The pool shimmers under the midday sun. It’s business as usual: guests sunbathing, swimming, sipping juice, doing therapy, reading.
Sunlight hits my eyes and I narrow them to observe the scene. Erin, Calvin, and Tom McKenna enter the lounge.
I take a moment to observe. Erin and Calvin are—unsurprisingly—the center of attention, loud and laughing like they always are when I see them together. It’s a bit of a surprising combo, because Erin always thinks one step ahead and Calvin is more or less a himbo. They are business partners in organizing parties at SeaBreeze, the beach club of Erin’s husband. Money makes everyone friendly, I know that.
Tom looks uncomfortable in their company. His eyes dart around like he’s stepped into enemy territory.
I can’t help a little laugh. The poor guy is already planning his escape route. They all do this on their first day. I did once too, and now look at me. Somehow I’ve turned into part of the interior.
My eyes settle back on him.
Tom McKenna.
He’s slim, a little muscled, but not too much. He cares about music, probably not sports. Amber curls move wild in the wind, and they are long, not practical at all. But they are beautiful.
He has this look that says he doesn’t care what people think of him.
I don’t buy it.
Actually, I can see right through it. Mister McKenna is trying a little too hard to play it cool.
His shoulders are too tense for someone who’s supposed to not give a damn. He has his arm resting on the armrest, but his fingers won’t stop tapping on the rattan.
He looks tired, like he hasn’t slept properly in months. He also keeps catching his breath.
And those sunglasses are not just a shield from the Caribbean sun. From what I see, he’s just an inch away from breaking.
He reminds me of someone standing too close to the edge of a cliff, wondering what it might feel like to just fall and disappear.
He reminds me of me.
I take a deep breath and walk over. Calvin is the first to spot me, his grin spreading wide as he stands up.
“Yosh, how are you, man? Haven’t seen you around for a while!” He clasps my hand and pulls me into an unwanted bro hug.
“Yeah, I’m mostly here nowadays.” I smile, subtly trying to free myself from his grip. “Just bought a house in Santa Catalina. It needs a major renovation, so I’m staying at the resort for the time being.”
Erin wraps her arms around my shoulders.
“That’s just his excuse. Truth is, he’s a workaholic. If he’s not with our guests, he’s studying or voluntarily covering shifts. I constantly have to remind him that free time is an actual thing.”
“Oh, so that’s why,” Calvin says, but I’m no longer focused on him.
My attention has moved to Tom. He’s staring at me from behind those vintage Clubmasters and I can feel his eyes burning into me. He’s assessing me, dissecting me. Most people look away after a second, but Tom doesn’t. Suddenly I’m the one holding my breath.
What’s the deal with this guy?
I look at Tom.
Tom looks at me.
Calvin and Erin look at me.
Fuck. Right.
I step forward and reach out my hand.
“Hey, Tom, I’m Doctor Yoshiro Aoki,” I say. “I’ll be guiding you during your stay.”
