“I’ll be quick,” I promised as I left the table and jogged up the stairs. Grabbing my sneakers and my phone, I gave her a grin as I headed outside. Pacing until I saw the bars appear on the screen, I almost fist pumped the air.
I had thirteen missed calls. A few from my brother, a couple from my mom, and the rest from Doug. I phoned Doug.
“Jesus, I thought you were eaten.”
“Eaten? By what?”
“Locals?”
“You’re a dick.” But I was grinning. “I’m okay, I’ve got a place to stay and internet connection.”
“Woo hoo!” he cheered. “So…I told Pierce.”
“Which explains the missed calls.”
“You’re so lucky he’s in Cancun. I never knew he could swear like that.” Doug chuckled.
“Idid,” I answered dryly. “Hey, do you know what kind of car he has?”
Doug roared in my ear. “You are so fucking useless. It’s a Chevy Camaro.”
“Okay.” Honestly, I was none the wiser.
I spent a few minutes talking to him about what happened and then about the mechanic. When his persistence on me arranging a service to come get me got too much, I shut him up.
“You know they told me to take the time to explore the scenery,” I snapped. “I’m on vacation days. I can join the meeting on Thursday. It’s all fine. I need the break after, well, you know.”
Doug was my friend, and bullshit was his middle name. “Enjoy the scenery?” he asked me. “It’sthatgood?”
Iris caught me watching her, and I gave her a smile, which she returned as she cleaned the kitchen. “Yeah, it’s stunning,” I answered honestly as I gave her a small wave. “Really something.” I heard his snort, but thankfully he didn’t push it.
Saying our goodbyes, I sent two texts to my family, ensured they were sent, and then headed inside to enjoy the rest of my evening with the woman who had caught every bit of my attention…and held it.
CHAPTER FOUR
IRIS
Iwas freaking out. No, I was not freaking out. Iwasfreaked out. Rinsing the plates as I watched Mark in the yard, smiling at whatever the other person was saying, I allowed myself the freak out. He was so smart and sweet and charming and so easy to talk to. Dinner had been the most fun I’d had in ages.
I needed to get out more.
Mark looked up and smiled that gorgeous smile at me, and I was smiling back automatically. Holy shit, he was addictive. My eyes followed him as I tracked him pacing in the yard, and I couldn’t even pretend to be subtle. He was one of those people who couldn’t stand still when he spoke on the phone. That made sense. Since I had met him today, he had seemed most at ease when he was moving.
I wasn’t one of those people. I was in danger of growing moss; I could stay stationery for long periods of time. With the dishwasher loaded, I wanted to go out and clean the grill, but that would look rude. Straightening, I saw Mark head back inside. At the door, he took his sneakers off and placed them on the mat at the door.
“This okay?” he asked as he looked up.
“Yes, thank you.” He took his shoes off when he came in the house; could he be any more perfect?
“You all done?” he asked as he walked around the island. “I was going to help.”
“I’m done, just need to clean the grill,” I said as I held up my cleaning products, and he swooped in with a cry of success.
“I’m on it. You make the coffee?” he asked me as he headed back outside, pausing to put his shoes back on.
“Um…” It really wasn’t right for him to clean. He rolled his eyes as he guessed what I was going to say, and all but ran out the back door, as if I had a chance to stop him.
With a smile, I set about making the coffee. He was back before it brewed, and I thanked him as I tidied away the cleaning products.