Page 21 of Waiting for a Prince
Mark blinked. “Mayo? Really?”
“What’s wrong with mayo?”
Mark folded his arms. “I can see I might have to reassess our friendship. I mean,mayo…”
Sam stared at him for a moment, then narrowed his gaze. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?”
Mark cackled and grabbed the nearest carton of chips.
They ate in silence against a backdrop of calls, whoops, cheers, and groans from the other players. Mark liked that neither of them felt the need to talk. When all trace of the chips had vanished, Sam leaned back with a contented sigh.
“I needed this.”
“The food? Or the bowling?”
He smiled. “A break from work. Thanks for saying yes.”
Mark shrugged. “Hey, anytime you want to do something, just call.”
Sam’s eyes gleamed. “Well, therewassomething.” Mark gave him an inquiring glance, and Sam pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled. “This.” He held it up for Mark to see.
Mark beamed. “Yeah, I’d be up for that.” One of the island’s theme parks—there were only two—was about to put on a week of open-air cinema. “What are they showing?”
“There are a few films I’d like to see.” Sam’s breathing hitched. “They’re showing a Spielberg classic—Jaws.” His eyes lit up.
“When’s it on?”
Sam scrolled once more. “Wednesday, August fourteenth.” He peered at Mark. “Would you be up for that?”
He grinned. “You bet I would. We can take a cool bag with food and drink, and eat before it starts. I’ve got a couple ofinflatable wedges to lean back on, so we can get comfy while we watch.”
“Sounds as though you’ve done this before.”
Mark blinked. “You mean you haven’t? Wow. Talk about missing out.”
Sam didn’t respond, reaching for his beer instead.
Something was niggling Mark.
“Won’t Rebecca mind you spending another night with me?” He had no clue whether she’d been invited that evening. Sam hadn’t mentioned her.
Come to think of it, Sam hadn’t spoken her name once.
Sam frowned. “I didn’t ask her along tonight because I knew she wouldn’t come. She hates bowling. She thinks it’s common.” His face flushed. “And she hates Spielberg, so I can’t see her wanting to join us for that, either.”
Mark gave another shrug. Privately he was pleased not to have Rebecca accompany them. Based on their two previous meetings, although brief, he didn’t think an evening with her would be all that enjoyable.
On the other hand, he was amazed at how well he and Sam got along. It felt as if they had known each other for years.
But still, the memory of Friday night lingered.
“As long as you’re sure she’s not gonna start telling you that you can’t play with that tea boy Mark anymore.” He chuckled.
Sam guffawed. “How old are you? Six?” He shook his head. “Besides, if I want to spend time with you, it’s none of her concern. She has her own life, after all.”
“What does she do?” Mark was intrigued. He couldn’t for a minute imagine what Rebecca’s profession might be.
Sam’s lips narrowed. “Her time is divided between the gym, the pool and going over to the mainland to shop.” He grimaced. “If shopping were an Olympic event, we’d be talking gold medal winner.” He cleared his throat and stood. “Okay, break over.Time for me to beat you again.” He reclaimed his sparkly blue bowling ball and stepped up to the line. He launched it, and Mark arched his eyebrows when it ended up in the gutter.
