“Is he harassing you? You know we don’t tolerate that. I can have him removed immediately if—”
“That’s not it. He just seems . . . lost. I’m not sure if that’s the right way to explain it. He says he’s a guest, but he doesn’t seem interested in doing anything.” Except having dinner with me.
“Maybe he just wants to enjoy some quiet time on the beach. Many people just come to soak up the sun.”
That would be a logical thought, but she knew there was something more. Gareth was a mystery, and one she wanted to solve. This was crazy. Why was she giving him a second thought? She should’ve declined his offer and kept moving. But no, she stood talking with him because . . . she wanted to. Whatever lame excuse she was giving Janet for having dinner with him was just that, an excuse. Yet that didn’t seem to stop her from making them. “I know, but I don’t think he’s made it down there. Each time I suggest one of our activities, he asks me to join him.”
“Like a date?” Janet inquired.
I wish.“No. I don’t think so.” This guy probably had woman dying to go out with him. No way would he ask a waitress out. “Maybe he just doesn’t know how to have . . . fun.” That was hard for her to believe. Gareth didn’t look like a sheltered man in the least.
“And what did you say when he asked?”
Where have you been all my life?She wasn’t one to fall all over a guy, but Gareth was a very handsome man. He also made her laugh, a trait she loved. She didn’t say no, because she couldn’t bring herself to.
But not telling Janet she found him attractive wasn’t actually lying, was it? Since Janet didn’t ask that question directly, she would answer only what she’d asked. “The first two times I declined his offer. But he asked if I would join him for dinner tomorrow night. I ran out of ways to say no, so I agreed to meet him at five. But I wanted your approval before actually moving forward with this.”
“Date?”
“No. I asked him what he liked to do for fun, and he said we could discuss it over dinner. It would be unfortunate if he traveled all this way just to spend his entire vacation sitting in his room. Maybe if I can talk to him a bit longer, he will see how much New Hope really has to offer.”
“And you don’t think one of our activity leaders could do the same? I mean that is what they are paid for.”
And I’m paid to be a waitress. I know.Normally she loved her job. It’s just this once, she wanted . . . more. “I can’t explain it, but he seems . . . comfortable talking to me. If you’d rather I let him know I can’t make it, I’ll do so.” But she really was looking forward to hearing what Gareth liked doing during his free time. He’d piqued her interest, and not on a professional level either. There was more to him than he let on. And she wanted to know what it was.
“Okay. Have dinner with him. But if you find he’s not . . . the introvert you believe him to be, back off. I don’t want to see you being . . . manipulated in any way. Tabiq has a reputation for some disturbing things, and New Hope won’t stand for any of it.”
Brooke was glad to hear that, but it opened up the question as to why New Hope was so firm on this policy. Had they encountered a problem before? She knew the locals definitely kept their distance from any outsiders. Even though she worked with them, it wasn’t like anyone ever invited her to their home for dinner. Actually, she didn’t know much about any of them at all. If it weren’t for Janet and a few others, Brooke might not have stayed. No matter how beautiful the resort was, she needed adult interaction and conversation to survive.
“Okay Janet. I promise, if things don’t feel right, I’ll let you know.” And if it feels too good, I’ll keep it to myself.
“Thanks for calling me, Brooke. By the way, what is the name of this guest?”
“Gareth.” Funny, she didn’t even know his last name. But Janet had access to room records and how many Gareths could there be staying at the resort this week?
“I don’t think I’ve crossed paths with him yet either. Keep me posted.”
“Will do. Good night,” Brooke said and ended the call.
She slipped her phone back in the pocket of her black apron. That call went better than she’d expected. In a way, she just got Janet’s blessing to have dinner with Gareth. With any luck, that dinner would turn into something fun on the beach. He’s going to enjoy this vacation even if I have to make him.
As she made her way back toward the kitchen, she chuckled to herself. And I’m finally going to get to have some fun too.