“That’s horrible, my stomach wasn’t—”
“I know. It’s mine. I’m starving too.” He reached for her hand, and she slipped hers in his. “And at this point, I think we’re going to be late.”
As they made their way out of the door, she asked, “What time is our reservation?”
“I thought you liked surprises,” Gareth said, opening the back door of the waiting black SUV.
“I didn’t think knowing a time was going to ruin it,” she chuckled.
Inside he tapped the driver that they were ready. When they pulled away from New Hope, Gareth turned and said, “It’s kind of complicated.”
“Dinner or the time?”
“I love how quick-witted you are. I hope your sense of humor continues when I tell you where we are going.”
“Let me guess, you’ve charted a plane and are stealing me off to some deserted island.” Of course Tabiq was quite beautiful, just . . . poor.
“Nothing quite that elaborate. We’re having dinner with . . . friends.”
Brooke turned to him. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have any friends here. Not that I’m unfriendly, but the people of Tabiq like to keep to themselves.”
“Not all of them,” Gareth stated.
Great. I’m here ten months and nothing. He’s here a week and has already been invited out.“So we are going to meet your friends at a restaurant?”
“No. We’re going to their home.”
Brooke started to panic. This was a bad idea. She hadn’t told anyone she was leaving with Gareth, and he was taking her to God-knows-where. She could only imagine the riot act she was going to receive from Janet when she fessed up. Was it too late to change her mind? Gareth surely wouldn’t force her to go with him if she asked to return to New Hope.
That was the issue. She had no idea what he was capable of. So far she was letting her libido drive her actions. Stupid. Very stupid. Someone as world traveled as she was, knew better. Her heart raced and she tensed. Gareth must have noticed because he asked, “Are you okay?”
This was her chance. She could tell him she had a headache, or felt queasy, or . . . or . . . just tell him the truth. “Gareth, I’m not comfortable with this.”
“With what? Us having dinner together?”
She shook her head. “There are reasons we’re told not to leave the resort. I’m sure your friends are very nice, but this is still . . . unwise.”
“I’ll have the driver turn around if that is what you want. But do you really believe I’d take you someplace you might not be completely safe?” He waited until she shook her head before he continued. “I’m glad. Because you have my word, Brooke, I’d never let anything happen to you.”
“Okay,” she said meekly. She wanted to believe that, but not knowing was unnerving.
“Would you feel better if I told you where we are headed?”
Brooke had told him she enjoyed surprises. Then she freaked out because he was doing just that. Should she go for three and change her mind once again? If she followed her head, she’d still have him take her back to New Hope no matter where they were headed. But her heart said she could trust him. Following one’s heart usually leads to one thing. Heartbreak. God, I hope I don’t regret this.
“No. But I’m telling you, if something happens to me, you’ll have to answer to Janet.”
“Who is Janet?” Gareth asked.
“My boss. She lives here on the island with her husband, Vinny. They are both from the States, but fell in love with Tabiq. Go figure. I’m not allowed off the resort, and she lives here.” She gave a nervous laugh.
“Why is that funny?”
“First of all, I look like I could be a native here, which I’m not. But she has a mass of blonde curls. Definitely not Tabiqian.”
“So where are you from?” Gareth asked.
“Originally or now?”