Archie nods, then says, “Ian and I may do the Blue Grotto if the weather is nice. You’re welcome to join.”

“Okay. And if not tomorrow, let’s definitely get together before we leave,” I say, thinking I’m not sure it’s going to be a love connection, but I’m glad we met and would love to stay in touch.

As the elevator doors open, Archie smiles, then leans down and kisses my cheek. “Nighty night, Hannah,” he says.

Chapter 21

Lainey

Something is happening between Tyson and me. It feels like a gravitational pull, though I’m having trouble figuring out if it’s one-sided or mutual. Whatever the case, it grows stronger the more I drink and the later it gets. I want to be near him in a way that I’ve never felt before. It makes no sense. It makes even less sense that I find myself feeling territorial and a little jealous as Tyson dances with the gorgeous woman he first spotted in town yesterday. He actually turned his head and did a double take both times he saw her. I can’t say I blame him. She looks like a runway model.

My jealousy takes me by complete surprise. I’m never jealous when it comes to guys—or really anything. It’s an unfamiliar and uncomfortable emotion, and I do my best to make it go away.

Ian provides an excellent distraction. He’s not nearly as handsome as Archie, but with cool tattoos and a beard, he has a certain grungy sex appeal. He’s also a surprisingly good dancer.

As I feel myself approaching wasted territory, Tyson brings me a large glass of water and tells me to drink it.

“You said you wouldn’t judge,” I say, taking it from him and chugging it.

“I’m not judging. I just don’t want to clean up puke tonight.” He smiles.

“Fair enough,” I say, kissing his cheek, then drinking the rest of the glass.

“Where’s Amore?” I say.

“She left.”

“Did you get her number?”

“As a matter of fact, I did.”

“Look at you!” I say, punching his shoulder, then stumbling a bit.

“Easy there,” he says, grabbing my elbow and steadying me.

A few minutes later, he brings me a second glass of water. This time he hands it off to Ian and says, “Make sure she drinks that, please.”

“Will do,” Ian says.

Tyson thanks him, then turns and walks back to the bar.

“Are you sure he doesn’t fancy you?” Ian asks as he gives me the water.

“He one hundred percent doesn’t fancy me,” I say, charmed by the expression. “He’s just a bit overprotective.”

Ian raises his eyebrows and says, “And you’ve never been together?”

“Never,” I say. “Not once.”

“Hmm,” he says, smirking at me. “He’s a better man than me.”

I look at Ian, thinking, Well, duh. Tyson is better than everyone.

—

By the time we leave, I’ve had a test run with Ian, making out with him in a dark corner of the bar. He’s a good kisser, more than meeting my expectations. As the guys hail us a cab, I tell Hannah that I think we should both go back to their hotel with them.

She gives me an uncertain look.

“You don’t like him?”

“I haven’t decided,” she says.

“Could’ve fooled me,” I say with a laugh. “C’mon, Han. Tyson will give me shit if I try to go there without you.”

Hannah nods and says okay.

But when we pull up to our hotel, I feel that damn pull again. As Tyson gets out of the taxi, I suddenly change my mind. All I want to do is follow him.

I say good night, quickly jumping out of the car.

—

When I catch up with Tyson in the lobby, he seems nonplussed. I do my best to get a reaction from him on the elevator, but it doesn’t work, and as we walk back into our room, Tyson informs me that he’s going to take a shower.

I raise my eyebrows and smile. “A cold shower?”

“No, Lainey,” he says slowly, like he’s speaking to a child. “A regular one.”

I kick off my wedges, watching as he pulls a pair of basketball shorts and an old UVA T-shirt out of his duffel, then heads toward the bathroom.

“Leave the door unlocked in case I need to get in there,” I call after him.

He mumbles okay, and a second later, I hear the door shut and the shower turn on.

Feeling antsy, I connect my Spotify to the speaker in the room, looking for something to set the right mood. I go with Noah Kahan, then open the balcony doors, inhaling the scent of the sea.

Meanwhile, I try to gauge my buzz. I still feel it, but it’s starting to fade, so I head over to the minibar, open an airplane-size bottle of vodka, and take a long swig. Better, I think, then figure I might as well finish it.

I take the last swallow, then reach around to unzip my dress. After stepping out of it, I take off my strapless bra and thong, debating what to put on. I select a short black nightgown that I think will get Tyson’s attention but then decide I’d like a quick shower, too.

I walk over to the bathroom, open the door, and say, “You almost done in there?”

“Yeah,” Tyson yells back. “Give me two minutes.”

“Okay,” I say, glancing at the glass shower door, now completely fogged by steam.

I stand there, leaning naked against the sink, waiting for him to come out and see me. I know he’ll accuse me of being an exhibitionist—which I guess I kind of am.