Page 19 of Chasing Forever

He unlocked the SUV he’d rented and had wanted to help her in, but she beat him to it. Maybe she wasn’t thinking of this as a date, which was fine by him.

“Have you explored much of the island yet?” he asked as they drove away.

“No, but I want to. What about you?”

“I went snorkeling the other day.”

“How was it?”

“Great. Saw a lot of cool fish, some sea turtles, and a lazy monk seal.”

“I’ve been meaning to do that too.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “Is this a working vacation for you?”

She shrugged. “Sort of.”

Her reserve only made him more curious. “Are you a reporter?”

She laughed. “No. Why?”

“Because just about every time I see you, you have a notebook and pen in your hands.”

She studied him for a moment, like she was trying to decide something, and then she said, “I’m a writer.”

“Ah. I knew it had to be something like that.” But before he could ask what kind of writer, she moved on.

“What about you? What do you do besides hurl yourself off cliffs?”

He laughed. “I’m a lawyer, so it’s kind of the same thing.”

She giggled, and he liked the sound of it. There was nothing phony about this woman, and he found it refreshing.

“Do lawyers usually get eight weeks’ vacation?”

“Technically, I’m on sabbatical.”

“Sounds so formal.”

“Goes with the job, I guess.” Now he was the one being cagey, but he didn’t really want to talk about work. “You never said how long you’ll be here.”

“I think we were interrupted by the Barbies.”

“The Barbies?”

She looked out the window and shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry. I meant your friends at the pool.”

“Oh. I get it. Well, we won’t be interrupted by them anymore. They left the island.”

Callie turned to look at him, and he swore he saw a flicker of relief in her eyes. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, though.

“Here we are,” he said a few minutes later.

When he pulled into the parking lot, Callie’s eyes went wide, and he was instantly glad he’d brought her there. The restaurant was surrounded by beautiful gardens, thus its name, and while he’d dined there alone the other night, it was much better suited for couples. Not that they were a couple, but still, it felt nice to have her company.

“This place is gorgeous,” she said.

Instead of responding, he hurried and got out of the car so he could escort her up to the door. It might not be a date, but he was still a gentleman. She’d already opened her door, but he gave her a hand out, and she awarded him with a sweet smile.