Page 5 of Grand Escape

“By the way, is there anywhere I can get coffee?” I asked in a sultry voice as I flicked my damp ponytail over my shoulder.

“Okay, I’ve had enough. Get the hell out of here,” Tony said, playfully shaking his fist at me.

He was all bark, but I knew that inside he was a mushy teddy bear, except his bicep was as big as my thigh. After all, Tony preferred to go to the gym in the evenings. He’d been dry for about six years, and lifting weights after five o’clock helped him slay his own demons.

The bartender and the recovering alcoholic, we were an unlikely pair, but as close friends, it worked. As more than friends, it didn’t.

As a Cadillac SUV pulled into the drive, I turned to walk away. “Saved by the bell ... or the expensive SUV full of rich people.”

“Better hurry, they’re going to want Bloody Marys and shots soon,” he whispered to me before opening the car’s door and plastering on a smile. “Welcome to your very own escape.”

Sucking back the rest of my water, I walked toward the lobby to grab a coffee before showering and heading to work. Mondays, I always worked the day shift at the pool, and tonight, I was filling in during dinner at the lobby bar.

Benny, the doorman, greeted me. “Morning, Miss Rylan.”

“Morning, Benny-boy.”

If Tony was the big brother I’d never had, Benny was the grandpa I’d always wanted. My own family might have written me off, but I found a new one at the Grand, and it was better than my biological one.

Despite being sticky and sweaty, I tended to grab a morning coffee in the lobby. I considered it one of the perks of residing in one of the staff villas rather than moving off-site to my own space. Originally, I couldn’t afford anything else, but now it was just home. I mean really, really home. I’d become a citizen of the Caymans after working eight years on a worker’s visa. To me, it was the final nail in the coffin of my old life.

When a raspy voice called out, “If it isn’t the bartender with the biggest attitude,” I found myself reconsidering my coffee choices.

I took a quick glance around the open-air lobby with palm trees swaying around the perimeter, the wooden roof keeping the area somewhat dry and cool. There was a retractable ceiling in case of extreme weather, but today there was no sign of a storm.

Thank God, no one seemed to notice the unnecessary attention I was receiving. Even Benny was busy retrieving some luggage from outside. The young girls from earlier had disappeared. Undoubtedly, they’d been guaranteed an early check-in to their suite or villa.

“Surprised I’m up?” Adam stepped up next to me, smelling way better than I did. Today he was more appropriately dressed for paradise in shorts and a T-shirt.

Unable to find the right words, I simply nodded.

“What? Cat got your tongue? Or let me guess, ‘no talkie before coffee’?” He curled his fingers into air quotes, and I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up and flew out of my mouth.

“Oh my God, what did you do?” I choked out, still laughing. “Study Pinterest while in bed this morning?”

This time, it was his turn to laugh. A throaty chuckle rumbled from him, and I’m not going to lie ... hearing him laugh did something to me.

His sadness had sparked something deep inside me, my need to mother or caretake, but I reminded myself that Adam was nursing a broken heart for another woman. It went against my many rules to be a rebound girl. My disengagement rules were in place to keep me from getting hurt ... or attached. I didn’t do attachments.

I almost wished there was a clause in our contract about not fraternizing with guests, but there wasn’t. We were only told not to get involved with other staff, advice that was rarely followed.

“Hey, you there?” Adam asked. “You good?”

“Aren’t you the one who’s hungover?” I asked, mocking him back.

“I’m not the one in outer space. Plus, you’re holding up the coffee line.”

This got me, and I took a swift look around.

“Okay, it’s just me in line,” Adam said quickly, bringing me back to the discussion. “You drifted off back there. I only wanted to make sure you were good after the great care you took of me last night.”

Swallowing my pride and any mushy emotions, I nodded. “A-okay over here. Just gotta grab my morning joe and get ready for work.”

He gestured to the coffee station. “Ladies first.”

“Thanks, but guests first. I insist.”

Adam didn’t argue, which was as surprising as it was refreshing. He poured himself a cup of black coffee and stepped aside to take a long sip. I poured mine and added some milk while he continued to stand there.

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