That was puzzling. A place like this - you would want business. More guests meant more money. But she had mentioned her family. “Are you one of the Hendersons?”
“I am. Do you know my family?”
I shook my head. “Not personally. But your family is well known. I never heard anything about a sister.”
She shrugged. “My brothers are in the spotlight too much. I’m glad I don’t make it into the tabloids. Besides, most of what they write is all…”
“Bullshit?” I added. She nodded. “I understand that. I’m an attorney. Unfortunately, I’m on the news or in the newspaper more than I care to be. And when they say they’re quoting me, I always have to question if they need their hearing checked, because I don’t remember saying half the stuff they say I’ve said.”
“You’re a lawyer? You don’t look like a lawyer. At least not like any lawyers I’ve had to deal with. I think they’re all old grumpy men,” she snickered.
I laughed. “That describes my father and my uncle perfectly. I work for their law firm.”
“Never easy working for family. I know I couldn’t do it. But if you knew my brothers you’d understand why. Too much testosterone for me. There’s a lot of love, and they’d do anything for each other, but they are never wrong, if you know what I mean.”
“That I do. I’m an only child, but I have a bunch of uncles.”
“Give me my piano and my students any day and I am in heaven,” Zoey sighed.
I’ve always wished I could play an instrument. But I have no rhythm at all. Not to sing, not to dance, and certainly not to play an instrument. “You teach?”
“I do when I’m in the States. I’m trying to convince my husband to let me start teaching here as well. The only thing I love more than music is my family,” Zoey said. “What do you like to do when you’re not working?”
Chuckling, I answered, “Would you believe this is my first vacation since I finished law school? You’re right. It is not easy working for family. My father expects me to win every case. And the caseloads are heavy. So I’m not sure what I like to do with my free time. Maybe that’s why I’m having a hard time being here by myself. I keep finding myself in my room with my laptop, working.”
Zoey shook her head. “We can’t have that. Why don’t you have dinner with me and my husband tonight?”
“Oh no, I don’t want to intrude.” I also don’t want to be the third wheel.
“You would be doing me a favor. My husband has a friend/colleague joining us. I have a feeling if it’s just the three of us I will be stuck listening to them tell stories of when they were in the Marines. And if not that, they’ll be talking work. Neither appeal to me tonight. Please say you’ll join me and save me from the torture.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure that’s a great sales pitch, but I’d be honored to join you for dinner.” My father would have my head if I turned down an invitation from a Henderson. They were a multibillion dollar family and very well-connected, not just in Boston, but worldwide.
Zoey grinned. “Excellent! I will let the chef know there will be four. We will be dining in the penthouse suite at seven. Please know it’s casual. The last thing Bennett wants to do is wear a suit any longer than he has to. He’s more of a jeans and T-shirt type of guy.”
I could picture one guy I’d like to see in a pair of jeans, and it wasn’t Bennett. “I look forward to it.”
“I’ll see you at seven.” Zoey headed off and once again I was left sitting there alone. But I actually had something to look forward to today, and that was nice. Even though I didn’t know Zoey or her husband or whoever this friend of his was, it would be nice to have adult conversation. I was starting to talk to myself, and even my own conversation was boring me.
I had a few hours to kill before dinner, and I didn’t want to give Zoey the impression I wasn’t enjoying the resort. So I went up to my room and changed into my swimsuit. The ocean was too beautiful for me not to spend some time in it. Might as well go out paddleboarding. I hadn’t ever done it before, but it looked fun. And at least I’d have something to talk about tonight besides my job.
God knows I don’t wanna be the one giving unsolicited legal advice to a Henderson.
The afternoon flew by, and surprisingly I hadn’t thought of anything besides how to stay upright on the paddleboard. With my terrible sense of balance, I must have fallen off that board every few seconds. And I must have used muscles that I didn’t even know I had, because now I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Luckily, I had time to soak in a hot tub and relax away some of that ache before heading to the penthouse. I was glad the dress code was casual, too–if I’d had to wear heels tonight, I would’ve had to send a note of regret. My legs were still wobbly. I probably looked like I’d had a few drinks too many, but I hadn’t had even a sip of wine.
I knocked on the door to the penthouse and Zoey answered. “You’re here just in time. James just arrived and Bennett is already talking business. I told him once you arrived they needed to stop. Business and the Marines are two topics we aren’t discussing tonight.”
I’m sure that wouldn’t make me popular with the gentleman, but at least Zoey was thrilled to see me. Bennett joined us and he said, “This also means no talking about your students either.”
Zoey rolled her eyes and replied, “I’m sure Robin will be more entertaining than anything either of you have to say.”
I smiled, but then I saw who the other guest was. It can’t be. “Now I really believe you’re following me.”
James said, “That would be difficult since I arrived before you.”
Zoey looked between the two of us and asked, “Do you know each other?”
I rolled my shoulders. “Our paths have crossed. I would not say we know each other.”
Zoey was beaming. “That’s about to change. No better time to get to know another person than over dinner and over games.”
In unison, James and I said, “Games?” James did not look like the type of man to play games of any sort. And from the expression on his face, he didn’t sound thrilled that Zoey even suggested it. But like myself, he was a guest. Kind of trapped.
Forcing a smile, I replied, “As long as it’s not charades.”
James added, “I swear if you even suggest anything close to that I am out of here.”
I shot him a look and challenged, “I can understand why. You wouldn’t stand a chance at winning.”
He stared at me with a grin and added, “I always win.”
Zoey interjected and said, “This is gonna be the best dinner party we’ve had in a long time. Good thing none of us has to get up early in the morning.”
Bennett replied, “I am not here on vacation.”
James added, “Neither am I.”
I wished I could say the same. It was easy for me to come up with an excuse about having some case I had to review, but I could tell Zoey would’ve been very disappointed if I did. So I would stay and force myself to enjoy the dinner party. It really shouldn’t be that hard because I could already tell Zoey was the type of person I would choose to have as a friend. The difficult part would be ignoring James, the type of arrogant SOB that I usually avoid.