After a bath to loosen the chocolate and a shower to get rid of it, she dried her hair, then pulled it back into a sloppy ponytail. She climbed back into her sundress—dry, but still a bit wrinkled from her adventure—then grabbed a sweatshirt from behind the bathroom door and pulled it on.
Not exactly haute couture, but why did she need to dress up just to run to the administration office?
Besides, dressing like a slob was a bit of its own adventure. In Dallas, she wouldn’t be seen dead without her perfectly tailored clothes. So this little bit of fashion rebellion was empowering.So would a fling with Michael. She scowled, trying to ignore that opinionated little voice.
Determined, she shoved her feet into a pair of Keds, threw her cabana key and notebook into a tote bag, and headed out into the humid island air. By the time she’d trekked to the office, her hair had slipped free from her ponytail and little strands had plastered themselves toher face. She remembered her plan to buy barrettes, and made a quick note to stop by the gift store on her way back.
Merrilee’s office was tucked away in a small building behind the restaurant, facing east—very modest, but with a view of the ocean that would make real estate developers drool. As Kyra rounded the corner, she saw the silhouette of a man against the morning sun. He was walking away, a lone figure on the beach. Something about him was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. He definitely wasn’t Michael.
Shrugging, she pushed open the glass-paneled French doors, then stepped hesitantly over the threshold into the airy reception area. Empty. Just her, a yellow cat snoozing on a file cabinet, and a single reception desk topped with the largest bouquet of ruby-red roses Kyra had ever seen.
“Hello?” Her voice echoed through the office. “Anyone here?”
Nothing. And then she heard the unmistakable sound of heels clicking on the boardwalk leading up to the office. Within seconds, Kyra saw Danielle, Merrilee’s assistant, hurrying toward the door, her clipboard held out in front of her.
“Kyra!” she said when she looked up from the clipboard. “It’s so good to see you.” She noticed the flowers and frowned. Then she checked the card and a slow grin spread across her face.
She must have remembered what she was doing, because she turned back to Kyra, suddenly all business.“Sorry. There’s not a problem is there? With your room? With your fantasy?”
“No. Yes. I mean, not exactly.” She nibbled on her lip, trying to remember what she’d so desperately wanted to ask Merrilee.
Danielle slid the clipboard onto the desk, then turned, giving Kyra her full attention. “Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it takes guests a day or so to get used to a Fantasies, Inc. vacation. The staff is always ready to talk.”
“I was kind of hoping to talk to Merrilee,” Kyra confessed, hoping that Danielle’s feelings wouldn’t be hurt.
“I completely understand, but she’s not here.” She gestured to her spiffy business suit, complete with pumps and panty hose. “Trust me. I don’t dress like this normally, not on an island. But we have a meeting with a possible new supplier. Merrilee took a boat over last night, and I’m meeting her there this morning.”
“Oh. Well, it can wait.” Besides, she wasn’t even certain what she wanted to ask. Confirmation that Michael was her fantasy man? Permission to have a wild fling?
For that matter, did Merrilee already know that Kyra had blown her chance? That she hadn’t seized the unexpected?
“Kyra?”
She shrugged and continued, “I guess I’m wondering how much Merrilee knows about what happens on the island.”
Danielle actually giggled, a totally unexpected response. Apparently, she realized it, because she slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Kyra squinted, confused. “What’s so funny?”
“Sorry.” Danielle’s gaze drifted to the flowers. “It’s just that a few weeks ago I would have sworn that nothing could happen on any of the islands without Merrilee knowing. But now…” She trailed off, raising one shoulder in a tiny shrug.
Kyra looked from Danielle to the flowers, then back to Danielle. “A secret admirer?”
Danielle leaned forward and nodded conspiratorially. “She doesn’t have a clue who he is. But I think it’s great. Every couple of days he sends a little gift or roses. Ruby-red, the card always says, because those are her favorite.”
“How mysterious!”
Danielle nodded, clearly trying to stay businesslike, but her grin gave her away. “I think it’s great. Merrilee deserves to have someone making such a fuss over her. But it’s driving her crazy trying to figure out who could be sending them.” She cocked her head. “You didn’t see who brought them, did you?”
“The flowers?”
“The desk was empty earlier. He must have come when I left to change into my business-girl getup.”
“No, I—” Kyra stopped. “Wait. There was a man on the beach.”
Danielle’s cheeks flushed and she moved closer.“Really? What did he look like? Was he tall? Handsome? Did you recognize him?”
Laughing, Kyra backed away, her hands held up. “Whoa! I didn’t see anything. Sorry. He was too far away.”
