Emerald Island: A Billionaire Bedroom Romance

Chapter 8

The two women made their way back to the main beach where they had dinner their first night on the island. Like ants returning to the mound, the island's guests converged.

When they got to the main beach, the party was already in full swing. Guests and staff alike were drinking and rollicking with laughter. It was unlike any resort Sophie had ever imagined — everyone was glamorous and kind.

Most guests laughed amongst themselves, but their eyes darted towards a woman at the center of the cluster. She seemed to flit from one cluster of guests and staff members to another while they basked in her aura.

Finally, Sophie and Kristen saw the woman's face.

"It's Scarlett Holmes!" Kristen whispered.

"Where do I know that name?" Sophie tucked her hair behind her ears. Kristen nodded.

"She has a show on the Food Network," Kristen prompted. "She's that celebrity chef who specializes in gluten-free recipes. The sexy one."

The mental image of a blonde without a sense of humor popped up in Sophie's head. I remember using one of her recipes once. It was terrible. No one liked it.

"Exactly," Sergio said. "Between you and me, she drives the Emerald Island chefs crazy every time she visits. She throws tantrums. As soon as they've mastered her latest set of dietary requirements, she comes up with a new one."

The woman was indeed sexy, even more glamorous in person than she was on television. As Sophie looked over her perfect hair and makeup, she had a hard time imagining her cooking.

"And... she's with Erik," Sophie said. She watched him standing next to Scarlett and couldn't help but realize how perfect they were together. Seeing them side-by-side: the tall, strong man and the petite blonde, they looked made for each other. The stars of a movie: an idealized romance too beautiful to be true.

She watched as Erik put his hand on the small of Scarlett's back and whispered something in her ear. The woman smiled, turned around and whispered something in return.

Sophie felt her stomach tighten and her grin disappeared. She felt nauseated, but she couldn't look away.

Kristen looked at her best friend. When she put it all together, she gave a quiet smile.

"Sophie... do you have a thing for him?" Kristen asked

"No! I don't!" said Sophie. Or at least I didn't think I did...

Kristen pursed her lips and looked at her friend contemplatively, but for once stayed silent. She took Sophie's hand and led her to a table away from the crowd. They picked up some punch full of fresh pineapple and mango.

"They look... they look so happy together," Sophie said quietly.

From a distance, they saw Scarlett throw her head back in laughter in response to something Erik had said. Kristen took a big sip from her punch and rolled her eyes.

Jens Bergman, the Danish clothing designer whom Sophie had spoken with the day before, sidled up next to them. He told Sophie that he had a notebook full of new ideas after going on a long birding adventure through the island. Sophie smiled and attempted to show interest. Before Emerald Island, the conversation would have made her ecstatic. She would have given up a lifetime of sex to give feedback to Bergman and see how birds were going to influence his spring show.

Now, however, Sophie struggled to focus on anything but the tightness in her chest or the sight of Scarlett and Erik dancing together. Soon, Bergman, sensing her distraction, smiled and excused himself. Sophie reminded herself to pull it together. She liked Bergman, and he could be an amazing connection for her.