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Derek left their room and walked down to the lobby where he’d seen a display full of pamphlets. There was a wide variety of excursions, trips, and activities to do on Grand Cayman. He stood there and pulled pamphlet after pamphlet, reading them. There were so many, he didn’t know which one Nara would like.
After reading about a hundred pamphlets, he sighed. How hard was it to pick one? He felt like he’d been standing there for an hour. Why couldn’t he just decide?
The red-headed woman came out from a room behind the desk. Kay, was her name, if he recalled. She grinned at him. “Bored and looking for things to do?”
“Yes. What would you recommend?”
Kay leaned forward on the desk, her hands clasped together. “I loved the fishing excursion. You boat out to a little-known spot where the fish are always biting. The scenery is great.”
Derek’s stomach lurched and he shook his head. “Sorry, I get seasick.” He was not going to make that same mistake again. He’d shout it out to the whole world if it meant that he didn’t have to get on another boat.
“Oh. Well, then the cave tour is fun. There’s also quite a few tours of the island. And a wonderful garden tour if you like beautiful photo opportunities.”
Derek grinned. That was more his style. “Thanks. Those are good suggestions.”
Kay pointed to one of the pamphlets he held, her long fingernail sporting a bright blue polish. “This one in the mangrove wetlands is nice, too. You get to see a starfish garden, with hundreds of live starfish.”
Derek had even brought his lens for close-up photos. “Nice.”
She fiddled with her turquoise ring. “I just love it when newlyweds come stay here. I’m a hopeless romantic myself. Where did you get married, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Where did they get married? He gripped the pamphlets and tried to think of a good answer. “It was kind of a quick decision.”
Her eyebrows raised. “You eloped?”
“Kind of. Her father was there…” Did that sound weird? Probably sounded weird. Who kind of eloped? But he didn’t know what else to say.
“I think eloping is so romantic.” Kay swept her hair behind her shoulder. “Was it at the courthouse?”
“No. Accelerated Marriage Chapel.” The words almost stuck in his throat.
Kay simply stared at him, her green eyes clouding over. “Oh. Do you have any pictures?”
Heat seared his face as he shook his head. “No.”
“Did she have a dress?” Kay asked quietly.
Derek kind of hoped that someone would walk in and need her assistance. Maybe a family of seven, with loud kids and a dog. He glanced at the door, but no one came. “Uh, no.”
A look came over Kay’s features, but he wasn’t sure if she was sad or simply pitying him. Or, probably more accurately, pitying Nara. “This isn’t a normal marriage, is it?”
What was he supposed to say to that? He knew Nara’s father wanted everyone to think it was a real marriage, but he didn’t think Kay would have any contact with the board members. Who would she tell? Finally, he sighed and rubbed a hand over his forehead, which was now sweaty. “Not really.”
“But you love her.” Kay said it so plainly, so matter of fact that Derek was taken aback.
“I do,” he said, admitting out loud something he’d kept to himself for his entire lifetime, with the one exception being that night five years ago in Mr. Claymore’s office.
Kay simply nodded. “I can see it.”
Derek leaned on the counter, unable to help himself. “How did you know? You can see it, how?”
A smile crept onto Kay’s face. “I kind of have a sixth sense about these things. You and she are good together. I can tell. Things will work out between you. Don’t worry.”
For some reason, these words from a complete stranger lifted him and made him feel better. She was probably just saying things to make him happy, but the fact that she’d seen his love for Nara, even though they had essentially only seen each other two brief times made him want to believe her. “Thanks.”
Kay patted his hand. “It’s fate, honey. You two are fated to be together. Even if she doesn’t see it right now, she will.”
Derek didn’t know what to do other than to nod.
