Page 56 of Escape To Paradise
“Okay. Bye.”
I walked out and stepped into the rental car. I told the driver to take me back to the yacht, and I didn’t look back. Maverick tried calling me, but I turned off my phone.
Chapter 10
Whichever Way the Compass Spins
My job had become easier and more routine. Six months had passed since I left Savannah, and I’d changed so much. Even my appearance had changed. I had developed a tan, which I attributed to my Moroccan heritage. Julian had encouraged me to start working out, so every night during our charters, I would work out in the game room. I bought dumbbells, a stationary bike, and a stepper. Funnily enough, Zofia and Kathleen would also join me on my workouts.
Despite my hectic work schedule, on my days off, I would always spend it with Julian. Recently, though, Julian was getting more prospective clients. He would organize tour groups, charters, and hikes to attract potential buyers. His strategy worked as he would book two or three prospective clients every week. That meant our time together was limited.
It was a Friday night when we finished our charter, and the Sea Eagle docked at the marina. We would be spending five days in Grenada before our next charter. The crew had decided to go to The Flamingo for a Friday night out. I informed Julian of this, and he said he would pick me up later that evening.
I had finished my consultation obligation with Maverick. After our misunderstanding, I saw him two other times. He had paid me handsomely; it was too much for my services. I tried to return some of the money, but he wanted me to keep it. Ever since, we’d had an awkward interaction with each other. This night was no different.
Maverick was making drinks. We acknowledged each other but gone were the days of long conversations and friendly banter. What stood before me was a Maverick that was cold to me and transactional.
“What drink do you like?” he asked.
“A hurricane,” I ordered.
“One hurricane coming up.”
He took Kathleen, Zofia, and Paul’s orders and made the drinks. His skills behind the bar were getting better. Gone were the days of awkward drinks mixing and awful-tasting cocktails. He also had a slicker demeanor about him. A quiet confidence that wasn’t there before. He gave me my drink.
“So, how’s life treating you nowadays?” I asked while sipping my drink with a straw.
“It’s been good.” He seemed distracted, looking at something, or someone, behind me. I turned to follow his gaze.
A slim, petite blonde girl walked towards the bar. She was pretty but had a tad too much makeup.
“How are you doing, good-looking?” Maverick said to the girl.
“Rick, my favorite bartender.” The woman was wearing short shorts and a tube top that showed her toned belly. She had a belly button ring. Reaching the bar, the woman leaned forward and gave Maverick a very sloppy and wet kiss.
I glanced at the crew; Zofia and Kathleen’s eyebrows were raised. And we looked at each other. I was a bit taken aback. It seemed that Maverick had found a fling. He flirted with the girl all night and ignored me for the rest of the night.
Julian arrived, and I got up and said my goodbyes to the crew. I looked at Maverick; he was still chatting with the girl, but I noticed he was looking in the direction of where Julian parked his jeep.
“Goodnight, Maverick.” I waved at him. He waved back.
When I got inside Julian’s jeep, he greeted me with a passionate kiss. “I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said.
“That’s just been a few days, Julian. I haven’t been gone that long.” I was glad he missed me, but we literally talked every day on the phone.
“A day feels like a week.”
When we got home, Julian offered to make me a drink. He made good cocktails, so I didn’t really decline another drink. We sat by the outdoor patio facing the pool.
“So, how did today go?” I asked him.
He poured himself a whiskey and replied, “I had to woo the couple. They’re very likely to purchase a second home in Grenada for investment purposes. We’ll be ironing out the details with them soon.”
“That’s great. I’m glad.”
“Of course, I had to put on my charms. Take them around Grenada. Dine them. It’s actually a lot like wooing a girl.”
“Did you use your charms on me too?”
