Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(43)

“You all ready?” Alex asks, arriving to pick me up in his golf cart. Granger had organized for my bags to be taken to Nate’s private helicopter pad. He’s organized for us to use his helicopter to get back to the airport instead of the boat.

“I think so,” I say, letting out a small sigh as I step out of my gorgeous bungalow for the last time.

“You’re welcome back anytime,” Alex tells me with a smile as he helps me into the golf cart.

“Maybe, one day, I might be back.” The words come out, but I know I won’t.

We head off down the path back toward the rainforest in silence, each of us knowing that the bubble we have been living in is about to burst. We arrive at Nate’s private villa, and Alex walks out toward the helicopter pad with me following.

“I need you to know, Ivy, I’ll see you again, okay?” Alex states seriously as he cups my face with his hands.

“It’s okay if you can’t. I understand,” I tell him, not wanting him to make a promise I know he can’t keep.

“You seriously think that once you get on that helicopter that I’m going to forget you?” he asks me.

Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.

“I’ll come find you when I get home. Mark my words,” he reiterates again, seriously. “Is that okay?”

“Yes,” I answer because I do want him to keep his promise, but I’m also worried about getting my hopes up. Alex’s face lights up, and he pulls me in for a passionate kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck, committing to memory every moment, every smell, everything that is Alex.

A throat clears behind us, and we break apart quickly.

Nate and Camryn are standing there.

Nate’s eyes narrow on his brother, and Camryn’s widen with delight.

“Didn’t see you there, brother.” Alex smirks as his hand never leaves my side. My cheeks pinken as if we’ve been caught red-handed by our parents.

“Your ride has arrived,” Nate tells us.

“Your chariot awaits, milady.” Alex chuckles as he grabs my hand and walks me across the grassy area toward the helicopter. My heart thuds in time to the helicopter blades the closer I get. Alex picks me up and places me in the helicopter, then kisses me roughly, and I soak him in as much as I can. Then he shuts the helicopter’s door, returns to a safe distance, and gives me a simple wave.

My stomach sinks as the pilot asks us to put our headphones on, and moments later, the helicopter takes off, and Alex disappears into the tiniest of specks below.

And just like that, he’s gone, replaced by the green of the rainforest then the blue of the ocean.

It’s a super quick trip over to the mainland, where the airport is located.

Nate has generously given us the use of his private jet to take us to the next island where a larger plane takes off from.

We land at the small airport and are ushered straight toward the private jet that’s waiting for us. Well, this is the life. I’m thankful for not having to go back via the boat, especially with the way my stomach is swirling around with anxiety. Honestly, I’d probably be seasick.

Camryn and I take our seats and settle into the buttery soft leather.

“So, you and Alex, hey?” Camryn asks.

“Yeah. It’s been amazing.”

“You like him?” she questions.

I do. I really do, but I’m so scared to admit it to her. “It was fun. But I think once you leave the bubble of that island, whatever you had on there doesn’t exist anymore. Don’t you think?” I ask, turning to her.

My sister is lost in her thoughts.

Is she thinking about her and Nate?

“I guess it’s called Paradise for a reason,” she adds with a shrug of the shoulders.

“You think that’s what happened to Axel and Olivia?” I ask, genuinely curious over her thoughts about the situation.

“Liv’s father has been sick, so I guess it’s no surprise he’s ended up in the hospital.”

“Do you think Axel and her will survive it, though? She took a risk going to LA with Axel. She loves him.”

“Honestly, no. I don’t think they’re going to make it?” Camryn states quite seriously.

I stare at her wide-eyed in shock. “Why?”

“Olivia is loyal to her family. Plus, they come from such different worlds.”

This is all true, but I was kind of hoping they would make it. Liv deserves happiness and to make it with the man she loves.

“Opposites attract,” I add, sticking up for my friend.

“Yeah. But usually, it doesn’t come with hundreds of years of family history and tradition and a man who’s the most famous man in the world,” Camryn explains pragmatically.

“But they love each other.”

“Love doesn’t conquer all, Ivy.”

“That’s so cynical, Camryn.” I know love doesn’t conquer all, all the time, but it must have at least once, or why else would the saying exist. I also don’t want Cam’s recent history with her ex clouding what she might have with Nate. Both of us can’t be cynical bitches, that would be sad.

“It’s called being a realist,” Camryn answers, her tone indicating she seems annoyed by the conversation.

“So, what about you and Nate, then?” I ask, changing the subject.