Page 65 of Wayward
“Nope, you’re the only hot thing out here.” Zane continues the compliments.
“I didn’t see Stella, but I already know you’re better looking in her clothes than she is,” I add.
Calvin gives a nod. “Which way do we go, Chef?”
“Down the hill. On the way, there’s a local Buddhist temple. It’s not as big as Wat Chalong, but it’s really beautiful.” By the time we reach the bottom of the hill, we’re all hot. We turn the corner and Haley gasps.
“It’s amazing,” she whispers.
This temple has two mythical creatures flanking the steps up to the temple. Wreaths of flowers are looped around their necks. There’s a large bodhi tree a monk is sitting underneath, reading. We climb the stairs and take our shoes off, placing them in the line beside the door. Inside it’s cooler, and the air is tinged with incense. My breath slows. I might have been raised Catholic, but I’m not a spiritual man. All the years in parochial school, I’ve never been moved. But this place has done it to me more than once. And now is no different.
“What do we do?” Haley whispers to me.
I take her hand and lead her to one of the woven mats off to the right. I sit down cross-legged, facing the large Buddha on the other side of the room, and place my hands on my knees. The sweet air fills my lungs. I glance over at Haley. The other guys have filed in beside her and behind us. Her eyes are shut, andthere’s a sweet close-lipped smile on her face. I don’t know how long we sit, but it’s long enough that I hear a slight snore from Calvin behind me.
“Wake up, mate,” Zane says.
I cock my head to Haley. “You ready to go?” I whisper.
She nods.
Down the stairs, I turn back to her. There’s a tear dripping down her cheek. “Are you okay, Sassy? Does your ankle hurt?”
“No, not at all. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Like when we were back on the other side of the island.” She turns to Calvin and Easton. “It made me feel connected to the world. To all of you, to my dad and my best friend back home. It was like my spirit soared and was everywhere all at once. That’s nuts. Forget I said it.”
I take her hand. “Not nuts. You’re connected to the world and our conduit. You’re special, Sassy. I’m not lying when I say I’ve never met anyone like you before. And I never will again.”
“You never know.” She smiles and rubs a tear from her cheek.
“I know. Because you’re it for me. I’m done looking. There can be only one Sassy.” We’re back on the main sidewalk now.
“Are you quoting Highlander?” Sam laughs.
“Maybe. But I’m not taking any of you out with my sword. It’s reserved for Sassy.”
Easton groans, and Zane laughs.
“Just so you know, you come anywhere near me with your alien dick and I’m going to cut it off,” Calvin says, but there’s a twinkle in his eye.
“Noted.”
“Where to next, Dante?” Haley takes my hand.
“Food. I couldn’t hear the wind chimes over the growl of Zane’s stomach,” I say.
“I think that was my stomach.” Haley bites her lip.
“No way, Little Bird, that was mine.” Zane throws his arm over her shoulder. “Are you getting tired? I could give you a piggyback ride, like back on the island?”
“Not yet, maybe later.” She places her hand in his and presses a kiss to his cheek.
The delicious aroma travels on the humid air a block away from the market. “Are you thirsty, Sassy? They make the best fresh fruit shakes.” It’s closing in on six. I didn’t realize how long we’d taken at the temple. The colored, crisscrossing overhead lights are already on as daylight is on the way out. Vendors are stirring and chopping. And a good crowd has formed, but it’s not enough to make even Calvin uncomfortable. You can see who’s around us and who isn’t, which is Holloway and his thugs. There’s plenty of alleyways where we could duck out of the way if he suddenly appears.
Damn, it’s been so long. My eyes flit around, and not searching for assailants but from stall to stall. There are colorful displays of Thai desserts in exact rows. Sticky rice with mango and layered jelly cakes, the colors of a bright sunset and dragon fruit flesh. Across from that vendor there’s a woman making fresh spring rolls with nimble fingers before she places them in sizzling oil.
“I want everything,” Haley says.
“Me too, me too.” I’m like a grand director gathering everything—from steaming bowls of tom yum soup with bright red prawns bobbing in a broth, a dozen egg rolls, and a plate full of meat skewers. Haley and Zane have found a picnic table and are chatting with a local boy when I drop off the first load.
