Page 32 of What I Like About You

“Um, no. Guys like Tripp Sutherland are not attracted to girls like me.”

“Zee, you’re stunning. I know you know that. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret.”

“Do tell…”

“I know he said some seriously reprehensible things, and I know he crushed your soul in the process. But, I’ve never believed that he meant them.”

“Come again?” she said. Suddenly she was thankful that Rue had wrapped her up so tight she was unable to move. Had she been able to wiggle even the slightest bit, she might have just fallen off the table.

“Obviously I’d never met him until the other day, but from all the stories you’ve told me, I have a hard time believing that anyone who would have done all those things with you, for you, would have really been doing it just to get in your pants. I’ve done a lot of things to get laid, but I have never bought anyone a custom dress.”

“You’ve never bought anyone a drink, much less anything else,” she laughed.

“Touché, but not the point. I think fate is giving you a second chance here, and you need to take it. That is, unless you don’t still want him.”

She was silent for a moment, trying to choose her words carefully. Oh, who was she kidding? This was Antwan—he was going to see through any lie she told, so she might as well fess up.

“I don’t think I ever stopped wanting him," she admitted. “But what if he hurts me again?”

“What if he doesn’t?” he countered.

They spent the rest of the treatment in silence, Zara’s mind chewing on Antwan’s question. What if it didn’t end in hurt this time? That was, providing Antwan was right about Dalton wanting her in the first place. But after that kiss last night, he must have wanted her on some level, right?

Once they had finished their treatments, they made plans to clean up and meet in the spa lobby to spend the rest of the afternoon at the pool. The resort’s signature bonfire event was that night after dinner, and Zara was looking forward to seeing what all the hype was about. A s’mores bar never hurt a situation either.

“Oh, Zara!” Drea called out as they walked by the check-in desk.

Zara turned to look her way and came face to face with a stunning bouquet of white lilies and red hibiscus. The flowers were arranged beautifully in what appeared to be a handmade basket and were incredibly fragrant. She took the basket from Drea, inhaling the beautiful scents as she did.

“What’s this?” Zara asked.

“There’s a note,” Drea said, smirking, while handing her a small note card.

Turning to Antwan to hand off the flowers, she took the note from Drea, her stomach doing somersaults wondering what it said.

Zara -

You used to tell me that without the darkness, we’d never see the stars. We’ve been surrounded by darkness for a long time, how about we go searching for those stars?

Meet me where we first chose to trust each other, and let me prove you can trust me once more…

~ Tripp

Zara sucked in a breath as her mind immediately took her back to that summer on Tybee Island. Their families had summered together on Tybee since their parents had been newlyweds, and this one was no different. At seven years old, Dalton was already full of charisma and confidence and had no problem letting his playful personality shine. Zara, on the other hand, had very little of that assurance in herself and was more than happy to sit back and let him take the lead.

While she always enjoyed their summers at the beach, Zara had been terrified of getting into the water. Even though everyone else rushed for the water without hesitation, the farthest she’d been able to get in was her ankles. The idea of being swept out to sea consumed her for some reason, and no matter what she did, the thought of even one inch farther left her paralyzed. Dalton had made it his mission to get her all the way in that summer and wasn’t going to give up.

“Just take my hand. I’ll hold it the whole time, promise,” he said, standing in the surf, holding out his hand toward her.

Zara shook her head furiously. “No, what if I pull you down with me?”

“I trust you won’t. Will you trust me to not let go?”

Swallowing hard, she nodded and took his hand. She’d held on tighter than she’d ever held anyone’s hand before as they slowly shuffled deeper into the salty water. Her heart raced the deeper they got, but true to his word, Dalton didn’t let go. When they were well past their waists, a piece of seaweed brushed up against her leg, startling her. She shrieked and let go of Dalton’s hand, but before she could worry about the loss of contact, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

“I got you. You can always trust me, Zara. Always.”

A tear trickled slowly down her cheek as she remembered those words. She’d always been able to trust him, no matter what. Right up until that night. But maybe Antwan was right, and fate was giving them another chance to get this right and to learn to trust each other again.