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With her hair fully styled, Sara strolled along the tranquil path, dressed in a flowing yellow sundress. She had taken extra care getting ready and was pleased with the results. When she entered the Serenity lobby, Wayne was already there, dressed in white linen pants and a dark-gray silk shirt. Her breath deepened as he slowly ran his eyes down her body and back up. He had a generous mouth that was eminently kissable.
Light flirting kept them occupied as he drove them north in his white Tesla Model S. They continued past the turnoff for Half Moon Bay Resort, and turned left onto a dirt track a short distance beyond. Wayne drove slowly, both hands clutching the wheel. “This road is terrible, so I need to be careful. My car isn’t made for off-roading.”
No kidding. She ran a finger over the buttery black leather seat. Eventually they came to a stop where the jungle opened before them. As soon as Sara opened the door, the sound of ocean waves could be heard. They climbed a small rise and Wayne placed his hand on the small of her back, supporting her as they crested the hillock. Before them was a white sandy beach, and they continued onto a rocky spit of land.
Sara stopped, trying to quell the uneasy sensation in her gut. She glanced to her left and confirmed her fears. Half Moon Bay Resort lay in the distance. This was the same spit of land she and Hope had explored right after the wedding. “You’re building the spa right next to my sister’s resort?”
Wayne gave her a slight smile. “The location can’t be beat. And I would think it would be a benefit for you. You could be a partner in a spa of your own, yet still remain close to your sister.”
“Hope told me she was trying to get the right of first refusal from the owner.”
“Well, he didn’t say anything about that. And this is one of two front-runners for the location. I just thought you might prefer this one.”
Sara frowned, once again drawn toward the resort. “I’m not sure about that. It would directly compete with their spa.”
Wayne put his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth. “That’s true, and there’s no getting around it. But I’m sure Hope would understand that you had a much better opportunity. And the spa isn’t the only draw for her resort.”
“Where would your facility be, exactly?”
“Right where we’re standing. I’d build it as close to the water’s edge as possible, and my plan is to have treatment rooms right on the beach with several more over the water.”
Sara glanced down at the house reef. Many small fish scuttled about, busily going about their lives. “Won’t that damage the house reef?”
He shrugged. “Some destruction is unavoidable. But you can’t make an omelet without cracking some eggs. It will come back in time.”
“I don’t know, Wayne. We’re doing all kinds of things to keep this reef healthy. I’ve even worked on them. I don’t think I could be involved in something that would just ruin it all.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” He smiled and approached, standing close. She could smell his spicy cologne. Her mind reminded her to be careful, but her body was having completely different thoughts. “You can’t get permits without showing solid environmental plans. I have no intention of bringing a wrecking ball to the site.”
Their gazes held for a long moment before Sara tore hers away. “I need to think about this, Wayne.”
“Tell you what. Let me show you the other site. I have a meeting soon, so we need to head back. The other parcel I’m considering is just south of Frederiksted, and there’s a restaurant nearby. Why don’t we tour it tomorrow and I’ll take you to dinner afterwards?”
She smiled at him as the hard ball in her stomach dissolved. “I’d love that. I’d really like to see the other site. I don’t think Hope would be very happy if I got involved in a spa here.”
Wayne tilted his head, his eyes serious as they drew her in. “And do you always try to make Hope happy? What about you?”
As they headed back toward town, his last two questions ricocheted inside Sara’s head.
CHAPTER 33
“Nice view, huh?” Selena asked with a laugh. Sara had accompanied her on her plant-watering chore at her uncle’s cottage. But Sara was mesmerized by the view outside the window—this was an incredible spot. Soft, fractal sunbeams sparkled on the ocean as the sun drifted toward the horizon. Finally wrenching herself away, she turned to find Selena had moved on to the next plant. “Why do you have so many plants in here, anyway? Nobody lives here yet.”
Selena shrugged. “Uncle insists on it. He says it makes it look homier and more tropical. Then when it gets rented, we pull them all out, along with the furnishings.” She leaned over to water a bird of paradise, its spiky red and yellow flowers bursting into the room. Philodendrons and potted palms were also placed throughout the cottage.
“I can’t argue with that.”
Selena glanced up from her watering can. “So, tell me about your mystery date tomorrow. I’m all ears.”
Sara had mentioned a dinner, but said nothing about a new prospective spa, and now guilt tried to gnaw its way out of her stomach. But if Wayne was willing to go with the second site, that could solve all her problems. “He’s a new guy I’ve met. We’ve run into each other several times and flirted a bit.”
Selena grinned slyly, clutching the can with both hands. “It’s not that man we saw when we toured Orchid, is it?”
Shit, I forgot she’s already met him. There was no point in denying it. “As a matter of fact, yes.”
“Oh, he was quite the looker. And definitely interested in you!”
