Her friend’s strides didn’t falter. “So? That’s comfortably within the bounds of adulthood.”
“You know most women mature faster than men. Mid-twenties or not, he’s still a kid.”
Belle didn’t argue that point. “So his age is the main thing holding you back from a little vacation fling? He wasn’t obnoxious or boring or unacceptable in some other way?”
“He’s a flirt. A brazen, cocky, way-too-young-for-me flirt. And the last thing I need in my life is a player, even if he’s honest about it.” All true. Still, Tess couldn’t suppress a small smile. For God’s sake, he’d called her toes cute. The man clearly had no shame. “I mean, yes, he was helpful when I needed him. But he’s a bit too aimless for my tastes. I don’t think he even has a real job.”
Belle made a noncommittal hum. “No real job, huh?”
“Nope. And even if he weren’t too young, too flirty, and too immature, I don’t need distractions right now. I know you keep telling me vacation time is sacred, but I have planning to do.”
With a resigned sigh, Belle parroted what Tess had told her dozens of times. “So you can use this school year to prove you should get your principal’s job when she retires in June. Especially since Superintendent Jones’s latest pet is throwing his pompous hat in the ring.”
“I wish Cressida had let us know she was leaving before last week.” Tess hadn’t intended to use this trip to strategize, especially given its price tag. She didn’t have much of a choice, though, given the timing, and she could only hope the sacrifice would pay off next June. “But she didn’t, so I need to decide now how I’m going to make my case for her job. Because once the school year starts, there’s no time to think about much of anything, which you know as well as I do. And there’s no way I can let Gary Goddamn Enders get the job. That man cares about kissing ass and saving money, not kids.”
Belle didn’t seem any more impressed by the argument than she had the last few times she’d heard it. “You’re telling me one or two late-night booty calls would completely derail your planning? Really?”
Somehow, Tess didn’t think Lucas was the type of man a woman easily dismissed from her thoughts, whether or not he was physically near. For example, why was she still thinking and talking about him now?
Gah. The man was a menace clad in way-too-flattering board shorts.
“Yup. So wipe him from your fevered imagination.” Somehow, one of the gentle waves unbalanced her, and she stopped for a moment. “Unless, uh, you’re interested for yourself.”
Another vague hum from Belle.
Tess should want her friend to find a hot hookup on vacation. She did want that. Just…maybe not with Lucas. Really, when she considered the matter, he was too young for both of them. Belle deserved someone more mature, even for a fling.
Yes. That was why the thought of Belle and Lucas together made her cringe. Definitely.
Time to change the subject. “Who was the guy in the gray swim trunks? You two seemed friendly.”
Belle’s teasing smile widened. “Brian is friendly. Very much so.”
“Brian?” Tess took a sidelong glance at her friend, her own brows raised. “I see you’ve also found a first-name friend.”
“Yup.” Belle picked her way through the shallow water, avoiding the sharp shells scattered underfoot. “He was here for some weekend corporate retreat and decided to stay a few extra days by himself. I plan to make sure he doesn’t regret that decision.”
Tess slowed at the edge of the waves. “You met him this morning?”
“He was on my flight here, and I’ve run into him two or three times since we arrived.” Belle scooped up her own towel as they trudged through the sand. “He’s an interesting man. Funny. Smart. And most importantly, hot as hell.”
Tess stopped right before the path leading back to their room.
She wasn’t Belle’s older sister or mother or even her assistant principal anymore. Still, she worried. “Please tell me you’re meeting him in public until you’re sure he’s safe.”
“Of course.” Belle paused. “Although privacy may be required at some point, unless I want to incur significant legal fees.”
“Gotcha.” Tess started walking again, and her friend kept pace. “Have fun, but be careful. And let me know if you need me, okay?”
“I’m a big girl, Tessie.” Belle grinned. “I know what I’m doing.”
Tess laughed. “That’s what all the boys tell me.”
With a toss of her head, Belle made a show of preening prettily. “As they should.”
As the two of them entered the open doorway to the hotel and turned down the hall to their room, Belle hooked their arms together. “Listen, I was thinking about what we should do the next few days when you’re not working and I’m not corrupting innocent businessmen. Do you play tennis?”
“I used to.” When was the last time she’d stepped foot on a court? At least a couple decades ago, from what she could recall. “Why? Did you want to play?”
“Nah.” Producing her keycard, Belle waved it in front of their door’s sensor until the little light turned green. “Here we go.”
Tess opened the door but paused in the doorway. “So why did you ask about tennis?”
“No reason,” Belle said. “No reason at all.”
Three
“That was a great lesson.” The final guest from his intermediate class, a twenty-something woman with a long blond ponytail and a shy smile, slipped Lucas a twenty during their end-of-lesson handshake. “I think I’m getting a handle—” She cut herself off, blushing. “Sorry. Unintended pun. Anyway, I think my backhand slice is improving. Thank you so much for your patience. I still can’t believe Lucas Karlsson is giving me lessons!”
She was sweet and a generous tipper, and she was beginning to get some power behind her ground strokes. A good client, even if he was eager for the arrival of the next one.
He smiled at her. “You’re welcome, Madison. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yeah.” She bent to gather her borrowed gear into a neat pile, not looking at him. “Unless you…um, have some free time tonight?”
Another woman was occupying his thoughts at the moment. But as a rule, he didn’t like to refuse clients’ invitations in direct terms. Not only to avoid hurt feelings and decreased tips, but also because he might change his mind later.
So he used his standard response for such situations. “I’m not certain. I may have plans, so don’t put your evening on hold for me. But if those plans change, may I leave a message on your room’s voicemail?”
Her cheeks, already pink from exertion, darkened to red.
“Sure. That would be…” Hitching her purse on her shoulder, she shuffled her feet. “I’d like that.”
Then she scurried away, and he made a mental note never to call her room, no matter how the next lesson went. No matter if he went to bed alone and aching for company.
Madison Warwick was too innocent, and she’d be too easily hurt.