Marta gave Lennox’s hand a few gentle pats. “Don’t worry. Peace finds you one way or another on this island.”
“Well, that’s a bit threatening,” Lennox muttered, trailing behind as Marta led them into the Living Room, a large and cozy space where guests were welcome to relax with a game or book from the small library. It could also serve as a cocktail lounge if the evening’s weather wasn’t feeling agreeable.
It was comfortably cool inside, thanks to heavy wooden shutters and ceiling fans that worked in unison to circulate the air and buffer the afternoon sun. Evan relished the chill of the tile against his sand-scalded soles.
Another wooden archway led to where a slender blonde woman stood behind a tall desk, sorting through a stack of papers. She looked up at their entrance with a beaming smile.
“Welcome, gentlemen!”
“This is Gracie,” Marta explained. “She’ll get you situated with room keys and fill you in on the day to day of the resort. If you need absolutely anything, don’t hesitate to ask. My office is two doors that way, up the stairs.”
Gracie clapped her hands together and clutched them to her chest as the spotlight shifted her way. “So, hello! We’re so glad to have you with us on Stout Rock. I hope the trip here was uneventful.”
Evan scratched a prickle on the back of his neck, his bare toes curling atop the tile. “Flights were a little choppy, but I’m mostly in one piece.”
Beside him, Lennox let out a rough, choking cough, and Evan swore he was laughing. That would require his having a sense of humor, however, which wasn’t possible.
Gracie eyed them with a curious smile. “Well, you’re safe and sound now, and hopefully ready to relax. Your villa is ready,and Carlo gave your cart a quick spiff before bringing it over. Oh, let me go grab the key.”
She dashed out the opposite doorway, her sandals slapping on the stone path as she called out to Carlo, and Evan ran a hand through his mop of wavy hair, scratching at the renewed tingle dancing across his scalp.
Something felt off, and he couldn’t get his mind to settle. It was probably Lucy and her special requests putting him on edge, but he scooted a little closer to the desk, curious to see if the guest list was in sight.
“That’s how people get athlete’s foot, you know.”
Evan looked down at his feet and wiggled his toes. “My feet are dry and happy, thanks. No fungus amongus.”
The corner of Lennox’s mouth twitched upward for a tenth of a second before settling back into a haughty frown. “It’s a little uncouth, is all I’m saying.”
“Uncouth?” Evan now knew a third thing for certain, and it was that Lennox slept fully clothed, like a starchy Victorian matriarch. “You surprise me.”
“I do?”
Evan gestured at the weathered Adidas on Lennox’s feet. “Improper footwear at the beach? That’s a pretty serious violation.”
“A violation of what, exactly?”
“Vacation law.”
“Vacation law,” Lennox repeated, the corner of his mouth twitching upward again. He was in serious danger of showing an emotion other than annoyance, and Evan felt it was his duty to make it happen.
“Yes. International vacation law, no less. I can’t believe you’re not aware.”
“Alas, I am but a humble English teacher.”
Evan almost choked. Lennox wasactuallya schoolmarm? Oh, this was too good.
“You’re lucky I’m here then. You strike me as the sort who takes these things seriously.”
“Footwear?”
“Rules.”
The annoyance flared back to life, radiating off Lennox like hot concrete. He glared with pursed lips and sunken cheeks, his eyes narrowed to slits. God, pissing him off was addicting. If Evan wasn’t careful, he’d form a new habit.
“I suppose you’re a lawyer?”
“I am. Why, you have something against lawyers?”
