Page 19 of Escape To Paradise
I finally gave him a tentative answer. “Maybe, but you got to earn it.”
“Oh man,” he groaned.
By one a.m., we were winding down. Maverick walked us back to our van. We had hired the van and its driver for the entire day. Zofia told us we had to tip the driver generously since he’d been driving us all day. I thought it was fair.
“It’s been fun girls!” he winked at us. Then he turned to me. “I’ll earn your number. Just wait and see.”
“Just don’t hold your breath,” I smirked.
We hopped into the van; I sat in the front passenger seat. I saw Maverick’s reflection through the side mirror, and he had a sad puppy face as we drove away.
We were still laughing and being loud as we hopped out of the van but became quiet as we boarded the yacht. We didn’t want to disturb the Captain and Paul, who were most likely already sleeping. We tiptoed as we got inside and headed for the kitchen. Zofia complained of being hungry.
We had the ingredients for a smash burger, so I quickly made a smashed cheeseburger with potato buns. We scarfed it down in no time.
“He was really into you,” Zofia pointed out, talking about Maverick. “I told you he would ask for your phone number.”
“Yeah, Maverick likes you,” Kathleen joined the tease.
“He’s not my type. He’s cocky.”
Kathleen burst into laughter and commented, “Despite his cuteness, he gives me big brother vibes. He’s more your match. He’s your complete opposite, but he compliments your personality.”
“Yeah, you guys look like you would make a good couple,” Zofia chimed in.
“You girls are like high schoolers. Talking nonsense,” I chided them as I finished the last bite of my burger.
“I see a future there. I have a feeling,” Zofia still teased and licked her fingers as she, too, finished her last bite of the burger.
“Let’s sleep, girls! It was a fun night! I enjoyed it!” Kathleen concluded.
We each took turns taking a shower and wore our comfy pajamas. I might have had too much to drink as I found my face feeling flushed. But it was good. I could sleep soundly tonight.
I slept to the sound of the waves and the rocking motion of the boat. It felt good to unwind and have fun. I suddenly felt hopeful for the future. I closed my eyes with a smile on my face.
Chapter 4
A New Beginning
We spent the following day at the beach and then hung out again at Maverick’s bar. As usual, Maverick was trying to press me for my phone number. The girls and I made cocktails for customers at the bar, which in the U.S. was not even legal or appropriate unless you have a bartender license. We were not trained professionals, but this was a different country, and the rules were lax. The girls didn’t seem to mind this, as they enjoyed making drinks for the customers. Since Maverick was such a novice at his job, we felt compelled to step in.
Around nine in the evening, the girls sat at a table, enjoying their drink. I was at the bar, drinking and chatting with Maverick. During the day, as I spent more and more time with him, I started to find his antics amusing and, frankly, even entertaining. Especially the way he fumbled around the bar.
“So, how did you land this gig?” I asked. I twirled the cocktail umbrella and sipped the cocktail that I had made. I couldn’t trust Maverick to make my drink because he would’ve just messed it up.
Maverick was cleaning the bar as it was near closing. He stopped wiping the countertop and answered my question.
“I lost a bet, actually.” He sounded so serious, but I knew he was just pulling my leg.
“Come on, give me the actual answer.”
“That’s the truth. I lost a bet.”
“Really? Are you kidding me?”
“I don’t lie, Harper.” He stared at me with his dark green eyes. I could see where Zofia was coming from. He was a good-looking man, but he just wasn’t my type.
“I don’t think you’re lying. I thought you were just joking. So, how did it happen?”
