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“I would, but you saw him first, and I’m a better friend than that.”
She truly was a good friend. And she was right on the other count. I’d made the mistake of pointing him out the first day. It was supposed to be a fun game for us, rating the guys hot or not.
That first day, he’d risen out of the ocean and walked up the sand to his lounge chair, looking like Daniel Craig in that Bond film, only taller and more muscular. Dripping with saltwater, the man had pegged the hotness meter. He’d even made toweling off look sexy. I’d averted my eyes when he laid down and picked up his iPad, but only for a few seconds. Watching him made me forget what I’d just read in my book, and I’d had to back up a few pages.
After that afternoon, I’d made sure we waited until he’d already gone to the beach. We could then pick a chair under one of the green umbrellas nearby, just one row back. Like they said in real estate: location was everything.
Sandy pulled me back to the present. “You better now?”
I took another sip of my water and pushed my plate away. “Yeah.”
Diego arrived with that same green drink on his tray. “From the gentleman in blue.” He placed it in front of me.
I avoided looking over and turned the straw toward me. “What’s in it?”
“Rum, passionfruit juice, sweet and sour, and blue curacao.” The curacao clinched it for me: the secret ingredient of my favorite blue Hawaii drink. The waiter lingered, watching me. “He wants to know if you like it.”
I took a sip. “Tell him yes.” Looking past the family between us, I gave Mr. Studious a thumbs up.
He lifted his glass and nodded.
I’d spent the afternoons wondering what he did for a living. He was here alone, and constantly reading, but not likely a student, given his age and what they charged for rooms at this place. And not a lawyer either, with the plastic watch he wore. I’d given up and decided onman of mystery. I’d never know.
“Now you’re making progress, girl,” Sandy said.
After another dainty sip, I offered it to her. “Try it.”
She did. “Not bad, but I think I’ll stick to tequila tonight.”
Diego came back after a bit to clear our plates.
Settling in my chair, I sipped on my drink and took in the relaxing vibe of this place. Warm weather, a light breeze, waves lapping at the beach in the post-sunset dimness, and soft music in the background: our last dinner in paradise before returning to the work-a-day world.
“I needed this,” I told Sandy. “Thanks for insisting I come along.”
“What are friends for?”
Diego returned with dessert menus. His smile grew as he handed me mine.
Sandy looked down at the selections, taking her time, even though they’d been the same all week. “I’m going to change it up and try the cheesecake tonight.”
He took down her order.
I set the menu aside without opening it. “I’m good.”
Diego cocked an eyebrow. “I really think you should check tonight’s special.”
Relenting, I opened the menu. A note slipped out.
Care to join me for dessert?
It wasn’t signed.
Diego nodded his head toward Mr. Studious.
Looking over, I found him watching me.
“Your answer?” Diego asked. “The tiramisu is excellent.”
