One for the Ages // Book One

Chapter 2

We made it back to the hotel sometime before dinner. He walked me to my door again. Now that he knew where it was I couldn't explain that away by saying he'd done it to find out where my room was. I grudgingly admitted to myself that maybe he was just a gentleman.

I turned to look at him once in front of my door. I shouldn't have felt this awkward. He'd just bought me a very expensive bracelet and we'd spent the whole day together. Still, looking at him all tanned and beautiful in front of me, was quite like staring into the face of the sun.

He smiled knowingly after my eyes lingered on his face for just a touch too long,

"Would you like to have dinner with me?" I instantly shook my head, causing him to frown, "Why not?"

"Listen Harry, thank you for the bracelet, it really wasn't necessary to replace it. And lunch was great...but I'm..." I stopped letting my sentence trail off. This would be quite an assumption if I said it and I wasn't entirely sure that's what he was after. When he raised his eyebrows in anticipation for my next sentence, I relented, "I'm 13 years older than you."

"So?" He said before I'd even finished my sentence, "I have lots of friends who are older than I am."

"Is that what we are? Friends?" I challenged.

He shrugged,

"Sure. Why not?"

"Do you buy them all expensive jewelry?"

An amused smile appeared on his face as he shook his head,

"I was just replacing what I broke."

I tapped the tiny jewelry bag in my hand with my finger,

"Well...thanks. Thanks for taking me into town and for lunch. But I think it's good if we just go our separate ways."

He looked slightly disappointed but still amused. He nodded,

"Alright then. Hopefully I see you around the resort."

I nodded,

"Sure. Have a good night."

I watched as he turned to walk back down the hallway. Was I an idiot? Was I seeing things that just weren't there? Maybe he just wanted to be friends? Only the way he looked at me didn't say he just wanted to be friends. The way he kept his hand on the small of my back while he guided me in and out of crowds while we were shopping today didn't say he just wanted to be friends. I wasn't seeing things. But I sure as hell was feeling them.

-------------------------------------

I took a little longer getting myself ready for dinner than I usually did. Though I didn't know why. I was eating alone after all. But I liked making myself look put together, even if I was the only one appreciating it.

I walked into the dining room of the resort and glanced around. This place was definitely five star although everyone other than the wait staff was dressed in resort gear. I looked down at my dress and shrugged. It at least went with the tropical theme.

"How many miss?" The maitre'd asked.

"Just me."

He nodded, grabbing one menu,

"Right this way."

He showed me to a table off in the corner that only sat two people. I frowned but shrugged as I sat down. He set the menu down in front of me,

"Your server will be right with you."

I smiled,

"Thanks."