Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(86)

Olivia pulls her phone back, reads Axel’s message, and her cheeks instantly turn bright red. “Yeah, you weren’t supposed to see that one. See … the things I do for you.” She grins. “And I told you he’d be miserable, so what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know,” I tell her honestly.

“You do, but you’re scared. I get it. Look at the mess my life became because I didn’t stand up and fight for what I truly wanted. Do you see a future for you and Alex?” she asks seriously.

“I did till the attack, but now I don’t see anything.”

“Oh, babe,” she says, pulling me to her. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all this practically alone. You, Ivy Starr, are one of the smartest, loving, giving, wonderful, caring, beautiful, funny, and a heap of other descriptive words that I can’t think of at the moment … women I know. You deserve happiness, love, and a happily ever after.”

“Love you, Livvy.”

“Love you, Ivy,” she says as we hug each other tightly.





I’ve been staring at my phone for the past twenty minutes wondering what the hell I’m going to say to Alex. Would he even want to speak to me after I pushed him away?

The first thing I do is click unblock on his phone number.

See, that wasn’t so hard was it? First step done.

Don’t overthink it just send something.

Ivy: Good luck with the opening today.

There, done.

Sent.

As I throw the phone away from me as if it’s on fire, it beeps, and I scramble to pick it up.

Axel: Wish you were here.

He’s sent a picture of him looking out over the turquoise blue of the ocean. Then another photograph, and it’s a picture of his wrist wearing a black bracelet.

Axel: It means staff, no play. If you were wondering.

I hold the phone to my chest and smile widely. I shouldn’t feel giddy over that, but I am. I take a picture of my feet under the covers and send it to him.

Ivy: Boring life for me, tea and a book before bed.

Alex: I know where I would rather be.

Ivy: You do?

Alex: Next to you in bed, trying to warm up your freezing toes.

Ivy: I can’t help my cold toes. Not my fault you’re a nuclear water bottle.

I can’t stop smiling.

Alex: I’ve missed this.

Ivy: You have?

Alex: Yeah. I’ve felt a piece of me is missing.

Tears well in my eyes at his sweetness.

Ivy: Even if the piece that’s missing is a little broken?

Alex: Luckily, I have broken pieces too.

I miss him so much.

I know I should never have pushed him away.

Ivy: I miss your pieces.

Alex: I miss yours too.

Alex: Can I call you?

I stare down at my phone, my heart thundering in my chest as my thumb hovers over the call button. Screw it. I press call, and he picks up within one ring.

“I didn’t think you would say yes.”

“I wasn’t sure you wanted to speak to me.”

“What? No. Never. I wanted to give you time.”

He sounds so relieved at hearing my voice.

“Thank you, I’m sorry I blocked you.”

“I understood you needed time. But I am sorry I couldn’t be there for you,” he says.

Damn him for being so nice about all this.

“I started intense therapy since getting back from Dubai. I’ve taken some time off work to work on myself and deal with everything I haven’t been dealing with,” I tell him honestly.

“Well, that’s good. I’m guessing it’s working as we’re speaking.” He chuckles.

“Guess it is. I never hated you, Alex. I simply cocooned myself away.”

“You don’t have to apologize for reacting the way you did. I get it.”

“You’re being awfully nice about the whole breakup.”

“That’s because I’m a patient man. And I lived in the hope that you would one day come back to me and remember how good we were together.”

“We were good, weren’t we?” I smile.

“The best,” he adds.

“Guess we will see how things go when you get back.”

“Really?” His voice rises with hope.

“Yeah. I made a mistake pushing you away, and I’m sorry. I miss you,” I tell him honestly.

“You do?” He still sounds like he can’t quite believe it, and I feel like shit that I’ve made him doubt my feelings for him.

“I do.”

“That’s it! I’m getting on the next plane off this island.”

“Wait! No, you can’t do that. You can’t miss the grand opening. You’ve all worked so hard on it. My sister has worked hard on it. I’ll still be here when you get back, I promise.”

“If I leave tomorrow, is that too soon?” he asks, chuckling.

“You’re crazy. I’ll see you when I see you,” I tell him.

“Fine!” I can practically see his eyes rolling. “See you soon, babe,” he says.

“Have fun. Congratulations on the opening. I’ll be here when you get back.”

And with that, we say our goodbyes, and I fall back against my pillows and sigh happily.