Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
A lexander looked up when he heard Tatum’s name. Turning off his phone, he slipped it into his
back pocket and pushed away from the tree he’d been leaning on and turned his head to look for her.
At first, he didn’t see her, but it was hard to miss the bobbing brim of the bright pink sunhat that was zeroing in on Ben and Pearl seated on a bench about ten feet away.
He watched as they spoke, and the tropical wind gave him a chance to see Tatum’s face when it
lifted the brim over and over. When the smiles gave way to the concerned pinch of her features, he knew he wanted to do something to help. Remembering their earlier conversation about the tours there in San Juan, he pulled his phone back out of his pocket. Tapping on the screen, he dialed Blair’s number.
It rang and rang until it went to voicemail.
When the phone beeped, he left a message.
"Blair. This is Alexander. I haven’t heard back from you about the tour today. Please let me know if you’re coming. There’s less than twenty minutes before we’re due to leave. I hope to talk to you soon." He ended the call and hoped that she’d heard the urgency in his tone at the end of the message.
Looking up, he saw that the check-in line was dwindling. Down to three couples.
He turned his head back toward the bench and saw Tatum bidding the older couple goodbye.
Everything changed in the moment that she turned away and that ridiculous hat fluttered in
the wind. She was walking away.
Leaving.
Looking down at the phone in his hand, his thumb hovered over the ‘dial’ icon as he struggled to make a decision.
And then he realized that it wasn’t a difficult decision at all.
He dropped his phone into his pocket and jogged over to the check-in line. Apologizing to the
couple standing at the podium, he quickly explained the situation and pointed at the couple on the bench. The young woman behind the podium gave him a soft smile. "No problem, Mr. Wen."
Again, he apologized to the couple who was waiting, but they waved off the apology with
bright smiles. He stopped at the bench to shake Ben’s hand and pressed a gentle kiss on the top of Pearl’s head. He didn’t explain. He just called out to them as he took a few quick steps backwards. "Enjoy the tour!"
Once that was said, he let out whatever breath was still left in his lungs and turned around,
his eyes scanning the crowd for that ridiculously huge pink hat. The crowd was going to be a problem. The parking lot was filled with people and moving vehicles, but instead of standing in place, he moved, making his way through the crowd, heading toward the main road.
Just as he set foot on the sidewalk, a part in the crowd gave him a glimpse of bright pink.
He found his way through the traffic, knowing that he was likely breaking the law, but he just
couldn’t stop himself. On the other side of the street, he saw her waiting to cross at another corner.
"Tatum!"
She paused and held back when others started to cross.
"Tatum, wait!"
Turning around, she had to set her hand down on her hat. "Alexander? What… what are you doing
here?"
It took him a few steps to get to her side, but when he did, he couldn’t help but see that the surprise of his arrival wasn’t a bad one. "I’m glad I caught up to you." He gestured over his shoulder. "I haven’t been able to get a hold of Blair all morning and when I saw Ben and Pearl waiting, I told the tour company to give our reservations to them. They’ll really enjoy it."
Her smile made him feel like a hero. "I’m sure they will. That was really sweet of you."
"I don’t know about sweet." He swallowed, hoping to ease the tension in his throat. "I was
hoping that you wouldn’t mind me tagging along with you."
"Uh-" He saw her smile, but he also saw how hesitant she was. "What about Blair?"
"She’s not answering my calls. Two she put through straight to voicemail. I guess she’s still busy with work and really," he took in a breath and settled his nerves, looking right into Tatum’s eyes, "I want to spend some time with you."
Her eyes widened, and the hand she had on her hat slowing dropped to her side. "Me?"
"Yes, you."
Her eyes narrowed and then relaxed again. "Sure. You’re more than welcome to come along."
He heard the uncertainty in her voice and some of the excitement he’d felt waned.
Her smile lifted a little. "I think we’ll both have a nice time."
Nice time.
Nice time.
" U h," he blew out a breath, "maybe it’s best if I head back to the ship." Shaking his head, he managed to pull himself together and gave her what he hoped was a genuine smile. "I don’t want to bother you."
He turned away to get his bearings before doing something stupid like walking into a wall or a
light post. He would wait until later to figure out why he felt like he’d been punched in the chest.
"Alexander?"
He wanted to turn around, but he didn’t want her to invite him along just to be nice .
"Alex?"
One corner of his mouth tipped up in the beginning of a smile as he turned back around.
She didn’t say anything at first, just met his curious gaze with her own and a trade wind blew
down the street, lifting one side of her hat brim and almost pulled it off of her head.
Alexander grinned. "Where did you get that crazy hat?"
Her gaze lifted up toward the brim of her hat and her mouth pursed into a wavering line. "It is crazy, isn’t it?" Reaching up a hand, she pulled it off her head and held it against her chest with both hands. "I thought I would like to do some exploring at our stops on the cruise, but I’ve spent so much of my life indoors. I burn just looking at a picture of the sun, so I saw this hat online and bought it. It looked so cute. And then I opened the box. I’m pretty sure if I used the ties and made a bow under my chin it might lift me right off the ground."
"It’s a really… pink hat."
She laughed and her smile was transcendent. "That’s the truth."
"You want to know what else is the truth?"
Her smile dimmed just a bit. "Sure?"
Tatum shifted a little and he swore she was almost wincing at the thought.
"Yes, Blair’s busy today, but that’s not the only reason I left without her." The street around them was bustling with people, the sounds of life carried by the winds seemed to circle around them. "When I said that I want to spend time with you, I meant it. Just the two of us. Alone."
He saw her expression falter a little, and he couldn’t read what it meant.
"I like you, Tatum. I’m attracted to your smile. Your laughter. I look forward to every moment you and I spend together. I’m well aware that you might not feel the same way and that’s fine. I would still love to have today as a chance to explore San Juan with my new friend, but if there’s a chance that you might be attracted to me, I want to see where this could go."
She didn’t have to say a word for him to see that she was struggling with the idea.
If there was one thing he knew about her it was that she was a thoughtful and gentle person. If she didn’t return his interest, he had no doubt that she was thinking of the nicest way she could to turn him down.
And really, he was grateful for that.
He was already out on a limb.
"I’m not sure what I should say." Her lower lip plumped as her teeth bit down into it. "I’m pretty sure as a paid member of the staff, I should tell you no. Or at least that you’re welcome to come with me today, but as for the rest…"
Her complexion paled and he wanted to wrap his arms around her.
"It shouldn’t matter," she explained. "You’re here to get to know Blair-"
"I know her," he leaned closer wanting to make sure she heard him. "We’ve known each other for
years because of work and regardless of why I’m here, the person I feel a connection to is you."
She squeezed her eyes closed and took a few deep breaths. He knew she was a moment or two away from walking away from him.
"If you weren’t working for Martina and I wasn’t matched up with Blair. What would you say?" He
waited a second or two. "Just between us. If you don’t feel anything for me, just tell me and I won’t say a thing about it ever again."
He was more than out on a limb. He was bouncing on it while he was sawing through the branch
between himself and the trunk. He’d put everything on this one conversation and he just might live to regret it. Left unsaid though, he would have regretted it for the rest of his life.
At least he was taking a chance.
"What do you think, Tatum?" He held out his hand and when she opened her eyes, she looked
from his hand to his face and back again before she spoke.
"Just between you and me." Her shoulders shook as a smile lit her face. "Yes, I’m attracted to you. Very attracted, but that’s going to be a problem that I really don’t want to think about right now. I’m starving and I’ll go with you as long as you feed me." He could hear the laughter in her voice, but when she took his hand, she took her time and threaded their fingers together. "Can you handle that?"
"Finding you something to eat?" He laughed out loud. "It would be my pleasure."
H e’d said the words and meant them. He would be happy to get her something to eat. He was
hungry too. He hadn’t ever eaten anything that he knew was Puerto Rican food, but he was game. Anything to make this day an adventure she’d never forget.
He already knew he’d never forget their time together.
What they’d found on their walk was incredible. They hadn’t needed the instructions that she’d
been given. As they walked together and talked, the time was punctuated by two events. Every time someone walked past them with something delicious in their hands, Alexander and Tatum turned in the direction they had come from, and every time the wind tried to steal her hat away one or both of them managed to grab it before it flew away.
By the time they found the courtyard full of carts and food stalls, they were starving for food
and air. They’d had many things to talk about and laugh over.
"Well," he looked at her and saw the wide-eyed excitement in her eyes, "where do you want to
start?"
She licked her lips and then looked at him with a grin. "Just so you know I mean business
about this food thing. I didn’t put lipstick on."
He thought about her statement and nodded in reply. "I’ve been warned."
Smiling at him, she gave him a wink. "Smart man."
Alexander laughed. "That’s what my mom says." He saw the first cart over her shoulders. "Why
don’t we start there and make our way around the square?"
Her eyes brightened as she looked up at him and tucked her hat under her arm. Using her free hand, she brushed her fingers through her hair and shook it out. "If you think you can keep up. Then let’s go."
Alexander had never been one of those people that liked to try out a lot of new foods, so the
fact that he’d been so eager to go with Tatum really told him a lot about how much he was starting to care for her. They started with pasteles and when she had explained, "I’ve heard it’s just like tamales."
That’s when he had to explain, "I’ve never had one of those either."
That led to a tasting of each of the pasteles they had for sale, half and half with a healthy
number of napkins between them both.
It was an eye-opening discovery for him. Not just the taste of the food, but also the way
she seemed to like to feed him. And while he had never thought that he’d enjoy such a thing, he had to admit that the moments when her fingers brushed against his lips were what he enjoyed the most. It wasn’t about passion building between them. Instead it was more like developing a level of intimacy between them. Where touch had a way of warming his heart and opening his eyes.
By the time they’d reached the end of one aisle of merchants and food stalls, he’d talked her into accepting a carved hair pin and she’d managed to get him to eat some rellenos de papa. He’d balked at first because the word he associated with rellenos was chili and strangely enough, he wasn’t a fan of heat in his food.
After she’d eaten a couple of the fried and stuffed bite-sized balls, and assured him there
wasn’t any undue heat, he was ready to try some.
And ended up eating the rest of their order before he realized what he’d done.
"You really should broaden your food experience."
He saw the pointed look and shrugged. "Probably, but I think I get into habits-"
"Ruts," she suggested, and he had to agree.
"I get into ruts and as long as it works, I don’t see much reason to change it."
"Maybe that’s why you like me," she grinned, "I’m not only waving the food under your nose, I almost shove it into your mouth."
He felt his cheeks warm and she dissolved into laughter.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that."
Alexander looked down into the little empty cardboard container in his hands. "I certainly eat more than my share."
She leaned closer and bumped his arm with her shoulder. "I’m not complaining. You really liked
them."
"I did."
"And now it’s time for the next dish."
"Next one?"
Tatum smiled at him. "I’m trying to fit a week into two days here on the island." She peered through the crowd. "I see some tables and chairs."
He followed the line of her arm and nodded. "I see them."
"Go and grab it for us, please. I’m going to get a couple of things and bring them over."
Alexander reached for his wallet and she groaned.
"I can handle a few dishes, Mr. Wen. Now, please go and get those seats before we have to sit on the ground."
She started away, but he gently caught her arm. With a smile she looked up at him. "What?"
Alex couldn’t help but feel his heart tumbling in his chest. "You know I wouldn’t mind, if it means we get to be together."
He could see the blush high in her cheeks as she turned and headed for some of the stalls across the courtyard.
W hen Tatum was a few feet from the table, she looked up from the armload of dishes she was carrying. Alexander was sitting at the table, but he was in the middle of a conversation with a young man, probably in his teens. The two looked like they were both invested in the conversation and when the young man nodded and held out his hand, Alexander took it and gave it a solid shake before he placed a couple of bills in his hand. He was alone by the time she reached the table.
She smiled as Alexander got to his feet and helped her set the containers down on the table.
"Such a gentleman."
He laughed as he walked around the table to hold her chair. The wrought iron chairs were fairly heavy, but he smiled as he helped her. "It’s only fair, since you brought the food."
With a flourish, she produced a spoon for him. "I don’t think you’re going to want me to feed you ice cream with my fingers."
They both shared a laugh.
"That would be a little strange. Messy too." She gave a quick explanation of the different plates, but she was hoping that Alexander didn’t hear the excitement in her voice. Dancing was a tough, regimented life, but she made sure to indulge when she could. And these dessert delights had been something she was looking forward to since she’d seen the itinerary for the cruise. "I’ve never had the chance to enjoy a lot of desserts as soon as I went into the competition circuit. So, this is a dream come true," she looked down at the bowl with a longing sigh, "platanos maduros."
"Plantains?"
She grinned and used her spoon to carve a piece off a larger section. "Caramelized… isn’t that the most amazing word? Caramelized sweet plantains and vanilla ice cream."
Tatum was almost silent as she finished off a few pieces of the dessert but stopped when she realized she’d emptied more than half the serving on her own. Holding it out to share, she was kind of hoping he would turn her down. "Try some?"
He shook his head. "You finish it."
Magical words, but she didn’t want to seem selfish. And maybe Alexander could see the indecision in her expression.
"Would it help if I said I can’t drink milk?"
She beamed at him and scooped up a piece of the plantain and some of the ice cream and stopped with it a fraction of an inch from her lips. "You’re lying to me, aren’t you?"
He laughed and she could tell it was spontaneous even though the look in his eyes said he saw right through her. "Yeah. Yes. I’m fine if you eat the rest of it. I’m not going to try to take it away from you. Especially seeing how happy it makes you. Why would I want to interrupt your dessert?"
She took another spoonful into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed the bite in moments. "You’re a
king among men." Sitting back in her chair she sighed. "I’m so glad you came with me today, Alexander."
"Alex, please."
She nodded. "Alex. I admit it’s lovely to be able to eat and not worry about the next competition."
She saw his curious look and answered the question in his eyes.
"I’m retiring from competitions. I’ve competed for years and years. Competed so long that I don’t even remember the last time I was ‘at home’ for more than a week or two before the next tour or trip. And I really do want to have a home. A place to settle."
"Are you going to take some time off, or do you have plans already in place?"
"After retirement?" She smiled. "I have a few offers of jobs. Teaching. There are a few schools that want me to start as soon as I’m ready."
He set down his spoon and placed his napkin on the tabletop. "Are you ready to start?"
"I think so." She scooped up another spoonful of the ice cream and enjoyed the cold chill of it on her tongue. When she was done, she looked up at him. "I have an old friend who wants to sublet a room in her New York apartment to me. It’s a good place to start. A few of the studios that want me are there so I have options." She managed to eat the rest of the ice cream on the spoon and met his eyes across the table. "You’re in publishing, right?" After he nodded, she added her second question. "Where do you live?"
He leaned forward, setting his arms on the edge of the table. "New York."
She smothered any sounds of surprise with the last, big, bite of her dessert and took the time to mull over the revelation while she could.
Alex didn’t have to wait.
He reached a hand across the table and set it over hers. "Well, now I have something to look forward to when we get home."
When we get home …
She was certainly going to have a lot to think about when they returned to the ship.