4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

I finish off the fancy drink in my hand, then quickly gulp down an entire second one directly after. Holy cow, this virgin mojito is the best drink I’ve ever tasted. I made the executive decision to forego the alcohol at the moment to ensure my right-headedness when I meet Mr. Dumont for the first time.

I’ve been told many times I have a tendency to become a bit giddy and flirtatious when I drink, and I need to make sure that I avoid that happening at all costs tonight. God, could you imagine? A shudder rolls down my spine.

With her head held high and a wide smile on her face, the hostess slowly walked me to the corner of the dimly lit restaurant and sat me down at Mr. Dumont’s personal table.

There is absolutely no question that this is the best seat in the house. The giant grand piano is in full view, but the music is quiet enough for me to still hear myself think. It’s just me, myself, and I in this cozy, little bubble. The best part, however, is that I’m surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the crystal blue water glistening down below.

The sun is just beginning to set, and I can see families playing in the sand and couples walking hand in hand on the water's edge. Watching these little scenes of happiness unfold tugs at something in my heart, and I can't look away. The way they all seem so comfortable with each other. The way each of them is smiling and laughing, like they don’t have a care in the world. I never had a family life like that. I never got to feel so uninhibited and secure. I want that. So bad.

There is one family with a little boy who lugs bucket after bucket of sand up to where his family is sitting and continues to pour each of them onto his dad’s big laughing belly. The little sister, who looks to be about two, sits in her mama’s lap while she reads her a story. They all look so in love. So content and happy. It’s beautiful.

I slowly turn my attention to a couple standing down by the water, letting the waves lap against their feet. The young man's arms are around the woman’s slender shoulders as they gaze out into the water, just as the sun begins to dip under the horizon. My mind wanders to what they could be talking about. Getting married? Having kids of their own? The important questions that have somehow eluded me in every relationship I’ve been in.

If that were Rex and me down there, he would be whispering sweet nothings in my ear about some sports something or other, and I would be mulling over my never-ending laundry list of to-dos. Romantic indeed.

I feel my phone buzz from inside my purse, and I know it’s from Jordyn before I even look.

Jordyn

How's paradise babe?

Jane

I'm in heaven, J. How's the snow? Haha

Jordyn

Not funny. I'm freezing my ass off over here!

Hey, how's Richie Rich Resort Owner? Have you asked him yet if he's looking for a second wife?

Please tell him I'm extremely witty, very single, and FANTASTIC in bed. kthxbye

Jane

Lol. I'll leave that part up to you.

I haven't even met him yet. I'm actually waiting for him right now.

Also, I'm drinking a super fancy drink and eating some super fancy bread. If you couldn't tell, I'm being super fancy right now.

Jordyn

What a life you lead my friend.

Get back to your glamorous dinner and please don't forget about us little people when you're sitting pretty.

PS I'm expecting full details when you're done. Love you.

Before sliding my phone back into my bag, I check the time and I’m shocked to find out that Mr. Dumont is more than twenty minutes late. My anxiety-prone mind starts to go through a list of reasons this could be.

Am I at the wrong resort restaurant? Did I get the time wrong? Did something bad happen to him? Before I dig myself too deep into a worry hole, I decide to set a timer to remind myself to start really worrying in ten minutes when he’s thirty minutes late. Classic. Setting a timer to worry. I could possibly be a crazy person.

I’m mid-sip of my drink when a handsome man in a suit approaches my table with a troubled look on his face. Oh no, this can’t be good.

“Excuse me, are you Ms. Robins? From Schwartz & Adler?”

“Yes, I am, is everything alright?”

He hands me a wireless telephone. “I have a call for you from Mr. Dumont.”

I straighten my dress and check my breath into my hand (like an idiot because it’s a phone call), then clear my throat.

“Hello, this is Jane Robins.”

“Jane! This is Howard Dumont. It’s lovely to finally get to talk to you. Hey, I’m incredibly sorry, but I’ve had an emergency investor meeting that was called at my Thailand Resort. I’m currently 35,000 feet up in the air. I’m sorry to miss our meeting.”

“Oh, Mr. Dumont, it’s really no problem. I’m sure we can arrange another time to get together when you make it back.”

“Jane, this mess is going to take quite a while. I’m not entirely sure when I’ll be back on the island.”

The color leeches out of my face. No more vacation for me then. Back to reality. Back to the snow. I can literally feel the ocean teasing me from outside the window.

“Alright, no problem, Mr. Dumont. I’ll catch a flight first thing in the morning and hopefully be back in the office by tomorrow evening. I’ll work out a time with your assistant for us to jump on a quick Zoom call to get things started. Does that work for you?”

“Tomorrow?” he says gruffly.

Okay, wow . This isn’t going as planned.

“Jane, I planned for you to stay ten days at my resort, and that means you’d better be staying ten days at my resort. Just because my investors think I have nothing better to do than fly across the ocean at the drop of a hat, doesn’t mean you need to change your plans. I just got off the phone with the partners at your firm, and they agree with my decision. Enjoy your vacation, and we’ll touch base again when I have all this other stuff figured out.”

Then he just hangs up. Not another word. Like he didn’t just drop a grenade right into my lap by saying that I get to take ten entire days off from real life. A vacation —just me, the blue ocean, and pure unadulterated bliss.

Passing the phone back to the suited man, I ask him to bring me an actual mojito this time, with double the alcohol, and the biggest brownie they offer. He nods with a knowing smile and heads to the kitchen.

Pulling my phone back out of my purse, I enthusiastically press the cancel button on my worry timer. God, that feels good.

I close my eyes and start dreaming of all the wonderful things I’m going to do over the next few days. I picture the mountain of books I’ll read, the various desserts I’ll get to eat, the tropical drinks I’ll get to try. My mouth starts to water and a smile blooms on my face.

I just begin to envision the hard washboard abs of the man I’m going to have my vacation fling with, when I hear the chair across from me scootch out from underneath the table. I abruptly open my eyes to see who’s joining me.

No. This can’t be happening. Not now.

You have got to be kidding me. Literally the only person in the entire world who could have ruined this vacation for me just sat down at my table. This man. This handsome, charismatic, insanely irritating, completely irresistible man.

He sits across from me with those stupid, beautiful dimples, and a twinkle in his big, brown eyes.

Noah Riley.

“Hi, Jane. It’s been a long time.”

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