I feel my throat go dry again. ‘Ahem,’ I cough, sounding like a drowned cat. I take a step back from him but there’s so little space I only create six more inches between us.

Hugh opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off. ‘Oh don’t tell me,’ I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest, ‘you’re going to point out that I’m in your way again, when really you just pick the most inconvenient place to stand.’

Hugh’s face cracks into a smile. My stomach flips.

‘Technically, I was here first,’ he says, his eyes not leaving mine. ‘But no, that isn’t what I was going to say.’

I feel my face softening. ‘OK,’ I mutter. ‘Forget I brought that up then.’

‘I was going to ask if you were OK with taking the top bunk . . .’

I squint up at him. Technically, I already wanted the top bunk . . . but he doesn’t need to know that. ‘Why?’ I ask. ‘Does the top bunk make you seasick?’

Hugh’s face remains impassive. ‘No,’ he says slowly.

‘I’m fine with whatever.’ I shrug, deciding to take a cue from Miguel. ‘I’m really comfortable on the water. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it soon. It’s just like riding a bike.’

‘I’m not uncomfortable on the water,’ Hugh says quickly, his lips pressing together.

‘Whatever you say,’ I say in a sing-song voice. ‘But to answer your question, sure. I like being on top anyways.’ I smile at him sweetly, feeling proud of myself, and make my getaway, scooting by him and towards the benches.

‘I’m sure you do,’ he calls after me, his voice lilting into unknown territory. As I process the double entendre I perfectly set him up for, heat blazes through my body. I can feel his gaze on me as I walk away.

Sweat prickles the backs of my knees. I remind myself that Hugh’s attention is not a good thing. If he finds out I’m not Millie and reports it, anything I find on this trip will no longer be credible.

I shake the thought out of my head. We haven’t even broached the subject of the wrasse yet, I reassure myself. Plus, he’s already admitted that he has to focus on work. He may not ever want to discuss it. But my stomach feels unsettled. By the time I sit down on the benches, I can still feel the way his chest felt against mine when our bodies collided. My heart rate hasn’t slowed all the way down yet. First Miguel and now Hugh. I haven’t been that close to a man that I wasn’t dating in two years.

‘Focus, Andi,’ I say under my breath. I check my phone. Millie’s surgery is in sixteen hours. I need to remember what’s important.

Chapter 8