Chapter 1

      As the small seaplane soared over the turquoise-blue waters of the Fijian islands, Melanie Watts could hardly breathe much less look out the window. Her fingers were finally beginning to cramp after gripping the edges of her seat for the entire seven minutes that the small plane had been in the air. She felt tension in her back and neck as a result of not being able to relax.

      To say that the seaplane with a seven-passenger capacity was not her preferred mode of transportation was an understatement. But it was the quickest way to get from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport to Malolo Island, where she, her best friend, Richelle, Richelle’s fiancé, Roy, and their wedding guests would be staying at the much-acclaimed Likuliku Lagoon Resort.

      “Can’t you just go to Jamaica?” Melanie had tried to reason with Richelle. “Four hours nonstop from JFK, same time zone as New York, nice and easy to get to.”

      “Roy and I want to do something different,” Richelle had explained. “Something that not every couple does. We know Fiji’s far, and expensive, which is why Roy’s going to pay for everyone. And please don’t tell me you can’t make it. If you’re not at my wedding, I’ll be devastated.”

      In the end, even though Melanie wasn’t thrilled with the idea of a superlong flight, she knew she couldn’t deny her best friend of fourteen years. Of course she would go to Fiji and be Richelle’s maid of honor. And with Roy, a recently retired multimillionaire NFL quarterback, footing the entire bill for seven nights in paradise? Melanie didn’t have one good reason to say no.

      “Oh, my goodness!” Richelle exclaimed, and Melanie flinched reflexively. “I see the resort! Look at all the bungalows over the water! Oh, Roy, we’re really here!”

      Melanie opened her eyes to peek through the window. She was sitting on the left side of the plane, and Richelle, who was to her right, was leaning against her as she tried to get a better view of the resort.

      There had been room on the plane for everyone to have a window seat, but Melanie hadn’t wanted to sit with one of Richelle’s or Roy’s relatives she didn’t know. Richelle had wanted to sit with Roy, which was why they had crammed in the only row with three small seats.

      “Oh, wow,” Melanie said, taking in the sights below. It was extraordinary. Not to mention the stretch of pristine golden beach. Melanie inhaled her first relaxing breath.

      But suddenly, the plane’s engine, which had been loud for the entire trip, sounded like it had just conked out and the plane rapidly began to fall.

      “Oh, God!” Melanie cried, fear seizing her body. “Did the engine just die?”

      “We are beginning our descent, ma’am,” the pilot, a man named Suli, explained.

      “But—but the engine,” Melanie protested.

      “Relax,” Richelle said. “We’re in paradise.”

      “So it’s okay if we die because we’re in paradise?” Melanie countered.

      Richelle giggled. “Mel, I swear, sometimes you let your fear stop you from enjoying life. Did you even see the view? All those small islands and the ocean’s different shades of blue?”

      “I...I saw some of it,” Melanie admitted sheepishly.

      “It was stunning. Priceless. Yet you had your eyes closed.”

      “At least I’m on this plane. Give me credit for that.” Rationally, Melanie knew the plane would have to go down, but she was still beyond afraid. This was a new experience for her—one she’d never anticipated doing, or ever cared to do.