Page 30 of A Savior for the Arrogant Dragon

CHAPTER 17

***SIMON***

Later that evening, Simon found Max down on the beach getting ready for the crab boil. He was so distracted shouting out orders and overseeing the unpacking of the live crabs that he didn’t notice Simon at first. When he finally looked directly at him, he did a double take, then stood staring at him for a few seconds before shaking his head in bewilderment.

“Every time I see you, you look different,” Max said. “I’m having a hard time keeping up.”

He laughed, “A good haircut and some clothes that fit made a world of difference,” he said, grinning at his friend. “It doesn’t hurt that I had one of the best days of my life today.”

Max let out a long sigh, “You must have finally gotten Kira to sleep with you,” he said, clearly disappointed. “Congratulations.”

He tried not to be annoyed with Max. That would have been the only thing the old him would have cared about, “We didn’t sleep together; we went to an outdoor market, had themost amazing lunch, did some shopping, danced in the park, and rode the bus twice.”

A look of surprise appeared on Max’s face. “Well, how about that? A leopard really can change its spots,” he said, then studied him for a second. “So, you’ve given up on sleeping with her?”

“Well, I didn’t say that; I mean, I am a man, after all,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “But that’s not the only reason I want to spend time with Kira. She’s special, Max. She makes me feel things I haven’t felt since……for a long time. I hope she’ll sleep with me eventually, but if it never happens, that will be okay too; in fact, she’s having dinner with someone else tonight, and I’m not even throwing a fit.”

Max studied him for a second, then narrowed his eyes at him, “Okay, who are you, and what did you do with the old Simon?” he finally asked. “Not only do you look different, you’re acting different. I’m not sure what to make of the whole thing.”

“I’ve decided not to fight it, not to think about when or if I’ll get the old me back,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m just taking life one day at a time right now. Eventually, I’m going to have to figure out what the future holds for me. My father isn’t going to change his mind about the money, I know that. I’ll have to get a job, have to find a way to support myself, but right now, I’m just enjoying feeling things again.”

There was a long silence as Max studied him again, then he shook his head, “You meant every word of that,” he finally said, a smile breaking out on his face. “Welcome to the real world, Simon.”

“Thanks, Max,” he said, smiling back at him. “Now, what can I do to help?”

“Well, if you really want to help, I’m sure Montgomery could use some help digging the firepit,” Max said. “He’s really not a bad guy, Simon, and he’s the best sailor in the islands. I was lucky to get him to agree to work for me.”

“I was the problem, not Montgomery,” he said. “I’ll be happy to help him.”

When he met back up with Max an hour later, the sun was just beginning to sink in the sky and the beach was filled with people. No one wanted to miss the feast. Guests and staff mingled happily with each other, their laughter and conversation filling the night, the ocean in the background all the music they needed. They stood together watching as the torches buried in the sand up and down the beach were lit, and the flame was put to the fire he’d helped lay in the pit.

“I think we’re ready to go,” Max said, a pleased look on his face. “Before we boil the crabs, we’re going to dig for some clams, you up for it?”

“You bet, but I have no idea what to do,” he said. “I’ve never dug for anything in my life.”

“Using a shovel isn’t that hard,” Max said, grinning at him. “Even you should be able to handle it.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but he was cut off by the sound of laughter and shouting as a group of six young men came walking up. “Where are the crabs?” one of them shouted. “I want the crabs.”

The rest of the group burst into loud laughter, and he heard Max groan, “That is the last bachelor party I’m ever hosting on the island. Those guys have been a problem since the moment they got here,” he said. “They’ve been harassing the other guests, being rude to the staff, and I’m sure they smuggled some alcohol onto the island in their luggage. They’re going home tomorrow, but that means we still have to put up with them tonight. If they don’t calm down, I’ll kick them off the beach.”

He watched the men for a second, then realized that one of them was Corey, “Kira is supposed to sit with one of thosejerks at dinner tonight,” he said, pointing him out. “I’m not sure that I’m so good with this anymore. Do you think I should warn her?”

“It wouldn’t hurt,” Max said. “But be careful. She’s going to think that you’re jealous.”

“I am jealous,” he said. “Which is a new thing for me, but that’s a totally different discussion. I’m going to go find Kira, wish me luck.”

***Kira***

Kira and Mary Beth hurried down the beach, afraid that they were the last ones to arrive, “I can’t believe you didn’t wake me up,” she said. “Now we’re late and it’s all my fault.”

“Will you stop worrying? You must have needed that nap,” Mary Beth said. “So what if we’re late? I’m sure we didn’t miss anything; you just want to see Simon.”

She groaned. “Remind me never to tell you anything else ever again,” she said, feeling a blush spread across her cheeks. Besides, I’m supposed to sit with Corey tonight. I don’t even know if I’ll see Simon.”

“Well, I do,” Mary Beth said. “He’s headed our way right now; at least, I think it’s him. He’s looking pretty good. I wouldn’t mind sitting with him at dinner if you’re not going to.”

A surge of jealousy stole her breath for a second, and she gave her friend a dirty look, “Don’t you have Max?” she asked before she could stop herself. “Sorry, gut reaction, don’t mind me.”

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