CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Leilani couldn't remembera day she'd had as much fun as they'd had today. Yesterday with Jacob a close second.

She had ridden around on the jet ski for over an hour with Knox before he finally let her climb on the front and drive it herself.

At first, she went slowly, then sped up.

And loved it.

Jacob looked unimpressed, but when she climbed back on board, he'd wrapped a towel around her and kissed her like he hadn't seen her for a year.

And if she wasn't mistaken, he extended it until Knox had boarded.

Or maybe she was imagining it.

Now they were back on land, showered, changed, and heading along the beach to an amazing bonfire and dinner which had been created for them.

Dozens of bright cushions and chairs surrounded the fire and above them a string of lights in a large square had been hung, acting as a demarcation for the party. Behind them were a couple of tables with long draping tablecloths covered in fresh, delicious smelling delicacies.

Ice bucket stands dug into the sand with bottles of champagne buried in them, while brightly colored throws and towels were tossed around, giving it a luxurious and warm feel.

To one side, a little pop-up tent was flapping open for the girls and Baxter. Olivia crouched down and put him in a baby bouncer and his little legs kicked joyfully.

"Wow, look at all this," Leilani said as they approached.

Jacob, who was holding her hand, kicked off his sandals and reached for them, then kept walking.

"What would you like to drink?" he asked.

"Nothing. I drank enough on the boat. Maybe water," she added, waving out to Bella. She wandered over to join her and a couple of the other girls.

"Having fun?" Bella asked.

"You kidding? This whole weekend has been amazing," Leilani said. It had helped that her mom had been well from all the reports they'd received.

She was so grateful to Jacob for getting the nurse for her. It had put her mind at rest, at least temporarily. It didn't fix anything, but it gave her a few days" break from the constant worry.

"I'm so glad. You look happier than you have in weeks," Bella said, handing her a plate of fresh melon.

Leilani took one and nibbled on it.

"Mom is getting worse. It won't get better if she doesn't stop drinking. She won't," Leilani replied, shaking her head softly. "The doctor told me it was time to stop trying to change her and just accept it."

"I'm sorry. When my mom died, it was fast. Unexpected. But I couldn't help but be angry at her for leaving me." Bella shared. "It's natural to feel like that."

Knox came up behind them and slid his arm around Bella's shoulders. "You, okay?"

She nodded and leaned into him.

Leilani remembered they were siblings. And tried doing a calculation in her head about how that related to Jacob. Knox was his half brother, and Bella was married to Blake. But Blake had a different father, not mom.

"We have different fathers," Knox said, watching her.

"Wow, did I think out loud?"

"No, I read minds," he said, as Bella nudged him in the side.

"Oomph," Knox cried, playfully.

Leilani giggled.

She liked Knox, even though she felt unreasonably disloyal. If Jacob would give him a chance, he might find a doorway to connect with his father.

But what did she know? He'd gained one. She was losing her last living parent.

They were on the opposite side of things, and she privately thought he should be doing all he could to build a relationship. Then again, Jacob had an enormous family, so he'd never be alone.

Knox winked at her, then left them to chat.

"You're all so lucky to have one another," Leilani said, dropping down into one of the chairs. Bella sat beside her.

"Are you an only child?"

She nodded. "When mom goes, it will just be me."

"You know, even though I have three brothers. Ward is not my real dad. I went through a stage where I felt like a fraud. My birth father is an evil man. I know it's not the same, but I wasn't sure where I would belong. It took months before Ward pulled me aside after working out what I was thinking."

Ward.

"Jacob's dad," Leilani said quietly.

"Yeah. It was a surprise for all of us," Bella said, as they both stared across the fire where the man himself was talking to Daniel and Hunter.

Knox walked over and joined them, and she watched as Jacob immediately stiffened.

"He didn't like you out there on the jet ski with Knox today." Bella shot her a little smile.

Leilani dropped her eyes to the sand and dug her toes into it. Lying felt wrong. She was becoming friends with this woman. And she was her boss's wife.

I know this is over when we get home.

Jacob's comment had run over and over in her mind since the other night. Of course, he was right. They were fake dating for the weekend, but it had still surprised her to hear him say it out loud.

"You know, this is just temporary," she whispered, lifting her face to Bella.

"Is it?"

Leilani nodded. She wasn't going to say more than that and betray his confidence, but she couldn't lie to Bella. "Please don't say anything to the others."

"You like him, though," Bella said.

Leilani let out a laugh. "Yes. I mean, look at him. He's, God, beautiful."

She took in his strong solid legs and how his tan shorts hugged his ass. And Jesus, the loose shirt he wore half open flapped in the breeze, showing off his ripped and sun-kissed chest. He was mouthwatering.

His dark hair, the ends of which had a slight curl to them, gave him a boyish look, but she knew he was all man.

But it was more than just an attraction. Leilani cared for him a lot and her chest tightened whenever he glanced her way. His touch sent fire through her and butterflies scattering inside her tummy.

The thought of waking up next week without his lips on her and his husky whispers in her ear felt miserable.

"Oh, you more than like him." Bella claimed. "Are you sure you're not falling in love with him?"

Leilani glanced back, her eyes widening.

Was she?

Oh, lord, she couldn't.

So she scoffed. "What? No. You and I both know he's a playboy."

"So why are you here?" Bella asked.

Why indeed?

"Well, I needed a break from my life. He wanted...he wanted me here. I mean, yes, we are sleeping together, but it's not serious. We won't be announcing our engagement." She laughed.

"Yeah, the Dufort men are dropping like flies." Bella grinned.

Leilani wasn't surprised. They were all extremely good looking, rich, and despite the fact they spent an equal amount of time talking business as they did banter with one another, they were very dedicated to the woman they loved.

That much was extremely clear.

Leilani glanced out across the sand to where Jack and Amelia stood at the water's edge. His arm laying across her shoulders.

Jackson and Kristen were making up a plate of food. Him stealing a piece off her plate as she bumped her hip against his. They grinned at one another.

Daniel set up a chair for Harper and she ignored it, flopping down into the sand. He shook his head and tossed it away, then dropped down beside her and pulled her between his legs. She turned and kissed his face.

The dominance of Daniel's hand as he held her head reminded Leilani of the way Jacob touched her.

Possessive.

Fletcher was playing some kind of ball game with the girls, while Olivia sat with the baby and chatted to Emma and Lily. Hunter and Aidan were now talking with Blake, Jacob, and Knox.

It was a big, happy family.

And she was just a guest.

One day, another woman would be here as Jacob's wife, and she felt a wash of sadness brush over her as the thought consumed her.

"No, I'm not in love with him," Leilani repeated, mostly to remind herself.