Reine changed into a swimsuit and joined the other Islanders for the boat briefing. Afterward, the boat departed, and everyone dispersed. Reine found Seb hanging out on the loungers and plunked herself down beside him.

“Oh, hey, Reine,” he reached over to give her a quick hug. “This is gonna be a cool holiday.”

“Mine is getting off to a rough start,” Reine murmured.

“How do you mean?” Seb asked.

“They put us in the same room,” Reine said.

“Yikes, seeing each other like that was probably awkward,” Seb said, giving her a concerned look. “Did you talk to him?”

“Not really,” Reine said, “He didn’t want to tell anyone about our issues, so I took care of it so as per usual. It would have been awkward to continue sharing considering the circumstances.”

“Tell me what the actual issues are,” Seb said. 

“Our relationship failed for two reasons: First, he moved in with me right away because that was what I wanted, but he never told me it wasn’t what he wanted. This brings me to the second reason. He never stands up for himself or me.” Reine said, “I always have to stand up for both of us. Everyone else walks all over him. But when I confronted him about it, he finally drew a line in the sand against me. He said he would leave, and I told him it was probably best and haven’t spoken until today. So good on him, I guess, for getting some backbone.”

Seb reached over and squeezed her arm. “That sucks. If Ciaran doesn’t appreciate you, he’s a plonker. You’re a catch.”

“Ben set me up on a date a couple of weeks ago,” Reine admitted. “No sparks, but it was fun to get out again. But enough about me, what’s going on with you?”

Sometime later, Nicky’s voice came over the intercom. “Hey, former Islanders, we are taking a quick detour into port so we can go paddle boarding!”

Reine looked over at Seb, “I feel so lazy, but that sounds like fun.” The boat jolted as it docked.

“Paddleboarding?” Seb asked.

“Let’s go!” Reine said, grabbing his hand.

The hot sand under Reine’s feet made her wonder what the weather was in London. She checked the weather app on her phone, and–it’s raining. Reine grinned, suckers.

Reine was topping off her suncream when Tai walked over. “You want me to get your back?” 

Reine smiled, “Please.” Tai gently but firmly rubbed the suncream onto her back. Reine rolled her shoulders. “Thanks.”

“You’re awful tense,” Tai murmured, “Everything OK?” 

“It’s been a rough couple of weeks, but it’s over,” Reine whispered, giving him a small smile. “I have a feeling things are going to get better now.” 

She looked at the paddleboards propped up in the sand. “those things look massive.” Tai and AJ walked toward them. 

“No!” Elladine called out. “Don’t touch them yet! The teacher’s not here!” She glanced at her watch, and a furrow of worry creased her brow. “Where is he?”

Tai and AJ lift their paddleboards easily. “I said no touching!” Elladine’s voice was shrill.

“Babe, relax. We know what we are doing,” AJ explained.

“Heck ya!” Tai said, “I love paddleboarding. My dad taught me when I was a kid. Even now, when I visit home, there’s no better way to start the morning than watching a sunrise from the open ocean.”

“That does sound lovely,” Reine said.

“But what about AJ?” Miki asked. 

“My old hockey coach told me it would help with balance,” AJ said. “I kind of fell in love with it.”

Reine walked over to grab a board but was stopped by Tai. “You only get to touch the board once you’ve mastered the basics.”

“I thought that was Elladine just being… Elladine.” Iona said. 

The rest of the Islanders laughed as Elladine’s mouth dropped open, but then she thought about it for a moment before she chuckled and nodded, “That’s fair. This isn’t funny though the teacher is so late.”

“I don’t think he’s coming, babe,” Nicky said with a grim look. Everyone is quiet. 

Tai cleared his throat, “Me and AJ can teach the class.”

“Ooh, yeah, that would be so much fun!” AJ squealed.

“Think that’s a great idea,” Bill said.

“These boards are bigger than the ones I’m used to,” AJ admitted. 

“That’s because they are two-person boards,” Tai said.

“Oh, is that bad?” Elladine asked. “I thought it would be a cute couple thing.” She shot Reine an apologetic glance. 

“It’s fine!” Tai said, “The basics will remain the same.”

“All right, former Islanders. Everyone get into pairs.” AJ directed. 

“You will get up close and personal with your partners, so make sure you are comfortable with that,” Tai explained.

Reine glanced over to see who might be available. Ciaran was talking to Iona, who did her signature tongue poke and stood beside him. Reine smiled at Tai and waved him over. “Wanna partner up?”

“Trying to get in good with the teacher, huh?” he teased.

“No, actually, I wanted to get closer to you,” Reine bantered. Some islanders glanced back and forth between Ciaran and Reine, but Reine ignored it.

Tai chuckled, “you always were an outrageous flirt.”

“Since you can’t touch the board, you will need to draw one on the sand,” AJ said as she drew a long oval in the sand with a point at both ends.

Tai stood back, “You give it a go, Reine.” Reine kneeled on the sand and drew a good board. “Good job, that’s fab.”

“Right,” AJ continued, “now I want you to kneel on the board before you stand on it.” She looked around the group. “Hey Reine and Tai, will you be my lovely volunteers?”

 Reine shrugged, “sure.”

“Tai, you kneel first,” AJ instructed. Tai kneeled. “That’s perfect now. Reine, you kneel more towards the front.” Reine lowered herself down and felt Tai’s knees against her toes. “Terrific! Everyone copy these two.” 

“We’re top of the class,” Tai whispered.

“If there’s a test, we’re gonna ace it,” Reine said.

Tai chuckled, “You’re an odd one, Reine.”

Reine looked at the other islanders. It seemed that Ciaran was having trouble with balance. Tai gave Reine a worried looked, “Let’s just keep going.”

“OK,” AJ said brightly, “Now you’ve got to stand up. Reine will demonstrate. Put your hands in front of your knees for balance, then move your feet to where your knees were. Then you can stand up.” Reine stood up as instructed, and Tai followed behind her on the makeshift board. 

“How’s my form, Reine?” Tai asked with a mischievous look.

“You’ve got fine form,” Reine said with a wink.

“Alright, water break, everyone!” AJ called out. Nicky and Elladine handed out bottles of water. “That’s pretty much all I can teach on dry land.” 

“Can we touch the boards now?” Bill asked.

“I suppose…” AJ said with a shrug. “Just make sure the leash is on your ankle, so the board doesn’t float away when you fall off.”

“These things are heavy,” Bill said as he strained to get the board from the sand. 

Tai grabbed his paddleboard above his head with one hand. “They aren’t so bad.”

Bill shook his head, “I’m not even jealous. I’m impressed.”

“Let’s go!” AJ said.

Reine walked with Tai into the water. He set the board on the water and patted it. “Ladies first.” Reine balanced herself on her knees as Tai pushed the board further out before climbing on. The sea and blue sky was stunningly blue and seemed endless. 

“This is beautiful,” Reine said.

“Un-huh,” Tai replied. “Breathtaking.”

Reine looked at the other Islanders. Some were kissing. Some were paddling, but Reine turned her gaze back to the horizon, content to enjoy the view, and Tai seemed agreeable to it as well. AJ broke the moment, “OK! Everyone stand up on your boards.”

Reine put her hands in front of her knees and then her feet where her knees were. She stood up. “Good job, babe.” Tai was standing behind her. “It’s time to paddle now. Hold the flat end angled away from you like this.” He grabbed her hands gently and demonstrated.

“OK, I got it,” Reine said as she paddled. She turned to look at Tai. The sun haloed him, and the water made his muscles gleam as he stroked. 

He caught Reine’s eye but looked away. “I bet you wish you were with Ciaran.”

“What makes you think that?” Reine asked. “I’m with whom I want to be with right now.”

Tai smiled. “Thanks, Rain. I’m having a good time too.” Reine started paddling again. There was peace and comfort that came from working in sync. Tai’s breath played across her neck. 

Reine saw Seb and Viv paddling toward them. “Fancy a race to the shore?” Seb asked.

“You’re on!” Tai said, unable to turn down a challenge. “Is it OK with you, Reine?”

“Let’s do it!” Reine replied before looking at Seb, “you’re going down!”

“That’s my girl,” Seb said with a grin. Viv and Seb whispered.

“Do we need a strategy?” Reine asked Tai.

“Yea, we have to work together,” Tai said.

“Our paddling was in sync before. What if we do that, but faster?” Reine asked. 

“Simplistic, but yea, that could work,” Tai said.

“You guys ready?” Seb asked.

“Born ready,” Tai said.

“Three… two… one… Go!” Seb called out. Everyone started paddling as fast as they can. 

It’s close, but Tai and Reine edge into the lead. Suddenly the board hits the sand, and it throws them forward. Reine somehow landed right on top of Tai. He looked at Reine, still trying to grasp what just happened. Their limbs intertwined. They stared at each other. Reine giggled, which made Tai laugh. Somehow they untangled themselves, and Reine rolled over onto the sand as Seb walked over to them. “You won.” 

“Barely,” Viv added. 

“Yeah, we won,” Tai held his hand up for a high five, and Reine returned it. 

Elladine and Nicky started handing out towels for everyone to dry off as the Islanders trickled onto the beach. 

“That was a touchy feeling afternoon,” Iona said, smirking, “Feels like it should have middle of the night after few margaritas.”

“Hey, I was perfectly respectable,” Ciaran stated. 

“I was talking about Tai and Reine,” Iona said, sticking out her tongue. 

Ciaran glanced at Reine and Tai awkwardly, but Reine shrugged. “I guess I must be the one to say it. Ciaran and I fought, and he wanted to take a break a couple of months ago. We hadn’t even spoken until today. I’m up for some margaritas. Let’s go.” Reine walked away. 

Iona hurried to catch up with her. “Balls. Sorry.”

Reine glanced over at her. “You meant no harm, hon. I know it was just bants.”

 Later that evening, Reine stood by the railing with a margarita in her hand. She felt someone walk up behind her. “I thought I might find you here,” Rafi said. 

To be honest, he had mystified Reine with his pursuit of her at the Villa. She had always wondered why. But Reine was so caught up in Ciaran that she hadn’t asked. “Can I ask you something?” 

He smiled. “Sure.” 

“What was it that made you go after me at the Villa?” Reine asked.

“You’re a powerful woman,” Rafi said, “I like that. Powerful women need strong men, not meek men.”

Reine smiled thoughtfully at his point. Ciaran wasn’t the most decisive person ever. He preferred to make no decisions at all. 

“If you were my girl. I wouldn’t walk out on you and leave you hanging like that. Ciaran’s a fool.” Rafi said his voice got angry as he spoke. “That isn’t right to do that to someone.” He gently tucked an unruly tendril of hair behind her ear, “You deserve better than that.”

“Thanks,” Reine said gratefully, “I don’t feel so bad now. I mean, I’ve gone on dates since then, but…” She shrugged. 

“No one caught your eye?” Rafi asked.

“There were no sparks,” She answered. “I wasn’t sure if it was them or me. But seeing Ciaran again, I only felt a bit nostalgic. I don’t want to be with him. It’s over.”

Rafi nodded and leaned on the rail, “Well, for the record, I still think you’re great.”

“Thanks, Rafi,” Reine said, turning back to look at the sea. She and Rafi stood together, watching the endless waves in comfortable silence