Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
NATALIE
M y phone chimed again. Then again. And a third time. Down went the latest must-consume beach read I was enjoying, and up came my phone to see what all the fuss was about. Work emails. Always work emails. I rolled over onto my stomach on the lanai’s lounge chair. The palm trees rustled above me, and the ocean made its enchanting lapping and crashing sounds, reminding me I was on vacation.
I glanced through the unopened emails to see if any absolutely needed to be addressed immediately. No. With six months until the end of the calendar year, and the fiscal year having just started over, nothing truly needed to be determined by my department until I got back. I appreciated everybody wanting to keep me in the loop, but days like this made it all the more apparent I meant it when I told Joel I didn’t know if I saw myself sticking this out forever. Maybe I needed to distance myself for a bit to see if I missed it at all.
Scrolling through my text threads, I landed on the one I’d had for four years with Kate.
Can you please have everybody email you instead of me, and if anything looks important, then you pass it along? My phone keeps blowing up.
I pushed send and glanced at the time. It was four o’clock in Portland. Poor Kate would still be at her desk for at least another two hours. Until the end of the month when our biggest fundraiser of the year took place, Saturdays became mandatory. Always during the one nice month of weather we had. I felt it was an unholy sin.
Yes, I can do that for you!
But you know you can just turn off your notifications, right?
Maybe not open up your emails.
I playfully rolled my eyes.
You know that’s not remotely possible. My name is Natalie and I’m addicted to work.
And that’s why you’re going to be the boss of all of us one day. Are you having fun? Have you picked up my chocolates?
I smiled. Kate was by far the best assistant, but she never ceased to amaze me on the things she didn’t think about. Those chocolates were nothing more than a simple internet search and two-day shipping away. She could purchase them and eat them all before I even got back.
The island is beautiful as always. Went kayaking today. Laying out by my private pool now. Don’t worry—I’ll pick some up for you before I leave. Should probably ask: anything I need to know about the office?
After a long pause, three dots appeared.
Actually, as of yesterday afternoon, the sixth floor decided to shake things up. Jill is being pulled from our department by the end of the summer and moved to another section for some kind of promotion.
My heart stopped. My boss was being moved by Mr. Banks, which meant her job was going to be available. Was I being discussed as a possible replacement? Were they going to hire from the outside? I didn’t want to lose Jill; she was a great mentor and we had worked together for the last six years, but I knew she could be utilized somewhere else and do just as much good for the company. This was a game-changer. Maybe pausing on my unhealthy work attachment wasn’t the best idea right now. I knew I had to play my cards close.
I sat up and focused before ultimately deciding on a simple reply.
I’m gone one day, and I miss all the fun. Okay keeper of the emails, you are also to keep me posted on whatever you hear about this shake-up.
She gave me a thumbs up emoticon that signaled she was back to focusing on her work.
Thoughts swirled around, and I absentmindedly toggled over to my personal email. In my sugar-induced coma the night before, I had forgotten about the waiting message from Dane. Time to rip off the Band-Aid and see what he could possibly want. Probably some kind of refund for his half of the wedding expenses. I stretched my neck to each side, rolled my shoulders, and got ready to fight.
Natalie:
I would rather you hear this from me than see it on social media or hear it from one of our friends, but Lucy and I are dating. I realize this is really fast since you and I were supposed to get married just a week ago, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to move on. She’s amazing. I’m only telling you because I feel like this is something I would want to know from you if situations were flipped.
I’ll always hold you in the highest regard.
Dane
I would rather he’d asked for the money.
From a high to a low in a matter of minutes. That was not how I expected my afternoon to go.
An hour later, I was still seething. The volcano ice cream surprise from room service didn’t even make a dent in my emotions. Dane had preemptively decided to date somebody else when he’d come over to call off the wedding. Not feel me out to see if we were on the same page. No, he was absolutely ready to end things and move on. He’d really done it—called off our wedding and officially announced he was dating some other woman all within a week. And what was that sign-off? Hold me in the highest regard? Please.
Yesterday, this news would have caused me to shut all the
curtains and lay in bed until morning, lamenting how I wasn’t good enough for Dane. Or anybody. How I’d never find love again. Instead, I felt like he expected that reaction from me, and I would not give him the satisfaction, even if he was three time zones away with no idea I had even viewed the email.
I swam a few frustrated laps before toweling off and going inside to get ready for my date. Was it a date? Or was it just two lonely people getting food? Was he lonely? Didn’t matter. I sent my sister, Carlie, a text telling her my evening’s plans, with a photo of my finished look for good measure. She replied immediately with excitement and worry that I’d end up on Dateline. I smiled; the Reddington daughters were nothing if not constantly thinking of the worst-case scenario.
“You clean up nice.” I climbed out of my jeep next to Joel’s small, dark blue SUV. He stood, leaning against the trunk, wearing a dark gray button up short sleeve cotton shirt and khaki shorts with leather flip flops. His same relaxed vibe from kayaking carried over to now.
His tight lips turned up, and he took a step toward me. “One could say the same about you.”
I knew I looked great. Pairing my favorite J. Crew lightweight navy ruffled mid-length skirt with a turquoise eyelet flutter sleeve top was never a bad decision. My hair was pulled up halfway in a knot at the top of my head. The jewelry was minimal, with just a simple pair of golden leather teardrop earrings, and I kept it casual with my favorite rubber-soled Chacos. I was feeling good. It was all in retaliation for the earlier email—which I recognized Joel knew nothing about.
“Hey now,” I said as I grabbed my clutch and walked over to him. “You can take the corporate girl out of the city, but you can’t expect her not to dress true to who she is. This is authentic me, when I’m not enjoying water sports, of course.”
“Authentically you.” He seemed to mull the description. “Are you ready for a night out on the town? ”
“I love your definition of going out on the town.” I nodded my head toward Bob’s, an older stand-alone building that looked like a surfer hang out.
Boards leaned against the front entrance drying off, while their owners sat out on the side patio. There were various picnic tables corralled by a low fence to separate the space from the parking lot. Stringed lights hung from groups of large, lanky Koa trees, allowing diners to stay past dark.
“You knock it now, but I just about guarantee you that when you’re done, you’ll never want to eat at another five-star restaurant again,” he confidently proclaimed.
Joel motioned for us to head inside to order, and as I started ahead, his hand found the small of my back, guiding me. As quickly as he placed it, he removed it, kind of like it was a habit he recognized wasn’t shared between us.
I turned around as we reached the door. “Just about guarantee?”
“I get the impression you’re a little bit high-maintenance, but I appreciate it. And you did request you wanted to be blown away— this place is known for that.” He reached around me and opened the door, letting me go in first.
Those little things: holding the door, inadvertently touching me, remembering my request from earlier in the day . . . these were the things that had been in my relationship with Dane initially, but then over time, completely faded. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it until now. I made a mental note to have him expand on what about me screamed ‘high-maintenance’ and more importantly, why he appreciated it. Now didn’t feel like the time as we stepped inside.
On the opposite side of the building was a long counter with a large chalkboard menu behind it, and the rest of the space was given to a few round tables and mismatched chairs for the random days it rained. We reached the counter, and I took in the simple menu. There were four main entrees, chips and guacamole, and drinks.
“I like a place with a limited menu,” I leaned over and whispered to Joel.
“Yeah? Why’s that?” He met my lean halfway until we were nearly touching shoulders.
Again, I could smell that woodsy floral scent with a hint of coconut. It was an unexpected mix and yet fit him perfectly. I wanted to just take it in a little longer. “Because when a place is busy and only has a few items, you know it’s really good.”
“You just couldn’t take my word for it, could you?” He mocked offense. “What would you like?”
“Joel!” the friendly face behind the counter interrupted us.
“Hey, man. How are you?” Joel replied.
“Good. Haven’t seen you in a while. Was starting to worry you’d found a new taco dealer. Maybe somebody with a mango salsa or something too fancy for the likes of us,” he chuckled.
Joel grinned. “I’d never do that to you, Eric. Just busy. But I brought a first-timer tonight. Told her this was the best place on the island.”
“You are new to Bob’s? Welcome, welcome. Come order and see if this man lies.”
I stepped up to the counter and ordered four fish tacos with a side of chips and guacamole. Joel placed his order, and when I went to get my wallet out, he stopped me, telling me it was his treat. We took a number to put on a table outside, then I led us to the one farthest from everybody else and sat down across from him.
“Thank you for that. And next time, it’s on me.” I caught what I had said and then recovered with, “I mean, no pressure for a next time. I just meant, if we hang out again, I’m buying.”
“Deal.” He nodded.
“Do you really think I go to so many fancy restaurants that I can’t enjoy some place like this?” I eyed him .
“Don’t you?” He leaned his hands behind his head and stretched out his arms, inadvertently flexing his biceps. It was distracting.
I studied his casual demeanor for a moment and noted how he was Dane’s exact opposite. Dane thrived on being the center of attention. He was confident. He was always talking.
Joel seemed like a homebody, content to do whatever he pleased without worrying what others thought of him. He outwardly gave off the appearance of confidence, but there was something that said he was hiding an insecurity. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I wanted to be around long enough to find out. There was a quiet goodness about him.
Shaking my head at how I picked apart the man sitting across the table from me, who I barely knew, I replied. “Okay fine. You got me. I have eaten at all the finer places in Portland . . . more than once. Usually for work things. Also often for fun. But what gave it away?”
He jutted his chin my way. “You’re dressed like that. Here. On the North Shore. It would make sense in Waikiki, but things up here are much more laid back.”
I bit my lip as a wave of self-doubt ran through me long enough to make me wonder if he was unimpressed and judging me. Instead of getting flustered, I put my elbows on the table and puffed out my chest a bit, claiming my space and my self-worth. “I look good. Really good.”
Joel blinked once and blushed, then quietly stated, “You have no idea.”
If I hadn’t been watching him speak, I probably wouldn’t believe I had heard it. It was honest, and to say I was flattered would be an understatement.
A warm breeze danced through the seating area, definitely welcomed in the sticky summer heat as I sipped my water and looked around. I had driven through this little town many times before, but never noticed this place tucked behind the main road against the tree line. It was idyllic. Very relaxing for a first date, even if I was severely overdressed.
“Can I ask you something?” Joel looked right at me with those piercing eyes.
I turned back toward him. “Of course.”
“Who did I take you away from this evening?”
“Is that your polite way of asking if I’m actually here alone?” I smirked and straightened my posture.
“You already insinuated it earlier when I asked you out, but you really are?” He looked a little surprised. “I thought maybe you were here with friends who didn’t want to get up early on a Saturday.”
“My job is stupidly demanding, and there is something about getting on a plane and running away once a year to this island that keeps me going.” I let out a deep breath. “Usually, I travel with someone, but plans changed last minute, and I wasn’t going to cancel.”
He met my half-confession with silence, continuing to watch me until I squirmed. “What?”
Joel opened his mouth to answer just as our food arrived. Once it was confirmed with Eric that everything looked right, we were on our own again. Part of me wanted to question him again about why he’d stared me down, but the food offered enough distraction to make me lose focus. It looked and smelled amazing. Until I realized I had ordered more than he did. Immediately, I felt the need to explain myself as I tucked a napkin into my collar.
“Look, I’m not one of those girls who pretends to be allergic to food. I’m also well aware that I’m . . . curvy, but I also have it on good authority that vacation calories don’t count. Plus, I had this really mean kayaking instructor today who made me burn way more calories than one should on vacation, so it all evens out.” It rattled out way more self-justifying than I intended.
Joel took a big bite of his fish burrito and swallowed, not offering a reply. His slow response time grated my patience. Seriously, what was his look about a few minutes earlier? What did he think about my neurotic outburst just now?
He took a long drink of his soda, stretching my patience even further. Before I completely lost my mind waiting in the silence, he said, “You’re definitely the most fascinating person I’ve met on this island.”
“That’s good?” I wasn’t sure.
“Absolutely.” Then he gave me his closed-lip smile that made my heart beat just a little bit harder.
For a while, as we ate, dinner was quiet. But not awkward quiet. That good comfortable quiet not usually found on first dates. We both took in people coming and going and watched as a rooster wandered through the area looking for scraps and bugs.
Our conversation, when we did continue it, was so easy and natural. Joel told me about growing up in Virginia and playing baseball in high school. I told him about hailing from a small northern Colorado town and never looking back once I’d graduated. He surfed a bit, but preferred kayaking and paddle boarding. My ideal night was spent alone, binging HGTV, surrounded by carbs.
He was about to respond to my guilty pleasure when his phone buzzed. He apologized as he looked at it and frowned. It buzzed a few more times in rapid succession.
“Do you need to get that? I don’t mind,” I offered.
“No. I mean, maybe. Let’s finish dinner and then I will deal with it.” He said it with a bit of a bite.
The mood between us shifted. He was quiet while I ate every last crumb, completely and utterly sold on Bob’s being the best food I would probably ever have.
I tried to defuse the tension coming from across the table. “ That really was, hands down, everything you promised it would be. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” He seemed distracted, distant, when he’d been so open only moments ago. His food had gone untouched since the first buzz of his phone. “Where do you usually eat when you come here?”
“At the resort. Or at the big fancy places down in Waikiki—all dressed up of course. If it’s been endorsed by an influencer on social media for being overpriced and trendy, I’ve eaten there,” I said unapologetically.
He didn’t quite respond to my attempts at self-deprecated charm, instead opting for a simple nod.
“Anyway, I’m happy you asked me to come tonight. I probably would have just ordered room service and watched the sunset from my lanai.” I threw him one last chance to come back to the date.
Breaking from his thoughts, his eyes held a weighted sadness to them, even as he overcorrected with a wide smile. “I’m really glad you decided to take a chance, not only on the food but on me too.”
“I had fun. And my sister will be happy I didn’t end up on Dateline.” I stood up and gathered our trash, taking it to the nearby bin.
“What was that last part?” He raised an eyebrow.
I laughed. “Don’t worry about it.”
Joel met me and handed me my clutch. Like earlier in the day, our fingers slightly brushed. My heart did a fast double beat with a hard thump. This time, I didn’t pull away, letting them linger for a second.
He let his hand sit an extra beat as well, then let out a long exhale. “I hadn’t planned on calling it a night yet, but I really need to deal with this.” He waved his phone in the air. “I don’t even know how long you’re here, but maybe I can see you again?”
I put my finger on my chin and paused a second like I was really having to consider his offer. “Okay. But only if you take me hiking to a waterfall.”
“I can make that happen,” he promised.
Whatever was happening with him right now wasn’t any of my business, and I didn’t get the feeling he was trying to blow me off with a fake emergency. He had just claimed he wanted to see me again.
However, I would have bet all of Bob’s fish tacos it probably wasn’t nearly as much as I wanted to see him.