Cece caught Jame’s eye and cast anI told you sowink his way. He grinned in return.
Anya glanced between them. “What’s so funny?”
“James asked if you minded me inviting him and I told him you struck me asa the more the merrier type.”
“You have me pegged already.” Anya tossed her hair over her shoulders. “I’m famished. Let’s find the café.”
“What does everyone do?” Cece asked as they walked down a long corridor with portraits of past Finlovian royalty hanging on the walls.
“I’m the executive assistant for a small non-profit organization that seeks to improve adult literacy.”
“That’s very interesting,” James commented.
“I love my work.” Satisfaction beamed off Anya. “When I first meet an adult who can’t read and they think they’re beyond help, my heart breaks. Then comes that moment after weeks and months of hard work when all their effort comes together and not only are they reading, but they are understanding what they are reading. Their entire demeanor changes and they’re filled with confidence.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “Sorry. I tend to get emotional when I speak about my job.”
“That’s wonderful.” A hint of envy pricked Cece. She enjoyed her job, but she didn’t find that level of fulfillment and satisfaction that clearly affected Anya. “What about you, James?”
“I create and develop security systems, specializing in aviation but have worked with a variety of industries.” He wrinkled his nose. “That sounded incredibly boring, but it’s not, as least not if you’re a tech nerd.”
Nerd and James didn’t fit in the same sentence. He was entirely too attractive to fit that description. The random thought brought a silent warning from her conscience.Watchyour thoughts, Cece. He’s a stranger you happened to run into while on vacation. If you’re going to dive back into the dating world, he’s not the one with whom to start.
“That sounds exciting. Are you a secret spy? It sounds like a career a secret spy would have, doesn’t it Cece?”
“I pictured more of an Inspector Gadget,” she answered.
James clutched a hand to his chest. “First a tarantula, and now a robot? Ouch. Was my first impression that bad?”
Her cheeks warmed a second time in his presence, but she joked through the embarrassment and shrugged. “It could have been better.”
“Children, children,” Anya interrupted with a mischievous glint to her stare.
James looked at Anya. “I must apologize as I’m told I made quite the scene at the airport and while waiting for the shuttle. I’m not sure if Cece had a chance to mention it, but I thought I was coming to Finlovia for a business trip, when in reality, my boss tricked me into a vacation. Which sounds like an absurd reason to have a tantrum now that I say it out loud again.”
“It does, but I’m sure you had reason for your unnatural reaction. By all appearances, you’re over it now, so apology accepted and let’s have fun this week.” Glancing at Cece, Anya pointed a quick finger at her. “Your turn. What do you to?”
“I’m a corporate communications specialist for a publishing firm. All official communications from the company pass through me first to ensure they comply with our brand and policies. I also work with the media and community to build positive relationships.” Addressing Anya, she continued. “We should talk about your non-profit at some point this week.Halston Publishing has several organizations we already work with, but adult literacy is an area we’ve wanted to strengthen.”
Anya’s face glowed with excitement. “Absolutely. I knew God brought us together on this trip for a reason.”
“Great, we’ll discuss it later.” Her thoughts caught up with Anya’s words. “You’re a believer also?”
“I am, proudly so.”
“So am I,” James said, then looked chagrined. “Though my initial actions didn’t coincide with my beliefs.”
Anya slipped an arm through James’s elbow, then one through Cece’s. “We are going to have a fabulous vacation in Finlovia. It is no coincidence the three of us are here tonight, about to share a meal together. Call me crazy, but I believe we will all be friends for life.”
The bold proclamation warmed Cece’s heart. A part of her felt like she’d known Anya forever, and she agreed with her—their meeting hadn’t been a chance. Not even the one with James. For whatever reasons, God had brought them together.
Her eyes locked on the crowd ahead. “Is that the café?”
James nodded slowly. “I believe so.”
She was grateful for that extra biscuit she’d eaten while on the phone with Rachel. Smiling and with elbows still linked, she took a step forward. “More time to chat with my new friends for life.”
Chapter Six
Dinner consisted of a steak sandwich topped with Ellington Castle’s special sauce and an order of stuffed mushrooms on the side. Famished, James ate every bite to make up for the meals missed in travel.
