by Tamie Dearen
“If you’re not careful, she’ll get burned out and quit, with no warning. Driven employees are notorious for that.”
Gary crossed his fingers, hoping Steven would buy his warning of Katie’s impending breakdown.
“You think so?” Steven chewed his lip. “She does work long hours.”
“Indigo Bay will be the perfect refresher for her.”
“I could get more work done if she was there,” Steven admitted.
“I’ll book her a separate cottage.” With great effort, Gary maintained a serious expression to hide his anticipation. “And I can add her into our sports reservations. Hmm… I don’t suppose she’s scuba certified…”
“I guarantee she’s not scuba certified. Katie’s not exactly the adventurous type.”
“Not adventurous? We’ll see about that.” Gary bobbed his eyebrows. “They don’t call me the best personal trainer in New York for nothing.”
Gherring’s frown returned. “If you put my executive assistant in the hospital, I’m taking my bone marrow back.”
3
Katie re-counted her underwear before zipping the mesh pouch closed. Each type of clothing had a separate packing cube—one for tops, one for shorts, one for skirts, one for sundresses. She’d also included an iron in case the cottage didn’t have one.
“I thought you packed last night.” Nicole, her effervescent roommate, shot through the door and launched herself onto the bed. Katie didn’t complain, even though she now had to remake the bed to its former crisp state. Nicole was Nicole… impulsive and carefree, and full of life. Everything Katie wasn’t. But she was also fiercely loyal and the best friend Katie had ever had.
“I did pack last night. I’m double-checking in case I missed something.”
“Did you bring a swimsuit?” Nicole rolled onto her side, propping her head with one of the throw pillows, destroying its perfect alignment.
“Yes, I stuck one in.” Katie gave her head a small shake. The swimsuit had only been included at Nicole’s insistence. Swimming was part of her exercise routine, but only in chlorinated pools. “I don’t know why I had to pack a suit, since I’m not getting in the ocean.”
“You need to lay out and soak up some sun. It gives you Vitamin D and hormones that keep you happy.”
“I don’t want skin cancer,” Katie argued.
“One week of sun won’t give you skin cancer, as long as you’re careful about wearing sunscreen. Besides, you look great in a swimsuit. Steven Gherring will take one look at you and fall in love, just like that movie, Beach Blanket.” Nicole folded her hands together. “Please, can I be your maid of honor?”
“Number one, I never saw that movie. Number two, I’m not interested in marrying anyone, especially not my boss.”
“I’d marry him in an instant.” Flopping on her back, Nicole wrapped her arms around herself, miming a hug and making kissing noises. “Oh, Steven! I’m in love with you, too. Yes! Don’t worry, I’ll make do with this fifty-carat diamond solitaire until you can buy me a bigger one.”
“Believe me, having a big diamond is no guarantee you’ll be happy. Joseph is proof of that.”
“Joseph doesn’t count. He was a jerk. He cheated on you.”
Yes, because I was too boring for him. Katie kept the thought to herself, having heard Nicole’s flawed-but-devoted-to-her-best-friend opinion on the matter.
“I should’ve known he was too good to be true. Why would a smart, successful guy like Joseph be interested in me?” Katie asked. “I come with too much baggage. I’ve never done anything, accomplished anything. For Pete’s sake, I’m thirty-four years old and I’ve never even been more than a hundred miles from home.”
“You moved to New York City, all by yourself, and found a job and an apartment.” Nicole giggled. “And a great roommate.”
“I can hardly be proud of leaving my parents’ home in my thirties after being jilted by my fiancé. Besides, I was desperate to get away from Allentown once Joseph and Candace moved in together.”
“All that changes today.” Nicole sat up, bouncing on the bed. “It’s a week of firsts for you. First time on a plane. First time going to South Carolina. First time to stay at a gorgeous beach cottage, all-expenses-paid. First time to kiss your boss.”
“Nicole! Stop it!”
She fell back on the mattress, dissolving in laughter. “Okay, you’re not going to kiss your boss. How about that other guy?”
With blood rushing to her cheeks like someone opened a faucet, Katie was glad she was facing her closet. “The other guy? You mean, Greg? No wait, I think his name was Gary.”
“That’s it—Gary,” said Nicole, apparently oblivious to her awkwardness. “I know you said he was rude, but maybe he was just having a bad day. What did he look like?”
“I didn’t pay much attention. I was too busy waiting for thousands of baby spiders to pour out of my desk.”
Nicole laughed again. “I still think that was hilarious, even if you did have a panic attack until he came out and told you he was teasing.”
“I ought to be grateful,” Katie grumbled. “It prepared me for my next panic attack when Mr. Gherring told me I was going on this trip.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t talk them into driving to South Carolina.”
“Believe me, I tried. But Mr. Gherring wanted his plane so he could get back fast if there was an emergency.”
“Why didn’t you tell him you were afraid to fly? Maybe he would’ve rented a car for you.”
“I’m not about to admit that to Steven Gherring.” Katie zipped up her bulging suitcase, wondering if she should separate into two smaller bags. “Last week, he told me I’m the best executive assistant he’s ever had. I don’t want to give him a reason to change his mind.”
“It’s not like he’s going to fire you for having a phobia,” said Nicole. “But if you aren’t going to tell him, you ought to take that anti-anxiety prescription the doctor gave you.”
“I don’t think so. You know how my body is with medicines. If I take one pill I’ll probably pass out and sleep for a week.” Katie tapped a finger on her arm. “Although the internet said it gives you a little amnesia, so maybe I should. Then I wouldn’t remember the plane ride.”
“This trip is important, Katie.” Nicole stood up and walked to the suitcase at the end of the bed, inspecting the contents of one of the packing cubes. “I have this feeling God meant for you to go.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Katie said, “unless He enjoys torturing people.”
“Something important is going to happen in Indigo Bay—I’m sure of it,” Nicole said, re-zipping the cube in her hands.
“You and your feelings. You’re always making a big deal out of things.”
“And I’m usually right.” Nicole picked up another cube and peered through the mesh. “Like when you were working for the travel agency and you put so much time in making that reservation for that little old lady. I told you it was going to be important, someday. Sure enough, that reservation got you your job at Gherring, Inc.!”
“I admit, you were right that time.”
“Maybe, for once in your life, you’ll have a great time without feeling guilty.”
“As long as I don’t get pushed outside my comfort zone.”
“Are you kidding me? Everything is outside your comfort zone.” Nicole shook her head, digging to the bottom of the suitcase where she found the bag containing the swimsuit. She nodded with satisfaction. “Promise you won’t say no to everything, like you usually do. Let yourself have fun.”
“My mom would have a fit if she—”
“Your parents don’t know you’re going, and it’s none of their business. You’re a grown woman, Katie.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” Katie carefully wrapped the cord around her hairdryer and tucked it in the spot she’d saved for it. “Your parents don’t remind you all the time to be careful because you’re the only child they have left.” And that it’s
your fault.
Nicole’s eyes narrowed. “No, they don’t. And yours shouldn’t do that, either. You can’t live your life with that responsibility hanging over you like a ten-ton weight.”
Though Katie agreed, she felt obligated to defend her parents. “They can’t help it. They don’t mean to be controlling.”
“Ughh! I wish so bad I could go with you.” Nicole moved to Katie’s closet, rifling through the contents. “I’d make sure you had a good time.”
“I wish you could go in my place,” Katie said, with sincerity.
“This dress is cute. Why aren’t you bringing it?” Nicole held out a black cocktail dress, a flattering one Katie had bought hoping to capture Joseph’s attention, before she realized their relationship wasn’t simply floundering, but totally wrecked.
“Indigo Bay is casual. I don’t need a cocktail dress.”
“They’re renting a car, so you might drive into Charleston.” Nicole laid the strappy dress across the bed and added a pair of black, high-heeled sandals. “For that matter, Steven Gherring might decide to hop in his private jet and fly you guys to Paris for dinner.”
Katie’s pulse began to fire like a machine gun as her knees buckled. She collapsed on the end of the bed, pressing her hand on her chest to keep her heart inside.
“What’s wrong?” Nicole set a cool hand on her cheek, the concern in her expression ramping Katie’s panic attack to the next level.
“I can’t…” Katie panted, “fly… across the ocean.”
“Why not? It’s no more dangerous than flying across land, really. I mean, either way, if the engine goes out, you’re done for.”
“Not helping!”
Nicole’s eyes went wide. “Oh! Sorry!”
She disappeared, returning a minute later with a washcloth. “Put this cool cloth on your face and take slow, deep breaths. You’re going to be fine. Anyone who can ride in a taxicab in New York City without flinching can handle a short plane ride.”
“Think I’d better… take that pill… for anxiety.”
Nicole’s nose scrunched, and she nodded. “Good idea.”
Half a pill had done the trick. Katie chatted happily with the taxi driver on the way to the airport, all her previous anxiety gone. She was grateful for their late departure time, as the cover of darkness meant she wouldn’t be able to see how high up in the air she was. Though her slightly uneven gait made climbing onboard a bit awkward, she was soon buckled in and fast asleep, waking after the jet was airborne.
From her inward-facing seat, she surveyed her surroundings, still cloaked in an unaccustomed mellowness. Except for the vibration and the roar of the jet engines, she could have pretended she wasn’t zipping through the air inside a hunk of metal that was too heavy to fly. Steven had his computer open, brows bent in concentration, but Gary was nowhere to be seen. Katie retrieved her bag from under her seat and pulled out her phone. Searching through her digital library, she opened one of several books she’d been waiting to read. But the words on the page refused to make sense in her scrambled brain. She gave up and put her phone away, just as Gary returned from a door in the back, his face lighting up when he saw her.
“You’re awake!” He sat down and handed her one of two insulated cups of ice water. “Here. I got this one for Steven, but he’s busy, anyway.”
“Thank you.” She took a soothing sip, trying hard to remember why she’d been so angry with the man.
“Listen, I want to apologize for scaring you about the spider eggs. I was only teasing.”
“My roommate thought it was funny,” she answered cheerily, amused by the slight slur that crept into her speech. “I didn’t.”
“Don’t you ever tease? Maybe a little?”
“No teasing in our house. Dad was very serious.” She held up a finger to mimic her father. “He always said ‘A moment of carelessness can ruin your life.’”
“I’d say, ‘A life without a carefree moment is no life at all.’”
Katie’s fuzzy mind chewed on the statement. “Then I guess I don’t have a life, because I can’t remember a carefree moment.”
Gary’s jaw tightened, his blue eyes glinting with determination. “We’re going to change that this week. I’m a personal trainer, you know. I’m going to teach you how to be carefree.”
Katie envisioned a massage table, soft music, strong hands kneading warm oil into her tight muscles. Perhaps his hands.
This idea has promise.
“How does one become carefree?” she asked.
“My plan involves a bucket list. I’m working my way through it.”
“A bucket list?” Even with her anti-anxiety pill, the thought made her pulse race. “Like what?”
“A lot of things I’ve already done, like skydiving, helicopter skiing, bungee jumping, diving with sharks. But my list keeps growing, so I’ll never get through it. I’d like to surf in Australia, climb Mt. Everest… stuff like that.”
“Sounds like you have a death wish.” She should’ve known from the moment they met—too bad they were so incompatible.
“I’m not afraid to take a risk, if that’s what you mean.”
How could she have let herself become attracted to someone like him, her opposite in every way?
“I should introduce you to my roommate, Nicole. You guys are a lot alike.”
“How so?”
“She jokes around, and she’s not afraid of anything. She’s even been sky diving, like you. She’s remarkable.”
“I’d rather get to know you.”
His clear gaze penetrated deep into her soul, with such gentle sympathy, she felt her walls begin to crumble. She almost told him her family history—why her parents had become so overprotective. It was a story she’d only shared with Nicole.
But alarms began to ding inside her head. She barely knew this man who was tempting her to reveal her deepest secrets.
This drug is making me lose my self-control.
“I’m boring,” she said. “Nothing special.”
“I know you’re the only PA who’s managed to keep Steven happy for more than six weeks.” He glanced toward her boss, still intent on his work. “And I know he probably wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t come. That makes you special in my book.”
She wanted to believe him. And in the far-back corner of her mind, a tiny part of her did.
Gary listened to a podcast on his phone. Or at least he tried to. Mostly, he watched his seatmate sleeping, her dark lashes splayed on rosy cheeks as her pouty lips parted with gentle breaths.
Why was he so fascinated by her? No doubt, she was attractive. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her he’d fantasized about kissing those lush lips. But he encountered plenty of beautiful women on a daily basis, some of them his fitness clients. Yet what he felt with those others was nothing like the magnetism that drew him to Katie. It was beyond physical. Something in her soul. Like a common spirit, trapped inside a strict façade.
The plane suddenly dropped in the air, and a claw clamped onto his forearm.
“What was that?” Katie squealed, her terrified eyes scanning the area is if the plane might fall apart.
“It’s okay,” Gary soothed as he peeled her death-grip off his arm and clasped her hand in his. “It’s just a little turbulence. Like a bump in the road, only it’s in the air.”
When it happened again a few seconds later, her eyelids squeezed as tight as her hand. Though he enjoyed the contact, he tried not to read too much into it.
This is only a nervous reaction. It doesn’t mean she likes me.
“Is this your first time to fly in turbulence?” he asked.
“Yes,” she squeaked. “I think you look like Superman.”
Huh?
“Superman?” Gary cleared his throat. “Is that a good thing?”
“In case we die, I thought you should know,” she said, her face pinched with tension. “You have the same eyes.”
He couldn’t help being pleased at the compar
ison.
“I think your eyes are beautiful, too,” he said. “I love how they change color. Today, they’re gray-green.”
“I call them hazel. I guess they’re okay, but I like yours better.” Her cheeks flushed crimson. “I mean, I’ve always wished mine were blue, like yours. And Mr. Gherring’s—his are blue, too.”
“Because of Superman?” he teased, distracting her through another bump in the air.
“I’m sorry. I think this medicine makes me say things I shouldn’t say.”
“What medicine? Dramamine?” He stroked his thumb on her skin, enjoying the velvety soft texture.
“This stuff’s a lot stronger than Dramamine. It’s like I’m drunk or high or something.”
“Why are you taking medicine?” he asked, hoping it wasn’t something serious.
“Anxiety. I’ve never flown before. It’s the only way I could make myself get on the plane.” Her throat convulsed with an audible gulp. “And I wasn’t planning to tell you that, but here I am, running at the mouth again.”
“If you were afraid to fly, why did you agree to come?”
“Mr. Gherring needed me. I couldn’t let him down.”
Guilt hit him in the face. It was because of him she’d been forced to fly for the first time in her life, and she’d been too embarrassed to confess her fear.
She wrested her hand away and wrung it in her lap. “You must think I’m the wimpiest person in the world. I’m afraid of spiders and flying and everything else.”
“No, I don’t. Everyone’s afraid of something.”
“You’re not afraid of anything.”
“I’m afraid of…” He paused, trying to come up with an explanation without bringing up the cancer. “I’m afraid my life will end before I’ve really lived. None of us know how long we have on this earth. So my mantra is, ‘Live life to the max, for tomorrow you may die.’ That’s why I have that bucket list.”
Her brows drew down. “Mine is, ‘Don’t be stupid, and live a long time.’”
“You might live longer, but why bother?”
