Jay leaned into her ear. “Take a picture of Stuart. He’ll hate it.”
She laughed. “You go pose with him then.”
Stuart was explaining about the cabana Vanessa could rent, along with one of their professional bartenders, and Rebecca took a moment to add it to her notes.
“Jay? Is that you?”
Rebecca’s head snapped up from her phone as a beautiful blonde woman with a hotel pin on her blouse approached Jay, all smiles.
“Keri, good to see you again.” Jay gave her a hug. “It’s been, what, a year?”
“Yes, because the last time we saw each other was at Gene’s Christmas party. Oh, that was the dullest party. Though I love Gene to death.”
“Did you ever find your shoes? I think when I left you were searching under chairs.”
Keri’s tinkling laugh rang out. “That’s right. They were actually by the pool. You try wearing three-inch-heels for hours.” She glanced down at her shiny black heels. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.”
Rebecca had to stop staring. But any moment, Jay was going to explain he was working right now and excuse himself. She glanced at Vanessa and Stuart. He had one of the bartenders blending up something for her and they weren’t even looking at them.
Jay leaned in. “I’m so glad I ran into you. Would you like to go out to dinner sometime? Or maybe just coffee. We could catch up.”
Jay might not have noticed Rebecca’s staring in the background, but Keri had. She glanced at Rebecca and gave an embarrassed smile. “Well, I’d love that … unless the two of you are …” She nudged her head in Rebecca’s direction and Rebecca wished she could disappear.
Jay didn’t even look embarrassed. “Oh, no, she’s my assistant. Sorry, I should have introduced you two.” He motioned for Rebecca to come over.
“No, I’m … gonna go see what Stuart’s talking about.” Rebecca turned too quickly and caught the tip of her shoe on the concrete steps right behind her, launching her body forward. She threw out her hands and righted herself, just in time for everyone to turn and stare.
“Are you alright?” Vanessa came right over, brushing off Rebecca, as though she could wipe the klutz right off of her.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
She could hear Jay and Keri murmuring in the background. Something like ‘Poor thing,’ from Keri, and Jay saying ‘I’d better go,’ and ‘I still have your number.’
Awesome. The date was a go.
Stuart sniffed. “Should we move on to the Serendipity pool then?”
Jay came quickly back over. “Yes. Let’s.”
He got an answering glare from Stuart, who was apparently more observant than he appeared. Stuart led the way, with Vanessa on his arm, still holding her blended drink from the bar.
“Becca, what’s the matter?” Jay whispered, hooking his arm through hers. Now he was willing to touch her. Because he felt sorry for her. They followed Stuart and Vanessa as they wound around beautifully manicured lawns and palm trees swaying in the breeze.
“Nothing. I just tripped. I’m sorry I embarrassed you in front of your … friend.”
“You didn’t embarrass me. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She was totally not okay. If he would just give her a moment to compose herself. Her face felt hot and the back of her throat squeezed into a knot. She kept walking, half-blinded by tears she refused to let fall.
“Becca. Look at me.”
She shook her head.
“Are you mad at me?” He wiped a tear away from her cheek and immediately more fell. “Becca.”
Rebecca unleashed her arm and turned to look at him. “I’m jealous, okay? This is not exactly how I pictured telling you, but whatever. I’m in love with you. I love you, and I’m insanely bothered by the thought of you with anyone else. There. Can we go do our jobs now?” She quickly backed away from him, and Jay sprang forward to catch her, his eyes widening.
When they hit the pool water together, she understood why.
