“That you think the boy’s good-looking.” He held his beer bottle up in mock salute. “You need to stick with the program, young lady.”
Pushing her hair out of her face—barrettes, she needed to remember those stupid barrettes—she leaned over for yet another sip of her Razz-ma-something-or-other. “Now you’re just teasing me.”
“Pretty and smart. A woman to be reckoned with.”
She laughed and took another sip of her drink. If she couldn’t be with Tony or Michael, she was delighted to be passing the evening with this man who reminded her so much of her father before his health really started to go downhill.
Fortified by one more pull on the straw, she swallowed and leaned forward. “The truth is, I do think he’s awfully good-looking. He’s got the most fabulous golden-brown eyes, and this dangerous, roguish quality about him.” She frowned. “Except he’s not really a rogue at all. I think he just seems that way because he’s always wearing sunglasses and sticking to the shadows.”
“You’ve been thinking a lot about him.”
“Not that much.” In truth, she had. But why not? Hewas her new island buddy. “Besides, we’re friends. Aren’t I allowed to psychoanalyze my friends?”
“Didn’t I say you two would get along?”
She nodded, liking the way the word felt in her head.Friends. She liked the way Tony filled that role.
“Yeah,” she said. “We get along great.” She grinned. “Guess you’re psychic.”
* * *
C.J.TOOKthe last swallow of his beer, pleased that the two kids had hooked up. “No, if I were psychic, I’d know where your friend was.” And he’d know why Tony’d left such a pretty young woman to fend for herself.
“Well, I know where he is.” She leaned forward too quickly and almost lost her balance. C.J. put out a steadying hand. “He’s hiding in his cabana away from the crowds.”
“Leaving you all alone? Not very chivalrous.”
“I’m not alone. You’re here.” One more sip, then she moved closer, urging him to lean in as if for a secret. “And I’m hoping someone else comes along, too.”
Someone else? He had a sinking feeling his fledgling matchmaking efforts weren’t taking.
“Michael,” she whispered.
“The mysterious fellow I’ve heard about? The one at night?”
Kyra nodded, looking like the cat who’d swallowed the canary. “He’s part of my adventure. Or he was.” She squinted, then glanced around the pool area. “Iwas kind of hoping he would be again.” She licked her lips. “Actually, I’m a little nervous about it, too.”
He looked at her near-empty glass. “No kidding.”
Well, he’d tried. Too bad for Tony the pairing of men and women wasn’t C.J.’s cup of tea. At least he’d given it a shot.
“Merrilee!” Kyra stood up, a bit wobbly, and waved across the pool deck.
Her call reminded C.J. that he hoped to have better luck matchmaking when he was the man in question. Then Kyra’s words stuck home. Merrilee.
Slowly he looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, there she was. Just like always, she took his breath away. She’d been trying to corner him for days now, making appointments that he’d conveniently forgotten, visiting him at the dock so that he had to sneak away just to avoid her.
He really didn’t want to avoid her anymore.
No, what he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss away the years. But now wasn’t the time. Soon he’d tell her everything, and she’d know why her secret admirer seemed to know so many of her secrets.
He hoped she’d be thrilled, ecstatic. Hoped she’d slip into his arms and the years would just disappear.
But he didn’t know for sure, and that tiny bit of fear kept holding him back. Soon, though. When the time was right, he’d tell her.
Kyra waved again. “She’s not looking this way. I don’t think she heard me.” She cocked her head, eyeinghim. “Too bad, too. She said last night she was looking for you.”
“That is too bad.” He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt. “You know, I need to run check something in the office.” He slid his empty bottle onto the counter. “I’ll be right back.”
