The way she’d looked at me the night we met had made me feel ten feet tall. The way she’s looking at me now makes me feel like a ten foot tall hairy monster who is scaring her to death. I can’t stand that I’m making her feel this way.
“I know it was only a night, but you broke my heart. You could have told me the truth.”
“Let me explain, please.”
She shakes her head and a tear falls from her eyes. “No, I’m going to talk now. When I went home and found out who you were? I think I was catatonic for a week. I’d never had a one-night stand before in my life and then this happens? And now you’re here? On my vacation? Did you follow me here?”
I shake my head. “No, I live here. I came here as soon as I was released from prison because…because you said this was your favorite place and you've been in my head for two whole years. I do work on charter boats, fishing boats, whoever wants to pay me. It's not much but it's honest work. I thought it would mean something to be here. But to be honest, I haven’t felt that life had meaning since I saw you last.”
She stares at me for a moment and drops her head. “This is too much.”
“Laney.”
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
And with that, she sprints away from me for the second time in fifteen minutes.
But I’ll be damned if I miss my chance with her.
Somehow, there must be a way to get through to her. I thought I came here to live simply and die alone. But I see now that’s not how it has to be.
If this isn't fate, I don't know the meaning of it.
Chapter 13
Laney
“Laney, you can’t stay in the hut for the rest of the trip.”
Poor Stella. S
he has her hands full. Not with the baby. The now-two-year-old is taking a break from the sun with me indoors, napping on my lap while I read a book. No, poor Stella has her hands full with me, the dead weight she brought along on her family vacation. “Who says I can’t?”
“Please come to the bar with us. Lucille is here; she’ll watch the kids.”
I consider it. The truth is, I could use a drink.
I sigh. “What are the chances we would end up on the island as him, two years later? Did you even know he was out of prison?”
“No, I’m sorry. I should have checked up on him. This toddler has run me ragged. Usually I’m on top of things when it comes to your well being.”
I have to smile as I remember how Stella ran exhaustive background checks on every blind date I’ve been on in the last two years.
Luke is waiting for us at the beachfront bar, and has stools reserved for us. They’re so sweet together but so real that it doesn’t hurt my heart to be around them. Watching them gives me hope. Hope that one day I’ll attract someone who’s not a complete mess or a con artist.
While they chatter, I watch the surf, sip my mai tai and adjust my strapless sundress. I gotta get some sunshine on this cleavage if I want to wear a low cut dress at all this summer. As I’m adjusting the girls, I feel someone staring at me.
I glance up and see Hugo, watching me from the shore.
I forget what I’m doing for a second and my hand freezes on my chest.
“What is it, Laney?” Stella asks. Before I can strategize to prevent what’s about to happen, Luke swivels around in his chair, sees Hugo, stands up, walks over and punches him right in the jaw. “That’s for Laney.”
To Hugo’s credit, he doesn't fight back or run away. He takes his lumps. Literally. Stella remains peacefully sipping her drink; clearly she feels the knuckle sandwich was justified.
I walk up and see Hugo lying in the sand, rubbing his jaw.
“That’ll do, Luke,” I say “Go back to your wife.”