Page 24 of Passions & Peonies

“So you aren’t too old for me,” I joke. “I’m twenty-seven.”

“Are you trying to say I look old, little lady?” He pulls me down next to him again.

“Of course not.” I giggle, then kiss his cheek.

“Anyway, my mom had life insurance. Dad split it three ways. He’s well off, so he wanted us to get the chance to do what we want. I had my MBA in advertising, but I had no desire to sit behind a desk. Josh didn’t either. That’s when my dad’s friend approached us about the marina in the Hamptons. A couple of years later, my uncle made us an offer we couldn’t resist for the marina here. Somehow, we worked it out with the six months here and six months there. So here we are. You say flowers are your passion—well, this is mine.”

So many questions are popping up in my head, but I don’t want to bombard him. I’m no stranger to the Hamptons, though, and I want to ask where the marina is.

“Excuse me.” A deep voice startles both of us. “You’re not supposed to be here during the night.” A beefy man is standing a couple feet away from us. Security guard? He approaches us, and we can see his features in the lantern light.

Will stands up. “Hey, Stan. It’s me, Will Mayes.”

“Oh. Hi, Will. Good to see you.” They shake hands. “Sorry to interrupt. Usually it’s Josh who’s out here.”

Will laughs, but I don’t because Josh is with Sky. He’d better behave with her. But Sky’s a tough cookie. She can hold her own. But, wait. They could be doing what we were just doing.

They chat for a few minutes, and then Will introduces me to Stan, the security man.

“Anyway, you know the rules, Will. I’ll give you a few minutes.”

“I know, but—”

“It’s okay, Will,” I interrupt. “I really need to get back. I should check on Sky.”

Stan walks away, and I help Will straighten the chairs. “You seem to be popular.”

“We’re like a big family here. This is part of my uncle’s place, so we get away with stuff sometimes.”

“It’s nice to hear you haven’t been caught doing this before.”

He walks around the chair and places his hands on my hips. I wrap my arms around his waist and look up at him, ignoring the sting from my sunburn.

He nuzzles my hair. “That’s because I’ve neverwantedto be out here like this with anyone. I try to avoid getting involved with hotel guests.”

“Aren’t I a guest?”

“You aren’t an ordinary guest.” He kisses me gently. “You’re the sweet girl I met on a plane. Things have changed since you showed up in my life… twice now. I haven’t been involved with anyone in a while. It’s too complicated with my living arrangements.” He blows out two of the three lanterns but leaves one lit so we can see each other.

“So are things about to get complicated?”

“Maybe. I don’t think a week with you will be enough.”

I step out of the elevator and head toward my room like a zombie. Will walked with me to the lobby but had to leave because Sawyer called. It’s sad how his face and mood changed when he saw Sawyer’s name on the phone. He kind of closed himself off and said he had to go. Then he left without a kiss goodbye or an “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We passed Josh on the way back to the hotel, and he said Sky had gone back to the room. I hope she isn’t sleeping, because I need to talk.

I slide the card into the lock and it clicks. The door swings open.

“There you are,” Sky greets me, wearing her pjs and a towel twisted on her head. “I was starting to think you weren’t coming back tonight.”

I mosey through the door, but my mouth drops open when I see our room.

“Was there a hurricane in here but only over your bed? I don’t remember you having so much stuff in your suitcase. And add that to the number of pillows on the bed. What a mess.”

“Whatever, girl. I’m on vacation,” Sky sasses. “Oh, man. Your sunburn. Does it hurt?” She presses my shoulder with her finger. “Your skin is so hot.”

I search through my travel bag for some ibuprofen, then grab a water bottle and guzzle down two pills. A shower is next or maybe cool, wet towels. I plop onto my bouncy bed, which is nice and neat. “I wish I had skin like yours. My body’s on fire but not just from the sunburn. Will is so adorable. I havesucha crush.”

---