Page 7 of Grand Escape

Brianna was a sweet one, but self-involved. Little Miss Self-Care, Tony joked. If she wanted to last long here, she had to be a team player.

With a free second, I turned to straighten the colorful bottles of liquor behind me, then smoothed the front of my white blouse and made sure my khaki skirt wasn’t too wrinkled. It was my standard lobby look. After mostly wearing tanks or polos outside, this was my version of dressing up.

“Island meadow. Found out all on my own.”

I didn’t have to turn to know who the voice belonged to, but I did. Adam sat at the bar looking all cleaned up in a white dress shirt and khaki pants.

“Hey, we’re twins,” he said, allowing his gaze to run my full length.

“Looks like we are. You want to work here in that outfit, even though you’re on vacation?” I couldn’t help but banter with Adam. Some weird combination of attraction and pity forced me to interact.

“That’s okay. I worked all day in my villa. Now I want a drink,” he said, answering my earlier questions without me asking.

“So did I. Work all day, that is. Pool by day, lobby by night for me. But I’m not the one on vacation. Tell me, what can I get for you, A?”

“You work too hard.”

“Says the man who worked in his villa all day while vacationing in paradise. We don’t call this place the Grand Escape for not—”

“Hey, I went out on my patio,” he said quickly. “That says something.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re a real wild one.”

Another laugh came from him, this one echoing around the lobby and landing in my chest.

“How about a Tito’s,” he said. “This one on the rocks with a side of your bark and bite.”

I grabbed his vodka of choice and turned to him. “How about straight up in a chilled martini glass? Keeps it icy cold, but not watered down. And I only reserve my bite for my best customers.”

“Now you’re talking. I knew my mom was right in saying I needed a break. She’s the one who sent me on this trip. Well, she didn’t pay for it. I am a big boy and all. She merely suggested I take it. Pushed me into it, but I’m not a mama’s boy. My brother ganged up with her.”

I slid the drink in front of him, somewhat glad the rush had slowed and yet sort of wishing for it to pick back up.

“So, a sort-of mama’s boy then?” I asked, not asking why he needed the trip. I already knew he was some sort of lovesick fool.

“I can be. She raised the three of us on her own. My dad died when we were all young. We don’t always listen to her, but we pretend we do.”

“Three of you?”

“Triplets, but I’m the best one.” He smirked. “Just ask my mom.”

“I’ll take your word for it. So, identical?”

You know the saying, curiosity killed the cat? I couldn’t help it, but I was fascinated that this big bad man was a tiny baby triplet at one point.

“Nope. Two boys and a girl.”

“God, I’d hate to be her going on a date.”

Adam nodded, his eyes unfocused for a moment.

“Memories?”

“Oh yeah. For sure. Now, back to you. Island meadow.”

He’d obviously googled the meaning of my name. I resisted rolling my eyes again.

“It’s a wonder what you can learn on the internet these days,” I said, “even when stuck in the islands ... no pun intended. You know, there used to be a lack of cell towers down here, but then they figured out all those influencers gotta influence. The tourism board made a stink, and now you can get signal anywhere.”

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