Robin
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The day drags on in the best possible way. We’re at The Cove Resort now, a sleek place with turquoise waters and a vibe that screams relaxation, but honestly? I can barely focus on the scenery.

I keep sneaking glances at Heather, and every time she catches my eye, my heart skips a beat.

The whole gang is here: me, Ali, Melanie, and Heather, along with a few other friends scattered around the pool area. We’ve got drinks in hand and sun in our faces. Everyone’s laughing, chatting, and soaking up the perfect weather, but the magnetic pull between me and Heather is undeniable.

I can tell she’s trying to act unaffected, lounging in her oversized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat shading her face. She looks damn good, though. Even if she's trying to play it cool, I can see it—the way her gaze flickers over to me whenever I’m not looking.

She’s watching.

And the little touches, too—like when she stretches her legs out under the table, her foot accidentally brushing against mine. Twice.

And then there’s Ali, who’s more than aware of what’s going on. She has her playful, teasing nature turned up a notch today.

Every time I shoot Heather a quick glance, Ali is right there beside me, leaning in, whispering something just loud enough for Heather to hear. For heather to feel like burning.

I’m not being subtle and it feels good.

"Why do you look like you're having so much fun?" Ali teases, nudging me with her elbow.

I tilt my head and grin, giving her a wink. "Just soaking in the vibes."

She raises an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. The vibes? Or are you just trying to piss someone off?"

I glance at Heather again. Her jaw is clenched, lips pressed together tightly. I can see the tension in the way she holds herself. She’s pissed, but she's trying to hide it. And damn, it’s working.

"Maybe both," I say lightly, swiping another sip of my drink.

Ali laughs under her breath, obviously amused by the game we’re playing. It’s too easy, honestly. Heather’s got that look on her face—the one that says she’s trying not to care. But the way her eyes narrow every time I get too close to Ali says otherwise.

I slide my sunglasses on, feeling a little more daring now. I stand, stretching my legs out, and casually move over to where Heather’s lounging. The sun’s just starting to dip a little lower, and it’s the perfect moment to approach.

She should be calmer now.

"So, how's the relaxation going?" I ask, hovering near her lounge chair.

She glances up, eyes briefly meeting mine before she shifts her gaze back to the pool. “Fine. You?”

"Great." I take a slow sip of my drink, then sit on the edge of her chair, deliberately close. "Enjoying the view?"

My glance darts to her long beautiful legs and try not to drool.

Heather doesn’t answer right away, but I can see the way her muscles tense. It’s subtle, but it’s there. I could lean in closer—just a little—and the tension would snap. I’m this close to doing it.

But then Ali’s voice cuts through the air, playful and loud, "Hey, don’t hog all the attention now."

Heather looks over, a flicker of annoyance I'm her eyes.

"I’m not the one doing that," she mutters, and her lips press into a thin line.

Ali grins and leans over the back of the chair, resting her chin on her hand. "So you admit it, huh? You’re jealous?"

I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. "Is she?"

Heather shoots me a look, and I swear I catch the smallest hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips. “No,” she says flatly. "I’m just observing."

"Oh, of course," I reply, tapping my glass lightly against her chair. "Observing how much fun we’re having?"

Her gaze flickers to mine, and in that split second, I see the challenge in her eyes. I don’t break eye contact. Neither does she.

And for a moment the world around us fades. There’s only Heather and me, this shared pull that has been building between us ever since... well, forever.

But before anything can happen, Melanie calls over, "Come on, you guys. We’re going to the pool bar. Drinks on me!"

There's a cheer from the girls.

I stand up, reluctantly pulling myself away from Heather, but not without throwing her one last, teasing smile. Her eyes follow me as I walk over to join Melanie, but I can feel her attention is still on me.

When I settle at the bar, Ali follows,  perching on a stool beside me. She looks me over with that glint in her eye, the one that says she knows something I don’t.

"So, that was fun," she murmurs, leaning in. "You two always this intense?"

I lean back, propping my elbows on the bar. "Worse."

She chuckles, shaking her head. "She’s got it bad, huh?"

I glance at Heather, who’s now talking with Melanie, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. "I'd like to kiss you."

Ali smirks knowingly. "You're weird. But weird's fun, right?"

I nod slowly, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. The day isn’t even halfway over, and already, the tension between Heather and me is palpable.

It's like we're playing a game neither of us wants to lose, and every time I make her jealous, every time I push her a little further, I feel this connection between us grow stronger. It's like it never left.

Ali whispers in my ear, something about sharing a room later.

We linger at the bar for a while longer, just the two of us, but my mind keeps drifting back to Heather. I can see her laughing with Melanie, but every so often, her gaze flickers back to me. And I know.

I can feel it.

Eventually, Melanie pulls us all together for the next activity, something I can’t even focus on. There’s a psychic reading scheduled for later, before the strip club but all I can think about is Heather’s bare legs.

When the time comes to head to the psychic’s tent, I’m already on edge, not from the reading, but from the simmering heat between Heather and me. I need something to break it before it burns us both.

The psychic is a short woman with sharp eyes, and the moment I step into the tent with Heather and Melanie, I can feel the air shift.

"Well," the psychic says, her gaze lingering on me and Heather, "you two are complicated."

I glance at Heather. The look on her face is a mix of annoyance and curiosity, but it’s the slightest touch of amusement that catches me off guard.

"Is that good or bad?" Melanie asks, a laugh in her voice.

The psychic shrugs. "You both have the same energy—powerful energy—but one of you is more willing to fight for it than the other."

My heart skips a beat.

The psychic’s eyes lock with mine for just a second too long before she moves on, but the words echo in my mind.

One of you is more willing to fight.

I glance at Heather, she doesn't seem bothered by this. But I am.

What if this stupid reading means something? What if this is all true and all we have to do is fight for each other?