One Cold Moment

Chapter 8

"I can't believe Poppy would go to that extent, Yanks," Anthonio said as he leaned against Yankee’s bed board, listening to the story about Poppy at the plantation. Yankee sat on a chair across from him.

"Yeah? Still think she’s hot and sexy?"

"Yeah," he replied absentmindedly. "She’s hot either way. Hey, I wanted to tell you I’ll be leaving for Hong Kong. Isabel is back."

"Ooooh..." Yankee made a face. "Somebody misses some smooching."

"God, Yankee! Stop embarrassing me, okay?"

"That's exactly how you’ve made me feel most of my life, bro. I think you’re blushing! Are you seriously blushing?!" he teased, laughing.

"Okay! Fine! I miss her... like hell! I want her right now."

"It’s a good thing, though. I’m sure she misses you just as much."

"Yeah," he smiled sweetly like a teenager in love. "I’m thinking of taking the next flight. That’ll be Thursday."

"Okay then."

"When are you coming back for work? Forgotten about that?"

"I don’t know, man," he said, rubbing a hand across his face. "I’m beginning to like Mexico."

Anthonio laughed and said, "I get where you’re going, Yanks. Totally get it."

Yankee quickly caught on and protested, "Don’t start, Anthonio!"

"Marina," he said anyway. "She’s what you like not Mexico."

"God, Tony! Give me a break!"

"Okay, okay. Speaking of which, I saw her yesterday in town on a delivery."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and she tells me you’ve been seeing her at the plantation without even telling me, Yankee!"

"So what, man? We’re just hanging out."

"Did you kiss her yet?" he asked.

"Tony!!!"

"Oh..tongue slip. I do think she likes you, though."

"Jeez..." Yankee rolled his eyes. "I’d really love her to tell me that."

"Honestly. But there was this creep hitting on her, and I warned him to stay away from my best friend’s girlfriend!"

"You said that?" He rolled his eyes again.

"Yes, Yanks," Anthonio replied proudly. "Told you, I’ve always got your back."

"God, Tony." He facepalmed. "You always embarrass me, don’t you? Isn’t there a flight to Hong Kong tomorrow?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "In fact, I’m praying there’s a storm on Thursday so I don’t have to go."

"But Isabel is probably sprawled on your bed waiting for you," he smirked.

"God! Don’t say that!"

Yankee laughed.

*******

The next day, Yankee found himself walking back to the plantation. Knowing Marina was usually at the far end of the field, he headed there. The sea crashed ashore behind the trees as he spotted her under one of them, a smile immediately forming on his lips.

She was wearing a yellow top and faded blue jeans, her hair in a ponytail. Something about her always mesmerized him. He walked quietly behind her as she picked coconuts absentmindedly.