Page 52 of Sand in My Boots

I’m not sure who asks the question. “Hmm?”

“Where did you go? We kind of lost you there for a moment.”

Clearing my mind and my throat, I stutter, “Nowhere. I’m here.” Physically at the moment. Mentally and emotionally? Hard no.

Needing a drastic change of subject, I sit up and face Erica. “Nervous about Saturday?”

Thankfully, she takes the bait. I don’t know if she knows I need it or if she does. At the moment, it doesn’t matter. The heat is off me, and I can sink back into wallowing in my misery.

Chapter 14

Juli

After the afternoon at the pool, I walk back to my suite in a daze. My mind’s reeling with so many thoughts, my body fraught with too many emotions to process all at once. However, it all changes with the sticky note I find on my door.

Meet me at Marsh & Garden at 6.

Preston

“Yes!” I fist pump the air, celebrating a little too loudly in the hallway. Finally. The man has figured out I need to see him.

Inside the suite, Cameron lounges on the couch in a pair of basketball shorts. And only a pair of basketball shorts.

“Honey, I’m home.” A girly giggle accompanies my words. My bag drops with a thud.

Cameron sits so he can see me. “You look happy. Too much liquor? Too much sun? Too much thinking about later?”

I hold out the yellow note. “Dinner with Preston. Among other things.” My feet move of their own accord, carrying me over to the couch where my eyes take over, feasting on Cameron’s sexy body. “What time is it?”

“Time for a riding lesson.” His answer halts my tracks as I try to make sense of what he alludes to. “Oh, not metaphorically?” He glances at his wrist. “Five-fifteen. What time is dinner?”

“Six.”

He seems crushed. “So you’ll need to shower.” The words are barely out of his mouth before he cheers up. “We need to shower.”

“If we must.” My tone belies my ecstatic expression. All the thoughts bouncing around my head on the walk from the pool depart, leaving me in a state of euphoria. Somewhat because of dinner with my brother. Mostly because of the man chasing me into the shower.

As hard as it is to leave Cameron behind in the suite, knowing he’ll be there when I return from dinner powers me on. I’m beyond excited to meet Preston, giving the two of us a chance to catch up.

A consideration pierces my brain, one I’ve tamped down and never addressed.

“Preston. Would he have a problem with you being in a relationship with Cameron?”

I don’t have an answer to Naomi’s question. On the one hand, does it matter? We’ve got three more days of this fling before I retreat to reality and Cameron stays in paradise. Does it matter that we’re having a little fun while I’m here? Not a little. A whole heck of a lot of fun. In and out of the suite.

Besides, before I mention it to Preston, I should discuss it with Cameron. If there’s anything to discuss. I’m overthinking this, something I rarely do. With Cameron Fairbanks, it’s my MO.

Butterflies flutter to life as I approach the hostess stand. I’m greeted by a young girl.

“Hi. Welcome to the Marsh & Garden. One for dinner?”

“No, I’m meeting Preston Langley. Has he arrived yet?”

Her face lights up in recognition. “Yes. Let me walk you to his table.”

On the balls of my feet, I follow behind her, any leftover stress from today releasing as I get closer where Preston sits. His head is stuck in his phone when I slide into the seat across from him.

“No phones at the dinner table, mister. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”