Page 66 of True Abandon

“Noon it is.” His phone rings, so he takes it out of his pocket and holds up a finger as he answers, “Hello. Hi, Jim. Yes, hold on one second.” He puts the phone on mute. “Trish, it was a pleasure meeting you. Tomorrow at noon.”

I bow. I don’t know why I bow, but I do. “Thank you. See you.” I closed the door quickly and pray his chuckle is for Jim on the phone and not because I just bowed, like an idiot.

The bell boy is exiting the elevator, so I hop in and head straight downstairs. I should go to the lobby and look up everything I have planned for Eric Duvane’s stay, but my curiosity gets the best of me. I hightail it down the path, past the pool, and to the sand of Kalapaki Beach.

Holding a hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun, I squint and gaze out. It takes a few minutes to see, but sure enough, out in the distance is Jax snorkeling with a small boat anchored nearby.

With my hands on my hips, I try to understand why he’s so damn stubborn. There’s music coming from the Birds of Paradise. I walk in and see Isaiah and Benji crowded around the end of the bar, staring out at the water.

“What are you guys looking at?”

Benji answers first, his eyes trained out the window. “Shark Bait is crazy.”

“Gringo’s been out there for two hours already. He’s going to burn like a volcano.” Isaiah shakes his head.

“He must really like fish. He doesn’t come up for a break or anything,” Benji’s adds.

“Two hours isn’t that long.” My words go unheard.

“Maybe he’s looking for something.” Kal walks up with a tray in his hands. “He has to come in soon, no?”

“My money is on another hour tops. That noon sun comes up, and he’ll be a lava cake.” Isaiah throws down a twenty-dollar bill.

I try to interject. “It’s silly to bet money on someone snorkeling.”

“Four hours.” Kal takes cash out of his pocket and slams it on the table.

Benji shakes his head, enamored by watching Jax. “Sunset,” he says calmly. “He’s looking for something, and he’s not going to stop till he finds it.”

He takes the money out of his pocket and places it behind him on the counter.

I look back out toward Jax. If he’s looking for something, I know exactly what it is.

…

The day passes slowly, and I spend it at my desk, making sure the arrangements for Eric Duvane and his entourage are set.

His company, Black Dog Entertainment, is hosting a small, promotional concert this weekend for their newly signed artist. By week’s end the hotel will be filled with the who’s who of the radio industry. I used to plan events like this when I was an assistant producer so this is well in my comfort zone.

They have requested the small banquet room at the end of the week and have a series of dinners and meetings scheduled from the two suites. They also have a cruise around the island, and some helicopter rides planned—it’s quite the itinerary.

While I’m hard at work, with each hour, I find myself taking a walk outside and looking into the bay. Jax has been out there for hours.

“So, Eric Duvane…” Lani lets his name linger as she looks off in a dreamy state. “I mean, he’s no Olivia Benson.”

“Will you please stop calling him that.”

“No, it’s too much fun.” She grins. “Did you ask Eric to the bonfire tonight?”

“Why would I ask him to a place where workers go to party?”

“Because he’s fine.” Her words are said like it’s an obvious answer.

“You’re up to no good. Keep your thoughts on Jason. You have a big dinner coming up. The meeting of the Tutu!”

“Stop. I can’t even think about it. You’re coming, right?”

“Yes. I’ll be there.”