From the Jump(25)

“You know,” Mac says in a deeper voice I’ve never heard him use before today, “I could probably wrestle that croc.”

“That croc?” I point at the seven-foot crocodile the group of women are frantically photographing. Its slow, predatory approach on us is terrifying, as are the guide’s insistent reminders to keep our hands in the boat.

“Yep.” Mac nods confidently. “I’d probably win, too.”

“Probably?” I study his perfect face, taking in the chiseled jaw, straight nose, and clear blue eyes, no thoughts or troubles to darken them. I’m looking at a man who has the flirting capabilities of a twelve-year-old because he’s never had to develop his game. He was lucky enough to spend years with a woman way too good for him, and since then, he’s managed to get by solely on good looks and enthusiasm.

“Definitely,” he says smugly.

“Why are you doing this, Mac? Go flirt with Phoebe.”

He glances over at her. “Deiss is flirting with Phoebe.”

I follow his gaze. Mac is right. Deiss has been flirting with Phoebe since we got in the van. He tossed a little attention Simone’s way when we first got on the boat, but when she slid off her see-through button-up and started prancing around in just the pink cami beneath, he quickly backed off.

“You don’t really expect anything to happen between the two of us, do you?” I ask Mac.

“Nah. But it’s fun trying.” He slides his arm around my shoulders and smiles broadly. “I’ve never been allowed to flirt with you before.”

“Let’s take a picture,” Simone says from behind us.

I turn reluctantly, shifting my sunglasses higher on my nose. At least they cover half my face. Simone’s insistence on projecting my makeup-less image to all 112,000 of her followers feels personal, but of course it’s not. She needs this proof that her life is something to aspire to. There are thousands of people on Friendsta who put up travel photos taken with cameras much more high-tech than her phone. Her brand is all about lifestyle. And I, more than anyone, can respect the importance of branding. Anyway, Deiss’s refusal to appear in any social media has basically made it impossible for any of the rest of us to take such a stand. The last time I tried, Simone lost her temper. Apparently, we were ganging up on her and trying to make her look thirsty.

Mac swings his arms over our shoulders, pulling us into his sides as Simone frames the selfie. On the screen, I look washed out next to Mac’s striking features and Simone’s artfully applied makeup. My smile is real, though, widening as Mac turns and presses an unexpected kiss against Simone’s cheek.

He looks pleased by her resulting giggle.

“You want me, don’t you,” he says proudly. Before she can answer, he turns to me, waggling his eyebrows. His thumb begins to stroke my arm.

“Mac.” I try to keep my voice stern, but I can’t help laughing with Simone. It’s like being pawed by a puppy.

“I love this game,” Simone says brightly, snapping another picture. “I still don’t really understand what prompted it, but I’m game.”

“It’s all about the challenge,” I tell her, rolling my eyes. “This madness only started because Deiss overheard Phoebe and me saying we’d never mess up our friendships by getting romantically involved with Mac or Deiss.”

“But not really me,” Mac says to Simone. “I don’t count.”

“Of course you count,” I say.

“Well, yeah. For you.” Mac laughs. “Sorry. That was confusing. I meant I don’t count for Phoebe.”

Simone and I look at each other, then look slowly back to Mac.

“Phoebe was specifically talking about you, Mac,” I say.

“But Phoebe and I have slept together a thousand times,” he says.

“And then you broke up with her,” I say. “Remember? Five years ago? It’s why you don’t sleep together anymore.”

“Right,” he says. “But there’s nothing to stop us from getting back together.”

“It kind of sounds like there is, though, doesn’t it?” Simone sets an uncharacteristically gentle hand on Mac’s shoulder. “Isn’t that pretty much what Liv is saying?”

Mac looks at me with wide eyes.

“This is not a revelation,” I say. “You guys have been broken up for ages. All Phoebe said is that she wouldn’t do anything to risk your friendship.”

“Well, that’s good,” Mac says, although his face says something different. “She’s my best friend.”

“And you’re hers,” I say. “See? That’s not the kind of thing either of you would want to ruin.”

“Yeah.” Mac nods, but his eyes linger on Phoebe and Deiss. “I’m just going to go find out what they’re talking about.”

Simone and I stare after him together, and then Simone leans in closer.

“Do you have a bad feeling about that?” she asks.

I sigh down at the crocodile that is slowly moving away. “I don’t even know what just happened.”

“I think you just told him the love of his life had closed the door on him.”

“If she was the love of his life, he wouldn’t have broken up with her,” I say.