Page 50 of Reel Love

“Too bad you’re a movie star. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. And I’m certain it wasn’t because you’re Alana Graves. He likes you.”

“He’s been good to me this week. I think that’s just his way with everyone. You did it again, Brigitte. As always. You found a great man to transport me.”

“Hmmm,” she hums thoughtfully. Then she adds, “Stinks to be you sometimes.”

I don’t even ask her to elaborate. Instead, I take one more glance down into the cove to see Stevens sitting on the sand in his swim trunks, his arms wrapped loosely around his knees as he gazes off into the ocean.

FIFTEEN

Stevens

I can't see anything that I don't like about you.

~ Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

So, I couldn’t sleep last night. I start typing before our tiles are even dealt.

SaturdayIslandGirl answers me:Really? What kept you from sleeping?

The first move is mine, so I pause, leaning back in my hammock to consider my options. But my mind drifts to the relaxing afternoon I spent snorkeling on the back side of the island. And then, the biggest surprise of all, I bumped into Alana and her assistant. Seeing her away from Joel’s boat was momentarily jarring. And, she wasn’t just anywhere. She was in my cove—not mine, mine, but the one where I go regularly for a private snorkel.

After Alana and Brigitte left, I sat on the beach, watching the waves roll in and out, enjoying an afternoon with no agenda. Then I stopped by Dustin’s so he could tell me about the plans for his move to Tennessee. He and I ended up grabbing burgers,and now I’m here, in my back yard laying in my hammock, watching the sky turn colors as the sun starts to set.

SaturdayIslandGirl types again:Are you going to tell me what kept you from sleeping, or are you just throwing your insomnia out there and leaving me hanging?

I smile. She always makes me smile the kind of smile that starts somewhere behind my rib cage and spreads to my face. It’s a blend of contentment, intrigue and desire I’ve never felt before.

Why does she have to be on the other side of this screen—and this planet?

Sorry. I was studying my tiles so I didn’t answer you. I couldn’t sleep because I kept wondering what you do for a living.

I lay down AQUEOUS, placing the Q on a double point space.

Hold that thought, she types.I have to focus after you laid down twenty-six points to start the game.

I smile. She’s a true competitor. Whatever she does, I have no doubt she’s the best at it. It’s funny how much I know her, and yet, I don’t know her at all.

Not even a minute later, she types:Aha! Take this!and she lays down CUMQUAT, using my Q and gaining a four point lead, just like that.

How did you do that?I marvel.

I’m a woman of many talents.

One of which is your mysterious career path,I retort.

And you actually lost sleep wondering what I do for a living?

Okay, maybe only a few minutes passed while I was wondering about it before I settled in and got my usual eight hours.

Ha. Okay.

So, permission to ask … What do you do? Because, to be honest, I’ve narrowed it down to a few more options than my original guesses.

Oh? Do tell.

I smile. She sounds flirty. MaybeKai was right.

I’ve been planning what I’d say to SaturdayIslandGirl for most of the day. Here we go …

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