Page 6 of A Whole New Play

Ted Bundy was attractive too, Valerie…

Fair point, I tell myself. Then focus back on the stunning man across from me. I worry I offended him with my response, but CJ takes me by surprise when he laughs.

“Wow. Okay.” He smiles, amused. “My charm isn’t working, is it?”

“It’s not that.” I feel compelled to explain myself. Which is unusual. I’m not usually someone who explains herself, courtesy of my mother’s influence. “I’ve just watched one too many true crime shows to be comfortable sharing that information with a stranger.”

He sits back in his chair and nods thoughtfully. “I get it. I have a sister. I hope she’s as cautious as you when it comes to men.”

I leap onto the change in topic. “Is your sister younger than you?”

“Yes, but by barely more than a year. We’re almost Irish twins.”

“But you’re still protective of her?” I take another sip of wine.

“Very.” He chuckles to himself. “A little too much if I’m being honest. And I just found out she’s dating my best friend. I’m trying to take a step back so I don’t do anything to fuck up either of those relationships.”

“Your best friend?” My eyes widen. “Wow. I thought that sort of thing was off-limits for guys.”

He shrugs. “Carlee and Corey have had a thing for each other since we were kids. They think I didn’t know, but they were so obvious I’d have to be a moron not to notice.”

The waitress approaches and delivers our desserts. She smiles kindly when she places my gelato in front of me, but her smile is far more inviting when it lands on CJ. To his credit, he doesn’t seem to notice. He thanks her for the cake, and then his attention returns to me. He doesn’t see the woman’s disappointed frown.

Was she hoping he would openly flirt with her with me sitting right here?

CJ picks up his fork and digs into his cake without a care in the world.

Men…

I shake my head and pick up my spoon. I take a bite and a delicious tangy lemon flavor floods my tastebuds.

“Mmm.” I scoop up another spoonful and put it in my mouth, loving the sweet but sour taste of the refreshing dessert.

“Is it good?”

I look up as I’m licking the corner of my lip. CJ’s eyes zero in on the movement, and I’m embarrassed yet intrigued by the hint of heat I see flicker in his gaze. It’s the first sign of attraction he’s given me all evening aside from telling me I looked nice when we met outside the cabana.

The look makes my stomach flutter.

I swallow the gelato and nod, delicately dabbing the corner of my mouth. “It’s really good. How’s yours?”

“Delicious.” His eyes flash. I’m not certain he’s talking about the dessert…

“Good.” I look down to hide my flushed cheeks.

Silence settles as we enjoy our desserts.

A minute or so later, CJ asks, “So, I know you’re not married, but is there someone waiting for you back in Houston?”

I scoff. “No.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

I lift my gaze and meet CJ’s genuinely curious stare.

I press my lips together and debate how honest I should be.

Considering CJ is a stranger and I won’t see him after leaving this resort, I say, “The thought that I’d have enough time to do something as normal as date is laughable.” I intend the words to sound amusing, but they come out a little pathetic.

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