“I can’t imagine your life,” he said lying back on the sand. He closed his eyes and obviously tried to imagine it. “Used cars, paying rent, ramen noodles, no one hounding you for money all the time... it sounds great.”
“No, we get hounded for money all the time, but we actually owe people the money, and don’t have it,” I said. He laughed and opened his eyes to look at me as I spoke. “I can’t imagine your life — no worries about what bill to pay first, expensive clothes, vacations like this,” I gestured to the beach. “Want to switch for a little while?”
Jack rolled onto his side, propped his head on his elbow, and smiled at me. The sun was beginning to set, and the soft reds and golds highlighted his features and glinted off his hair. I felt my breath go short. I had never met a man with a smile like that; I would have followed him around like a puppy for that smile. I felt my cheeks go red and I dropped my eyes, pretending the sand was fascinating.
“Would you be interested in joining me for dinner tonight?” Jack asked, his eyes still trained on my face. I couldn’t help it, but my cheeks went redder. I was interested in doing anything with him.
“Won’t your secretary mind?”
“I think she is going to be finishing her vacation without me. I think I will be eating here at the resort — I am enjoying your company,” he said. I glanced up and saw his eyes were almost golden in the setting sun, and completely serious.
“Sure,” I said slowly. Normal me would have found a reason to back out. Normal me would have been afraid. Vacation me wanted the adventure. Vacation me wasn’t about to let an opportunity to have dinner with a gorgeous man pass by because I was scared. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? “I’ll have to let the resort know.”
“I’ll call the resort and set it up. It shouldn’t be a problem. By the way, you should put some sunscreen on tomorrow. I think your cheeks might be burning,” he said as he sat up. Small flecks of sand stuck to his skin and shirt as he stood up. They sparkled in the setting sun, and glistened like falling jewels as he brushed them off. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and searched through a contacts list before putting it to his ear. I was right outside my cabana house, so I stood up and grabbed the towel and clicker. I quickly went to my porch and ducked inside to change for dinner. Everything was going so well. I was taking a handsome man to dinner, and who knew where the night could end up.
Chapter 3
I ran a brush through my long dark hair and grimaced in the mirror at the sand creature looking back. I looked like I had spent the day on the beach, but I didn’t have time to clean up. Besides, I told myself, he’s been looking at you all day. He doesn’t care that you look like a beach-bum. I grabbed a sundress hanging in my closet and a pair of flip-flop sandals before heading back out. Jack was waiting patiently by the porch step, staring out at the ocean and the setting sun.
Jack turned at the sound of the door and smiled his brilliant smile as I walked towards him. My knees felt weak; a girl could get hurt by that smile.
“You look great,” he said honestly. I bit my lip and blushed again.
“Thanks,” I said as he offered his elbow to me. I wrapped my arm around his, feeling like a princess in a story book. I liked the way he felt, his arm strong and solid under mine as we walked out of the sand and into the resort.
Twilight was slowly taking over the resort, the sun’s rays quickly fading in streams of red and gold that played across the sand and reflected off the water. The pool gleamed like a bright ruby as a couple splashed in its jeweled depths. Small lights twinkled in the palm trees lining the paths to the various areas on the resort. The entire world seemed to glow with excitement and romance. Everywhere I looked, I could see dark romantic corners for lovers to hide, and laughing couples stealing kisses in the fading light. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t envious of the lovers.