Page 31 of Escape To Paradise
She started a different yoga pose—the pigeon pose. She was sitting on one of her legs and extended her back. “Yeah, you were a workaholic. I think you need the change of pace. Any other developments?”
“I am kind of flirting with a guy.”
Lisa stopped what she was doing and grabbed the phone. She stood up. “Girl, are you for sure? That’s great! So, spill. What is he like?”
“He’s tall, handsome, muscular, sweet and has blue eyes.”
“Ah, that’s what gets you, right? Those sparkling blues?” Lisa laughed. She grabbed her water bottle and drank.
“I mean, it’s too early. But he’s considerate, and he pays attention.”
“Well, good for you, Harper. You should enjoy yourself. Just don’t get into a serious relationship right now. Just shag the guy and have fun. It’s too soon, since Benoit.”
“I know. It’s too soon. Yeah, I’m just having fun.”
“Great! Anyway, I may have to take a quick shower. Enjoy yourself there. We miss you. I’ll make sure the boys write you an email. I may have to prepare breakfast.”
“Don’t burn the house down, Lisa.”
Lisa smirked. “It’s bound to happen, right?”
“You’re too much. Goodbye.”
“Bye sweetie!” Lisa gave me an air kiss and hung up.
***
Kathleen and Zofia came back around 4 p.m. to help prepare dinner. As usual, we prepared a proper meal for our guests, and after dinner, they had cocktails. The following day was going to be our last day in St. Lucia, and we were going to Rodney Bay and Gros Islet. Paul recommended that we go with the guests since it was our last day in St. Lucia. Friday nights at Gros Islet would be a street party with food, music, and dancing. All the guests opted to go, which meant I would not be cooking for dinner.
We hired two vans to take us. I wore a white cotton dress and flip-flops.
“You look pretty in that dress,” he complimented me. He was wearing a white linen shirt and khaki pants with opened-toed sandals.
My cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”
We went in the second van. Again, I sat at the back with Julian. The drive was just twenty minutes. When we arrived, he helped me get out of the van, offering his hand.
It was a cool night, and there were plenty of tourists. We arrived around 7 p.m., and there was already loud music and dancing on the streets. Several vendors lined on both sides. I scanned the food vendors, eyeing several skewered meats, fish, and other seafood. The vendors were also selling beer and other alcoholic drinks. I opted to try the skewered chicken, which tasted smoky from the charcoal. They used a combination of spices that tasted novel to my taste buds.
Julian ordered the same. He didn’t seem impressed by it as he examined the meat but scarfed it down anyway. I ordered a cocktail from a vendor selling alcohol, and Julian did the same. The guests congregated in the middle of the street where the people were dancing. Paul and Zofia were dancing together, while Kathleen danced with one of the friendly locals. Julian asked me to dance with him.
“I can’t really dance,” I confessed, feeling embarrassed by this fact.
“It’s easy to dance. I’ll show you.”
Julian grabbed my hands and showed me the dance steps. Forward step, back step, side-to-side step. I stared at his feet and tried to follow his lead, and it took a while. All the while, our bodies were closed; his body felt warm and firm. And I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheeks.
“See, you’re getting it.” He had the whitest smile.
My feet were slowly catching up to the rhythm of the music, and I didn’t feel so awkward anymore.
“Just listen to the beat. Tap, tap, tap…” he said, almost in a whisper.
Slow music had started playing in the background, and Julian continued to dance with me. He pressed his body even closer to mine, and we swayed side to side. My cheeks rested against his chest, and I suddenly remembered Benoit.
I used to sleep on his chest at night and would feel his chest rise and fall. Benoit used to be my rock, my pillar of support, but now, he was no longer in my life. Sadness weighed on me at the thought. Right now, I was dancing with someone else, on an island, far, far away from everything I’ve known. The reality of it all gave me a heavy feeling down to my core. I looked up at Julian, and he stared at me with his soft blue eyes. I placed my head on his chest as we danced the night away. I felt safe with him.
Chapter 5
