Page 4 of Double Booked

“And he didn’t want to come on vacation with you?” I questioned. From some of the stories Colton had told me last night, the men seemed really close.

“Well, someone had to stay behind and run the business. We’ve got a good crew but no one who’s experienced enough yet to do the job if we were both gone. Maybe one day.”

Our food came at that point and we thanked the waitress. I shoved a spoonful of yogurt, fruit, and granola into my mouth and moaned. God, this was so good. I had it yesterday after I got in and I knew I was likely going to have it every day I was here.

Colton shifted in his chair across from me, eyes dark. “Fuck, Riley, warn a guy before you make that noise.”

I grinned flirtily at him, leaning forward and scooping another spoonful into my mouth. My moan was louder this time and he laughed and shook his head even as his heated hazel eyes speared into me. He ran his fingers through his short blond hair. No baseball cap today, just a set of sunglasses folded into his shirt.

“So what’s the deal with the shirt,” I waved my spoon towards the bright blue print. “It doesn’t really seem your style.”

He looked down and laughed. “I forgot I was wearing it. It’s a gag gift from my crew. I threw out the neon orange one. That one was an abomination for the eyes. But I promised them I would wear this one so you’ll have to take a picture for me later or I’ll owe everyone a case of beer.”

I laughed. “We can definitely add that to the agenda.”

“Speaking of the agenda, tell me about this jeep tour.”

“Hold on, I think I brought the brochure,” I said, leaning down and picking up the crossbody bag I brought with me. I checked the front pocket and found the glossy brochure that promised an experience of the island you would never forget. I handed it to Colton and slipped my laptop into its protective pocket in the bag.

“I meant to ask last night, but do you write every day?” Colton asked.

I grimaced. “I try to but my goal is to get about four chapters a week done. Some weeks are easier than others to make that happen but that usually translates to writing every day lately.”

“Damn, that’s a lot. How do you keep from burning out?”

I laughed. “Why do you think I’m on this vacation?”

He laughed. “Touche. Although you’re still working on it.”

“Touche,” I grinned at him and he laughed. I probably wasn’t helping the burnout. Okay, there was no probably about it. But I didn’t know how to shut it off. Nor could I really afford to. Nothing was guaranteed for an indie author and the only thing I could do is just keep writing the next book. Maybe one day I would have a large enough backlist of books I would be able to take a break but for now, it was all on my shoulders.

He opened the brochure and we spent the rest of breakfast going over the contents. The brochure included a map of the self-guided tour you could take around the island that included secluded beaches, some villages, and a spot where you could view the wildlife.

“Any preferences on where we go?” He asked.

“Not really. My assistant booked this for me to try and get me to be spontaneous but I’m beginning to rethink how well he knows me.”

Colton laughed. “Well, we can do our best to find an adventure. It says that the rental place where we pick up the jeep isn’t too far from here. Do you want to walk there after breakfast and then we can drive it to our hotel and pick up some supplies for the day?”

“That works for me,” I shrugged. It was kind of nice being with someone who took charge. I was so used to being in charge in my regular life that sometimes the weight of the decisions was exhausting.

We stood up from the table and Colton placed a hand on my lower back as we walked to the door. He opened the door for me and then walked on the outside of the sidewalk as we headed toward the rental place.

“Your parents must have raised a gentleman,” I commented without thinking.

His eyebrows furrowed at my comment, but then he nodded. “My mom gets full credit on that one.”

“Sorry,” I covered my face with my hand. “I have this weird habit of noticing things and blurting them out without thinking.”

“Don’t be sorry, there’s nothing to apologize for. It’s what makes you a good writer I bet.”

I shrugged, not sure what to say. I had a problem taking compliments, sue me.

He laughed at whatever he saw on my face. “Don’t worry, I’ll desensitize you to them.”

“Desensitize me to what?”

“Compliments. I recognize that face. It’s the same face Justin gives me when I give him a compliment.”

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