by M. Clarke
Shelly texted me toward the end of the show, sending me pictures of Emma in her onesie PJs. She also sent a video of Emma taking a bath. I smiled as I watched her splash water and play with her toys. I couldn’t wait to actually bring her home. Isla had peeked over when the message notification kept flashing on my phone. Afraid she might catch a glimpse of Emma, I slowly moved my phone away from Isla, trying not to make it obvious.
Shelly and I had exchanged numbers before I left. There were many other things I did before I left. I changed Emma’s diaper for the first time and even fed her. Those tasks didn’t come easily for me, but in time they would. Holy motherfucker. I’m a dad! That thought blew my mind as I tried to wrap my mind around my new reality.
I had to start telling my friends, but when? During the Hawaii trip. Yes. That would be a good time. But why did I feel so nervous? Because, you idiot, having a child is huge.
Isla went upstairs instead of staying down to chat with me as usual. I understood. Though it seemed she buried the awkwardness, the slow slide of scooting away from me, keeping her hands close to her, and the stiffness of her muscles around me proved she stilled harbored some of it. I stifled an irate groan. I had to figure things out quick.
Emma fast asleep on her crib was the last picture Shelly sent me before I headed to bed. As I turned off the lights, except for the lamp by my bed, I checked my social sites.
Knight Fashion: Votes are coming in. Vote for Sexiest Model of the Year #KnightFashion
Mine: I’ve been nominated for Sexiest Model of the Year. Don’t forget to vote. #KnightFashion
Under my post were hundreds of comments.
@Josh I voted for you.
@Josh I want to marry you.
@Josh You’re the hottest model alive.
@Josh I love your tattoos.
I scrolled through my friends’ posts, and Isla’s popped up first. She had changed her profile picture to the picture of us. I smiled and recalled when we took that picture at my parent’s cabin during the couple trap for Nathan and Olivia. It kind of flopped, but at the end we succeeded in getting them back together.
Don’t forget to vote for #Josh. The Sexiest Model of the Year. #KnightFashion.
Nathan, Olivia, Jackson, and a few other friends had posted similar posts as well, and their friends shared their posts. It had gone viral and international. I had no idea who was in the lead, but the love and support meant a great deal to me. I had never felt that from my parents, and by then, I didn’t give a fuck. The thoughts of my parents had been shoved to the side. I would have to deal with them after I came back from Hawaii. And I had a mouthful to say to them.
Chapter 11
Isla
The week had flown by. I had passed the time with Olivia, shopping and catching up on movies since neither of us had a project. Josh, on the other hand, had been gone all day and came home after dinner. Where had he gone? He’d told me he didn’t have any assignments. The name Shelly popped in my mind. No. I shouldn’t care. It was none of my business. He had the right to go out with friends or date whoever he wanted without reporting to me.
Having Josh gone most of the days for the entire week gave us time away from one another, to reflect and get us back to the way we were. But when Josh drove me to the airport, and we were forced to be together in a small space, it became quiet and awkward. I only agreed to go to the airport with him because I needed our friendship to get back to normal, and I needed to make an effort. Things got better when Nathan and Olivia hooked up with us at the airport. When we got on the plane, Josh and I sat right behind Nathan and Olivia.
Olivia twisted to face me, her blonde locks falling partially over her eye, peeking through the space between her and Nathan. “I love it when we travel for work.”
“First class, baby.” I blew her a kiss, and we both giggled. Olivia turned back to Nathan, and I dug my fingers into my cushion seat.
“You nervous?” Josh nudged his shoulder to mine, and then he crinkled his nose and stuck out his tongue to distract me.
I snorted at his goofy expression. “Something new you’re learning about me,” I pointed out.
“Do not fear. I have wings. So if something happens to this plane, I’ll carry the plane and everyone inside to safety. They call me Super Josh.” He waggled his thick eyebrows.
“Super dork is more like it.” I waggled mine.
“Super dork.” Nathan echoed, chuckling.
Josh reached over and shoved Nathan’s head. “You’re super dork number two, so I wouldn’t laugh if I were you.”
“Hey, not the hair.” Nathan moved from side to side, ducking Josh’s hand.
“We’re taking off,” I yelped softly, my voice catching in my throat. It was the first time Josh and I had flown together. He had no idea how much I hated the takeoff and landing, but in the air I was fine.
Josh rested his hand over mine, concern filling his eyes. “Are you okay?”
Heat flared up my arm, and lightning tingles shot straight to my heart from Josh’s touch. I stared at his hand and quivered. My skin recalled where his hands had been on my body. Air slowly seeped through my lungs, and there wasn’t enough oxygen in the plane to release the tightness I felt. Breathe! Breathe! Breathe!
“I’m okay,” I squeaked, closing my eyes as the plane took off.
“Stop trying to be Super Isla. You can lean on me.” Josh coiled his arm around me and held me close.
My head fit perfectly in the crook of his neck and shoulder. Oh God. Inhaling the scent of his cologne, I relaxed and let Josh comfort me. At that moment, I knew our friendship would mend back together with time, or I hoped. He seemed to be back to his old self, and I told myself to do the same. You can do this, Isla. Be mature about it.
During the ride, Josh watched an action movie, and I watched a romance one. At times we chatted with Nathan and Olivia. When we landed, I pretended to be fine even though I wasn’t. I didn’t want to be back in Josh’s arms again. The warmth of him and his strong arms holding me dizzied me, and the hurt I tried to mend spiraled back up. My emotions bounced up and down like a yo-yo.
Hawaii’s airport was smaller and less chaotic than the one in Los Angeles. A light wind blew puffy clouds across a dazzling blue sky. Temperatures were neither too cold nor too hot for winter weather. The airport attendees were helpful, warm, and welcoming. So far, I loved Hawaii.
“It’s so easygoing here.” Olivia inhaled a deep breath. “And the air is so fresh.” She wore the perfect outfit: a flowery sundress that complemented her blonde hair and lavender flip-flops. Nathan wore a Hawaiian shirt with a matching pattern.
After five minutes, Nathan and Josh came back with our suitcases.
“That was quick,” I said, reaching for two of mine from Josh.
“Our driver is parked on the other side.” Josh gestured with his head. “We spotted him when we retrieved our bags.”
I followed Josh toward a young man who held a sign that read Knight Fashion models.
“Hi,” Josh said. “We’re with Knight Fashion. There are four of us. Can you take us to the hotel, or do we have to wait for the others?”
The man respectfully said, “The other models arrived on an earlier flight. I can take you now.”
“Great,” Nathan said. “Lead the way.”
The man stopped at a black stretch limo, the biggest one I’d ever seen. After he put our bags away in the trunk, we got inside. Talk about first class—leather seats, a mini bar, and a refrigerator.
The ride so far seemed smooth. The mountains, rolling hills, trees, and the tall green grass rooted for miles and miles along the highway took my breath away. Immediately my tension disappeared, and peace flowed through me. No tall buildings and no cars backed up from street to street. I couldn’t wait to explore the beautiful island. About forty minutes later, we arrived at Sheraton in the city of Kona. We checked in while the porter took our bags to our room.
“Look at that pool,” Josh said, as we headed for the
elevator. “Oh, wait. That’s the family pool and…” He pointed to the other one. “That looks like the adults-only pool.”
“We should go swimming after we unpack,” Nathan suggested, glancing over his shoulder at us. “I take that back. We should eat dinner first. I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Olivia cooed, taking his hand.
Nathan unhooked his hand, draped his arm around her, pulling her closer. “I can eat you instead.” He nipped her neck. Olivia squealed, her body wiggling.
“Gross. Get a room.” Josh rolled his eyes.
“We are.” Nathan glanced over his shoulder again, his hazel eyes bright and mischievous, and a smirk played along his face.
Josh gave me his signature goofy grin, as he matched his stride with mine and whispered, “Gross. Gross. Gross.”
I giggled, feeling our friendship almost back to normal, though my heart thumped out of my chest from his closeness. After we went our separate ways to our rooms on the same floor, we met back out in twenty minutes and sauntered to the restaurant in the hotel. Just as we settled ourselves at our table, Logan, Carter, Mia, and Avery entered. When they saw us, they waved, headed our way with the waitress, and stopped at our table. The waitress set the menus on the table and left.
“Did you arrive recently?” Logan asked, his blue eyes beaming at me. Though the question was for all of us, it felt like he asked me specifically. Finally, he met everyone’s eyes.
“We did,” Nathan answered. “Did you want to join us?”
Logan looked to the rest of the group. When they nodded, he shrugged. “Sure.” Then he asked the waitress to put the two tables together. After that was done, they settled in the empty seats as the waitress took our drink orders. Logan sat next to me. Five minutes later, the waitress came back with everyone’s drinks.
Josh rested his elbow on the table, leaning forward to make eye contact with the other side of the table. “How was everyone’s flight?”
“Bumpy. I hate turbulence,” Avery grumbled, her red lipstick staining her drink glass when she took a sip.
“That’s too bad.” Josh sounded like a father consoling a child, and then he leaned into me. “Her personality is like the turbulence,” Josh whispered so only I could hear.
I almost choked on my drink. Suppressing my laugh, I lightly elbowed Josh’s arm. “We had a smooth ride,” I said and then scrolled down the menu.
“That’s nice,” Avery said nonchalantly. She checked herself with a compact mirror, adjusting her blonde hair.
“She’s going to break that mirror,” Josh said to me quietly. “It’s probably already cracked. She’s the wicked queen in disguise.”
“Stop it,” I grunted through my teeth playfully, and that time I couldn’t hold it in. I snorted, but I covered my mouth with my hand to muffle the sound.
“Have you seen Matthew and Max?” Mia asked, her hazel eyes sparkling.
“No, we haven’t.” Olivia rested her head on Nathan’s shoulder.
Carter waggled his brows, running his fingers through his dark hair. “We have.”
“I wish I was Becky or Jenna,” Mia said, giggling. “I wonder if their family will stop by the shooting location?”
“Highly unlikely.” Logan rested his arm around my chair, his body almost touching mine.
The scent of alcohol whiffed through my nose when Logan locked his eyes with mine and asked, “Would you like to have a drink with me after dinner? Just you and me?”
I gazed into Logan’s ocean-blue eyes, up his perfect, slicked back dark hair, down the curvature of his cheekbones, and then along his square manly jawline. Like Josh, Logan had that bad boy attraction, and he was luring me in. A part of me felt guilty, but I had no reason to be. Josh and I were just friends. I could date whomever I wanted. He had no hold over me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Seems like you already started the party without me.”
His lips tugged so perfectly, showing off his white straight model teeth. “I was just warming up for you.”
Logan’s body curled into me, as his other free arm rested on the table. If he twisted a little bit more, his muscular body would engulf me. His ripped bicep twitched as his fingers slowly brushed up and down his glass. I swallowed a nervous, quivering lump down my throat, imagining what his hands would feel like on me. Maybe they would help me forget about Josh? No, I wouldn’t string him along. It wasn’t right to play with people’s hearts.
“What’s it going to be, Isla?” he asked, his tone laced with all kinds of sexy.
I caved at the simple invitation and promise of something more. “Sure,” I replied with the same smooth flirty tone.
Logan’s lips spread to his ears. “Good answer. Hawaii gave us three more hours. We have more time to get to know each other.” He caressed the side of my hair away from my strapless sundress, his finger trailing over the bare skin on my shoulder.
I froze, shocked by how much I liked it. We gained three hours. I didn’t like the time difference, but something about the island—a natural euphoric drug—forced me to relax. When I turned back to our friends, their eyes were glued behind me.
“Mr. Knight.” Josh got up, and we followed suit.
Matthew flashed a warm grin. Wearing shorts and a button-up shirt with a palm tree pattern, he fit right in. “Please. Don’t get up on my account.” He shook our hands one by one, meeting our gazes. “I hope the accommodations are to your liking?”
“Yes,” we chorused.
“The island is breathtaking,” I added.
“And this hotel is amazing,” Josh threw in.
“The food is outstanding, especially their seafood,” Logan muttered.
Matthew patted Logan’s back. “I knew you would say that, Logan. I don’t know anyone else who loves food much as you.”
Logan chuckled and looked at me. “There are other things I love too.”
Matthew gave a curt nod. “Good. Well, enjoy the rest of your evening. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.” With that he left, leaving behind Mia, Avery, and even Carter still staring after the fine specimen.
The waitress came by with our food to break their spell, and our conversation continued. After dinner, Logan and I were supposed to go for a drink, but we all decided to hang out by the pool.
Chapter 12
Josh
The second Logan entered the restaurant his eyes beamed, settling on Isla. My jaw clenched, but I stopped myself from showing any kind of dislike. I had no reason to feel that way. I didn’t know him well, but his interest in Isla made me jealous.
I wanted to have a quiet dinner, just the four of us, so I could tell them about my daughter, but when Logan’s group joined us, every word I had practiced in my head crashed to the shore. It wasn’t going to happen that night. Besides, we were tired from the trip, and the three-hour time change wouldn’t help our jet-lag situation. Tomorrow. I would tell them tomorrow. And I would watch how Isla reacted to me having a child. That would be the ultimate test whether she and I should remain friends or move on to the next level.
My jaw tightened when Logan sat next to Isla and placed one arm possessively around her chair, but I kept my cool and didn’t glance their way. Nathan kicked me under the table, and when my eyes met his, he tilted his head toward Logan.
I scowled, but Nathan knew that expression was meant for Logan, and since I couldn’t let Logan know how I felt, I had to get it out somehow.
After we finished eating, we agreed to hang out at the bar by the pool. We’d planned to swim after dinner but decided not to since we had to be up early in the morning for the swimwear shoot.
The white full moon glowed, backed by the twinkling stars against the black sky. Emma’s mobile came to mind—the way the moon and the star rotated in her crib and played “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Emma had been on my mind since the second I left her. She possessed every second of my life. I wondered if she ate all her baby food. I wondered if she had a good nap. I wonder
ed what toys she played with and which book Shelly read to her. And I couldn’t believe I was a father.
After we settled at the bar, the soft breeze tickled my skin. Families swam together in one pool while adults swam in the adults-only pool. Fun, upbeat music filled the air, creating a relaxing atmosphere. And as I took my first sip of beer, I inhaled a deep breath as I stared out into the water, glistening with reflected moonlight.
Isla’s laughter caught my attention, resonating through my body and warming my heart. God, I loved her laugh. When I turned my stool around to face her, my heart skipped a beat. Her gorgeous auburn hair tousled around her face in the soft breeze, and her eyes glistened under the outside lamp like emeralds. Her sexy, coy smile shone brighter than the stars. I could have framed that pose, and I did in my mind, until my eyes shifted to the guy next to her.
I frowned at the sight of Logan, leaning too close for comfort. His hand touched Isla’s shoulder, arm, and every part of her bare flesh. Isla flirted back, and I didn’t know why that bothered me. I was the one who said we could only be friends. Didn’t I? Oh, hell, I couldn’t recall what I had said the night we made out. It all seemed like a blur.
“If you don’t figure things out with Isla soon, there’ll be nothing to figure out.” Sitting next to me, Nathan whispered harshly in my ear.
I bumped my knee to his as I rolled my eyes. “I got it. But what if she doesn’t want a child in her life?” I replied so only he could hear.
“Ouch!” Nathan yelped.
“Nathan. Are you okay?” Olivia jumped to her feet and examined him.
Nathan grabbed Olivia between his legs and wrapped her in his arms. “I’m more than okay now that you’re here. But Josh did hurt my poor knee.” He pouted.
Olivia giggled at first and then pretended to be mad at me. “How could you, Josh? I trusted you.”
