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Alex laughed. “There’s an ego boost!”
Hope touched his forearm. “She’s a little nervous about it.”
His eyes softened. “Most people are. That’s normal.”
“Not nervous exactly, more concerned,” Sara said. “But if Zach can learn to dive, I certainly should be able to.”
“He did great,” Alex said. “The kid’s stronger than he looks.”
Sara paused, spinning her glass on the table, reluctant to look up. “I’m a little worried about the physical aspects of it. I’m not the most athletic person in the world.”
“You’ll be fine, though you might want to start swimming regularly. There’s a swim test and you have to tread water for ten minutes.”
“There’s a pool at my apartment complex. I started doing laps this morning.” Taking a deep breath, Sara raised her head, narrowing her eyes at him. “Do you promise you won’t make the class impossible or miserable? You won’t try to turn me into some knockoff SEAL or something?”
Alex leaned back in his chair with a grin. “Take it easy, Sara. It’ll be completely conventional. No drown-proofing classes, I promise.”
Hope gaped at him. “Drown-proofing? What on earth does that entail?” Then she held out a hand. “Never mind. I don’t even want to know.”
“More to the point, neither do I,” Sara added. “Especially in regard to me.”
“You’ll do great. I haven’t lost a student in a long time.”
Hope smacked him. “Stop that. It doesn’t help.”
“Ok, ok. All kidding aside, we’ll take it as slowly as you need to. I don’t certify anyone unless they’re confident in their skills. I’ll get you the course materials and we can get started next week. Can you adjust your schedule to have a few hours free in the afternoons?”
“Yes. Don’t make me regret this, Alex.”
He sighed. “Would you relax? Sara, I’m pretty good at this. Plus, I like being married to your sister. If something bad happened to you, she’d strangle me.”
* * *
The next day, Sara stood behind the counter in the spa, working on an idea. The resort was too small to fill their schedule with only guests. They needed outside people too, and the answer was to advertise more to locals. She drummed her fingers on the glass counter.
We’re not busy enough right now, yet we don’t have the capacity to expand if things take off. But we’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get there.
A separate name for the facility had been Sara’s first priority—Hibiscus Spa—and Hope’s public relations firm had made new advertising brochures and a beautiful sign. To appeal to outside clients, the spa had to differentiate itself from the resort. She had also set up a dedicated Facebook page and was making regular posts. Now, with a satisfied smile, she posted a 50% off flash sale for mani-pedis. “Let’s see if that brings anyone in.”
She moved her gaze to the window, revealing April as she carried an armful of regulators from the boat. It was lunchtime, and Sara had a one-hour break until her next client. She frowned at April. Operation Sara to the Rescue wasn’t proceeding very effectively. April appeared to have a solid working relationship with Jack. But Sara couldn’t detect any sparks flying despite several conversations spent trying to interest April in the new divemaster.
Which was ridiculous. Jack was handsome, reliable, and even pleasant to April. I just need to keep at it.
After her stomach gave an angry growl, she rose and descended the stairs from the spa as Alex and April walked toward the dive shop. He saw her and called out, “Hang on. I’ll be right back with your course packet.”
She chatted with April until he returned and handed her a long, blue zipper pouch. Sara accepted it with a small thrill, and a smile rose on her face.
“Learning to dive, huh? You’ll love it.” April grinned at her, then turned her smile to the man next to her. “And rumor has it, Alex is a decent instructor too.”
Sara’s heart lurched as Hope’s face flashed into her mind. April’s comment had been innocent, but Sara wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity, and thought quickly. “I’m looking forward to it. Though I’m sorry you had to put up with him today, instead of Jack.”
“It’s good to have female divemasters,” Alex said. “Too much testosterone makes the boat smell.”
April laughed a little too loudly. “Ah, I’m used to it. Occupational hazard. There’s a lot more men than women in this business.”
Sara met April’s gaze. “Jack’s doing a really good job. You think so?”
“Yeah, he’s fine.” April shrugged, then cast a glance at the gear room. “I’m going to hang the regs and head to lunch.”
