The Exception(17)

“Ah, yes. I mustn’t forget those.”

Walking into the bedroom, I put on my socks and shoes and then headed towards the door.

“Enjoy your day, Jillian,” I spoke before heading out.

“You too, Drew.”

After getting a new key to the suite, I stepped into the shower and let the hot water stream down my body. I couldn’t believe I got so drunk last night. That wasn’t my intention. All I could think about while I was at the bar was Jillian and how much I really liked her. The conversation from dinner the other night kept playing over and over in my mind and how she told us that she had rid men from her life. Now that I was single, there would be no way I could have a chance with her. She made it very clear that she was living in a man-free zone and that was something I would respect. I didn’t even know where her next destination was after Hawaii and the thought of her traveling alone bothered me.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist, checked my phone, and noticed there were six text messages from Jess.

“How could you do this to us?”

“I love you. I’m sorry.”

“I promise I’ll change. Please give me another chance.”

“Please, Drew.”

“I forgive you for the things you said to me.”

“I love you. Please.”

Sighing, I pulled up her contact info and blocked her. I had a feeling she was going to be a problem when I got back to New York. Thank God I never let her keep any of her things at my place.

****

Jillian

There was a part of me that couldn’t stop thinking about Drew. I had gotten the impression he did everything Jess wanted to do and nothing he wanted to. He made a comment at dinner the other night about swimming with the dolphins and I could tell that he really wanted to do it, so I had a thought. Changing into my bikini and throwing my hair up in a ponytail, I slipped on my cover-up and went up to Drew’s suite.

“Hey.” He smiled as he opened the door. “Come on in.”

I got up close to him and took a whiff of his body.

“What are you doing?” He laughed.

“Making sure you smell clean and free of alcohol.”

“Did I pass?”

“Yep. With flying colors.” I smiled. “Anyway, go put on your swim trunks.”

“Why?” He narrowed his eye.

“Because we’re going to go swim with the dolphins.”

“Seriously?” His grin grew wide.

“Seriously. Now get a move on because Juno is waiting for us.”

“Who’s Juno?” I asked as I walked to the bedroom.

“Our captain.”

We hopped into my rental car and I drove us to where Juno was waiting for us with his boat.

“Why are you doing this?” Drew asked.

“Doing what?”

“Taking me to swim with the dolphins.”

“I kind of got the impression that since you’ve been here, you have done everything Jess wanted to do and nothing you wanted to. At dinner the other night, you seemed really interested in swimming with the dolphins and she just kind of dismissed you. So I thought you should get the chance to do it while you’re here.” I looked over at him.

“That’s really nice of you. Again, thank you.” He placed his hand on my arm, and suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Just paying it forward and making your shitty time here a little less shitty.” I grinned.

“I appreciate it.” He laughed.

****

Drew

Swimming with the dolphins was the highlight of my entire trip. I had never experienced anything like it or the sense of peace that inhabited me. When we were finished, we headed back to the hotel.

“That was—”

“Magical?” Jillian smiled as she glanced over at me.

“Yes. Very magical. Listen, I was thinking. I want to thank you for such a great day, so I was hoping you’d agree to have dinner tonight.”

“You don’t have to take me to dinner, Drew.”

“I know I don’t. I want to.” I smiled. “I’m leaving tomorrow morning, so I thought one last dinner would be nice.”

The grin on her face widened. “Okay. Dinner it is. Just give me some time to shower and get ready.”

“How about I pick you up at six o’clock?”

“Six will be good.”

Walking into my suite, I headed to the bathroom and turned on the water for a shower. Spending the day with her was amazing and the things I’d felt for her before only intensified. Being with her and in her presence made me a happy man. I hadn’t felt this way in a very long time, if ever. Leaving tomorrow morning was going to be hard because I’d probably never see her again. It didn’t matter anyway; she was on a journey to find herself and I wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. For tonight, I would enjoy the next few hours spent with her and then tomorrow, it was back to reality with only the memory of a girl I met on a plane who enriched my life in such a short period of time.





Chapter Eleven


Jillian



Stepping out of the shower and slipping into my robe, I facetimed Kellan.

“Hey, you. How’s it going in Hawaii?”