Page 17 of Grand Escape

“Oh, I called the front desk for some aloe, and it’s much better.”

“The good life, huh?”

“You live here year-round, missy.” This time, he jabbed me in the side.

“I work here year-round, mister.”

“What’s the plan? We walking or running?”

“Lucky for you, we’re not doing either. There’s a jitney that loops the island. We can hop on and take it over to Camila’s, a local place. The concierge rarely recommends it because it’s pretty much a dive and not typically what the guests have in mind.”

“Hopefully, we’ll eat some conch stew or conch fritters. I haven’t had a conch since I got here, but I hear it’s all the rage.”

I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of me. “Don’t say that word again. Also, I see you’ve been back at googling.”

“Hey, what’s a guy to do?”

“At least you weren’t working, were you?”

“No. Okay, maybe a little.”

We waited at the road for a few minutes, the sky turning orange on the horizon.

“Hey, anyone tell you that you look too nice for a dive?” While I was taking in the sky, Adam had leaned closer and whispered in my ear.

“Just you, in your designer T-shirt.”

Adam gave me a small smile. “Guilty. My sister. She buys this kind of crap for me.”

“You sure it’s your sister who buys it?”

He nodded. “Yeah. No other woman for me.”

The hint of sadness I’d seen earlier in the week crept back into his eyes, making me want to return to the hotel.

“Except for you,” he whispered. “No strings, of course, but you’re a woman and out with me.”

“I’m glad we both agree I’m a woman.”

“I’d show you,” Adam whispered in my ear, “but I think your brotherly valet would pummel me. Seems he’s got eyes on you, but not dibs.”

A shiver ran down my spine, despite the residual heat from the day. I’d said this was supposed to be fun, but it felt heavier—in a promising or special way I’d never known.

“There’s our ride,” I said lamely as the van rambled close.

This guy was so confusing, I didn’t know what to make of him—one third charming, another third perfect for me, and a third caught up on someone else.

When the van stopped, Adam followed me on without any questions, and I kind of liked that about him. We ambled to the back and took two empty seats. Adam stared out the window as the van lurched into motion.

“I almost stayed there,” he said as we passed a neighboring property.

“I know a gal who works there. She’s a pool server. Met her through Sam.”

“I wouldn’t have met you then,” he said, just as I blurted, “Maybe you should switch.”

Adam’s eyes twinkled as he glanced at me. “Never.”

We carried on with this teasing, interrupting each other’s banter with an easy rhythm I’d never experienced before.

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