"Absolutely, owning up is no big deal!" Marina continued to pour herself another glass of wine. "Oh, and about that kiss from the first round I lost, don't take it to heart." "I've said it before, if you ever need anything, I'm your guy," Carson replied with a smile, raising his glass to her.

But Marina suddenly frowned. "Why did you even open your mouth to kiss?"

Carson, caught off guard by her bluntness, nearly choked on his drink and coughed before replying, "You kissed me first. I just couldn't help myself. That's not on me!"

Marina eyed him skeptically. "You mean, that wasn't intentional?"

"Absolutely," Carson confessed. "My own fiancée comes at me with a kiss, and you expect me to play saint? No way!"

Marina looked at him, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes.

Carson poured her another drink. "Come on, we're adults here. No need to be so uptight. Remember, I did you a favor. If I had pushed you away, playing Mr. Nice Guy, wouldn't you have lost face?" Thinking it over, Marina had to admit he had a point.

Especially in front of Susanna. If Carson had rejected her, Susanna would've been way too pleased with herself!

"Let's drop it," Marina said after taking a sip of her wine, suddenly adding, "I'm kinda hungry!"

"Didn't eat dinner?" Carson asked.

"Just got caught up talking and didn't feel it until now," Marina said, heading to the kitchen and opening the fridge, "Let's see what we've got." The fridge was bare except for some water and soda.

phone to look up the number for the

at her incredulously. "Where am I supposed to find

off. "Just kidding. Anything's fine,

thought, Carson made a call to

hour

in the villa's

up a

food delivered from

in a coat, Marina sat beside him, her face alight with joy.

"Feeling better about

red as she tried to play it cool. "Oh, please. Mr. Foster, you're so handsome, I bet loads of women would die for

consider letting you spend the

even redder, as she

on the squid,

night lights always

more striking under the glow. Marina couldn't help but steal glances, eventually forcing

*

shower, Estelle was scooped up from the bathroom by Jonathan and laid on

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