“I can wait. I’ll just use a wash cloth for now.” I shut the door again and heard his footsteps recede.
When I came out, I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around myself. It was nice to be wiped clean of the grime and dust, but the water had been cold, the temperature had dropped, and I was freezing.
“You all right?” Jack opened one eye. He was lying on his tummy, fully clothed under the covers.
“Uh-huh.”
“Cold?”
“No.”
“Want to go for dinner?”
“Yes.”If only to warm up in the heated dining area.“Can we go now?”
“Hungry, so soon?” His voice carried the slightest hint of a smile.
“Famished,” I replied.
Jack signaled the watchman with his flashlight.
“Here.” He removed his hoodie and draped it around my shoulders as we stepped outside.
“What about you?” I asked, sinking into its warmth. It smelled like him, and I found it oddly comforting.
“I’m not so hungry,” he said.
A bubble of laughter surfaced and got lodged in my throat. He’d caught on to the fact that I wasn’t about to admit I was cold, so he was playing along.
I swallowed the chuckle because I couldn’t afford to like Jack Warden. Not that way.
Dinner tables were assigned by tent number in the dining area. Jack and I ended up sharing a table with an elderly couple.
“Hi, I’m Judy. And this is my husband, Ken,” said the woman. She had platinum blonde hair, and was wearing a brightly patterned dress.
“I’m Rodel.”
“Jack.”
We shook hands before taking our seats.
“Is that an English accent I detect?” asked Judy, when the starters arrived.
“Yes. I’m from the Cotswolds,” I replied.
“But you’re not,” her husband remarked, taking in Jack’s tanned skin. He had silver hair and eyes that twinkled when he spoke.
“No. I was born here,” replied Jack.
“Well, it’s nice to see a couple that didn’t let a little distance get in the way.”
“Oh, we’re not . . .” I gestured between Jack and me.
“We’re not together,” both of us said at the same time.
“That’s what I used to say all the time, didn’t I, Ken?” Judy laughed. “We’re not together, we’re not together.”
“And here we are,” said Ken.
