AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When Sara turned back, Alex was staring straight at her with a decidedly speculative look in his eye. “I’m not the most perceptive guy in the world, but I have to ask. Are you trying to hook up Jack and April?”
Sara grabbed his upper arm and steered him toward the other side of the pier. “Maybe I am.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Why would you do that? Just stay out of it—things are finally settling down around here.”
“Why?” she hissed. “I’m trying to distract her. Because the man April really wants just happens to be recently married.”
Alex stilled and his eyes became cool. “Are you accusing me of something?”
Sara sighed and waved a hand at him. “Of course not. You might not have feelings for her, but I can assure you it’s not mutual. I simply thought it would be better all-around if April found someone else.”
“Look, I can’t help how she feels, but she has never once made any inappropriate advance toward me. Even when I was single. And she’s very aware I’m in love with Hope.” He raked a hand through his short hair, his wedding ring flashing in the sun. “Why am I defending myself to you, anyway?”
“Calm down. I’m just trying to solve the problem in a way that makes everyone happy. Is that so awful?”
“Yes. You just can’t resist stirring things up, can you? If this causes any issues and one of them quits, you can find me a new divemaster.” Glaring, he stalked off.
“I only have your best interests at heart, you know,” she said sweetly to his back.
Putting the Alex-April-Jack triangle from her mind, Sara’s stomach reminded her it was time to eat, and she headed to the kitchen. The resort provided lunch for all employees and sous chef Pauline whipped up Sara a grilled chicken breast. April sat at the employee table, already eating.
“How many dive shops do you work for?” Sara asked, sitting down.
“Two. I’ve been trying to get on full-time, but it’s not easy. I work as a server too. To be honest, I might move on at some point. The long-time employees on this island tend to stick around. My other dive shop needs more help for the next few months, so that will help for now.”
Sara saw her opening. “Then I imagine Jack will be working more here. Especially with Robert doing more photography.”
April nodded. “He wants more hours, so he should be happy.”
Sara gave her a sly smile. “But you won’t be working with him as much, which is too bad. I think you two look cute together. He is pretty good looking... those huge brown eyes! Though those eyelashes are completely wasted on a man.”
April sat back and met her gaze with a hard stare. “Jeez, Sara. If you think he’s so gorgeous, why don’t you date him? I’m not interested.”
“Me? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What’s ridiculous about it?”
“He damn near kills me every time we’re around each other!” Though that isn’t exactly true, is it?
April grinned. “Yet here you are, alive and kicking. I don’t know, Sara. Maybe the lady doth protest too much.”
“Oh, stop quoting Shakespeare at me.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
Sara straightened, lifting her chin and ignoring the heat in her face. And her fluttering heartbeat. “Because it’s hot in here. Why else?”
But as she strolled down the pier, Sara couldn’t deny that the idea of dating Jack wasn’t quite so horrendous anymore. Maybe even slightly attractive.
Maybe.
* * *
A few evenings later, Sara stood on the small beach at her apartment, lost in the soothing motions of painting the scene before her. It was the same landscape as before, but a different focus this time. The colors were more muted tonight, so she focused on the hues of the ocean instead of the sky.
Behind her, quiet footsteps were followed by a soft cough. “Mind if I join you?”
She turned and Jack stood with his sketch book. He wore a dark green polo shirt and gray cargo shorts. It didn’t escape her notice that he had coughed so he wouldn’t startle her, and a tiny smile escaped. “Be my guest.”
