They walked inside. The restaurant was larger than it had looked from the outside and it was bustling. A couple came through the doorway and pushed past them to sit down at a table that was just cleared. “I guess we’re supposed to seat ourselves.” Kinsley led the way to a vacant table beyond the bar.
As soon as they sat, a hostess placed two glasses and a pitcher of ice water in front of them. “What can I get for you today?”
“Well, we could use some menus,” Todd answered. He filled their glasses with water.
“You must be new here,” the hostess said. “All the locals know we don’t have menus. The boss said it helps cut costs, plus we think it creates a more intimate atmosphere. But if you look at the board over the bar, you can see the specials we offer. My favorite is the goat cheese quesadillas with a tomatillo-avocado salsa. It’s everyone’s favorite, and the goat cheese comes from a goat farm right here on the island. I’ll give you a minute and come back.”
“I can’t believe we’re in a restaurant that doesn’t have menus,” Todd complained after the hostess left. “I mean, they don’t even have a sign outside with the name of the restaurant. That’s a good way to go out of business.”
“Not for the reasons you think,” Kinsley told him. She realized he’d always been judgmental and his remark justified her feelings. “This place is packed. I don’t see it going under any time soon. Besides, the board over the bar is the menu and I think it’s quaint. Okay, let me see what they serve. The goat cheese quesadillas sounds good.”
Patrons came and went and Todd and Kinsley ordered. When they received their meals, Kinsley poked at the mini taco salad she’d decided on and embraced the silence between them to take in the Moroccan-style décor reminiscent of the architecture of other buildings on the island. The color scheme was warm and inviting, the ceilings were tall, and the bar was carved with intricate designs.
Kinsley had her water glass halfway to her mouth when she spotted Logan. What was he doing here? She put down her glass and watched him for a few minutes. He was seated at a table with an older couple. They were laughing and Logan looked completely at ease. His arm casually draped along the back of his chair, he leaned back on two legs, and then he saw Kinsley. His chair tipped and he fell back onto the floor.
The commotion garnered the attention of most of the establishment, including Todd. “The guy’s probably drunk,” he mumbled.
Kinsley laughed and wanted to avert her eyes, but Logan’s smile was infectious and he wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a wide grin. His dimples deepened and his eyes sparkled when he gave her a little wave, the same as she had done earlier.
“So, the food’s good.” Todd said, halfway through his meal. Inferno wings. “You and I, I guess we were good together, weren’t we?”
The question took her by surprise. She’d agreed to come here with Todd thinking she would be the bigger person. Someone who could get over what they had even when, at the last minute, it had fallen apart. He needed a friend, she remembered him telling her, but she wasn’t sure she liked where the discussion might be headed. This outing unnerved her and she realized how distant he seemed, something she realized she should have picked up on when he suggested they come here. “Todd,” Kinsley said, ignoring his question. “Maybe you should slow down. Your lunch is going to give you heartburn.”
“See? See what I mean? That’s just like you, Kinsley,” Todd smiled and pointed at her with a half wing dangling from his fingers. He gobbled it down, but not before using it to mop up some of the chef’s special fiery ranch dressing in the middle of his plate. He pulled at the collar of his polo shirt several times, probably the beginning of the heartburn that Kinsley had mentioned. Then he swallowed a spoonful of jalapeno black bean soup before he continued. “See? See how concerned you are? Crystal wouldn’t think of telling me that. Hell, she wouldn’t even think of letting me order this. And I’d have to keep my elbows off the table and my napkin in my lap.”
That’s because you’re a child. Oh, how she suddenly wanted to say that out loud and have her words be a slap to his face. “Is everything okay between you and Crystal? I mean, you are the one who asked her to marry you.” Kinsley raised her eyebrows. When Todd and Crystal first got married, she’d done everything she could to avoid being anywhere near them. And her family all but gave her the “I told you so” speech. It wasn’t a memory she wanted to keep.
“I don’t know, Kinsley.” Todd shook his head and moved the rest of his food around on his plate before he dropped his fork on the table. He took a deep breath, downed the rest of his beer, and turned toward Kinsley. “I don’t know if it’ll last between us. We’re on a different page in life.”
“Um, you guys just got married.” Kinsley pushed aside her plate and decided, again, that she’d be the bigger person here. The adult. “It can’t be that bad. Tell me what happened.”
“Remember when she said she inherited her grandmother’s small hotel business? Well we were going to use that to parlay it into something big. Something to rival one of the larger chains in the country.”
How could Kinsley forget that conversation? It was the one that pulled them apart for reasons she couldn’t, and didn’t, want to comprehend. Just then, she remembered when he first left to be with Crystal, he had taken flowers that Kinsley originally thought were for his mother. She’d gone out of her way to purchase the beautiful, expensive bouquet and was devastated when she found out they were for another woman. Kinsley looked around and thought how silly it was to have come here with Todd. Had she remembered about the flowers, she wouldn’t have agreed to lunch.
Kinsley looked over at Logan and he stared back at her. He smiled, but she didn’t reciprocate. The hurt that tore at her heart was still inside. She jumped and glared at Todd when he took her hands in his.
“You’re such a good person, Kinsley. I mean you didn’t get upset when we called off the engagement. You know how to stay in control. You’re a strong person in that way.”
I also know we didn’t break the engagement, you did.
“You see, Kinsley, it was her grandmother who lied to us. She sold us a bill of goods. The hotel business wasn’t what we thought. It’s in foreclosure. If we want to keep it, we’ll need to take out a loan for more than what it’s worth just to buy it.” Todd shook his head. “I don’t know, I think I may have made a mistake.”
“Can I interest you two in anything else?’ The hostess came over and Todd let go of Kinsley’s hand. “We have a chocolate-chile cake, or my favorite, crepes with either a strawberry or chocolate drizzle.”
“No, thank you,” Kinsley spoke up. “The check would be fine. Oh, and could we have separate checks, please?”
“That’s okay, I’ll get this.” Todd went through the motion of trying to find his wallet and then mumbled that he must have left it back in his car.
“I’ll pay for my own. Nothing more.”
“Sure thing. Let me write those up and I’ll be right back.” The hostess left and silence took her place.
Todd sighed and placed his head in his hands. He wiped his eyes and sat up, but his shoulders were no longer as straight as they were earlier. “We make a good team, Kinsley. We’re good together, aren’t we? And you think you might be able to get the check for me? I’ll pay you back. And why do you keep looking at that guy who fell out of his chair? I’m sure he’s a drunk.”
“Get your own check. And there is no ‘we.’ We’re done, Todd. I don’t know why you would think otherwise.” She grabbed her napkin and folded it over and over, so she would have something to do with her hands. Something to keep her busy, to keep her distracted. Out of the corner of her eye, Kinsley saw Logan stretch and stand, but she didn’t want to look his way. She didn’t want to stare.
The hostess came back with the checks and they each paid for their meals. Kinsley palmed her keys and stood indicating to Todd she was leaving.
“Kinsley, I—”
She held up a hand. “Stop, Todd. Don�
��t say it, just don’t say anything. I can’t do this. You need to work things out with Crystal. As a matter of fact, you can get your own ride home. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle that. Besides, I’ve already moved on. I have a boyfriend and we’re happy— I’m happy.”
“Oh.” Todd seemed surprised. “Do I know him?”
“No. We, ah, recently met. But he’s here now.” Kinsley took in a deep breath and panic rose to her throat. What was she thinking? “I saw him earlier. He’s the guy you think is drunk. I’ll introduce you.”
“You’re dating a drunk?”
“He’s not drunk. He just fell off his chair. It happens.” On the way to the door, Kinsley stopped at Logan’s table. “Todd, this is my boyfriend, Logan Sweet. Logan, Todd.”
The older couple at Logan’s table looked shocked and the woman glared at Kinsley. There was no going back. Kinsley stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Logan’s neck and kissed him on the lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Logan.”
Todd glared at Logan and everyone at the table. Kinsley smiled and felt stronger knowing she’d stood up against Todd. She then turned, leaving a stunned party of three in her wake.
Chapter Four
Shock and awe.
Shock and awe was the way Logan had operated when he used to play the field. Now that he was on the receiving end, it confused the hell out of him. He watched Kinsley leave SOB and was left having to explain what had happened.
If only he could figure it out himself.
“Logan? Who was that woman?” his mother asked. “Is this another one of your flings?”
Logan stood there with his mouth open. He didn’t quite know how to explain Kinsley’s behavior since he really didn’t understand it himself. He shook his head and sat back down. “I, ah…”
“Didn’t we discuss this at the beginning of the year, Logan?” his father asked. “Don’t you remember that’s the exact behavior that we said would not be tolerated if we were to let you take over the family business? You made a promise to us that you would get yourself under control, and I expect promises to be kept.”
The promise. There it was. His commitment to his parents that kept him away from women, until now, it seemed. “Yes, that’s right, I did make a promise to you and I’m keeping it.” His parents raised their eyebrows. “I have no idea who that woman is.”
“Well, she seems to know you.” His mother threw her napkin on the table, an indication of how annoyed she was. “And she’s married, or did you not catch the wedding band on her husband’s finger?”
“Okay, all right. I may have met her once. Kinsley Stone. I know who she is, but I don’t know her. I met her once inside the Super Min. Although I’m not sure she’s married. I don’t believe she is.” His mother waved away his explanation.
“She just happened to be talking with Patti,” he continued. “I mentioned how surprised I was that someone actually didn’t know about the boiled peanuts.”
“You seemed to know her a little too intimately for one conversation. And you’re seeing her tomorrow?” his father asked.
“No. I never said that.” Although Kinsley had said it loud enough for everyone to hear. A ballsy move. He would normally smile for the nerve it took her to do what she did, but since he was with his parents, he felt like he’d been punched in the gut.
He never imagined he’d be explaining a surprise kiss. The fullness of her lips against his, the way her hair flowed down her back, the smoothness of her skin—all of this shot a raw level of heat through his spine. His hormones went into overdrive. It had been almost seven months since his promise, that commitment, and it had taken all his effort just to keep from placing his arms around her waist and drawing her close against his chest when she embraced him. Before Logan could rein it in, a wide smile covered his face to angry looks from his parents.
“Well, this is disappointing,” his mother said. “At least your sister is doing her part. She’s in Naples now looking at other venues for expansion.”
“I’m going to have to reconsider my offer to let you start taking over our business,” his father told him. “I won’t have you managing part of our company if you’re going to be running after girls and partying again like you’ve done in the past. It’s not responsible. It’s not the Sweet way of doing things.”
Logan grimaced. During his college days, he had been only interested in parties and women. But over the last several years, well after college and after working at too many dead-end jobs, he realized he wanted to be involved in the family business, a chain of indoor and outdoor adventure parks throughout the country.
He had made an agreement with his parents that he would clean up his act and get serious. Gone were the parties with his friends and the women who seemed to be attracted more to his family’s bank account than to him. If only his father’s face and his last name hadn’t been splashed across several financial magazines over the years. Was Kinsley another one of those women? Logan would have to find out, if only to have Kinsley convince his family she really didn’t know him, so Logan could show them he was mature enough to be involved in Sweet Adventures.
* * *
“Usually if anything goes haywire, it involves me and not you,” Megan said. “Tell me again what happened.”
“I think you’re trying to torture me by having me repeat it,” Kinsley groaned into the phone. “I told you, I think Todd was hitting on me. I think he wants to break it off with Crystal and get back with me.”
“So naturally you decided kissing Logan in front of people that you don’t know, who were seated at his table, was a good idea?”
“I panicked,” Kinsley answered. “I didn’t know what to say to Todd. You should have seen his face. The restaurant was crazy busy, and well, with the spicy hot food he ate, I thought he’d have a heart attack or something.”
“So, you kissed Logan.”
“So, I kissed Logan,” Kinsley repeated. “I’ll admit, it wasn’t my best move.”
“That’s like saying it hasn’t ever snowed in New England in December.”
“I know. I know. Like I said, I panicked. So what are my options? You’re miles away and I’m stuck here trying to figure out what to do. I’ll probably end up making things worse.”
“No need to panic any longer, I was just released from the audit,” Megan said. “It appears that my client lied about his finances and he might end up going to jail. No one at my firm was aware of his off shore accounts and shady deals, so our Vice President decided to sit in for the rest of the audit. I just have to finish up some paperwork. Lucky you, I should be back before noon tomorrow.”
“Good! I can’t wait to have you back here, so you can help me get out of this mess.” After she hung up with Megan, Kinsley plopped herself down on a large, comfortable, oversized chair in her villa, Morning Glory. Sunlight filtered into the large room against the cornsilk-colored walls, and she let the warmth embrace her. She groaned and closed her eyes and then rubbed her temple to ward off the beginning of a headache.
How did this even happen?
Tired from the stress of the recent commotion, and having slept poorly the night before after seeing Todd and Crystal yesterday at the beach, Kinsley let her mind drift. She remembered when she first noticed Logan on the beach, tossing the volleyball high in the air. Shirtless, his body looked rock hard, with large muscular arms, broad shoulders, and flat abs; the wind carelessly blew his chestnut-brown hair. Kinsley smiled and realized it was Logan she had stared after when he ran down the beach that day to play volleyball. None of the other men mattered, just him. Then, when she kissed him at the restaurant, with her hands draped around his neck, his lips hesitated for a brief second before matching hers. A softness in his lips played against her own and she remembered how he’d run his tongue over her lower lip before she broke the embrace and left.
“I’m supposed to be over men, at least for a while. Who am I kidding? I can’t even daydream without having a sexy guy pop up in my head,” sh
e told herself. Kinsley stood and walked to the bank of sliding glass doors at the back living area of her villa overlooking the beach. The sunshine streamed through cloudless skies and a few palms bowed over the blue-green ocean, as two ibises danced among the waves. She wrapped her arms around herself. This was meant to be a getaway vacation, to take her mind off her broken engagement and to put her life in perspective. A getaway that she realized she should have gone on months ago. She had packed the bikini she’d bought for her honeymoon and booked a vacation at Mimosa Key, the same island she and Todd had talked about for their honeymoon. It suddenly dawned on her that she had spent her vacation trying to forget the engagement while she’d made the same plans as though she were going on her honeymoon. Kinsley shook her head and turned back from the beach. At least this villa wasn’t the one she and Todd had considered.
The smallest of the newer villas on the resort, Morning Glory had taken Kinsley’s breath away the moment she’d stepped inside. The earthy hues, intermixed with deep reds and ocean blues, and a pop of soft sea green and light beige completed the color scheme. Whitewashed tables next to the luxurious fabric that hugged the furniture sat on exotic, hand-woven rugs covering tiled floors. Small hand-painted flowerpots, consistent with the Moroccan theme, were placed on various countertops within the villa and held a rainbow of blue, purple, and pink morning glories. And specialty soaps made on the island, with names like Mimosa Mornings that gave off a tangy orange smell and Hopeful Heart scented with chocolate and strawberry, were plentiful in the large bathroom off her bedroom with the king-sized bed. This was a wonderful paradise, and Kinsley didn’t mind being stuck within the walls of the Morning Glory villa while waiting for Megan.
She frowned when she saw her silky camisoles, in various shades of blue and pink, draped over the arm of the chair closest to her bedroom door. Camisoles she had purchased to wear on her honeymoon. She should return them. If only she hadn’t thrown away the price tags.
Barefoot Bay: Forever Yours (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
