You know what? Whatever. They’re consenting adults. It’s not like I called dibs on Graeme. I even told Walsh I didn’t want him. Jamming my baseball cap onto my head, I yank my ponytail through the back slot. Really, she’s doing me a favor. With Graeme distracted, I can focus on my proposal. I’ve gone down the attraction road with a coworker before, and it led my job right over a cliff. Maybe this is just the wake-up call I needed. Maybe I should thank Walsh.

Three people down from me, Nikolai is talking loudly. “Dwight, you cannot kayak. Is not good for your joints. I’m your chiropractor, yes? You listen to me. You do Zodiac cruise, I kayak. We meet after.”

“All right, if you insist,” says Dwight with a shrug. “I just didn’t want to leave you hangin’, buddy.”

When Nikolai claps his friend on the shoulder, he catches sight of me. Puckering his lips, he dips his chin, props one foot on a nearby bench, and leans into an exaggerated stretch. The way he’s thrusting his hips, he might as well have a blinking sign pointing to his crotch proclaiming, “Hey, gurl, check out my package.” Dwight rolls his eyes.

My cheeks prickle. Automatically, I glance around. Graeme is watching me. His gaze darts between me and Nikolai, his expression darkening. He makes a move as though he’s going to walk toward me, but Walsh’s hand lands on his shoulder. Pushing onto her toes, she leans in until her lips are an inch away from his ear. She whispers something. He jolts and blinks down at her.

My feet carry me toward Graeme of their own accord.

As I edge through the crowded mudroom, Gustavo’s voice reverberates through the speakers. “Good afternoon, good afternoon. All of the single kayaks are now filled, but plenty of tandem kayaks are still available. If you would like to kayak, please find a partner and make your way to the mudroom. For those who would prefer to go on a Zodiac nature cruise instead, disembarkation will begin in fifteen minutes.”

Walsh turns to Graeme. “Partners?”

Graeme hesitates, eyes flashing when they fasten on mine.

A frown flits across her face as she looks between us. “Don’t worry, Henley doesn’t need a partner. You said you’re doing the Zodiac cruise, right, Hen? So, what do you say?” she asks him.

“Excuse me,” says a familiar Russian-accented voice. Nikolai sidles up and stands at my elbow. “I do not suppose you are in need of a partner?”

Walsh was right; I hadn’t planned on kayaking. But now…

Graeme tilts his head to the side and folds his arms across his broad chest. A single eyebrow lifts. What are you going to do?

It’s a challenge. What the rules are, I have no idea. My heart beats a military tattoo as Graeme studies me intently.