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  “That is no vacation. Vacations are supposed to be fun. You know, maybe even save a life or something,” I said coyly. I was never very good at flirting, but I didn’t want him to leave. I wanted to talk to him all day. I asked the first thing I could think of to get him to stay, “You want a drink?”

  He laughed. “A drink sounds great.”

  We walked over to my towel, the piña colada melting quickly in the sun. I smiled sheepishly at the melted drink, and bent to pick up the clicker from my towel.

  “I’ll get you a fresh one,” I said quickly.

  “We can split this one until it comes, You look like you could use a sip. Besides, I’m in no hurry; I’m on vacation,” he said, settling into the sand and taking a big sip of the slushy drink. I hit the clicker and sat down next to him. He handed me the drink and I took a small sip off the side.

  “How did the ambulance get here so quick?” I asked. Now that a couple of minutes had passed and the adrenaline was wearing down, I felt the weight of what had happened hit me. I was glad I was sitting. I took another bigger sip. I was sure I was going to wake up any moment. How could this be happening? I had saved someone’s life and was now sitting next to the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. My life was not this exciting or this good.

  “I called it. I heard her screaming and then you took off like a bat out of hell,” he said nonchalantly as he gently took the glass from my hand and took another sip.

  “You have a phone that works out here? That must cost an arm and a leg. My phone company said mine wouldn’t work on the island,” I said. He handed me the drink and I took a big sip this time. My nerves still felt frayed, but with him sitting next to me, it still felt too dream-like for me to worry about it.

  “The downside of my business; even on vacation, I have to carry a phone.” He took the drink back and took another swallow. It was almost half gone at this point.

  “What do you do?”

  “I work for my father’s company. What do you do?” he said, dodging my actual question. He looked at me like I should know who he was, but I didn’t press him for more. He was on vacation and didn’t want to talk about work. I could understand that.

  “I'm a vet tech,” I answered and reached for the drink.

  “So, you work with animals?” He asked, waiting for me to finish swallowing so I could answer.

  “Yup. I love it. I'm actually in the process of applying for Veterinary School,” I said proudly.

  “So you want to be a vet? That sounds like a great job. I wanted to be a doctor when I was a kid,” he finished off the last of the drink and set the glass in the sand. “But with my dad’s business, that was never really an option. I hope you do it though. If you can save animals like you save people, you’ll be great.”

  “Thanks. I sure hope so,” I said with a smile. He glanced over at me, his brows darkening slightly as he thought of something.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, how can you afford this vacation? I can’t imagine vet techs make enough to go on vacations to an exclusive resort very often,” he said. His outward appearance never changed, but a current of tension wound through him, as though he suspected something.

  “You want to know my age and weight too?" I asked with a smirk. He managed to look slightly abashed, but obviously still wanted an answer. It seemed strange, but it was a question I would ask if I were on a super expensive resort too. I was an interloper on this island.

  "I actually won this trip — a radio station call in thing. My sister was supposed to come with me, but she got sick at the last minute. There is no way I would ever be able to afford anything like this otherwise,” I said before realizing I had just told him I was poor and very alone here. I smiled nervously and hoped he didn’t notice.

  “So you’re here alone?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. No such luck there.

  “Um, well, the resort is keeping track of me, so I’m not really alone,” I tried to backpedal. A quick pulse of terror pushed through me, but I fought it down. Telling things like that to a complete stranger, no matter how good looking, was not a good way to stay safe. My dad would have killed me if he knew I was telling people I was here by myself.

  “No, no, that’s good. I was afraid you were here with a husband or boyfriend.”

  “Husband? No. With work and applying to vet schools, I haven’t even had time to go on a date in months,” I said. I hoped he didn’t think I sounded pathetic. He laughed and leaned back on his elbows, the tension gone from him again.

  “I hear you on the too busy thing. Why do you think I came with my secretary? She's the only person I see on a daily basis I felt like I could ask,” he laughed and then scowled at the thought of his secretary. “I thought there would be more to her away from work, but she is so boring. She's almost too perfect if you know what I mean.”

  I laughed and nodded. “I’m sorry she is ruining your vacation.”

  “Well, suddenly I don’t feel like it is ruined.” He smiled and I doubted it was possible for him to be more handsome. “Especially now that we have another drink,” he said with a wink as the resort waiter appeared with a fresh piña colada. He thanked the waiter and handed him a couple of dollar bills. The waiter smiled and promised to bring more whenever we buzzed again. I waited for him to leave before turning to Jack.

  “I didn’t know we were supposed to tip them. When they said ‘all expenses paid’ I thought that included tips,” I said, mortified. My face felt on fire with my blush. Jack laughed and handed me the drink.

  “You don’t have to tip them. I did because I’m not a guest here and I would like him to keep bringing us drinks,” he said with a tilt of his head.

  “That’s good. For a minute there, I was thinking I was the worst guest ever. So, you wanted to be a doctor?” I asked, changing the subject and hoping my blush would fade.

  “Yeah. I liked the idea of helping people and really making a difference in someone’s life. Like what you did for the guy on the beach. I would do that every day if I could,” he said.

  “I just realized I never got his name. I hope he is alright,” I said playing with the edge of my towel. “So what stopped you from following your dream?”

  “My parents. Specifically, my dad’s company,” he sighed. “I am their oldest child, so it was made pretty clear that I would someday take over the company. I don’t really have the option not to at this point.”

  “That’s too bad. Maybe you could find a way to combine it? I don’t know what your dad’s company does, but maybe there is a way to help people with it. Or, you could always volunteer or donate to something that does,” I sipped the drink before handing it back to Jack.

  “No one has ever made it sound so easy. You are the first person to actually make me believe I could do something like that,” he said softly. He smiled, his eyes lighting up. They were a combination of green and brown, a hazel that couldn’t decide what color it wanted to be. A girl could lose herself in those eyes.

  “Anytime,” I said with a smile. He handed me the cold glass and I sipped on the sweet liquid. “You said you were the oldest? How many siblings do you have?”

  “Just one. A younger brother.”

  “Are you close?” I took another sip before setting the drink carefully in the sand.

  “Not really. He's almost seven years younger than me, and the expectations my parents have for him are very different than the ones they have for me.” Jack shifted in the sand, a sadness in the subtle motion.

  “They don't expect much of him, but they expect everything of you.”

  Jack looked at me surprised. “That's it exactly! How did you figure that out?”

  “Easy. That's how it is in my world too. Only, I'm the younger sibling.” I shrugged and Jack nodded.

  “What does your sister do that makes them not expect much of you?” Jack asked.

  “She works in the ER as a physician assistant. My dad is a dentist and I think he kind of assumed that his kids would both go into som
e sort of medicine. I'm not exactly following that trend.”

  “You're going into animal medicine, doesn't that count?” He leaned back on his elbows, the shirt barely disguising a perfect six pack. I looked out to the ocean so I wouldn't stare.

  “Apparently not enough. It's not a big deal though.” I suddenly realized that this was a more serious topic than I had intended and I quickly added, "I didn't mean to put my problems on you. I just meant to say that I understand the family dynamic.”

  “You're fine. It is actually nice to hear it from the other side. My brother and I don't get the chance to talk much. I've always felt a little guilty about it. I think he has a hard time with it sometimes. More drink?” He held up the nearly empty glass and I nodded, clicking the little button for another.

  It felt so peaceful sitting on the beach with Jack. It was like we had known each other forever, like we had always been friends. He had an easygoing charm that made it easy to talk to him, and his laugh made my insides melt. We passed the drink back and forth, ordered another, and then another, talking and laughing.

  We talked about everything and nothing at the same time. Our conversation drifted easily from topic to topic, from the weather to our childhoods to what we wanted from the future. It was like catching up with an old friend who really did want to know how life was going. I learned that Jack came from a wealthy family and he was expected to take over his father’s company in the next year. It sounded like this was going to be his last vacation for a long while. He was very careful never to say what his company was, and I didn’t pry. He grew up with privilege and was fascinated by my stories of growing up “normal.”

  “I can’t imagine your life,” he said lying back on the sand. He closed his eyes and obviously tried to imagine it. “Used cars, paying rent, ramen noodles, no one hounding you for money all the time... it sounds great.”

  “No, we get hounded for money all the time, but we actually owe people the money, and don’t have it,” I said. He laughed and opened his eyes to look at me as I spoke. “I can’t imagine your life — no worries about what bill to pay first, expensive clothes, vacations like this,” I gestured to the beach. “Want to switch for a little while?”

  Jack rolled onto his side, propped his head on his elbow, and smiled at me. The sun was beginning to set, and the soft reds and golds highlighted his features and glinted off his hair. I felt my breath go short. I had never met a man with a smile like that; I would have followed him around like a puppy for that smile. I felt my cheeks go red and I dropped my eyes, pretending the sand was fascinating.

  “Would you be interested in joining me for dinner tonight?” Jack asked, his eyes still trained on my face. I couldn’t help it, but my cheeks went redder. I was interested in doing anything with him.

  “Won’t your secretary mind?”

  “I think she is going to be finishing her vacation without me. I think I will be eating here at the resort — I am enjoying your company,” he said. I glanced up and saw his eyes were almost golden in the setting sun, and completely serious.

  “Sure,” I said slowly. Normal me would have found a reason to back out. Normal me would have been afraid. Vacation me wanted the adventure. Vacation me wasn’t about to let an opportunity to have dinner with a gorgeous man pass by because I was scared. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? “I’ll have to let the resort know.”

  “I’ll call the resort and set it up. It shouldn’t be a problem. By the way, you should put some sunscreen on tomorrow. I think your cheeks might be burning,” he said as he sat up. Small flecks of sand stuck to his skin and shirt as he stood up. They sparkled in the setting sun, and glistened like falling jewels as he brushed them off. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and searched through a contacts list before putting it to his ear. I was right outside my cabana house, so I stood up and grabbed the towel and clicker. I quickly went to my porch and ducked inside to change for dinner. Everything was going so well. I was taking a handsome man to dinner, and who knew where the night could end up.

  Chapter 3

  I ran a brush through my long dark hair and grimaced in the mirror at the sand creature looking back. I looked like I had spent the day on the beach, but I didn’t have time to clean up. Besides, I told myself, he’s been looking at you all day. He doesn’t care that you look like a beach-bum. I grabbed a sundress hanging in my closet and a pair of flip-flop sandals before heading back out. Jack was waiting patiently by the porch step, staring out at the ocean and the setting sun.

  Jack turned at the sound of the door and smiled his brilliant smile as I walked towards him. My knees felt weak; a girl could get hurt by that smile.

  “You look great,” he said honestly. I bit my lip and blushed again.

  “Thanks,” I said as he offered his elbow to me. I wrapped my arm around his, feeling like a princess in a story book. I liked the way he felt, his arm strong and solid under mine as we walked out of the sand and into the resort.

  Twilight was slowly taking over the resort, the sun’s rays quickly fading in streams of red and gold that played across the sand and reflected off the water. The pool gleamed like a bright ruby as a couple splashed in its jeweled depths. Small lights twinkled in the palm trees lining the paths to the various areas on the resort. The entire world seemed to glow with excitement and romance. Everywhere I looked, I could see dark romantic corners for lovers to hide, and laughing couples stealing kisses in the fading light. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t envious of the lovers.

  Jack kept me laughing as we walked easily towards the restaurant. The wind blew warm across my face and ruffled my skirt, the smell of food drifted out to compel hungry vacationers to eat. He seemed to know where he was going so I let him lead. He guided me carefully past other guests, his hand on the small of my back, directing me where to go as if we were dancing. He walked with confidence and people seemed to step out of his way without realizing it. He didn’t seem to notice anyone but me as we headed into the restaurant bearing the island flag.

  We were quickly led to a cozy table in the corner. As we settled into the wooden chairs and opened our menus, our conversation paused easily as we decided what to eat. I hoped Jack couldn’t hear my stomach growling. I hadn’t had much to eat after breakfast other than the piña coladas on the beach and I didn’t think that counted as a true meal. I picked a Caribbean jerk chicken with some sort of sweet potato side, and peeked over my menu at Jack. He was deep in thought as he perused the menu, his brows furrowing gently as he made his decision, but his body looked relaxed in the chair. His eyes were dark in the dim light of the restaurant, but something about them drew me into them like a moth to a flame. He looked up and caught me staring and I felt my face go hot again.

  “What?” he asked with a grin. “Do I have something in my teeth?”

  “No! No...” I scrunched my face and shook my head. “I am having a hard time believing that you are actually here, that today actually happened.”

  Jack looked at me a little strangely, tensing up noticeably. I realized that I sounded a little crazy and quickly added, “It’s not every day you save a man from a heart attack. On top of that, I had an amazing four-hour long conversation with a complete stranger. This doesn’t exactly happen in my normal life.” With that, Jack seemed to relax back into his chair.

  “Isn’t that what vacations are for? To have experiences that you don’t usually have in your everyday life?” he asked putting his menu down. I bit my bottom lip before answering.

  “I suppose so. Vacations are for experiences we don't usually have in our everyday lives. Most people don’t get to lounge around and eat bonbons all day, so that is a vacation for them. I don’t usually save people’s lives and meet handsome strangers who take me to dinner, so that’s my vacation,” I said.

  “Ah, so you think I’m handsome then?” He grinned impishly at me and leaned back in his chair. I felt my cheeks heat again and I hoped the lighting was dim enough so it wasn’t too obvi
ous. I could feel his eyes searching my face, waiting for some reaction.

  “I should have known better than to stroke your ego,” I said, shaking my head. I hoped he would find it coy and not see the embarrassment all over my face. He laughed, a boyish sound that made me want to laugh too.

  “You have a magic about you, Emma. I believe every word you say, and I rarely believe anyone,” he said as he leaned forward. His eyes caught the light from the small candle on the table and reflected in a million shades of brown and green. I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t want to. He leaned back and released me from the spell of his eyes. “So, tell me why you want to become a veterinarian,” he commanded.

  I relaxed, glad he had changed the subject. “It’s something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. I love animals,” I answered automatically. It was the answer I gave everyone who asked.

  “There is more to it than that. You have something more driving you than simply ‘I love animals’,” he said.

  My smile faded from my face. “When I was a kid, my dog got hit by a car. He ran out in the street to chase a ball I had thrown. I held him in my arms as he died, and I didn’t know what to do. I promised myself that I wouldn’t let that happen again.” The words came out of my mouth before I had time to take them back. I never told anyone that story. Ever. It was too personal, showed too much of my weaknesses. Somehow, he had gotten it out of me without even a hesitation.

  “That is a much better reason,” he said quietly.

  “No one believes that I’ll be able to do it. I’ve always gotten good grades and done well in school, but for some reason, no one thinks I’m ever going to be good enough,” I said looking at my napkin. He was somehow drawing answers out of me like water from a well.

  “No one thinks I am going to be able to run my father’s company as well as he did. I’m afraid they might be right,” he answered almost more to himself than to me. For a brief moment, the facade of complete control and confidence he emanated faltered.