Reine headed back to the kitchen after her chat with Nicky to find the Islanders embroiled in a game of Never Have I Ever. She made herself a tequila sunrise and stood with the others. “Never have I ever skinny-dipped this year,” Elladine said.

Viv and Seb drank. “wow, I didn’t think you had that in you,” Rafi teased.

“Well, it was hotter than the surface of the sun that day,” Seb said, blushing.

AJ drank, followed by Tai. “Now that doesn’t surprise me,” Rafi said.

Reine smirked at Rafi and drank. Ciaran looked confused. “Who’d you go skinny dipping with?” He asked.

“No one, I went by myself. Last night, in fact. It was a gorgeous night.” Reine said.

“She did,” Rafi said. “Elladine was concerned because she couldn’t get a hold of Reine, so I went to look for her. She was relaxing in the water. I didn’t disturb her. But we walked back together.”

“Sorry about that, Elladine,” Reine said, “I didn’t take my phone to dinner last night. So I couldn’t let you know I was going to be awhile.”

Ciaran glared at Rafi and walked out of the kitchen. Reine sighed, draining her drink. “Why don’t we finish this game over by the pool?” Iona said briskly.

The islanders walked out. “You coming, Reine?” Viv asked worriedly.

“I’ll be out in a second. I want to take another drink.” Reine said, smiling at her. She made herself a drink and then made a pina colada pitcher for the rest of them. As the blender stopped, she heard Ciaran and Tai talking.

Stepping closer, Reine listened in. “I messed up. I still love Reine, and I need to get her back.”

“I was thinking of asking her out, Mate,” Tai said honestly. “But if it’s going to upset you, I won’t. No hard feelings. However, it may not be me you have to worry about. I think Rafi has taken a liking to her as well.”

“Rafi was sniffing around at the villa, but Reine shut him down, so she will probably do the same again,” Ciaran said worriedly, “but she can be fickle.”

“You’re telling me!” Tai said, “I figured she would stick with you after the Villa.”

“Me too!” Ciaran said. They both chuckled. Then Ciaran’s voice went serious. “Maybe you should ask her out. Date her until the end of the trip. At least I’ll know who she’s with.”

Reine cleared her throat. “Bros before hoes?” She huffed mirthlessly at the shocked expressions on their faces. “Which kind of fickle am I, Ciaran? The cheating type or the type who changes her mind? You are aware the word has a few meanings. You are a writer, after all.”

Ciaran looked at her with a gaping mouth.

“Reine,” Tai said, “He didn’t mean…”

“How about he answers for himself?” Reine said sarcastically, giving Ciaran a pointed glance.

“Look, I want things to go back the way they were before the fight,” Ciaran said finally.

Reine shook her head. “That’s not going to happen.”

“I have an idea, though,” Ciaran blurted. He was trying to backpedal. Reine had seen it before. “We date other people until after the trip, and then we revisit the issue.”

“It’s been two months,” Reine stated quietly. “I’m not some fucking 14-year-old girl who doesn’t know what she wants. I don’t want to go back to the way things were. When you asked if I wanted you to move in after the show, and I was thrilled. The man I loved was going to be with me.”

Reine started pacing angrily. “But you didn’t want to, did you? Instead of telling me how you felt, you moved in and were never home when I was off work. I even started going to Waterford every weekend, but I wanted to relax and not pack for a two-day trip after working all week. You moved in with me, but you never could be with me. I wanted to travel and experience new things with you to spend time with you, but you never wanted to go anywhere but Waterford. “

Reine paused, and when Ciaran didn’t refute her thoughts, she shook her head. “Apparently, I hit the nail head-on.” Tai looked like he wanted to say something, but one glare from Reine kept him silent.

“When I went on who wants to be a dancer, it was obvious you didn’t want me to be there. You refused to come to see me even once, and I offered to pay for your ticket. When I got home, I realized you had been in Waterford the entire time I was gone. I knew then where your priorities lay. I was just the person who could make your life easier for you. Even coming here, you had others pave your way, asking everyone else to make phone calls or whatever on your behalf. You don’t need me. You need a personal assistant.”

“I was afraid if I said that I wanted to stay in Waterford, I would lose you,” Ciaran said.

“That was a possibility considering your life revolves around Waterford.” Reine replied, “But we’ll never know because you couldn’t tell me how you truly felt. Think about it this way. By not telling me what you wanted, I could only assume that you were happy, so your behavior was confusing. Your words didn’t match your actions. I feel like it was a bait and switch.”

“I’m sor…”

“Don’t you fucking say that to me!” Reine shouted. She stopped and lowered her voice. “I’ve heard repeatedly. Those words did nothing but make the issues between us fester. You were unhappy because you wanted to be in Waterford, and I resented the fact that you couldn’t tell me what you wanted. Using an apology as a passive-aggressive behavior to shut down a conversation instead of talking about it doesn’t make the issue go away.”

“And you…” She pointed at Tai.

Tai jolted at her sudden scrutiny.

“I thought we might have a spark, but you lost me the moment Ciaran’s feelings were more important than mine. I’m not mad.” Reine huffed, a little amused with herself. “OK, maybe a smidgen about the fact you wouldn’t date me for fear of upsetting him… but if that is how you feel about him. I think there may be more than just friendship on your mind. You might want to check in with yourself on that.” Her gaze moved to Ciaran, “I’m tired of everyone making me responsible for your happiness. I can only be responsible for my own.” Reine spun on her heel, leaving the two men gaping.

She headed out to the pool angrily and, taking a page from Harry’s book, dove in. She heard shuffling as she surfaced and realized the islanders had been listening in. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, quit trying to hide,” Reine sighed, pulling herself out of the pool.

Iona grabbed her arm, “Come on, girl, we’re having a drink.” The islanders trickled into the kitchen, looking sheepish. Except for Iona, she grinned and poured Reine a shot before grabbing the other pitcher Reine made for the rest of the islanders.

Once everyone had a drink, Reine held up her shot. “Cheers,” She drank and put the glass on the table as Iona refilled it.

“You told them what was, and although they needed to hear it, I can tell it was rough. You alright?” Iona asked.

“Yea, I just needed to set things straight. No one is the bad guy here, and everyone has things they need to work on,” Reine said as Iona filled the glass again.

“Why would he think you’d agree to date others for two weeks?” Miki asked, shaking her head.

“Who knows what runs through a lad’s head,” Iona said.

“Maybe he thought you’d miss him,” Nicky said.

Elladine smiled sadly. “He’s in a bad place.”

Reine nodded, “I know, but considering I’m the other half of the wounded party here, my compassion has limits.”

Viv nodded, “That’s understandable.”

“Honestly, I think Tai likes Ciaran,” Reine said. “I’m uncertain how Ciaran might feel about that. He seems fluid in his affections, though. Either way, I hope both of them find happiness. It just won’t be with me.”

Seb walked over, putting arms around Reine. “Come here.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry it came to that.”

Reine shrugged. “I had been keeping all the frustration I had to with him inside for the last year only because whenever I would mention it, he would apologize to end the conversation.”

Miki nodded, “Don’t tell me you’re sorry if you have no intention of doing things differently.”

Reine smiled at her, “Exactly.”

“Well, I am sorry.” Miki said, “I was dealing with work stuff, and I took it out on you. If I’m having a hard time relaxing on holiday, it’s my fault.”

“Everyone is dealing with their stuff,” Reine said. “But we shouldn’t let it get in the way of the holiday. I was trying not to let it get to me, but I overheard them talking about how they wanted to handle me,” she air-quoted, “and it pissed me off.”