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Martine’s smile widened. “You can’t miss it. You wouldn’t believe how many guests head straight for that picture. It’s like a tractor beam.”
Jack crossed the lobby and experienced that for himself. Even though there were individual photos of all the staff hanging, including him, the large glass print of Alex and Hope dominated. A faint smile came to Jack’s face, unable to resist its power. And he was happy for them, though maybe just a little sad that he hadn’t found the same fulfillment in his own marriage.
Don’t go down that rabbit hole...
Instead, he moved his gaze below the large photo where two smaller frames hung. On the left was a copy of Entrepreneur Today magazine, and he startled at the figure of Hope on the cover, standing on the pier. Then he looked to the right and understood immediately what Tommy had meant. It was the article he had referenced, including a photo of Alex in dress blues. Jack began to read.
He had managed to close his gaping mouth three-quarters of the way through it, and read the final sentence three times. Monroe was contacted repeatedly for this article. His only reply was, “no comment.”
“Didn’t stop you from printing it, though, did it? Bastard reporter...” Jack murmured the words softly to himself, now understanding why everyone was so protective of Alex.
Not just a SEAL, he’s a goddamn war hero.
After waving goodbye to Martine, he headed toward his truck. He glanced at his duffel, but his yellow and black fins weren’t there. “Shit. I left them on the boat.” Spinning on his heel, he turned toward the pier. As he trotted up the stairs, Sara and Alex were waving goodbye. She headed toward the palapa as Alex walked up the pier, and the two men nodded to each other.
“Forgot my fins. I need them at Ocean Surf tomorrow.”
Alex stopped. “You want to use our equipment when you’re here? That would save you from having to move everything back and forth. I can set some aside for you.”
“That would be great! Thanks.” He thought about mentioning the article but didn’t want to sound like a fanboy. And it was pretty clear Alex didn’t welcome the notoriety, even if he had allowed the article to be displayed. If he wasn’t going to call attention to it, neither would Jack. Alex continued on his way and Jack headed toward the boat.
Sara sat under the palapa on the swing, using one foot to propel herself back and forth, and his stomach did a flip-flop. He’d had a dream about her the previous night. A very naughty dream. But during their conversation on the beach the other evening, she had said she wasn’t too serious about her new home, which gave him pause. Still, he was drawn to her. “Hey, Sara,” he said as he stepped on board and scooped his fins under one arm.
“You’re still here? I thought you would have knocked off a while ago.”
He returned to the swing and sat next to her, setting his fins on the dock. She was still dressed for work in slacks and a colorful blouse. Her long hair was curled, and a dark red lipstick adorned her full mouth. “Yeah, I stopped by the lobby to check out the Alex and Hope show,” he said with a smile to let her know he wasn’t being disparaging. “They’re an impressive pair.”
Sara sighed. “Yes, they are.”
“How was your first classroom session?”
She was subdued tonight. “Ok. There’s more theory than I thought. Physics—seriously?”
He laughed. “You’d be amazed at what water pressure can do. And how much it increases the deeper you dive.”
“Yeah, we went over that. I just have to keep reminding myself that plenty of people have succeeded in this. Including Hope, of course.”
“You seem plenty smart to me. Is there any part you need help with?”
Please say yes...
“No, it’s just that, once again, I’m following in Hope’s footsteps. And trying to measure up.”
She hesitated, watching the horizon, and he had to resist the urge to wrap an arm around her. This vulnerable side tugged at him hard. Jack, she’s Hope’s sister and Alex’s sister-in-law. This has trouble written all over it. But his body didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, he found her damn near irresistible.
“It’s worse because Alex is the one teaching me,” she continued. “And there’s no way I’ll measure up in his eyes.”
“Don’t say that. I’m sure he’s not comparing the two of you at all.”
Sara turned to him, a flash of irritation igniting in her eyes. “Oh, give me a break. How could he not? Jack, have you seen my sister?”
He had no idea what that meant. “Um, yes.”
“Then you know she’s gorgeous. And successful. She could be a swimsuit model if she wanted to. And I’m... none of that.”
Unable to resist, he reached out and lifted a lock of silky hair over her shoulder. She didn’t pull away. “You’re right about one thing. You’re not Hope. You’re Sara, and I happen to think you’re not so terrible.” There’s an understatement.
She smiled and slid her eyes to his. Jack’s heart pounded. “So you appreciate me now that you’re not trying to kill me?”
