Page 54 of My Heart Still Beats
“Whatever you want,” he says, smiling, “but I’d suggest a bathing suit. It’s a waterfall, Tessa. You’re going to get wet.”
I shake my head.
“Hey,” he says again, “you told me to plan the weekend.”
“You could have told me about this on the plane ride, you know. Around the same time when you were telling me to get out and do something when I was feeling down.”
“Little did you know…I’d already planned for you to get out and do something.” His eyes crinkle.
My God, those eyes…
I almost think he could get me to do anything when he looks at me with those warm dark-brown eyes.
“I’m not going,” I say hotly.
“Have it your way,” he says. “But everyone else is going.”
“Betsy’s going? Kathy? Kathy Harmon would rather die than exercise.” She’s one of those naturally thin women who never lifts a finger and gorges on dessert but never gains an ounce.
“Everyone, even Kathy,” he says. “Except you, apparently. And it’s not really exercise. It’s…exertion. It’s more energizing than tiring.”
“Oh, well.” I sigh. “I guess I’ll find something to do.”
He stares at me then. Really stares at me, and—
I realize I must look and sound like a petulant child. One hike won’t kill me, I guess.
“Fine,” I say. “When are we leaving?”
“Limos are picking us up outside the resort in an hour. Be there or be square.”
“You didnotjust say that.”
Ben laughs. “Afraid I did.”
He is in entirely too good a mood today. And it’s contagious. I can feel myself catching it from him.
“Wear that hot blue bikini you had on last night,” he says. “Put on a pair of shorts over the bottoms. Do you have shoes with tread?”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll have some sent over.”
I roll my eyes. “I have water sandals with tread, lucky for you.”
“Definitely lucky for me.” He smiles. “And don’t forget sunscreen.”
…
We’re not at all inconspicuous driving up to Dunn’s River Falls in limos. Tourists stare as we exit the large black vehicles, and a guide meets us right at the entrance.
Ben walks toward him. “You must be Marcus,” he says. “I’m Benjamin Black.”
“Good to meet you, Mr. Black,” Marcus says in a Jamaican accent. “Is the whole party here?”
I look around. One person is missing—Ben’s father. How did he get out of this? Everyone else—including Kathy Harmon, in a gorgeous fuchsia tankini that shows off everything perfect about her body—is here.
“Yup,” Ben says, “and call me Ben, please.”
