Quinn worried that her parents wouldn’t be impressed that she was their daughter. Of course, realizing their child hadn’t drowned would be a relief that had been a long time coming, but once that faded, would she be able to measure up to their expectations?

Down the beach a man jogged, his dog keeping stride with him, their joy at the freedom they experienced evident with every strain of their muscles.

Would she ever feel that way?

Or was her life destined to be one of questions and confusion? One of always trying to present a better self to the world, of feeling judged and alone?

She took her phone out, preparing herself to read the work emails, knowing she was really pushing things with the absence from her job. Would she find an ultimatum? Was she already fired?

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, filling her lungs with the delicious air of Maui, reminding herself to relax and stop worrying. Slowly, under her breath, she counted backward from ten.

She felt a shadow block out the warmth of the sun, and when she opened her eyes, she thought she was seeing things.

A man stood there, standing over her, just as Liam had done that first day they’d met on the beach.

But this wasn’t Liam.

Even with the darkness across his face, Quinn would know that profile anywhere, as well as that confident and provoking stance. Even the body language that seemed to silently challenge as he stared down at her.

It startled her, but somehow she kept that to herself and didn’t flinch.

“Well, aren’t you quite the beach bum?” he said, his tone anything but teasing.

“Ethan,” she said. “What are you doing here? And how did you find me?”

“You forgot to take the locations app off your phone.”

The fact that she’d never enabled it crossed her mind, but she wouldn’t accuse him. They had bigger things to talk about.

“This was really inconvenient, Quinn. All the hotels in Lahaina were booked, and I’m all the way over in Kihei. You need to come back with me so we can talk.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He ran his hand through his hair, releasing a long sigh. “Come on. Don’t be ridiculous. I saw that tiny shed you’re staying in, and it’s not big enough for two. Not even to talk in.”

Obviously he didn’t know Maggie was there yet. That would really set him off. “It’s not a shed. And no one invited you into it.”

She could feel him simmering at that. He wasn’t used to her being antagonistic, but it slipped out before she could guard her tongue. At least she hadn’t told him to go find a room with Gina, which was what she wanted to say.