Page 30 of Seventeen Years Ago

Well, not everything. There were things that I couldn’t tell her. But she was going to know who I was.Or better yet, who she wishes she never knew.

Not wanting her to come to my room, I waited for her in the lobby. Of course, Bennett made his presence known. I shook my head and wanted to tell him off. But after tonight, he might be paying me a visit with the local police.

Before Bennett had a chance to give me another warning, Aiza came through the entrance. She looked great in her shorts and T-shirt. It meant that she was looking forward to a relaxing time on the beach. I might have to delay my confession a little longer.Either way, it’s happening tonight. I can’t let this continue any longer. It’s only going to be more painful as time goes by.

I walked over and greeted her with a hug, and then she handed me my phone. I slipped it into the pocket of my shorts.

“Not even going to check your messages?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Whatever it is can wait until later. I have requested dinner to be served on the beach. I also took the liberty of ordering for us.”

“How do you know what I like to eat?” she asked.

“Simple. I’m a good listener, and the day we had lunch, you told me,” I replied.

We had done a lot of talking that day. There were things I told her that I hadn’t even shared with Caydan. But there were things I intentionally avoided, and now I regretted that. I felt as though I was leading her to believe I was a...good guy. I was trying to be the best man that I could be, but once she knew who I was, nothing else would matter. She would judge me, just like I did, everyday. As I should.

Once seated outside at our table. Aiza looked around and said, “It’s even nicer than the view from your balcony. Which I didn’t think was possible.”

You’re more beautiful than any view.

I needed to stop staring at her before she became uncomfortable. “I’m glad you think so. It’s actually the first time I’ve come down to the beach.”

“Ha. I was right. You have been spending all your time up in that suite,” she stated.

“Not all. I’ve had a couple of meetings and one dinner date off the resort,” I grinned. All of which had provided more time to see her.

“Then I’m glad we are having dinner here instead of my cottage. I don’t get much time at the ocean either. Funny, since I live on an island, but I’m always busy.”

“Was your grandmother disappointed that you were dining out again tonight?” I asked.

Aiza shook her head. “She is still visiting with her younger sister. But I did promise her that I’d be home by eight for our nightly call.”

I couldn’t believe Aiza had a curfew, but I bet her grandmother wasn’t thrilled with Aiza meeting me and was trying to keep an eye on her even from a distance. They didn’t even know what I did and they’re all protecting her from me.Maybe they all see right through me.

“We are eating early enough that you will be home in plenty of time to call your grandmother.”

The food arrived, she looked at the spread and smiled. “You really were listening.”

“I hope it’s good because I’ve never had it,” I replied.

“New Hope has a reputation for amazing food. Do you know that the chefs here are all Tabiqian?” she asked.

“No, I did not. I’ve noticed that the entire staff seems to be from Tabiq.”

“Yes. New Hope has been very good for Tabiq. But it still makes me leery. So many foreigners. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but it is hard coming here and seeing all the people of wealth enjoying our beaches, when we who live here, don’t have time or money to do so.”

I hadn’t thought of that when I invited her to dine here. “Sorry. We can go someplace else if you’d prefer.”

“No. I am enjoying this. It just...doesn’t feel like I belong, if that makes sense.”

I was trying to understand, but Ziva, Alex Henderson’s wife, was Tabiqian. I’d seen her on the beach several times from my balcony. It had to be something else.

“I wish I could say I understand, but I don’t.”

Aiza said, “It’s not the beach. It’s...I guess I am not very comfortable around the Henderson family, and knowing the fact that they own it, bothers me a little.”

That was something I could relate to. “I can’t say I blame you. They are a family that is difficult to like. But Caydan said once you get to know them, they are good people.”

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