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“Jana booked a restaurant, but I can reach out and cancel,” Charlie offered.
Alex nodded. “Thanks, Charlie.”
“Maybe we should check his place out first?” I suggested.
“Rowan’s been there before so it’s all good.”
We sat on our loungers and enjoyed lunch and then most of our group took an afternoon siesta in the shade.
Then we headed down to the ocean for a swim in the turquoise waters of the bay. The water was warm and calm, gorgeous. It was surreal to think it was December 21st. Christmas was almost here but it felt like summer. And I had no complaints.
Next thing I knew it was just after six and we were making our way over to David Marsden’s beachfront house.
We took the same winding path near the marina and found ourselves at a gated estate. The man of the hour walked out to greet us.
“Just in time, come on in, guys.”
He sounded like Charlie, American. Not sure which part, though.
The gate swung open, and he greeted us each in turn.
He startled when I shook his hand. Probably because I nearly crushed his fingers in my grip. Then I noticed him making a beeline for Charlie again.
Swallowing down my jealousy, I chatted with Max as we walked down the gravel driveway. A sprawling mansion in white stucco greeted us. Walking around the house, we wandered to a backyard that had a lovely pool, a surrounding patio, and a private stretch of beach.
The table had been set up for the ten of us, with David at one end. He’d seated Charlie to his left and Rowan to his right. I didn’t think that was done by accident, but I ignored my irritation and lingered at the other end of the table, taking a seat beside Jared. Aiden and Alex were across from us.
“Are you okay?” Jared whispered to me.
“Of course.”
I was okay. But I wasn’t rich like this David bloke. Or as handsome. Or funny apparently, as Rowan and Charlie began to laugh at something he said.
The devil of self-doubt reared up and I took a sip of water to cool myself down.
“Don’t worry,” Jared patted my hand. “I study people for a living, just like you and Alex. Charlie only has eyes for you.”
I looked down the table but when Charlie’s eyes met mine, I glanced away.
I didn’t want him to see how needy I was. After last night, I felt vulnerable in a way I rarely did. Then I remembered that he liked things casual. Would he and this David guy hook up? I mean, Charlie and I hadn’t discussed being exclusive.
A plate of lobster was placed in front of me.
Oh, God, I had it bad.
I didn’t want to eat a single bite.
CHAPTER15
CHARLIE
This was not the evening I’d envisioned.
And I was counting down the minutes until I could get back on board the ship and get Kiernan alone.
Don’t get me wrong. David and Ro and everyone at the table were good company, but I was not in the mood to socialize.
I noticed that Kiernan barely ate his dinner and that wasn’t like him at all.
