Chapter Three
1947 Words
“By the way, I’m Josh,” he introduced himself to Lucy.
There was this awkward silence between them, Lucy looking over her shoulder with a subtle grin on her face.
Josh lingered beside her for a moment, as if unsure whether to stay or disappear into the crowd. Lucy was the first to break the silence.
“Thank you,” she says again, softer this time. “For earlier.”
He smiled. “ Anytime. Can I…” He hesitated, then gestured toward the bar. “Can I buy you another drink? Properly this time?”
Lucy considered it. A few hours ago, she would has said no without thinking. But something about Josh felt easy. Safe.
“Okay,” she said.
They ordered drinks and found a quieter corner of the bar, the music low enough for conversation but loud enough to blur the rest of the world.
Josh asked where she was from, how long she’d be in Fiji, what had brought her here.
“I’m a performer, “ she said casually. “A singer. The resort hired me for the week.”
His eyes lit up. “That makes sense. You were incredible up there.”
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely touched. “I almost didn’t sing.”
“I’m glad you did.”
The conversation flowed without effort. They talked about music, travel, places they’d loved and places they still wanted to see. Lucy found herself laughing more than she had in weeks.
Surprised by how quickly time slipped past.
At some point, Josh nodded toward the beach. “Want to walk?”
She did.
They left the bar behind, shoes in hand, the sand cool beneath their feet. The moon cast a silver glow over the water, waves rolling in gently, as if even the ocean was unbothered by urgency.
They talked about everything and nothing.
Stories overlapped, pauses felt natural, silence comfortable. Lucy forgot to check the time.
Forgot to guard herself.
When they reached the staff quarters, she slowed.
“I should probably call it a night,” she said reluctantly.
Josh nodded. “ Yeah. Of course.”
They stood there for a moment, neither quite ready to leave.
“Goodnight, Lucy,” he said finally.
“Goodnight, Josh.”
She watched him walk away before heading inside, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.
The knock came earlier than she expected the next morning.
Lucy groaned, rolling over before dragging herself upright. She opened the door to find the resort manager standing there, clipboard in hand.
“Good morning,” she said briskly. “You’ll need to get ready. You have a meeting with the wedding couple in thirty minutes.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Already?”
“They are eager to meet you.”
Lucy nodded, adrenaline snapping her fully awake. She dressed quickly, choosing something simple and professional, smoothing her hair, steadying her breath.
This was work. She could do this.
The resort lounge buzzed with quiet morning activity, soft music, clinking dishes, sunlight pouring through wide glass windows. Lucy walked toward the meeting area when a familiar voice stopped her.
“Lucy?”
She turned.
Josh stood a few feet away, dressed casually but neatly, surprise flickering across his face before settling into a smile.
“Oh, hi,” she said l, startled. “What are you doing here this morning?”
He chuckled. “Family stuff. I’m here for my younger brother’s wedding.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s nice. I’m actually on my way to meet the couple I’ll be performing for.”
They exchanged a polite smile, already turning to leave, then paused.
They were walking in the same direction.
Lucy slowed. “Wait…are you also headed to the lounge?”
Josh nodded. “Yeah. That’s where my family is.”
Her steps faltered.
“That’s where I’m going too.”
They walked a few more steps before Lucy stopped entirely.
Josh noticed immediately. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
She swallowed. “My ex is here.”
He frowned slightly. “Here…here?”
She nodded. “Marcus.”
Josh’s expression changed instantly.
“Marcus?” he repeated. “As in, my brother Marcus?”
Lucy stared at him. “What?”
Josh went still. “You’re Lucy,” he said slowly. “The Lucy.”
Her breath caught. “You’re Josh. Marcus’s older brother.”
They stood there, stunned.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Josh said quietly. “I’ve just never met you. I’ve been away…military.”
Ahead, the lounge came into full view.
And there he was.
Marcus.
He looked up, surprise flashing across his face as he saw her.
The manger appeared beside them, clapping lightly. “What are we waiting for ? Let’s go.”
They moved toward the table together.
Britney stood first, smiling brightly. “Hi! I’m Britney. This is my fiancé, Marcus. We’re so excited to meet you.”
Lucy forced a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Marcus couldn’t take his eyes off her.
After a moment, he stood abruptly. “Excuse me” he muttered.
Seconds later, Lucy’s phone buzzed.
Marcus: Can you come outside? Please.
She glanced up, then excused herself.
“Restroom,” she said softly.
Outside, the air felt heavier.
“What are you doing here?” Marcus demanded.
“I’m here to perform,” Lucy said quietly. “ I didn’t know it was you. I didn’t know you were the couple.”
Silence stretched between them.
And everything she’d tried to leave behind came back rushing back.
Before either of them could say more, footsteps approached.
The manager stepped outside, her expression tight but professional. “Is there a problem here?”
Both of them answered at the same time.
“No.”
She looked between them, unconvinced. “Good. Then let’s continue the meeting. We’re already behind schedule.”
“Yes, of course,” Marcus said quickly.
Lucy nodded. “Yes.”
Marcus stepped inside first.
Lucy followed, but the manager paused her with a raised hand.
“You’re here as a performer,” she said quietly, her tone firm. “I would appreciate it if you weren’t seen fraternizing with guests, especially your clients. This is a professional environment.”
Lucy opened her mouth to explain, but the manager cut her off with a subtle gesture.
“Let’s go.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, irritation bubbling beneath the surface, and followed her back inside.
They sat.
The air at the table felt thick, weighed down by everything unspoken.
“Mr. Marcus and Ms. Britney, this is Lucy. She’ll be performing at your wedding. This meeting is for you to discuss your musical preferences and expectations.”
Lucy’s stomach twisted.
She cleared her throat. “ Actually…I’m feeling a bit unwell. I think I may have eaten something bad earlier. Would it be possible to reschedule?”
Marcus glanced at her sharply. He knew. He knew exactly what she was doing.
Britney leaned forward immediately, concerned, softening her face. “ Oh my goodness, of course. That’s completely fine. We can do it tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said quickly, already standing. “I’m sorry.”
She didn’t wait for a response. She turned and hurried out of the lounge, her heart pounding.
Josh watched her go, unease flickering across his face.
Lucy didn’t stop until she reached her quarters.
She burst inside and leaned against the door, breathing hard.
“You will not believe this,” she said, staring at Lila.
Lila looked up from the bed. “Try me.”
“The couple I’m performing for,” Lucy said, her voice shaking, “is Marcus.”
Lila blinked “ Marcus who?”
“ My Marcus.”
Silence.
Then “ WHAT?”
“ Yes,” Lucy said miserably. “He’s here. With his fiancée. Britney.”
Lila stood. “ Okay. Breathe.”
“ I can’t do this,” Lucy said “I need to leave. I came all this way to get over him.”
“You’re not leaving,” Lila said firmly. “ You are a professional. You’re getting paid. You will perform.”
“ It’s not that simple.”
“It never is,” Lila said gently. “But you don’t run, you sing.”
A knock interrupted them.
“Lucy?” Josh’s voice came through the door. “Are you okay? The way you left…”
Lucy’s eyes widened. She whispered urgently, “ Please. Tell him I’m in the bathroom.”
Lila sighed but nodded, opening the door slightly. “She’s not feeling well. In the restroom.”
Josh hesitated. “Okay…just tell her I checked in. I’ll try again later.”
When he left, Lila turned slowly. “Why are you avoiding Josh?”
Lucy groaned. “Because he’s Marcus’s brother.”
Lila froze. “Shut the front door.”
“I’m serious.”
Lila stared at her. “This island is too small for this kind of drama.”
“I’ll figure it out,” Lucy said weakly.
“You won’t,” Lila replied. “But go on.”
The next morning, Lucy headed toward the Spa, desperate for clarity.
“Lucy!”
She turned to see Britney approaching, smiling warmly. “ I hope you’re feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you,” Lucy said politely.
“Can we have our meeting now?” Britney asked.
Lucy hesitated, but before she could respond
“Lucy,” the manager called. “ Thank God you’re here, we can’t keep rescheduling.”
Lucy sighed “Okay. No problem.”
Britney smiled. “Marcus is already waiting by the restaurant.”
They walked together.
Marcus stood up when he saw them, surprise flickering across his face.
They sat.
Lucy folded her hands. “So…how did you meet?”
Britney beamed. “Oh! It’s kind of a funny actually. Marcus had just moved into the same apartment building and was having plumbing issues in his flat. I was coming out of mine, and he asked if I knew a plumber.”
Marcus smiled faintly.
“And that was it,” Britney continued. “ It was love at first sight.”
Lucy nodded slowly. “That’s…beautiful.”
She swallowed slowly, then asked “ What song would you want me to perform?”
Britney didn’t hesitate. “Oh! Man I need by Olivia Dean. That’s our song.”
Lucy felt the air leave her lungs. For a split second, the world tilted, memories rushing in uninvited, late night drives, shared playlists, Marcus humming along off-key just to make her laugh. She forced herself to stay seated, finger curling slowly against her lap.
“I see,” she said quietly.
She took a breath, searching for footing. “If you’re open to suggestions,” she added carefully, “there’s also Unbreak my heart by Toni Braxton. It’s very emotional and timeless. Or even another love ballad with a softer tone.”
Britney tilted her head, considering, then shook it gently.
“Oh, no,” she said apologetically. “ Isn’t that a heartbreak song? I really do not want a heartbreak song at my wedding.”
Lucy nodded. Of course she didn’t.
“We’d prefer something more…us,” Britney continued, smiling as she reached for Marcus’s hand. “Man I need is special to us. It was playing on our first date, actually. From that moment, it just became our song. We sing it all the time.”
Marcus stayed quiet.
Lucy’s smile didn’t falter, even though something inside her cracked.
“Of course,” she said smoothly. “ That won’t be a problem.”
Inside, her heart was anything but.
- Writer
