looking at her. “I mean, it’s what’s expected. Even Jojo’s married now, and I always thought I’d beat her to the altar. I’d been with Abby for more than a year by the time Jojo met Sara, and I had a ring all picked out.” Familiar grief pinched his chest, but the sting wasn’t quite as bad as before, for some reason. Maybe it was the booze taking the edge off. Maybe it was because time was finally healing that old wound. Or maybe it was because of the company of the woman next to him who reached out and squeezed his arm, silently offering support. “I guess things never quite go the way you expect, for better or for worse.” So far, this time with her, pretending to be a couple, wasn’t going the way he’d thought it would. Right now, it felt better than he’d thought it would. A lot better.

  She looked at him, their gazes locked as a moment passed between them. Time seemed to slow as his eyes flicked down to her lips, remembering their kiss in the hotel room—the way she’d tasted, the way she’d felt against him, the slight catch in her breath as he’d stroked his tongue against hers. The air between them sizzled, and without realizing it, Colin leaned in slightly, lowering his head to kiss her again.

  Except Harper pushed away from the wall, her cheeks flushed and her breathing faster than before. “I’m pretty sure I heard your mom say dinner was ready.”

  Colin was pretty sure she was full of crap, but he went along with it anyway. Maybe the booze wasn’t doing him any favors after all. He set his half-finished glass aside and followed her back out from behind the bush. Better to stay sharp to find out what they could about Sebastian anyway. Tonight was about getting answers that could lead them to Serenity. And maybe if he reminded himself of that enough, he’d stop getting caught up in his connection with Harper and could focus on what was important.

  Dinner, thankfully, went well, and he and Harper were able to get a bit more information from the guests over a delicious meal of fresh conch salad, grilled sea bass, and ceviche. It also didn’t hurt that the wine flowed freely, making everyone more willing to talk.

  Apparently, Sebastian Bone had been on the island for about six months. He set up his Wellness Center on an estate he rented and from what everyone at the table said, it operated pretty much like another spa, but with a spiritualist focus. People got massages and meditated and did yoga while they talked about how positive forces could cure anything wrong with them. Cell phones were prohibited, to avoid disrupting the flow of peaceful, positive energy.

  “And once they leave,” George said from across the table, “they won’t shut up about how fulfilling and transformative the whole experience was. Damned annoying if you ask me.”

  Other people chatted about their own experiences at the spa, but it all sounded normal.

  It wasn’t until after dinner was over and they were back out on the patio again that another of the guests approached Colin—a friend of his Aunt Katie’s named Arlene.

  “I heard you asking about the wellness clinic earlier,” Arlene said, glancing around as if worried someone else would hear. “And I wanted to tell you about my experience.”

  “Go on,” Colin said, leading her over to a deserted spot in the corner of the patio. “You didn’t have a good time at the center?”

  “Uh, no.” She shook her head, her shoulder-length brown curls bouncing around her shoulders. She stood about a foot shorter than Colin and was maybe in her mid-forties. “I didn’t go myself—but my cousin did. Still does. She has cancer, and she insists on going to that stupid spa for spiritual healing instead of seeking medical treatment. Each time she goes, she stays longer and longer, no matter how much it costs.” Arlene sighed, frowning. “I tried to go over there earlier this week to attempt to talk some sense into her, but the spa’s staff wouldn’t let me in.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.” Arlene looked up at him. “But the reason I wanted to say something is because I saw a woman who looked like Harper while I was there. She was the only staff person who was nice to me. Everyone tried to shoo me away. That woman actually tried to get me in to see my cousin. But then the owner came in and said no. He made me leave.”

  “Sebastian Bone kicked you out?”

  “Yep.” She crossed her arms, her light beige linen dress glowing in the twilight. “I’m telling you, Colin. Something’s not right there. The way people talk about it, it seems almost like a cult.”

  Colin glanced up, catching Harper’s eye. Her suspicious expression mirrored his own feelings, reminding him that they were in this together.

  It felt good. Better than good. Great.

  Clearing his throat, Colin thanked Arlene for talking to him, then watched as she went back inside. Most of the guests were leaving now and sound of distant waves and cicadas filled the air. Harper walked over to him and lifted her chin. “Ready to go upstairs?”

  “Let’s go,” he said, following her back inside.

  His bedroom door had barely closed behind them when Harper began talking about what they’d just heard. “Jesus. I mean, I’m glad we’re closer to finding Serenity, but what if she’s gotten involved in some kind of cult, Colin? I’ve heard what happens to those people, how it can screw up the rest of your life and—”

  “Hey, hey.” He took her by the shoulders and sat her down on the edge of the bed, then plopped down beside her. “We don’t know anything for sure yet. Don’t go jumping to conclusions and stressing yourself out. Believe me, I’ve been there, and it doesn’t do you any good.”

  “You had someone in your life disappear too?” she asked, giving him some side-eye.

  “In a way, yeah.”

  Harper shifted slightly on the bed to face him. “What do you mean?”

  “My girlfriend, Abby. I told you she died, but I didn’t tell you how. She was a naval officer on a flight deck crew. I worried about her on every single deployment.” He took a deep breath, his chest tight. “She died six months into her first tour.”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry, Colin.” Harper took his hand.

  “Thanks.” He squeezed her fingers. They didn’t say anything for a while, just sat there, holding hands as the distant call of gulls came through the open veranda doors.

  Finally, Colin said, “Anyway, I told you so you’d understand that I know what you’re feeling—and how horrible it is to wait to find out if your loved one is okay.” He entwined their fingers and glanced up to meet her eyes. “But this isn’t a war zone. It’s just a con man going after a bunch of rich people. We’ll find your sister, Harper, and we’ll get her out. I promise.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him then, her warmth and softness thawing some of the ice that had formed around his heart after losing Abby. They rocked back and forth slowly, holding each other, taking strength from one another. At last, she pulled back slightly and gave him a watery smile. “I think maybe we can actually do this.”

  “Of course we can,” he said, grinning. The sense of responsibility steeled inside him, making him even more determined to see this through. He hadn’t felt that way in a long time, like he held another person’s happiness in his hands, and he vowed not to let Harper down.

  After another moment or two, Harper finally pulled away, swiping the back of her hand across her damp cheeks, then standing. “Right. Well, I’m pooped. I’m going to get changed into my pj’s. Why don’t you share the bed with me tonight? It’s big enough for four. We won’t even know the other person’s in there.” She headed for the bathroom, then stopped and looked back at him. “Even if you did make fun of my crystal.”

  He chuckled as she closed the door, his gaze darting back to the shimmering pink-purple hunk of glass on his nightstand. It still seemed a little silly to him, but if it made Harper happy, then he guessed he could live with it.

  By the time she came out again, he’d changed too, into comfy sweats and a T-shirt for bed. He took the side she didn’t sleep on, then reached over and plucked her crystal off the nightstand. “Tell me about this.”

  “Seriously?” She gave him a wary look as she climbed beneath the covers on her side of the bed, rubbing lotion into her hands. He nodded and she sighed. “Fine, as long as you promise not to make any smartass remarks again.”

  “Promise.”

  “Okay.” She scooted down and put her head on the pillow, the duvet pulled up to her chin. “My mom got those for Serenity and me when we were little. The rule in our house was that you weren’t allowed to lie when you held the crystal—even to yourself. So, it became a thing with me and Serenity. Whenever we were stressed out about something, we’d hold our crystals, breathe deeply, and ask ourselves what the real problem was. What were we scared of? What did we really want?” She sighed. “It became my go-to gut check. It helps me figure out my goals in life.”

  “Cool.” He studied the iridescent crystal for a moment, the stone cool against his palms. “I think it’s great your mom wanted you and your sister to learn to follow your gut. Not everyone’s so lucky.”

  “Like you?” she asked, then yawned.

  “Yeah.” He set the crystal back on the nightstand, then clicked off the light before snuggling down under the covers beside Harper. “I always felt like my dad wanted to make all my decisions for me. He had this idea in his head of who he wanted me to be, and if I didn’t match up with it, then he didn’t want anything to do with me.”

  “Well, for what it’s worth,” she murmured into the darkness, “I’m glad you became the person you are today. I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  “Me too,” he answered, surprised by how much he meant it.

  It wasn’t long before both of them had drifted off to sleep.

  7

  “Have you played beach volleyball before?” Colin asked her, looking far more gorgeous than any man had a right to in his board shorts, flip-flops, and mirrored aviator shades covering his eyes. Nothing but tanned skin and sculpted muscle for miles and damn, it had been way too long since she’d had a man like that in her bed.

  Well, technically she’d had a man exactly like that in her bed the previous night, but since all they did was sleep, that didn’t really count.

  “No, never.” Truthfully, she’d rather not play now. Harper scowled and dug her toes into the warm sand beneath her feet. Apparently on today’s agenda for the family reunion was the annual team volleyball tournament. In reality, it was more a game of whose is bigger, mine or yours? Already some of Colin’s family members were sizing everyone up according to whether or not they thought the person could help them win. She’d played volleyball before, sure, in gym class in high school. But no one there took it this seriously. The whole idea just rubbed her wrong.

  Especially right now, when all she wanted to do was storm Sebastian Bone’s compound and rescue Serenity. She’d said as much to Colin earlier as they’d gotten ready for breakfast, but he’d told her that it wasn’t safe yet, especially since they had no idea what kind of resources Bone might have on hand, or how much opposition they might face. For now, they needed more reconnaissance—and, if possible, to figure out a way to get Serenity to come to them. But until they worked that out, they had to keep playing the part of a couple with nothing to worry about but the family reunion.

  Now, with the sun beating down hot on her skin and the first signs of a headache forming behind her temples, Harper was really not feeling the whole competitive atmosphere. Unfortunately, the teams had been decided while she’d been dicking around, and they were ready to play.

  “Don’t worry,” Colin said, his teeth even and white as he grinned. “Just stay behind me and I’ll field the plays for you.”

  She snorted and shook her head, tromping to the back left corner of their half of the makeshift court, wishing to hell she’d worn a cover up over the pink bikini top. She’d look like a tomato in about an hour out here.

  “Serve,” Colin’s dad shouted before vaulting the ball over the net at blazing speed. It was headed straight for Harper, and her eyes widened as she struggled to remember the proper stance and technique from her high school sports days. Squat, use the flat part of your forearms, yell out possession. Before she could do anything, though, Colin dove in front of her and spiked the ball hard, nearly beaning his mom on the head on the opposite side of the net. Sand sprayed up in Harper’s face as Colin landed hard in front of her. Harper barely had time to spit it out before the ball came flying back to their side. This time, Jojo took control of it. Between her and Colin they looked like a professional team, fielding plays and passing the ball back and forth before slamming it over the net toward Colin’s dad.

  For his part, Cole Parks took no crap from his family. Harper began to wonder why they’d even invited the rest of the family to play, since the three of them basically controlled every shot.

  Hyper competitive much?

  Harper snorted and moved to the front left corner as their team rotated, and Colin moved up to serve. She was directly across the net from Colin’s mom now, and the woman looked about as done with this shit as Harper felt.

  In fact, as soon as Colin sent the ball over the net at his dad like a torpedo, Emily leaned into the net and whispered to Harper, “Want to take a break with me?”

  “Hell yes!” Harper answered, ducking just in time to avoid getting smacked in the face with the volleyball. “Please.”

  Once that play was finished, the two of them ducked out of the game and headed back up the path to the house, taking a seat at a table set up in the gardens to overlook the beach. It was quieter up here, and cooler too, with lots of palm trees for shade. Colin’s mom poured them each a glass of iced tea, then sat back in her chair and sighed. “I love these reunions but hate these games.”

  “I can see why,” Harper said, reaching over to fix a plate of yummy barbeque pulled pork from the platter set at the center of the table. The stuff had been roasting since early that morning, and she’d been dying for some. “It’s like a war zone out there.”

  “You have no idea.” Emily straightened and slid her oversized sunglasses up to the top of her head before dishing up some food for herself. “But I suppose the three of them going after each other out there on the court is healthier than doing it in real life, right?”

  “Hmm.” Harper drizzled more sauce onto her meat before taking another bite. The tangy, sweet, spicy flavor was just right. She stared out at the game again, watching as Colin and Jojo went two on one against his dad. Colin moved with a grace that many men his size didn’t have, and he played like he did everything else—smart and steady and steadfast. She liked that about him, along with the fact that Colin didn’t give up.

  Then, of course, was that sizzling hot kiss they’d shared too…

  Harper had liked that way more than she should.

  She took a deep breath and stared down at her plate, pushing a bite of pork around with her fork. Up until now, she’d never been able to picture forever with a guy. To be honest, she hadn’t really tried. Her mom was a free spirit and had raised Harper and Serenity to be the same way. Harper didn’t avoid relationships—far from it—but she never assumed they would last, either. She cherished the time she’d spent with every lover she’d had, but she’d never felt the need to try to make a relationship more than it was. Holding on to something too tightly ruined what made it special, and refusing to move on meant refusing to grow. Or so she’d thought, anyway. Colin was the first man she’d been with whom she doubted she’d ever grow tired of.

  On the beach, Colin, his dad, and Jojo were now in a heated argument over something, all three standing at the net shouting and pointing fingers. Harper rolled her eyes. It was a silly beach game at a family reunion, not World War III for fuck’s sake.

  Now that she could certainly do without. Could live without all his complicated family politics too.

  But not him…

  That last thought stopped her cold. Oh boy. Not good. Not good at all.

  If she wasn’t careful, Harper could end up developing real feelings for her pretend boyfriend and then where would she be? Up shit’s creek without a paddle, that’s where, idiot.

  “What do you think?” Colin’s mom asked, jarring Harper from her thoughts.

  Harper blinked at her a second, having no idea what she’d been talking about. “I’m sorry?”

  “I said maybe you and I could visit the Wellness Center for a spa day,” Emily said, smiling. “I noticed how interested you were in it yesterday and I’ve never been there, so I’m curious, too. My friend lives next door to it, and she’s always talking about all the people coming and going from the place at odd hours of the night. She said one time there was even a helicopter!” She sipped some tea, then leaned closer to Harper. “To be honest, it doesn’t sound very restful or healing to me, but what do I know? Anyway, if you’re interested, I’d love to check it out with you.”

  “Oh.” Harper took that in. On the one hand, Colin would probably kill her if she accepted without talking to him first. But on the other hand, it did give her a perfect excuse to get inside the compound and check it out for herself. She grinned. “I’d love to.”

  They continued drinking and snacking, watching the rest of the family playing volleyball. Harper liked Colin’s mom. She was nice, easy to talk to, and genuinely kind. It was clear she was excited that her son had a girlfriend, but she wasn’t pushy about it like that obnoxious couple from the previous night. She just focused on being warm and welcoming and making Harper feel like she belonged. When they’d first arrived, Harper had worried that she’d spend the whole time tiptoeing around the luxurious house that was multitudes fancier than any place she’d ever stayed, but thanks to Emily, she felt surprisingly at home.