“Oh, yes, thank you,” I whisper. “All fine.”
He looks confused, but lowers his voice, too, in solidarity. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m just… I’m getting some shade.”
“I can move an umbrella for you if you need?” he offers quietly.
This person is annoyingly helpful. He’s also, as an insignificant side note, very attractive. Tanned, dark, handsome, and the French accent is outrageously sexy. Leo should take note of the way this guy says “umbrella.” Much better than that pathetic “ironing board” growl.
“No, I’m fine,” I assure him in a hushed tone, desperate for him to go. I don’t want Matthew to notice a waiter talking to someone hiding behind a tree.
“Would you like a drink?”
“No! Honestly!” I say in exasperation. “I’m fine!”
“Well, let me know if I can help.” He turns to leave.
“Wait, wait!” I whisper, realizing that I’d be nuts to waste this opportunity and stopping him before he goes. “Do you do piña coladas?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Large ones?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll have one of those, please.”
“No problem. What is your room number?”
“One-twelve.”
“Great.” He hesitates. “Shall I bring it to behind this tree?”
“If I’m still here, then yes. Actually, make that three piña coladas. I should get a couple for my friends, too.”
He nods and then tells me he’ll be back soon. I’m actually surprised he didn’t act more disturbed. Maybe he assumes crazyEnglish people hide behind potted trees, spying on people through the leaves while sipping piña coladas all the time.
I turn my attention back to Matthew. He’s got his hands in his pockets now and he looks deeply uncomfortable. I wish I could hear what they’re saying! While he’s talking, he moves his left hand up to his ear and twiddles his earlobe. Is that a nervous gesture or is he talking about earlobes?! Is he talking aboutmyearlobes?! I do have quite large earlobes! I’ve always thought so, but I’ve never said it to him. Is that part of the reason why he broke up with me?!My freakishly large earlobes?!
Matthew gives an awkward wave and then finally turns to leave, pretending to casually walk back into the hotel, although anyone can tell he’s desperate to run away as fast as possible. When he’s disappeared through the doors, I wait a minute or so just to be safe and then emerge from behind the tree and cautiously slink back to my lounger.
“What was that?” Ruby asks me as I slump back down next to her. “You looked like you were doing a bizarre army drill.”
“Did he see me?”
Leo shakes his head. “No, you’re safe. I think it was very clever thinking on your part.”
“I think you’re nuts,” Ruby says, her lips twitching into a smile. “You all right?”
“What did he say? Did he talk about my weirdly thick earlobes? It’s all right, you can be honest.”
Ruby and Leo share a confused look before Leo clears his throat and answers, “No, Freya, your earlobes weren’t mentioned.”
“What were you talking about then?” I ask desperately.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say he immediately withered under Ruby’s evil glare,” Leo explains, chuckling. “He just said hi and that it was nice to see us, but he wasn’t met with such niceties from our side.”
“I told him it would be best to avoid us if he knows what’sgood for him,” Ruby tells me defiantly. “At first, he chuckled like I might be joking, but I emphasized that I was not.”
