Island Love Songs: Seven Nights in Paradise / The Wedding Dance / Orchids and Bliss

“Here you go,” the waitress said cheerfully. “A plate of fresh fruit.”

“This looks amazing,” Melanie said, eyeing the splendid-looking display of pineapple, papaya, kiwi, oranges and strawberries. And as she glanced up at the waitress to say thanks, she saw Richelle’s eyes widen.

The waitress walked away, and Melanie asked, “What is it?”

But by then, she felt his presence behind her. And she knew.

“Melanie. May I talk to you for a second?”

Melanie shivered. She felt a tremor through her entire body at the sound of Lawrence’s voice. And then her eyes fluttered shut.

“Mel, it’ll only be a few minutes.”

Richelle speared a piece of pineapple with her fork and got to her feet. “Why don’t you sit here?” she suggested. “By the way, great to see you, Lawrence.”

Oh, my God, no! Don’t leave, Richelle—don’t leave me! With her eyes, Melanie tried to implore her friend to stay put, but Richelle was already walking through the restaurant toward the far edge of the pool.

And then, Lawrence lowered himself onto the seat Richelle had vacated.

Melanie could hardly breathe, as her throat had suddenly constricted. The inevitable meeting with Lawrence had come sooner than she was prepared for.

As if she would ever be prepared for it.

Melanie tried to swallow, but couldn’t. There he sat, looking as fine as she had ever seen him, staring at her in this beautiful restaurant with a backdrop of palm trees and the perfect ocean. And as her heart began to hasten, all she could think was that this was exactly where they should be right now. The two of them together here in this restaurant. On this gorgeous island. But not by chance. Because if things had worked out for them nine months prior, they would be here as husband and wife, together on this trip to Fiji for Richelle’s wedding.

Which was exactly what she didn’t need to be thinking. “Good morning,” Lawrence said casually, as if their sitting together like this was entirely normal.

“Lawrence, this is a bad idea.”

“Actually, I think it’s a good idea. It’s the one way I know to get the answers I need from you.”

Melanie’s jaw flinched.

“I know you, Mel,” Lawrence continued. “And you’re not going to want to make a scene. So with me sitting here, you’re not going to jump up and leave, or go into hysterics or anything like that. I figure this is my best shot at finally having the conversation we should have had nine months ago.”

Nervously, Melanie glanced around. The other diners were all absorbed in their own lives. Their own relationships. Most were couples, and they all looked happy and carefree and deeply in love.

“I know that yesterday it was a shock for you to see me,” Lawrence said. “Trust me, it was a huge shock for me, too. And when you left me standing on the beach, I told myself that I didn’t care why you stood me up. But I’ve had a night to reflect, and I can’t lie to myself any longer. I’ve cared since September 15. Here I am at this resort, and here you are. And if there’s any chance I’m going to enjoy the rest of my vacation, I need to know why. For my own peace of mind, for me to have closure, I need to know why you left me at the altar without even letting me know that you were having second thoughts.”

Melanie picked up a piece of pineapple and put it into her mouth, buying time. She chewed the morsel, but couldn’t savor the sweet taste. All the while, Lawrence’s eyes bore into her.

The moment she swallowed, he said, “I’m waiting.”

Then he picked up a strawberry and popped it into his mouth. Casual as could be.

“What’s the purpose of this?” Melanie asked in a low voice.

“You owe me,” Lawrence said. “Or do you think that it was actually okay to leave the man who loves you and tell him absolutely nothing? Leave him to guess and explain to his family why the woman of his dreams was a no-show at their wedding?”

“Fine.” Melanie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I just—I just didn’t think it was going to work long-term. I figured it was best to walk away before tying the knot.”

“Not good enough,” Lawrence said.

“That’s my answer.”

He folded his arms and placed them on the edge of the table.

The waitress returned then with the two plates of omelets. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw that a man had replaced one of the women.

“Oh,” she said. “The woman who was here?”

“Will be back momentarily,” Melanie said. “Please.” She gestured for the waitress to put the food on the table, which she did.

“Actually,” Lawrence said, lifting Richelle’s plate. “Our friend is right over there.” He pointed to the far end of the pool, where Richelle sat with her feet in the water. “Now, see my buddy at that table there? Can you set our friend up at his table so she can enjoy her meal there?”

“Sure,” the waitress said, shrugging. “No problem.”

Lawrence grinned at her. “Wonderful. Because the two of us—” he eyed Melanie “—we’ll be a while.”

Melanie raised her eyebrows at him.

“And whatever this omelet is,” Lawrence went on, “I’ll take one, too. It smells delicious.”

“Certainly.”

Horrified, Melanie watched as the waitress walked over to Richelle with the plate of food. Then watched as she gestured toward Shemar’s table. Richelle then got to her feet and made her way over to where Shemar was sitting, eyeing Melanie with a puzzled expression as she did.

“Now,” Lawrence began, “where were we?”

Melanie gaze met his. “Seriously, Lawrence.”

“Think of it this way. Once you explain it to me, I’ll be able to move on. Then, if we see each other around here again, you won’t have to worry about me hounding you for an answer.”

Melanie drew in a frazzled breath. “You want an explanation? Okay. You and I were on different pages, Lawrence. That’s why I realized I couldn’t marry—”

“Bull,” Lawrence said, cutting her off.

“If you want an answer, then you—” She stopped herself when the couple at the table across from them looked at her. “If you want to hear what I have to say,” she went on in a calmer tone, “then you need to listen.”

“I’m happy to listen.” Lawrence’s jaw stiffened. “But I want the truth.”

“I don’t know, Lawrence. Like I said, I’m sorry for what I did. I know I took the coward’s way out. It’s just...we didn’t agree about everything.”

“Who does?”

“And I was afraid,” she pressed on. “Afraid those differences were going to lead us in different directions.”

“Really?” Lawrence looked flabbergasted and hurt.