The boat we came in from Pemba is bobbing in the water, and now there are two rubber dinghies floating next to it. Out toward the horizon, I spot a couple of white sails catching the wind. “Those must be locals going out to fish in the night.”
“It’s a crazy privilege to come work here.”
“Yep. For both of us.” I glance at her. “Did you explore more?”
“No. I spotted a few couples walking around the island, and they’re setting up for dinner on the beach about three hundred yards away, beyond that bend. I didn’t want to stalk around. Not yet, anyway.”
I chuckle. “It’s almost time for us to meet with Miriam and Don.”
“Yes.” She sighs. “Three months of faking it is going to be tough.”
“Unless we make it easy on ourselves.”
“How?”
“Dunno. Solely focus on the end goal and what we’re both gaining from being here?” I sigh. There’s no other way I’m getting through our time here. “Let’s make it through tonight and get some decent sleep.”
We both stand, and as she shakes the sand from her dress, two people come around the bend. Don and Miriam wave at us.
“Show’s on,” I say as I reach for her hand.
I feel the hesitation in her grip, but give her fingers a warm squeeze. “In public, this is all we have to do to sell our engagement.”
She squeezes my fingers back. “Okay. Nothing more. Ever.”
“Yes.” It’s as if we’ve covered the whole awkward room situation with these few words, but I know we’re still pretending. This situation has stirred up our complicated past like silt, and now I can’t see anything else.
Either way, this is it. If we can fool Don and Miriam, we can fool anybody. And these two will be leaving soon enough. Once our only link to the Beaumont head office is gone, things will be smooth sailing.
As we close in on Don and Miriam, they smile. “Manage to take a nap?” Don asks.
“Nope.” I shake my head. “Best to soldier through this jet lag until we can go to bed.”
“So true.” Miriam is by Lexi’s side. “We’ve set you a table with the rest of the guests. We thought it would be nice for you to have at least one night of the Beaumont Ne’emba Island experience before we hand you your uniforms in the morning.”
Lexi smiles. “That sounds dreamy.”
“It is,” Miriam agrees. “Tomorrow morning, if you’re up to it, I’ll run you through our basic day here, introduce you to all the staff, get you kitted out in the Beaumont uniform, and then see what you need from there. From what I’ve seen of your résumé, you’ll be quick to catch on.”
“You’ve seen my résumé?” Lexi asks.
“We’ve seen both of your résumés,” Don says with a smile. “You’re going to be fantastic additions to the staff. We’ve had too many dive masters coming and going, and the staff are restless. Guests aren’t happy with the service, and it shows in our reviews, so I’m afraid you’re going to have your hands full.”
“We’ll swing it around,” I say, as Roger’s surly attitude comes to mind. I squeeze Lexi’s hand where it’s nestled against my palm. Hopefully the problem is mostly with the dive center, not the rest of the staff too.
“Beaumont is lucky to have you here. Even if it’s only temporary,” Don says.
We round the bend, and I catch my breath.Wow. Wow. Wow.
All along the water’s edge, tables for two have been set, each some distance apart for privacy. A line of lanterns hanging from poles curve along the water’s edge, while white tablecloths stir in the breeze.
“It’s stunning,” Lexi marvels. “Just beautiful.”
“Yes. We try to make it as special as we can here in the last outpost for folks who trust us with their dreams,” Miriam says. “Although most of our guests are loaded, for some people coming to Ne’emba, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We don’t mess with that.”
“And with what Beaumont charges,” Don adds, “expectations are high.”
“For sure.” Lexi looks at me, her eyes wide.
