Page 24 of Natural Deception

"He'll freak, won't he? Dad is always so calm. It'll be nice to hear him panicking for once."

"Your father will not panic. But his face might turn beet red, like a cartoon character, when he blows his top."

"Ooh, I'll make it a video call."

I glance at the clock on the nightstand. "I should go, sweetie. I have no idea how much an international phone call costs."

"Okay. Talk to you later, Mom." Her tone turns sneaky again. "Have fun with Dad."

I end the call and set my phone on the nightstand. If I don't take it with me today, then Craig will have a harder time finding me. I hope. But no, I shouldn't do that. What if Nicole calls? She'll be worried when I don't answer, so I grab my little phone purse.

Time to find out more about tonight's masquerade party.

Chapter Ten

Craig

Since Vanessa doesn't want to spend time with me this morning, I decide to take my breakfast out onto the smaller patio that's situated near the pool that curves around in snake-like fashion. From here, I have a great view of the ocean. The woods obscure the scenery at my left and right, but I don't mind that. The palms and the flowering flame trees and siris trees provide color. I learned the names of those trees from a book I bought in the gift shop.

I hook one ankle over the opposite knee while I sip my tea and enjoy a light breakfast. Heirani Motu is the most beautiful place I've ever visited. Just gazing out at the scenery makes me feel more relaxed and at peace. A few guests are swimming in the pool. As I watch, two young men come into view, swimming around the sharpest curve in the pool, as if they've come from somewhere around the corner of the building.

Three gorgeous young women amble past me and say hello. But I barely notice them.

"Oh, shit."

I can't help smiling when I hear that curse, hissed under the breath of the one person I want to see this morning. I twist my head around to look at her. "Good morning, Vanessa. Why don't you join me? I could order more food."

She winces. "I was planning to sneak away before you saw me."

"If that was your plan, you shouldn't have cursed under your breath."

"That was an unconscious impulse."

A chuckle rumbles out of me, which is my unconscious response to what she said. "Sometimes those are the best impulses. Your mind is trying to tell you something."

"Like what?" She raises a hand before I can respond. "That was a rhetorical question. I know what you think, but that thing on the beach was a singular mistake."

I point toward the chair across from me. "Why not sit down? I promise not to talk about sex. But it's nice to have someone to talk to, isn't it?"

She bites her lip, studying the table as if it might reach out to grab her. Then she finally sits down.

I hand her a menu.

Vanessa scrutinizes it as if deciding whether to have scrambled eggs or a frittata is the most vital decision she's ever made. I suspect she's just trying to avoid looking at me. One of the resort employees---whose name is Leo, a fact I learned earlier when I ordered my food---comes over and asks if Vanessa wants to order. She glances at me and winces, then nods.

"What can I get for you, ma'am?"

She glances at me. "What did you eat, Craig?"

"I had the traditional Fiji breakfast."

"Okay. I'll have that too."

Leo nods and takes the menu, hustling away to get her order.

Vanessa leans forward and whispers, "What's in the traditional Fiji breakfast?"

"Didn't you read the menu? And why are you whispering?"

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