Every Girl Does It(34)

“I did, in my heart. I never really loved and cherished her. I just liked what I saw on the outside and the pleasure she brought me. I sure didn’t honor her with my actions or my thoughts, nor did I fight for her when she chose to go the other way. I should have fought.” He looks down at the sink and shrugs as he fills up his glass with water.

“She finalized the divorce, and I did nothing. Once I got my life back on track, I tried to make things right. It doesn’t help that my ex-best friend still works at the same station. I’ve been trying to get on at other ones, but it’s kinda hard with how competitive my job is.”

I look at him and try not to cry, but it's hard. I feel so sorry for him. And yes, I still want to kill Kristin for setting me up with a broken man, but I can’t blame her for thinking we could help each other. I still can’t help but think she knows more than she’s willing to say. I’ll have to ask her later but for now…

“I owe you an apology,” I say quietly.

“No, you don’t. I should’ve said something about the ex-wife to the new wife. It only makes sense.” He smiles widely at me, while I roll my eyes.

“I’m not marrying you,” I say again, this time even more unconvincingly.

“You will, we’re perfect for each other.” He then leans in and plants a soft and gentle kiss on my forehead.

“So who’s the ex best friend?” I ask curiously. “Anyone I know?”

Preston’s jaw clenches, he shakes his head, and abrubtly looks away, clearly giving the message that he doesn’t want to talk about it. “Don’t worry about it, panda.”

“Stupid fat bears,” I say, punching the pillow next to me.

“You’re not stupid and you’re not fat, we’ve been over this. Pandas are cute. Have you ever heard the panda story?” He asks curiously

“It makes me cry, so if you tell it, I’ll have to punch you in the face,” I say, smiling back at him.

“Deal,” he says as he swallows some more water.

I look at his lips and immediately feel dizzy as I remember the kiss under the waterfall. It was kind of romantic minus all that ex-wife and cheating talk. I sigh and flip on the TV.

“No,” Preston says, pulling the remote from my hands. “It’s basically a punishable crime to watch any sort of television in Hawaii.” Preston turns the TV off.

“Fine, what's your idea?” I say, feeling a little exhausted.

“Midnight swim, of course,” he says, jumping off the sofa and running toward his room.

I slowly get up and change into a different suit before following him out to the pool. It’s kind of nice. We’re the only two in the pool. Well, us and two old people who, I fear, might have strokes if they keep kissing like that.

“Gross,” Preston says as we swim past them.

“Come on, it's kind of cute.” I smile sheepishly as I stare at them. I mean, it’s a little gross they are all over each other, but how great is that? They still have that little spark.”

“Oh, I think it’s great. It's the public display of affection I don’t like. Get a room!” he yells before I laugh and shush him into the corner of the pool where you enter the hot tub.

I punch him in the arm and wade into the boiling water. The only time you can get into these things in Hawaii is when it’s night time, and even then it's sometimes a little sketchy.

I sit down on the nearest step and let out a relaxing sigh, That is, until I see something dark in the corner of my vision. Preston notices my panic as his eyes widen in realization as to what the object is.

“Amanda, don’t freak out. It’s okay just don’t freak out.” He’s leaning toward me slowly with a look on his face that I can only describe as pure terror. Oh my gosh, this is it. It has to be some sort of wild animal. It’s probably going to start gnawing on my neck any minute. Perfect. Well, at least I’ll die in Hawaii. So long, perfect world. I close my eyes as he quickly grabs the object and tosses it into the bushes. As soon as it’s gone, I jump into his arms shaking.

“What was that?” I ask in near hysterics.

“A leaf,” he answers, smiling.

I look at him expecting him to say, “haha I’m kidding”, when he just returns my stare with a blank one of his own. “Then why did you panic and get all big with your eyes?” I’m now pointing at his eyes and making giant movements with my hands.

“I thought it would be funny to see your reaction, then I felt bad because I could feel your heart beating through the water. I nearly thought it was going to stop. Sorry about that.” He laughs, still holding onto me tightly.

“Let go.” I pout, struggling to let myself go free.

“No,” he says, holding me tighter.

“I don’t like you,” I say, looking away from him like a small child.

“Oh, come on, Amanda. We both know you’re a terrible liar,” he says as he leans down toward my face. “Marry me.”

I roll my eyes. “I think you should stop trying to kiss me. It sends me mixed signals,” I say breathily as his lips barely touch mine. “You should probably stop proposing marriage, too. It’s getting weird.”

He lets me down and sits across from me in the hot tub. “There, is that better?” He lifts an eyebrow in question. “Tell me, Amanda, why do you think I’m sending you mixed signals?” He doesn’t wait for my answer, instead, he keeps talking, “I feel like I’ve been more than upfront about my intentions to marry you. Have I not?Just say yes.”His tone sounds teasing but I can’t be sure, not when his eyes are piercing through me like they are at this moment.