Chapter 16

After a full day of touring museums and the local pub, Rai and Z returned to his cabin.

He had a meat and cheese platter delivered to his room, along with fresh fruit and a bottle of Borolo. She dried her hair as she strolled from the bathroom to find Z staring out of the open window. The sea breeze carried his scent. Without a word, she sat on a chair beside him. He handed her a glass of wine.

They drank in continued silence. Neither of them were very hungry; either because of the beer and hog wings they ate earlier or the dismal mood clouding their evening. It was their last night, and she didn’t want it to end.

“I had a good time, today,” she said, hoping to lighten his spirits.

The smile on his face brightened his response. “That was my goal, sweetling.”

Sweetling, she repeated internally. No one had ever called her that before. Just then, she felt that old familiar pang in the pit of her chest. “Z, perhaps I should stay in my cabin tonight. Both of—”

“No!” His sharp reply ma