Page 21 of Thin Ice

His eyes track to my mouth before he asks, “Can I get you a drink? It’s hot out here.”

“Oh, um, I can get it,” I say, my skin heating because he noticed that I’m thirsty. I look back at the bar area and start to push off my chair, but he stops me.

“Nonsense. I do work here, after all, and I need a refill.” He stands from the chair, his large body blocking the sun. “What would you like?”

“It’s not too early for alcohol, right?” I nibble my bottom lip. When I left the room, it was nearing three pm.

“It’s five o’clock somewhere, as they say.”

“Okay! I’ll have a vodka cranberry and an ice water.”

“Good choice.” His lips curve. “I’ll be right back.”

Beck jogs off to the bar, and I look out at the pool. One of the men who was at the bar before is now in the water. The woman in front of him flicks water in his face, and at first, he looks pissed, but then he laughs. The joyful chorus doesn’t sound like a couple in crisis, and I wonder why they’re here.

Do one of them find their sex life distant, lacking connection, and boring? Or are they like Lucas and Stevie, coming here to deepen the amazing connection they already have?

Maybe I should seek out Noah at the gym and demand we talk, but my thought is cut off by a glass of red-colored liquid being held out in front of me.

“Here you go.”

I take the drink from Beck. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Your water is there.” He points to the table.

I thank him again for his kindness, bringing the vodka cran to my lips. The sour-and-sweet liquid soothes my parched mouth, and the alcohol zips straight into my bloodstream.

No, I’m not going to go and beg Noah to come join me, not when he should be the one coming to me. When he should be the one getting me a drink instead of this kind man I just met.

I take another sip of my drink and relax back against my chair. I’m going to stay here, soak up the sun, and get to know my new friend. And maybe, just maybe, Noah will find his way here.

“So, Beck.”

“So, Quinn.” He smiles as he takes a sip of his fresh drink.

“Tell me more about your red-tail hawk rescue.”

Chapter nine

Beck

The pink-haired beauty snort laughs, drinking the end of her fourth vodka cranberry in the last hour. We’ve moved to the bar so we could get some food, more for her than for me.

She’s not drunk, but she’ll be there soon if she keeps slogging back drinks like they’re water. Moreover, the sun and heat plus alcohol combo is brutal for everyone, especially if you’re not used to the desert sun.

“Okay.” She sets her glass down with a clunk, pale-blue eyes locking with mine. “I know the basics about you now. Tall, the same age as me, rescues birds, and you work at the retreat. Are you one of the mentors, or are you just sent to become friends with lonely guests?” She waves at Matt, our bartender, for another drink.

I cock my head to the side at her admission. The way she’s still smiling like she didn’t admit that to a near stranger tells me she is a bit drunker than I thought. We may have just met, but it wasn’t until she got to her third drink that she divulged any information about herself beyond her name, and all I really know so far is that she’s from Seattle and that she’s lonely. I wonder where her husband is. He should be done at the gym by now, and it most certainly clues me in as to why she’s here for the retreat.

Matt takes her empty glass away and gives her a new one. She picks up the drink and takes a sip, eyeing me expectantly.

“Yes, I’m a mentor.”

She places the glass down and leans closer to me, whispering loudly. “Should you even be talking to me then?”

Matt tries to hide his laughter, because he most definitely heard that.

I whisper back equally as loud. “Why’s that?”