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Chapter Eleven
Sam knew he couldn’t actually go to the barbecue, but he liked yanking Sophia’s chain. And, she didn’t disappoint.
“I’m sorry. Did you say you would pick me up for the barbecue? Yes, well that’s not going to happen. You see, number one, I don’t know you. And number two, it’s for family members only.” Incensed, Sophia picked up her still full shot-glass with the last of the ouzo and downed the contents, slamming the glass down to make a point. Then she gathered her belongings.
Before she could stand, he spoke, “Okay. It’s my turn, and I’ll take number three. It’s simple really. I was invited. You’re my witness, you heard Carine.”
The cheek of the bastard! Sophia couldn’t believe he was seriously pushing to go where he wasn’t wanted. She stood and leaned over, her many necklaces dangling in front. Before he could stop her, she whipped off his sunglasses and dropped them on the table, and then she leaned close enough so he could see how serious she was.
“Look, I didn’t invite you to this table, and I sure as hell am not going to invite you to my family’s barbecue. So back off.”
That’s when her foot slid out from under her, and she would have fallen across the table without his speed in using his arms to support her so she could sit instead.
***
Gentle Jesus.She was sloshed. The three ouzos plus the cocktail had gotten to her. Spinning skies, a stomach ready to upchuck and the muggy brainwaves let her know she’d overdone her limit.Son of a bitch!And it had to happen in front of the last person she’d ever choose to witness her disgrace.
She slumped in her chair and held her face in her hands until the queasy sensations settled. He spoke low, his raspy male voice casting a spell. “I have my bike right here. If you like, I can get you home before you fall down.”
She looked at him and saw his seriousness. He wasn’t teasing or wanting to cause her embarrassment.
Lynia suddenly appeared at her side. “Sophia, look at you. I’m so sorry. I should have known better than to serve you so many drinks after you said you’d flown most of the night and hadn’t had much time to rest before coming here. Look, my friend, I can get you a taxi to pick you up at Liberty gate, and I’ll help you get there if you wish.”
Sam interrupted and asked, “Could she ride on my bike with me?” He pointed to the black sleek scrambler parked at the side of the building.
Lynia looked over at the shiny, new vehicle and grinned. “Sophia can handle any kind of motorcycle ever made.”
Sophia, not willing to be treated like a baby and having them talk over her head, giggled and added, “Thatsh true. I can ride any bike, anytime. Jush… lead me to it.”
In her muddled brain, Sophia knew she’d regret this day. But feeling the way she did, the sooner she got back home, the sooner she could sleep this inebriation off and forget the embarrassment ever happened. Plus, this man irked the hell out of her, and for some dumb, drunken reason, she wanted to prove something to him. What that was, she had no idea.
***
Thankful that they allowed motorcycles of a certain type into the marketplace; Sam had rented his expecting to need transportation. He just never figured it would be to take a drunken Sophia home on the first day. Go figure, their initial meeting would lead to this.
Lynia, helping settle Sophia behind him, gave him directions to her grandmother’s house which was thankfully close by. He swiveled to check on her safety and asked, “You holding on, sweetheart? I’ll take it easy, but I don’t want to lose you in the traffic.”
Laughing as if he’d made the funniest joke, she put her arms around his middle and leaned her cheek against his back. “Jush don’t take too many wild turns.” And then as if her sense of humor had suddenly revived, she added, “My tummy is slightly queasy. We wouldn’t want any accidents, right?”
“I’ll drive as if I have my ninety-year-old granny behind me, honey. Just hold on. And I mean that literally.”
He started up the motor and circled the square to head in the nearest direction toward her place. There were many similar bikes going back and forth, so the vacationers gave him ample leeway. Easing the machine through the people traffic had him pacing the bike to a low speed, but once they passed through the gate and hit the main thoroughfare, she yelled from behind, “Take the ocean route. It’s longer, but itsch beautiful.”
There’d be no argument from him. He’d done his homework already by driving on all the various routes, familiarizing himself with the city. He knew exactly how to get to her house and the most panoramic view they could follow on their way. With her arms holding tightly, her chest plowing into his back, and her mouth very near his neck, he decided he never wanted the trip to end.
Her perfume wafted between them, a flowery southern scent like those he remembered from when he bought his sister a gift from Hawaii. He loved their island fragrances, and his head spun from being so close to that magical aroma.
She spoke loudly, her voice carrying, “This is a shpechial view, one of my favorites on the island. Look at that sunset! Sometimes, I dream of this exact vision when I’m back at work.”
Appearing like a huge golden circle of flames, weaving streaks of orange, purple, red, and faded blues altogether as a last-ditch effort of beauty, the sun gathered its various hues and slowly began to slither behind the horizon.
“It is beautiful.” He yelled his reply and hoped she heard him. But she’d nestled her head against his back now and her arms felt slightly lax. He needed to get her home before she fell off. God, he wished she weren’t intoxicated. He’d have given anything to just ride toward that sunset and spend hours on a lone beach getting to know her.
Still heading in the direction she’d suggested, they traveled along the highway when her skirts loosened from under her weight and began flapping wildly around them. As if she’d been suddenly attacked by the overwhelming pleasure of being on a ride, she lifted her arms to the sky, extended her legs wide, and yelled with glee, “I’m here, Yaya. I’m home.”
“Hey, little girl, behave. I don’t want to lose you.” He slowed the bike and shouted at her, not wanting to curb her enthusiasm but fearful of her steadiness.
She laughed, a delightfully happy laugh but did as she was told. Gathering her skirts, she sat on the material, leaving a lot of her legs bare. Taking in the spectacle, he couldn’t help but notice that one of her pretty sandals was missing.
