Chapter 18
There was no denying it—Sylvie had an amazing day yesterday with Luke on the boat, even if it got a little awkward when everyone except them took a swim before lunch. It was very sweet of him to stay on the boat with her instead of diving in, but she felt a bit guilty about it.
As she headed down toward the terrace, she couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of the whole thing.
Was he annoyed that he didn’t get in the water?
Did he see through her flimsy excuse of not realizing the tour included a swim?
Sylvie tried to shake the thoughts loose by focusing on her plan for the day.
When they’d said goodnight after dinner the evening before, she had found herself wishing she’d said something about seeing him again, but now, she was glad he had resisted and not come on too strong.
“Hey, good morning,” Luke said, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Sylvie jumped but laughed as he went from looking perky to awkward. “Hi,” she said, holding up a hand to stem what she was sure was about to be an apology. “I’m just still a bit asleep. Are you heading to breakfast?”
He smiled. “Sure am. Apparently, they do something famous here—waffles with rum butter or rum cream.”
“Rum on waffles? For breakfast?” she asked with a laugh as they fell in step and headed toward the terrace.
Luke winked at her. “We’re on vacation. Isn’t that the time for misbehaving a little bit? Besides, I don’t think it’s a lot of rum.”
She let herself be led to a table for two and took the seat he offered without thinking. It wasn’t until the waiter arrived to take their orders that she realized she wasn’t supposed to be sitting with Luke—her table for one was already set but sat empty near the railing.
“Oh, I’m not actually sitting here,” Sylvie said.
The waiter blinked at her quizzically. “Aren’t you? I knew putting off my eye doctor was a bad idea, but I didn’t think I needed glasses that badly.”
The small smile and mischievous glint in his eyes relieved her momentary confusion, and she laughed—albeit a little nervously.
“Please, don’t feel obligated just because we bumped into each other in the hall,” Luke said. “Don’t let me derail your breakfast plans.”
“Oh no, you’re not derailing,” she said to Luke before turning back to the waiter. “Please put my breakfast against room one-twenty. Sorry, I’m not at my usual table.”
“Perfectly fine, ma’am,” the young man said. “So, will you have your usual, but here instead?”
Did he just wink at her?
Sylvie felt a blush creeping up her neck and quickly nodded. “Uh, except can I add a hash brown on the side? If it’s not any trouble…”
“Not at all, ma’am,” he replied, then turned to Luke. “And for the gentleman?”
“How much rum is in the rum butter waffles?”
“Are you planning on any morning activities where you may be jostled or in charge of a vehicle?” the waiter asked with a smile.
Luke appeared a little surprised. “Uh…no?”
“Then you should be fine, but the rum here is quite strong. Very good, but quite strong,” he explained. “We don’t recommend the rum cream waffles for breakfast, but rather for an evening dessert. May I suggest the vanilla cream waffles instead?”
“Sounds perfect,” Luke said, handing over his menu. “The rum here is famous, isn’t it?”
“It is,” the waiter said. “We have many that are world-class, along with our cuisine.”
After taking their orders and filling their glasses with juice while they waited for their coffee, the waiter moved on to the next table, leaving Sylvie and Luke alone once again.
“So…” Luke said. “What are your plans for the day? Jet skiing and bungee jumping?”
Sylvie laughed. “Oh sure, but not before I shave my head and get a tattoo on my face.”
“Then it’s a good thing you didn’t get the rum waffles,” he replied quickly, laughing along with her. “I think I’ll have to try them before I go.”
“I’m glad they warn people. It sounds like they’re potent.”
Luke made a small coughing sound in the back of his throat. “They probably just don’t want to get sued. Which, hey, even if that’s the only reason, at least it gets people warned.”
“True,” she replied, not really wanting to get into a discussion about it. “What are your plans, anyway?”
“Well, I’ve got some business stuff to deal with this morning. But this afternoon, I’m free as a bird. Maybe you’d like to embark on another excursion with me?”
Did he sound nervous? Or was she projecting?
“That’d be great,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, there’s a great sightseeing and snorkeling trip, since you didn’t get to swim yesterday,” he said, smiling warmly.
“I’ll be honest…” she started, knowing full well she was about to be anything but. “I’m just not that taken with the idea of swimming in the sea. I did have my eye on the cooking class, though.”
Luke shrugged. “How about we split the difference? There’s a sightseeing tour that focuses on food, and all the stops are at restaurants and cafés.”
She would have preferred the class, but a walking food and culture tour actually sounded great. Just as she was about to agree, their coffee arrived, and Luke asked the waiter if they could be booked into the afternoon session.
“So, what’s the business that can’t wait a few days? Mr. VIP?” she asked teasingly, although immediately regretting it. She remembered how he’d told her the first day that much of his work was confidential.
“Oh, it’s just a slightly painful meeting with the higher-ups, finishing a somewhat painful report, and then an extremely painful conversation I do not want to have,” he replied, smiling.
“Let’s just say that no matter what happens on this tour today—even if we have the worst possible time—my afternoon will be way better than my morning. ”
He was smiling at her with a mischievous glint in his eye, but she was sure there was something serious behind it, something she simultaneously wanted to pry loose and completely ignore.
“Even if we’re kidnapped and held hostage, and the US Government refuses to negotiate?” she asked, adopting a faux high-pitched voice like an early Hollywood starlet.
“Even then, I think,” he said. “Put it this way…I’m leaving the report until last, as a kind of reward after I’ve had the others.”
“Oh dear,” Sylvie replied, dropping her voice. “Well, let’s hope good food and better company will make up for it.”
“I’m sure it will.” Luke’s smile widened, making Sylvie’s heart flutter.
His watch lit up with a notification, causing him to jump, and a faint buzzing sound emanated from his shirt pocket. Sylvie was surprised to see all the joy fade from his face as he read the message and stood.
“I’m so sorry. I guess the very painful conversation’s been brought forward,” he said. “Could you ask them to send my breakfast up to my room? I’m so sorry…”
“Yes, of course. You go,” she replied. “Good luck!”
He flashed her a quick smile before dashing off through the dining room doors.
Now, all she had to do was enjoy breakfast—and find something to do for the next six hours.