Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (2 page)

A chime from her cell drew her attention. She reached for her phone and saw that she had three text messages waiting for her. One each from Brady and Shawn, the two men she was currently dating, and another from Misha. She opened the one from her sister first.

Hi! I hope you’re enjoying your room. Isn’t the view spectacular?

Serene smiled as she replied then frowned as flashes of Oliver yanking down Shannon’s dress taunted her.

The view is fantastic! Love my bungalow. Jealous you got here two days ago! How’s your little tropical love nest?

Serene’s cell vibrated seconds later.

Fabulous! I’m so excited! Ava and Josie want you to come by their bungalow before we all meet up for dinner tonight. Don’t forget to bring Cameron’s surprise!

Serene shook her head. Misha had reminded her at least twenty times since she’d accidently forgotten the package before leaving home.

I won’t. See you soon. Xoxo

Serene moved off the couch to her carry-on bag. She unzipped it and rifled through her belongings in search of the box she’d wrapped for her sister. A spike of momentary panic quickened her pulse before she pulled it out. “Thank goodness.”

Serene toyed with the ribbon around the box. She still couldn’t believe how expensive the bottles of black and white truffle salt were. Misha had been so excited to have them shipped all the way from Europe. Serene sat the box on the table as she heard a knock on her door.

Who could that be?

She went over to the door and opened it to see Aimee, her sister-in-law.

“Hey, Serene.” Aimee gave her an apologetic smile.

Serene grinned back, noticing the dark circles under her eyes.

“Sorry to barge over here unannounced.”

Serene ushered her inside. “No worries. Wow. You look gorgeous!” She admired the way the yellow strapless sundress flowed around Aimee’s body as she walked past, and the curls that added volume to her long, normally sleek, relaxed tresses.

“Thank you. I wanted to wear something comfortable on the plane.”

“Did you guys just get in?” Serene took a seat on the couch and Aimee joined her.

“About an hour ago. That was a long flight.”

Serene leaned back against the plush pillows behind them. “It’s too bad we couldn’t all get on the same one.”

Aimee nodded. “I wish we had.” Her sister-in-law glanced around. “Your bungalow is similar to ours, except our color scheme is turquoise and gold.” She gestured to the floor where a parrot fish hovered beneath the viewing glass. “Isn’t this incredible?”

“It is.” Serene sighed with contentment. “I keep looking out the window at the ocean below and in front of us in awe. Misha and Cameron’s romantic suite must be amazing.”

“I’m glad your sister is happy.” Aimee picked up Cameron’s gift. “Is this for them?”

“Misha wanted to surprise Cameron with a special present.”

Aimee glanced at Serene. “What is it?”

“Truffle salt.”

“Truffle salt?”

Serene giggled. “I know, right? Two different kinds shipped all the way from Europe. Apparently, Cameron has always wanted to use this particular brand.”

“That’s so sweet.” Aimee sat the box down with a heavy sigh then dropped her gaze from Serene’s and twisted the sparkling one and a half karat wedding ring on her finger.

“So, how are you really?” Serene didn’t need her to answer the question to know. Weariness and sadness were written all over Aimee’s face.

“I just… I just needed a moment away from Kaden.” Aimee looked up with a bright smile. “I know you and your sister have tried to reach out to me these past few months. I’m sorry I’ve been slow about returning both of your calls.”

Serene shook her head. “Don’t be. We both know you have a lot going on right now.”

“Yeah.” Aimee scoffed. “An imploding marriage takes up a lot of time and mental energy. I agreed to come to Tahiti for Misha.”

Serene nodded. “She’s so glad you agreed to be a part of the bridal party.”

“I seriously don’t know how I’m going to get through these next three days with your brother.” Aimee held both her hands up then let them fall in her lap. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you don’t want to hear this.”

“Look—” Serene placed her hand over Aimee’s. “I love my brother, but I know how he can be. I know what he did and I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

Aimee removed her hand from beneath Serene’s and began fiddling with her ring again. “We’ve both made mistakes in our marriage.” Her sister-in-law shook her head. “Sometimes I think we put more effort into our careers than each other. It’s not what we intended to happen, but one day you wake up and recognize there has been a shift in your relationship, a wall in place that wasn’t there before.”

“Wow.” Serene stared at Aimee, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Yeah.”

“Well, Aimee, I want you to know that you can talk to me. I’m here for you and I won’t break your confidence.”

“Thank you, Serene. I appreciate that.” Aimee shifted her face from Serene’s to look out of the window. “I just never thought I’d feel this way toward Kaden. I think that’s the hardest apart about all of this.” Aimee exhaled. “How it changes how you see the other person.”

“How do you feel about Kaden?”

Aimee met her gaze. “Like I hate him.” The vehemence in her sister-in-law’s voice shocked Serene. “Except, I don’t. That would almost make this easier to deal with. I love Kaden. I just don’t know
how
to love him anymore.” Aimee slumped her shoulders. “I know what I’m saying probably doesn’t make any sense.”

“I can’t imagine what it must be like to try and get past something like this in a marriage.”

“Well, let me tell you it’s really tough. He’s apologized for his infidelity, but now…”

“But now what?” Serene asked when Aimee’s voice trailed off.

Aimee straightened her spine. “Maybe too much has happened to go back. Kaden’s making efforts to bridge the gap between us, but I’m not sure it’s possible, despite what I still feel for him.” Aimee leaned back on the sofa and briefly closed her eyes. “I’m so damned tired of feeling this way about him, about me, about everything.”

Serene remained quiet, not sure what to say.

Aimee turned her face toward her. “I don’t expect you to have any answers either. But it is nice to talk to someone about this.”

“Like I said, I’m always here to listen. You’re part of the family, like a sister to me and Misha. We both just want you to be happy too.” Serene paused, weighing her words carefully. “Even if that happiness is without our brother in your life. Maybe you should think about talking to a professional individually and as a couple.”

“We’ve talked about marriage counseling.” Aimee sighed again. “It’s really up to me, whether or not I’m going to try to move forward. I’d moved out for a few weeks. He asked me to come home, to give him, our marriage another chance and I did, but…”

“But you don’t know if you can.” Serene frowned as Aimee nodded. “Is he pressuring you to make a decision?”

Aimee got up off the couch. “No.” The sadness in her eyes pained Serene. “Kaden told me he wouldn’t push. I think I’m going to tell him we need to separate when we get back. I can’t take the silence in our home between us anymore, the pressure to fix us when it feels like everything we had has been shattered.”

“You said you still love him.”

“I do.” Aimee moved to the window and gazed at the ocean. “But sometimes love isn’t enough.”

“Take the time to figure out what you want for yourself, what you want from him.”

Aimee turned to look at her. “I will. I’m determined to enjoy myself while we’re here. I’ve wanted to visit this place for a long time.”

“Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some answers away from home, here in this tropical paradise.”

“Maybe.” Aimee pulled her cell out of her purse, looked at it and grimaced. “It’s Kaden, informing me he’s going out with Oliver and Cameron’s best friends before we all meet up for dinner tonight. That means I have our bungalow to myself for a while. I’m going to go take a long bath, order some fruity drink and stare at the waves for a bit. Thank you for listening and not ramming advice down my throat.”

Serene chuckled. “I never tolerated advice delivered that way either.” She hugged her sister-in-law before walking her to the door. “Remember I’m always here to listen. Just take care of your heart. I’m convinced you’ll figure out what to do next if you do that.”

“Funny.” Aimee opened the door and a salty breeze whipped around them, fluttering the leaves of the exotic plants close by. “I always thought that was Kaden’s role. See you later, Serene.”

“Bye.” Serene watched her walk out of view then closed the door with a heavy sigh of her own. Deciding to take Aimee’s idea, she headed into the bathroom with a heavy heart to take a bath in the freestanding soaking tub. She was more convinced than ever that her brother’s marriage was over.

* * * *

Serene glanced at her watch and cursed. She hoped Misha’s friends were ready or they were going to be late.
Later.

Oh, well, Misha knew how hard it was to round up everyone.

Serene knocked on Ava and Josie’s door then glanced down at her new wedges. She hoped she wouldn’t regret wearing them. She’d bust out the jeweled flip-flops in her bag only if the pinch across her toes got unbearable, because her shoes looked amazing with her white bandeau dress. Serene lifted her gaze from her ice pink manicure when the door swung open. She beamed at Ava. “Good evening,
chica
.”

“Hey!” Ava whistled as she took in her attire. “Oh, la, la. You are not playing in that dress, mama. I’m loving the shoes.”

Serene grinned. “Thanks. They’re new.” She gestured at Ava’s teal and black sarong dress. “You’re not playing either. Very sexy.”

“I got it just for this trip.” Ava stepped outside and the wind teased her long dark tresses. “Tahiti is even more beautiful than I imagined it to be.”

Serene nodded, glancing around at the illuminated bungalows and flickering tiki torches closer to the beach. “Same here. Photos don’t do this place justice.” She turned her attention back to Ava. “You two better be ready. We are going to be the last ones to arrive. Where’s Josie?”

“I’m right here,” Josie said, stepping outside to join them, a vision in a royal purple strapless sundress and fancy green flip-flops. “I’ve been waiting on Ava for the last half hour.”

“Hey—” Ava pouted. “I was ready in record time.”

Josie snorted as she flounced past. “Please. Let’s go.”

Serene giggled, following her and Ava toward the resort restaurant. “Gorgeous dress, J. Is that new too?”

“Yup. I thought it was perfect for this trip.” Josie exhaled dramatically. “This is the first wedding I’ve been a part of where I’m actually looking forward to wearing the bridesmaid dress.”

Ava nodded. “Your sister did pick out an awesome one for us. I’ll be wearing that pretty little number again.”

“I still can’t believe we’re all here.” Josie pointed ahead. “There’s Misha.”

Serene followed Josie’s line of sight. She smiled when she saw her sister standing outside.

“You guys are late.” Misha huffed as she hugged them all.

Serene linked arms with her sister. “Would you believe it was Josie’s fault?”

“Ha.” Misha wagged her finger at Ava. “I know how many times Ava likes to change her outfits. That one is stunning by the way. You all look fantastic.”

Serene touched Misha’s fuchsia, sarong-style dress. “So do you. Isn’t she glowing, guys?”

Ava and Josie agreed as her sister giggled. “I owe my glow to Cameron.” Misha beckoned them forward. “Come on.”

“And where
is
that handsome fiancé of yours, anyway?” Josie asked as they walked along the terrace of the resort restaurant.

Misha glanced at them over her shoulder. “He’s with the rest of the guys around back. We’re dining outside. Wait until you see.”

Serene followed her sister and friends around the corner of the building toward a beautifully laid banquet table where Cameron and his friends stood chatting. The moment Cameron saw Misha, he came over and took her into his arms. Serene ignored the small pang of jealousy surging through her blood as they kissed. She was happy her younger sister had found her mate. Misha was cut out for marriage. She, on the other hand, appreciated her carefree lifestyle and the freedom to date and drop whatever man she wanted, whenever things got too complicated. She glanced at Cameron’s three handsome buddies walking over to greet them and noticed that Oliver had yet to arrive.

Ava leaned in toward Serene and Josie. “Yum.”

“Behave.” Josie gave her friend a stern look and Ava dissolved into an agreeable giggle as the men joined them.

Serene smiled at the guys. Yum was right. Cameron had some very attractive friends—each man was dressed to impress and they all appeared to be unmarried.

Cameron gestured toward the gentleman. “Ladies, let me introduce you to my closest friends. Serene, Ava, Josie, meet NJ Tolson.”

NJ stepped forward with an engaging smile. Built like a football player, he had a commanding presence further enhanced by his dark good looks. “Nice to meet you all.”

“And this”—Cameron pointed to the sandy-haired man on his left with chiseled features and intense blue eyes—“is Jax Byer.”

“Tahiti’s beauty is nothing compared to you ladies.” Jax took hold of Ava’s hand and kissed it with flourish before proceeding to do the same to Josie and Serene.

Cameron chuckled. “I knew you’d find a way to hit on all three of them.”

“What? That was a true statement.” Jax tilted his head in the direction of the cute, buff, crew-cut guy to his right. “Wasn’t it, Braeden?”

“It was absolutely a true statement.” Braeden bowed his head in their direction as he flashed them a perfect smile to go along with his all-American look. “I’m delighted to make all of your acquaintances. I’m Braeden Vane.”

Serene shook his hand. “Likewise.”

“So, how did you all become friends?” Ava asked, moving closer to NJ.