I don’t knowif the warning is a reminder that I’m one of three females living in this development. Already noted. “What do you need to warn me about?” I ask Theo.
“The guys down there are a little competitive. They can be a little ignorant too. I just wanted to put it out there before they all bombard you at once.”
I’m trying to take a more in-depth look at the meaning behind Theo’s statement, but it seems rude to say what he did about these guys I’ve never met before. I wonder if they don’t get along too well. That would explain it, I guess.
Theo has his arm up, waving at the group of guys in their board shorts. They’re all covered in sweat.
Tanned bodies, all too rock hard to be true. It’s like someone just sprayed them down with a water bottle full of oil. A smile lights up each of their faces. They look alike. Are they related?
No, their faces look different. Maybe my plane crashed, and I went to hot guy heaven. That would make sense. I must have been a good person to deserve this type of eternal reward.
“Hi, Ashley, I’m Colin. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Colin steps forward away from the others, reaching his hand out to shake mine. Except when I reach my hand out to him, he pulls me in for a sweaty hug. I’m quietly cringing. He’s covered in sweat and smells like burning suntan lotion.
“Oh, hi, Colin.” He’s tall and thin, but lean with muscle in a way that says he most likely works out every day. His handshake is firm too. Maybe he’s a businessman. With his dark, mysterious eyes that match the color of his caramel hair, I can’t help but feel like he’s trying to see inside of my head. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Colin smiles shyly and glances away for a short second and huffs a soft laugh. “Sorry, I’m not great at introductions.”
“I’m not either, trust me,” I say, trying to match his nervous demeanor. He seems sweet. However, this introducing bit seems forced at the same time. “I think I might be suffering from some jet lag too.” I move my weight from one foot to the other, feeling as though I’m sinking into the sand. With as hot as this sun is, I also feel like I'm under a heat lamp.
“Oh, totally. Jet lag is the worst,” Colin offers in response. “Um, so, a little bit about me: I’m a software engineprenour for four internet startups. I’m kind of like a realtor of software products, you know?” he says, chuckling at himself.
Engineprenour? Did he just make that up?
“Oh! Awesome. You create software? I love software.” I love software? Smooth.
“Yeah, but it’s not as exciting as you're making it out to be,” he says, ending the explanation with a wink. “Anyway, I’m from Denver, Colorado and I just moved down to Georgia about a year ago. I’m still meeting people. Anyway—oh, I already said, ‘anyway.’ Can you tell I’m nervous?”
I’m trying my best not to make a face to match the unease and discomfort I’m feeling from this awkward conversation. “I’m suddenly quite nervous, too,” I tell Colin. Mostly because I’m the center of attention and that was not part of my plan when moving down here.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here, and it’s so nice to meet you. I can’t wait to hack into your brain and learn more about you.”
Oh, wow, okay.
Colin takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. I find myself looking around to observe the reactions around me, but the others are looking elsewhere as if they don’t want to hear our not-so-private conversation.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Colin.”
“I’ll see you tonight for dinner?” Colin asks as if his question is an afterthought to our discussion.
“What? Dinner?” My mind is spinning. This situation feels like some kind of setup or a joke. I’m waiting for Bradley to jump out of nowhere and tell me he’s behind this, which he must be in some way because this is not normal.This moment reminds me of a “reality” dating show.
“Do you mind if I interrupt for a moment?” Another guy steps in, taking my hand from Colin’s.
“Ashley, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I can’t believe we’re here in person now after hearing so much about you. I’m Tristan Brown, thirty-two, a little shy, but ready to settle down with you.” Settle down with me? Is he on crack? We met less than thirty seconds ago.
“Oh,” I interrupt, worried about what else he’s going to say. “Where did you hear about me?”
Tristan looks around at the other guys as his eyebrows furrow with a look of confusion. “What do you mean?” he asks.
“I mean, how do you know who I am?” I speak up so the rest can hear me.
“How do you think we know about you? Why do you think we’re here?” I hear the questions among a few voices.
“You’re all here on this beach … because of me?” What feels like flames of molten heat rush through me, adding to the strength of the three o’clock sun-glare.
“No, not exactly, but don’t you know why you’re here?” Tristan says, questioning me more than stating the facts.
“Oh, well, I knew I was moving into my brother’s villa. Is that what you mean?”
