Booked into Love in Fiji

Chapter Eight

The next morning was quiet, almost serene. The soft hum of the ocean waves and the gentle rustle of palm leaves framed the resort in a way that made the outside world feel impossibly far away. Lucy and Lila made their way to the meditation studio, where the instructor guided them through slow, deliberate stretches and deep breathing. For the first time in days, Lucy felt her thoughts quiet down, her mind free from the constant tug of worry, memories, and uncertainty.

By the time the medication session ended, both of them lingered, seated on the floor of the studio, letting the calm settle in. Lila broke the silence first.

“You know,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes, “we should totally do that island tour today. You know, see more of Fiji, maybe get some adventure in.”

Lucy hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I…I can’t. I actually have plans later today.”

Lila raised an eyebrow, leaning back on her hands. “Plans? With whom? You didn’t tell me.”

Lucy hesitated again, her fingers twisting together in her lap. Telling Lila the truth felt…complicated. Saying Marcus’s name out loud would make it real in a way she wasn’t ready to face.

“With Josh,” she said finally, forcing a light tone. “Nothing serious. Just… hanging out.”

Lila studied her for a second, then smiled. “Well, look at you.” She nudged Lucy’s shoulder. “I like this version of you. Open. Glowing. When we first got here, you were moody, distant. Now? You’re lighter.”

Lucy smiled back, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I guess I am.”

Lila tilted her head, looking at Lucy. “So,” she said, lowering her voice a little, “how do you actually feel about Josh? Does he make you happy?”

Lucy exhaled slowly, staring at the wooded floor beneath them.

“I mean…we’re just getting to know each other,” she said carefully. “But so far, he’s nice. He’s cool. He makes me laugh, which I didn’t even realize I missed that much.”

She paused, choosing her words.

“We have a good time together. And he listens, like, really listens. Which,” she added with a small shrug, “can be surprisingly hard to find .”

Lila nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“But,” Lucy said, her brows knitting slightly, “it’s also kind of weird sometimes.”

“Weird how?”

Lucy hesitated, she sighed. “He reminds me of Marcus.”

Lila’s eyes widened just a little, but she didn’t interrupt.

“Not just because they’re brothers,” Lucy went on quickly. “It’s more than that. The way he talks, the way he notices things, the way he looks at me sometimes. There are moments when it feels…familiar. And that makes it uncomfortable.”

She shook her head softly.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Josh is a great guy. He really is. I’m just…taking it as it comes.”

Lila reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s all you can do,” she said gently. “Just don’t lie to yourself, okay?”

Lucy smiled faintly.

“I’m trying.”

But even as she said it, her mind was already drifting, not to Josh, but to the beach, to Marcus, and to the afternoon she knew was waiting for her.

Later that afternoon, Lucy walked along the sandy path toward the beach. The sun was warm, the waves sparkling as they lapped gently against the shore. She paused when she noticed something unusual: a small picnic setup, carefully arranged on a blanket near the water. Candles in glass jars were placed around a low basket table, and soft cushions invited anyone to sit.

“Uh…what’s going on here?” Lucy asked, curiosity piqued as she scanned the scene.

Marcus stepped out from behind a cluster of palm trees, smiling softly. “I thought we could spend the afternoon here. Just…you and me. I wanted to do something nice, part of an apology… for everything that happened between us.”

Lucy hesitated. “Marcus…you’ve apologized countless times already. I’ve…kind of forgiven you.”

“Kind of?” He teased lightly, raising an eyebrow. “I was hoping after today, you’d forgive me fully.”

Lucy chuckled, shaking her head. “Hm. Well…okay. It looks nice.”

He took her hand and led her to the blanket, arranging the cushions for her to sit comfortably. “Oh,” he added with a soft smile, “and I didn’t forget your favorite wine.”

Lucy’s eyes widened slightly. “You remembered?”

“How could I forget?” He replied with a playful shrug. “ I remember the day we ran out, and you made me go all the way just to get it. Ever since , it has stuck in my mind.”

He uncorked the bottle, pouring a glass for her, and then one for himself. Holding his glass up, he smiled warmly.

“To new beginnings…to better days ahead,” he said.

Lucy lifted her glass, returning the smile, the world around them feeling momentarily stiff.

They clinked their glasses, laughter drifting easily between them as the wine settled into something warm and familiar. Lucy leaned back on her hands, the sun kissing her skin, her guard lowered without her even realizing it.

Not far from there, Lila was on an island tour.

She walked a few steps behind her local guide, listening half heartedly as he pointed out native plants along the shoreline. Her mind was already elsewhere, thinking about the day ahead, about Lucy, about the vague answer she’d gotten earlier.

As they rounded a bend near the beach, the guide slowed, gesturing toward the water.

“This area is usually quiet around this time,” he said.

Lila’s gaze wandered, and then she saw them.

Lucy.

Sitting on a picnic blanket. Laughing. Really laughing.

Marcus was beside her, leaning in close, holding a wine glass, saying something that made Lucy smile in that way Lila recognized immediately.

The way she smiled only when she felt safe. Open. Happy.

Lila slowed without meaning to.

I thought she said she had plans with Josh, she thought, confusion tightening in her chest.

Did she lie to me?

The guide kept walking, unaware, but Lila lingered for a second longer, watching Lucy throw her head back in laughter. Whatever was happening between them looked…easy.

Too easy.

Lila exhaled quietly, then followed the guide again, choosing not to interrupt.

Back on the beach, Marcus shifted, his eyes lighting up.

“I have one more surprise,” he said.

Lucy narrowed her eyes playfully. “You’re not done yet?”

He stood and held out his hand. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“Trust me.”

She took his hand, letting him pull her up, and together they walked toward the water. As they got closer, Lucy slowed, spotting a small yacht waiting just offshore, a man already seated inside, preparing to steer.

Her breath caught. “Marcus…”

He smiled. “I wanted to do something special.”

Moments later, they were gliding over the ocean, the resort fading into the distance. When the yacht stopped, Marcus handed her snorkeling gear, his smile soft.

“You still love this,” he said.

She did.

They slipped into the water, the ocean swallowing the noise of the world. Beneath the surface, sea turtles drifted lazily past, colourful fish darting through coral gardens. Lucy floated there, weightless, the beauty around her both breathtaking and dangerous, because for a moment, she forgot everything else.

Including why she shouldn’t.

After snorkeling , they both climbed back onto the yacht, both of them laughing softly, breathless and glowing, saltwater dripping from their hair and skin. Lucy tugged off her goggles and let them fall onto the deck, the ocean breeze cooling her overheated skin. The world felt distant out here, quiet, suspended like time itself had decided to slow down for them.

Marcus watched her for a moment longer than necessary.

She caught his gaze and looked away first.

He reached into the cooler again, the lid creaking as he opened it. When he pulled out the familiar bottle, Lucy groaned lightly.

“Don’t tell me,” she said half laughing, half surrendering.

He grinned, already twisting the cork free. “Yes, another bottle.”

The wine poured smoothly into the glasses, the sound soft but intimate. When he handed her one, their fingers brushed, a brief touch that sent a ripple through her chest. They raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Then they drank.

Silence followed, but not the uncomfortable kind. It was thick, weighted, filled with everything they weren’t brave enough to say out loud. The sun hovered low on the horizon, painting the ocean in streaks of orange and gold. Lucy stared out at the water, trying to steady her thoughts, but she could feel Marcus beside her, feel his attention like warmth against her skin.

When she turned, their eyes met.

Something shifted.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t discussed. It was instinct, memory rising to the surface, muscle deep and undeniable. Marcus reached for her, slow tentative, his hand hovering near her arm as if silently asking permission.

She didn’t step back.

His fingers brushed her skin, sending a familiar shiver through her. The space between them disappeared as he leaned in, close enough now that she could feel his breath. For a heartbeat, she considered pulling away, considering Britney, the wedding, the chaos waiting on shore.

But the thought dissolved.

Their lips met, gentle at first, then surer, like something remembered rather than discovered. The kiss tasted like salt and wine and nostalgia. It wasn't reckless, it was dangerous in a quieter way. It felt like slipping back into life she’d never fully let go of.