Page 31 of Secret Offer
“I think ‘right now’ is the best place I’ve ever vacationed,” she jokes, her face lit up with that contagious smile.
And I just can’t help myself. I smile right back.
13
BLAIR
I wakeup with a killer headache, but the second I roll over and see the bracelet Sebastian bought me last night, the residual effects of all the Sky Juices I drank seem to instantly fade.
It’s tied to my left wrist, woven out of threads in bright magenta, turquoise blue, lime green, and yellow with the shiny penny in the middle sporting a rudimentary hand-stamped B. I know it’s a cheap touristy item, but I honestly love it. It reminds me of this beautiful island, the heavenly flowers, and the amazing food, and, of course, the time I’ve spent with Sebastian. It’s a memento I’ll never part with.
Working the string, I loosen the knot and slip the bracelet off so I can put it in the zippered compartment of one of my suitcases. I’m meeting my parents for another early dinner, and I’d rather not answer any questions about my new accessory. The dreamy smile on my face would no doubt give away any lies I might attempt, and then Mom would start drilling me about the guy I met and getting her hopes up that he’s marriage material.
Which, no. This Sebastian thing is nice, but it’s anything but serious. Both of us are in agreement about that. And honestly, given the way he acted last night—standoffish, distant, avoidingany conversation related to whatever “we” are—I’m not even sure if we’ll see each other again.
I really hope I’m wrong about that, though. It’s not just the sex. I like simplybeingwith him. It feels…easy. In the best way. Or at least, it felt easy until he found out I’m a resort guest. Obviously he’s thrown, and I know we can’t continue to carry on the way we have been. He has a professional image to uphold and I’m sure guests wouldn’t look too kindly on one of the resort owners fraternizing with their daughters.
But why can’t we just be discreet? Why not take full advantage of just alittle more time? He’s the one who said we should enjoy “right now,” and I have every intention of doing that. Unless “right now” meant while we were eating together last night, and nothing beyond that. I definitely didn’t get the sense that he wanted to come up to my hotel room when we parted ways at the resort elevators. In fact, he ran away so fast that I barely had time to say goodnight. What if he’s just not into me anymore?
Ugh. I’m driving myself crazy thinking about him. I need a distraction. A Sebastian distraction.
After grabbing coffee and a bagel from the lobby coffee shop, I take a long walk on the beach and call Brooke. She’s so excited to tell me all about her new job, which is going great, that I barely get a word in edgewise. Thankfully. By the time we hang up, I’m in a much better mood.
Hours later, I walk out of the resort’s spa, freshly massaged and sugar-scrubbed and just a smidge early for dinner with my parents. I thought the spa at Espadrilles was great, but the one at this resort is even better. My hot stone massage wasn’t in a private room, but on a privatebalconythat I had all to myself, so I could watch the ocean waves while my back and shoulders were rubbed into a state of blissful relaxation. I also got a 24-karat gold leaf facial, and my skin is glowing.
Back in my room, I change into a flouncy blue dress with a ruffled hem and do my makeup. Then I sit down and compose a list on a sheet of cream hotel paper. It’s my top ten picks for the draft. I’m going to slip it into my dad’s pocket and not mention it. He can be the one to decide whether or not to consider my choices when the time comes. I can’t think of any other way to get through to him.
I go down to the restaurant to meet my parents. I’m a little early, so I decide to hang out in the bar while I’m waiting for them to arrive.
I have no problem finding a stool at the bar. The place is virtually empty save for two couples at a corner table. The ambient music consists of orchestral covers of pop songs, which I enjoy listening to as the sound floats from strategically placed hidden speakers. I’m glad it’s not busy. I’m feeling incredibly zen after my massage, and I’d like to stay that way for as long as possible.
A pretty bartender with unruly auburn curls and warm brown eyes greets me with a friendly smile. I bet she earns a lot of tips with that smile. She makes me feel at ease immediately.
“Welcome in. Before I take your order, can I see some ID?” she asks. “House rules.”
“Sure,” I say, digging through my clutch for my license. “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” she says, glancing at it quickly before handing it back. “Sorry to ask, but it’s policy. I have to card everybody.”
“No worries. I know I look young. I just graduated from college, actually.”
She nods, popping the tops off a few bottles of local beer. “Where from?”
“NYU. Stern.”
“Wow, congrats! Believe it or not, I went to NYU too. For psychology.”
I laugh. “And now you get to do therapy from behind a bar. That’s kind of the perfect degree for this job, isn’t it?”
“You have no idea how much my academic training comes in handy around here,” she says, grinning. “Let me drop these beers off and I’ll be right with you.”
She delivers the drinks to one of the occupied tables and then comes back.
“So, what can I get you? It’s happy hour and our featured special is the Goombay Smash.”
“That sounds good. What’s in it?”
She grins. “It’s three kinds of rum, apricot brandy, and some juice. And yeah, it is good, but I might advise something else if you’ve got plans tonight.”
