Marianna smiles like she loves the hell out of Ria and nods. “Of course, Miss Ria… the usual for you?”
“Yes, please. Nate, what would you like?” Ria asks.
“Um… I’ll have your usual too, please,” I say, not knowing what it is and hoping for the best. Ria nods, and Marianna smiles, walking over to the bar.
“What?” Ria glances at me, and I raise a brow.
“You have a maid as well as a chef?”
“And a gardener and a pool boy.”
“Okay. I’m gonna say it. Wow!”
Her smirk falls as I lie back on the lounge. “Do you think I’m a snob?”
I look at her. “No, not at all. I think you’re a product of what your parents made you. But I can see by the way Marianna looks at you that even though you have staff, you treat them well. So that’s the main thing.”
She half-smiles. “Yeah, Marianna’s been with me a long time. I’ve considered not having staff and doing things myself. I do answer the door sometimes. But then, when I think about not having staff, it concerns me that they would be out of a job, and I don’t want to do that to them. Plus, I like the company when they’re here. Marianna is like another mother to me.”
Smiling, I glance over at Marianna. Her salt-and-pepper hair frames her face, and only now do I notice she isn’t wearing a maid’s outfit but everyday clothing. “She’s not dressed like a maid?”
“No, I don’t want her to. She’s more than a maid to me. Marianna’s my friend, so I let her wear whatever she wants.”
“See, you treat them well. You’re a good person, Ria.”
“I hope so.”
“You are, Miss Ria, and I love you dearly. Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear. Here are your drinks. Sparkling water with a splash of lemon, three ice cubes, and a straw for you, Miss Ria. I didn’t think you’d want a heart-shaped straw, Mr. Nate.”
Ria smiles at me. “Thanks, Marianna.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be inside. You kids have fun.”
“We will. And, Marianna…” She looks at Ria. “I love you too.”
Marianna smiles wide and then walks inside, leaving us to our sparkling water and the glistening sunshine.
“That was sweet,” I say, and Ria smiles.
“Right, enough distraction… it’s time to learn, Mr. Nate,” she says, getting up from her sun lounge and moving over to mine. “Do you remember what I taught you last time?”
“Every bit,” I say honestly.
She pulls the books over, opening the notepad. “Okay, so what’s this word?”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Easy… it’s Ria. The dove kinda gives it away.”
She nods while flipping the page. “Okay, and this?”
I look at the word, trying to avoid looking at the picture until I figure it out. “Heart.”
“Yes, great work.” She flips the page as her leg shifts right up against mine, and she leans in closer so I can see better. Her body is leaning completely against me, and I take a deep breath as her perfume fills my senses.
“I was able to read the word without looking at the picture.”
She turns her head and stares at me with her eyes wide open. “Oh my God, really?”
I nod, gazing directly into her eyes. She’s so close to me now—I feel her breath on my face—and everything in me is screaming at me to touch her in some way, but I don’t want to spoil the moment.
