What Happens in Paradise

At the villa, Irene lies to her friend Lydia via text, claiming she is adjusting well. The next day, her credit card is declined. The bank informs her that Russ’s accounts have been frozen. The editor-in-chief at her magazine calls to say a $12,000 bonus check is on its way, and Irene opens an account at a local bank. Huck tells her that the FBI has arrested Paulette and Douglas.

Irene works a charter for a family whose son, Niles, is recovering from leukemia. She helps the withdrawn Niles catch a tarpon, making him smile. The charter ends in a rainstorm, and Huck puts his arm around a shivering Irene.

That evening, Huck invites Irene to dinner, and she accepts. On the boat ride back to St. John, Huck kisses her.

On her day off, Ayers reflects on her breakup with Mick and sleeping with Baker. Her thoughts are interrupted when Mick arrives at her door uninvited. He persuades her to spend the day with him, and when she confesses she slept with Baker, Mick dismisses it, saying: “I’m glad you got it out of your system. I had my fling and now you’ve had yours” (265). He shows her a cottage he’s rented for them to share, which Ayers notes is a big step up from his previous apartment that was tiny and dingy.