[Invitation to Eden 15.0] Return to Sender by Steena Holmes Read Free Book Online Page A

soon, she’d pay for it later. The small plate of cheese she’d munched on earlier with her wine really hadn’t cut it and considering she hadn’t had much to eat all day...no wonder the wine went straight to her head.
    She hopped off the bed and the sheet pooled at her feet before she headed into the shower just off the room. The hot water rained down over her relaxed muscles. She leaned up against the tiled walls and let out a long breath. How was she supposed to get out of here and make it to dinner?
    It took awhile, but she managed to crawl her way out of the shower and get dressed. She was thankful that the summer dress she’d thrown in to the bag fit her properly. How they managed to find her clothes that fit her hourglass figure was beyond her. She normally had a hard enough time trying to find something to fit her hips and thighs while accommodating her larger than preferred chest.
    “I hear you’re all done.” Tyler’s voice was on the other side of the door and Lauren’s stomach flip-flopped at his voice. She stuck her feet in her sandals, grabbed her bag and opened the door, a huge smile on her face.
    “That was amazing.” She leaned against the wall.
    “You look amazing,” was all Tyler said. He held out his arm and she reached for it. “Ready for dinner?”
    Her stomach growled loud enough for him to hear.
    “I’ll take that as a yes.”
    “I’ve been looking forward to this meal since you mentioned it.” The only question, in her mind, was whether she would be eating alone or with a certain muscular Greek god that could take her mind off what this whole weekend was about.
    She preferred option two. She didn’t want to think about Marc. Not anymore. It was time to let him go, time to move past the hope she harbored deep inside.
    Who was she kidding? Despite the sweet smiles, and the feel of his muscular arms beneath her hand, she’d trade this hunk for Marc any day. If the island really knew what she needed, it would have brought Marc to her.
    “Why the frown?” Tyler stopped outside a set of white French doors. A warm glow emanated from behind the soft white curtains that covered the glass on the other side.
    She shrugged. “No reason, other than this dinner signifies the end to an amazing day.”
    “What if it wasn’t the end, but rather the beginning to something you’ve always dreamed about?”
    Lauren just looked at him, not bothering to respond.
    “The island knows what you want and need...”
    She laughed. “Then the island should know I’m wanting something chocolate for dessert and then a warm breeze while I lay in the hammock tonight.”
    “Just wait and see.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Leave your heart open, okay?”
    Puzzled, Lauren watched Tyler as he walked away from her. She was really going to have dinner by herself, on this island where supposedly her dreams were to come true? Really? Whoever planned this day for her forgot one tiny tidbit of information. She hated eating alone. There was nothing worse than being alone at a table surrounded by couples who whispered sweet promises to each other.
    She had half a mind to walk away and find her own way down to her cottage for the night when she remembered the promise of chocolate. And the fact she wasn’t sure how to navigate the maze Tyler had walked her into.
    With a sigh, she turned the knob on the door and pushed it open.
    The warm glow in the room surrounded her, the soft music that played danced around her but it was the sight in front of her, or rather the person, that made her already weak knees give out until she crumpled to the floor in a heap.
    Marc was here. He couldn’t be. That couldn’t be him. Could it?
    Whomever it was, he rushed over to her and knelt down.
    Neither one said anything. Lauren couldn’t. Her mouth had gone dry and all she could think was why. Why?
    “Hello, beautiful,” Marc said to her.
    Marc. It was really him. She would know his voice anywhere,