Page 12 of Eat Your Heart Out
I scanned the lot. Porsches, Mercedes, Aston Martins, and not one Chevy or Toyota in view. I let out a breath when I saw the rack of bikes and walked toward them. “Let’s just take the bicycles, as you clearly keep in shape.”
“Sounds fun. Let’s do it.” He showed me a small path off the property and swiped his card to get through the gate.
Soon enough, we were on the beach boardwalk.
Most of the people sitting around were tourists or day-trippers enjoying the sun. Luckily, there were no clouds in sight. The waves were coming in, and people were having a good time enjoying the gorgeous day at the ocean.
I guided him a good fifteen or twenty minutes to the shack near the pier then shouted, “This is it!”
He gazed at it. “They need a better roof.”
We pedaled our way to the door as I said, “They need money for that, but that doesn’t affect the taste.”
Then we left the bikes on the rack, and I bounced as I directed him in.
“Come, we’ll sit near the beach.”
He walked with me and gazed at the menu above the entry, where we’d give our orders. I wondered if he’d ever had fast food at all. His sexy body might never have tasted the delicious poison the rest of us loved. It tasted better than anything I could whip up on my own.
I ordered a burger, and he paid. I sighed. Once he paid me my salary, I would return the favor.
Then we found seats outside.
The sound of children laughing at a birthday party inside meant the patio was preferable. We sat, and I gazed at Gerard. His square jaw and high cheekbones gave him a regal look, but then, it might be the fact that his T-shirt was probably designer. Soon, I would get used to him as my boss.
I settled back in my chair. Life was good.
Then my skin grew goosebumps. I wasn’t sure why a cloud covered me until I heard John’s voice. “Ali?” Nausea rocketed through me.
Gerard sat straighter.
I motioned toward Gerard as I said, “John, this is my new boss.”
Gerard scooted my chair closer to him, like he would protect me. “You’re the ex.”
John gazed at me and avoided Gerard’s eyes. “Look, yesterday, I was high. I was hoping to find you and apologize.”
I closed my eyes, wishing he would disappear. Never seeing him again was the best outcome. I shook my head. “Well, you have, and you did. Bye now.”
John lifted a hand. “Wait—”
The buzzer announcing our food went off, and Gerard stood, not giving John another chance to speak. “John, I suggest you do as the lady said. It’s time for you to go.”
John backed up, slowly, as if realizing he’d poked a bear. “I’ll talk to you later, Ali.”
Or never. I was done in Virgin Cove for good. I’d not touched John in over a year, so on some level, I’d known he wasn’t the one for me.
Gerard sat back down with trays containing our order.
My face was hot as I said, “Sorry about that.”
He nodded. “He shouldn’t bother you.”
I reached out and took his hand in mine. My skin had instant sparks. Holding him wasn’t wise, but I needed him to believe me. I fought the feeling. My past didn’t need to ruin the future. I met his gaze. “Look, he… doesn’t matter. I don’t do drugs. I will work hard for you, and I promise you’ll like me.”
He whispered like it was a secret, “I already do like you.”
Awareness zipped through my veins. I ached to kiss him. It was crazy. Maybe it was the lack of touch I’d experienced over the past year, but I broke the spell.
