Page 44 of Starting Back
I nodded at Alex, the man sitting next to me at the bar who didn’t take the hint that I wanted to eat and drink in peace. He seemed about my brother’s age, late forties, but while Jake had a full head of hair, the sun’s rays bounced off this man’s bald head and right into my eyes.
Bald could be sexy, and my friend Buck had been shaving his head from the time we were in our mid-thirties since he found that less depressing than monitoring a growing circle on the top of his head. If this guy would let me get a word in edgewise, I would have asked if he brought sunscreen for his scalp as it looked red and raw.
“Hard to plan vacations with kids at home.” I shot him a tight smile and took a sip of the fruity drink I’d ordered with my sandwich.
It was difficult not to mope around the resort after Leo left, but I was determined not to ruin what little time I had left here. I missed my girls and, although I’d only known him for a short time, missed Leo, but I fought to make the best of it.
I’d almost tried to book an early flight home but decided to enjoy the solitude and break from real life while I could, even if it drove me a little crazy at first.
I’d lounged on the beach and steered clear of the pool, not wanting to get sappy or sad from the sweet and hot memories I’d made on this trip. I even took a spur-of-the-moment snorkeling class this morning, mostly to snap photos of strange and different fish to show Emma when I got home.
I couldn’t wait for her to climb in my lap and chew my ear off, and I hoped to convince my eldest daughter that I had fun and was relaxed and okay, maybe lessening her constant concern for me for at least the rest of the summer.
Until I went home tomorrow, all I wanted to do was relish the calm and quiet, and I would be if Alex would only move on to someone else.
The back of my neck burned, and my shoulders were crisp from a little too much sun. I took a quick glance down my body and laughed. I was a cluster of freckles from the neck down, which I supposed could pass for a Florida tan for a few days when I got home.
Alex laughed and I smiled, the man still oblivious that I wasn’t listening. My heart had leapt three times tonight when I’d sworn I spotted a familiar pair of massive shoulders, but my stomach sank each time I noticed the absence of ink on their arms.
I picked up my phone and scrolled, not wanting to be rude, but I didn’t want to make a scene by telling Alex to back off. Maybe the passive-aggressive way would work before I had to go loud and direct. I randomly clicked on my texts with Nicole, my heart seizing at the selfie Leo had taken of us before our day together.
I finally understood the saying don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened. I wasn’t there yet, but I would be.
The chords of classic Madonna had played since I’d sat down. I enjoyed the music and watching the tipsy tourists sing off-key with drinks sloshing in their hands. I was no longer jealous of how much fun they were having or how carefree they seemed.
I’d had my own adventure. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The beat slowed to “Crazy for You,” and I smiled at all the strangers making the most of the almost dark as the song suggested. One guy gave the girl in his arms a sudden and deep dip, and she let out a squeal.
I looked away in case they caught me staring. My plan was to slurp the rest of my drink and retreat to my suite balcony and Kindle for the rest of the evening, maybe calling room service one more time for memory’s sake.
“Well, good night, Alex. Have a safe trip back home.”
“Hey, what’s the rush? We could dance too if you want. I saw you watching.”
My meal threatened to come back up when I spotted the slimy grin on his face.
“No, I don’t want to.” I jerked my hand away and didn’t muffle the huff falling from my lips.
“Hey,” he said, holding up his hands in mock defeat. “I was just trying to be friendly since you were alone.”
“She’s not.”
My heart dropped into my stomach at a familiar voice I had been sure I’d never hear again.
“She’s with me.” Leo grabbed the drink out of my hand and set it on the bar with a loud thump before pulling me in for a kiss. I stiffened, still in shock that he was here, but I melted against him after a few long and eager strokes of his tongue against mine.
Alex muttered something behind me, but I didn’t turn or care what he said or where he was. Finally grasping on to a tiny bit of my senses, I pressed my hands into Leo’s chest and pushed him back.
“Wait, what…” I trailed off, breathless and clutching his shoulders. “What are you doing here? I thought you had to work.”
“I found someone to cover for me.” He picked up my hand and laced our fingers together as his arm roped around my waist. “I’ve done a lot of favors over the years, covering everyone’s shifts when they needed it because I had nothing special going on. You, pretty lady, are very fucking special. And I won’t leave you until I absolutely have to.”
He flashed me a crooked grin as he pulled me closer.
“You didn’t strike me as the jealous type.” I jerked my head to where Alex had retreated behind me, biting back a smile at the scowl twisting his face.
“I didn’t like the looks of that creep. It seemed like he couldn’t take a hint, so I thought I’d just be as clear as possible that he should back the fuck off.”
