Page 18 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“Not in a million years.” I dunked my head, slicked my wet hair back, and waded toward shore.

“We could take lessons together,” Fiona insisted, following me. “It’d be so fun.”

“Nope.”

“Well then, ya’d better be givin’ me one good reason why ya won’t be joinin’ me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll give you two.”

“First,” I said, raising my pointer finger. “I am a disaster at anything that requires balance. Skiing? Snowboarding? Ice skating? You name it. We own a lodge, and I still can’t do any of it. I’ve taken a million lessons with the best instructors money can buy, and somehow, I’m still a liability.”

I added my middle finger before continuing.

“And second, I’m not breaking an arm trying to surf when my horse needs me. When we make the Pan Am team, our teammates deserve us at full strength. It’s called risk management.”

“Ugh. Fine. Ya suck.”

“Look on the bright side. You might end up with the hottest instructor there, and he could sweep you off your feet.”

“Aye, and monkeys might fly outta me arse,” Fiona said, making me laugh.

She picked up her towel and snapped it at me like a whip.

“Ah!” I shrieked, dodging the blow, but sand sprayed into the air and clung to my damp skin. Laughing, I snatched mine up to defend myself.

We chased each other down the beach, laughter bubbling up in a way it rarely did anymore. For a few precious minutes, I felt free, unburdened by my name, my father, or my future.

I spun and ran straight toward Goran.

He raised an eyebrow, daring me.

Another day, fewer eyes, I would have done it.

Breathless, I stopped and looked at Fiona. She was bent over, hands on her knees, panting. I smirked, stretching like a cat soaking up the sun, my skin warm as I brushed sand from my legs.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Guy returning with drinks. I lifted my hand to wave. He smiled, breaking protocol.

If Nathaniel wasn’t careful, I was going to steal all his guards. Not to marry. I loved Goran. But Nathaniel trained his men well. They were solid. Loyal. Friendly. Nothing like the jerks who worked for my father.

Guy held out two strawberry daiquiris for Fiona and me.

“Why, thank you, kind sir.” I smiled, giving him a wink.

“Perfect timin’, I’m parched.” Fiona took her drink and downed a generous gulp. “Ouch.” She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead. “Feckin’ brain freeze.”

“Hey, where do you think you’re going,” I asked Guy as he turned to leave with four bottles of water.

He froze. “Um…just going to give them water, ma’am.”

“For the last time, please don’t call me ma’am. Call me Kaylani. Consider it a direct order.”

He cringed. “Best I can do is Ms. Mikhailov.”

“Fine. But…instead of you going all the way over there to give them water, how about you all come over here and join us?”

Reaching into my tote bag, I pulled out my phone and turned on music. A smile spread across my face as I began to dance. I peeked at Ivan and Goran and beckoned them over. Guy fidgeted, unsure of what to do. Ivan pointed to himself in confusion, while Goran stood as still as a statue before shaking his head at me.

I was having none of it.