I tell my colleagues and the principal about Daniel’s offer as soon as I arrive at school. I don’t even have to sell the idea to them; they fall for it hook, line, and sinker. We won’t have disappointed kids and parents on our hands, and Moss Landing is just an hour and a half from San Francisco. Win-win for everyone.
After we leave the principal’s office, Karla pulls me aside. “Girl, you know Daniel Bennett and didn’t say anything? I need to become your best friend right now.”
“He’s an old friend.”
“Friend? I’ve only seen him in photos, but friendship would be so wasted on that man. You’ve seen him in the flesh and didn’t jump his bones?”
Something in my expression must betray me because Karla widens her eyes and adds, “Oh, but you have. He’s the friend you wore the knockout dress for yesterday.”
I need to work on my poker face. I don’t want my colleagues to poke their nose in my private business, so I just say, “College sweetheart”.
I work out the details of the trip with Daniel and one of his employees throughout the week, trying to ignore the flip in my stomach every time I talk to Daniel.
The following Monday, Karla and I are on a bus with twelve kids under ten years old, and they accost us with every version of “Are we there yet?” the entire journey.
“Wish Helen was here too,” Karla says, referring to another colleague.
“We’ll be fine,” I assure her as the bus pulls into the parking lot of a hotel near the Marina Dunes Preserve. The boat will leave from here, heading out in the general direction of Moss Landing. As we descend from the bus, two of Daniel’s coworkers, a man and a woman, approach us.
Shivering a little, I zip up my coat. Brr. It’s the end of September, and I can already feel the temperature changing.
“Hi, I’m Marcel. We emailed,” the man says as we shake hands. He’s about my age, well-built, and tan. “This is Honor. We’re both going to go out with you today.”
I feel a pang of disappointment that Daniel won’t head out with us too, even though I knew it already. He told me he has too much work to go through before he heads out with the group tonight. I was still hoping, I suppose.
“The kids have to use the restrooms first,” Karla says.
Honor motions to the hotel behind her. “You can use those at the hotel. The lunch boxes for the kids are at reception anyway. We have to pick them up too.”
We head inside, the kids jumping up and down, talking incessantly. I love working with children. Their joy and excitement for every little thing is contagious. Sure, they turn into little devils when things don’t go their way, but that comes with the territory.
The view here is breathtaking. The hotel lobby walls boast floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an almost unencumbered view of the ocean. There is nature as far as the eye can see. While Karla takes the kids to the bathroom, I take inventory of the lunch boxes.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Looking up, I find Daniel right next to me. “Hey! I thought you’d only come in the evening with your group.”
“Nah, I’ve been here since this morning. I’ve booked a room because I’m staying until tomorrow. I’m working from there. Do you need anything?”
“Is there anywhere I can buy a sandwich? I didn’t have breakfast, and I don’t want to eat my boxed lunch right now.”
“The hotel has a breakfast buffet. Closes in twenty minutes. You still have time. Marcel wanted to grab a bite before you head out too.”
Five minutes later, Marcel and I are loading our plates at top speed. I’m not even paying attention to the food; I just want to fill my stomach as quickly as possible. We sit at an empty table, and I wolf down my breakfast.
“Re
lax! Honor and Karla can handle the group. Daniel’s with them too. Don’t choke on something.”
I smile sheepishly, swallowing. “You’re right.”
“Looking forward to the outing?”
“Yeah. I’ve been whale-watching once before, eons ago.”
“It’ll be a lot of fun, you’ll see.”
We chitchat about which type of whales we’re most likely to see, and I’m impressed by his knowledge on the topic and his willingness to explain every detail.