by Rachael Wade
“Which one are we looking for?”
“The yellow one. On the corner, there.” The car rolls to a stop and the driver steps out to open the door for us.
“This is it? We could’ve walked.” I slide over the seat and out into the heat, glancing at the small, yellow storefront. It sits on the end of the building, at the very edge of the sidewalk. The pale yellow paint is peeling and the bright green shutters look as if they’re seconds from collapsing and toppling to the ground.
Tanner smiles coolly, leading me forward as soon as Lana and Brie join us. “Could have. But what kind of host would that make me?” He winks and smoothes his hand over my lower back. “This is the place. Come on in.” He strides forward and holds the door open, and the second we’re inside, I’m stunned by the life in the room. The space is small, just as it appears to be from the street, but energy abounds from wall to wall. Waitresses zip around with trays, serving all kinds of bright, festive drinks, and a cluster of dancers are tearing up the tiny dance floor, which is stationed in the center of the room near the equally tiny bar. The sun hasn’t even gone down, and this place is on fire.
Lana’s expression shifts from curiosity, to surprise, then wonder. “Oh, Tanner.” She nods emphatically and surveys the room. “You did good, Sir. You did good.” She squeezes his shoulder, grabs Brie’s hand, and beelines it straight for the dance floor. “An!” she calls over her shoulder, “join when you’re ready!”
I wave and shout back, grinning brightly. “Behave yourself, lady!” She sticks her tongue out and then disappears with Brie into the crowd, leaving me with Tanner. “Well?” I look up at him, feeling his eyes on me. “What first, Mr. Christensen?”
A wicked glint teases his irises but he seems to rein the mischief in. I admit I’m a little disappointed. I like when he starts trouble. I like it a lot. “I believe you have some work to get done first.”
I pout. “Work?”
He smirks and smoothes a thumb over my lips. “Oh, now you’re spoiled indeed.”
“How can I possibly work in this place? I want to eat. And dance. Come with me!”
“I have someone I’d like you to meet, first.” He takes my hand and directs me away from the lively scene, back behind a velvet curtain that leads into a compact hallway with a single door. A crooked Manager sign hangs in the center. Shouting echoes from behind the door.
“Are you sure we should go in there?”
“That’s just Bernhard. He’s always yelling. Not to worry.”
“Uh…”
Tanner doesn’t knock, just opens the door and leads us inside the tiny office. Boxes and boxes of paperwork line the small space, and files are strewn everywhere—all over the desk, even on the floor. My fingers itch as I process the disorganized chaos. This is far worse than Tanner’s office. If I stand here too long, it’s certain to give me a headache.
Bernhard, a tall, tan, blond man stalks back and forth behind his little antique desk on his phone, hollering at some poor soul on the other end of the receiver. When he notices our presence, he holds up a finger and rolls his eyes.
I lean into Tanner and lower my voice. “He seems awfully grumpy. Maybe we should come back.”
“Bernhard’s always grumpy. It’s part of his charm.”
“What language is he speaking?”
“Dutch. Aruba is a part of the Dutch Caribbean islands.”
“Ah, okay.” I nod and attempt to tune into Bernhard’s conversation. I’m fascinated by the dialect—not that I know a thing about the Dutch language in the first place—and find I’m instantly taken with the man, despite his unfriendly demeanor.
He hangs up and throws his hands in the air, turning to face Tanner. “How do they expect me to accommodate three hundred guests in this place? What do they think I am, a magician? What, do they want me to knock out some walls, call in an interior decorator? Psshh!”
“How’ve you been, Bernhard?” Tanner chuckles and moves forward to clasp hands with him.
“I’d be much better if I didn’t have to deal with these idiots!”
“I’m sorry to hear things are hectic, but it looks like business is good, yes? Perhaps I can help you with this event. I’ll put you in touch with my mother. She won’t be able to fit three hundred guests here, but she knows how to work around these sorts of obstacles. She deals with this thing on a regular basis at the hotel, as you know.”
“Ah, yes, yes. She’s a crafty one, she is.” Bernhard runs a hand through his slick, blond hair and tugs at his belt, pulling his pants up and over his gut. “Well, well. Who is this beauty you’ve brought with you?” He redirects his attention from Tanner to me, and suddenly his expression isn’t nearly as rigid. It’s warm and welcoming, and much to my relief, a lot less intimidating.
Tanner steps aside to introduce me. “This is Anya Banks. She’s a travel writer for Four Corners Elite. She’s writing exclusively for the Trident Voyager and Crown Jewel.”
“Is that so?” Bernhard veers around the desk and takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles. “Well, Miss Banks, welcome to our island—and our family!”
“Thank you.” I smile sweetly and take a subtle step away from Tanner to enter business mode, bringing my hands together in front of me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tanner rests a hand on Bernhard’s shoulder. “I thought you could spare a few minutes to speak with Anya about what you do here, and how long you’ve worked with our family—at your convenience, of course.”
“At my convenience?” Bernhard huffs and puffs, chuckling as he shoos Tanner toward the door. “I always have time for you, my boy.” He winks and sends me a devilish grin. This man is definitely aging, no doubt about it. Flecks of grey litter his blond hair, and the skin around his eyes is losing its tightness. “Off you go. Leave me with the lovely Anya.”
Surprise lights Tanner’s face and he looks at me in question.
“It’s fine,” I laugh, watching the feisty Dutch man push him out of the office. “See you in a bit?”
“Yes,” Tanner points as he slips through the door, “take your time, but don’t be long.”
“Ah, the pressure.” I wink and wave briskly, trying and failing miserably to suppress my amusement.
“So, Anya. Tell me.” Bernhard closes the door and points to the seat across from his desk. I thank him and sit down. “What is it you’d like to know about me and my business?”
“Wow.” I smile, scanning the mess on top of his desk. Panic hits me—an excited panic, but panic all the same. “Talk about being put on the spot. I’m sorry, I wasn’t prepared to visit Aruba today, much less interview someone who works with Tanner.”
“He’s good at that, isn’t he?” Bernhard chuckles, fussing with his belt as he plops into his leather chair. “Throwing you to the wolves!”
“He sure is,” I mumble beneath my breath, wondering if this man has any idea just how dead on he is with this observation. “Well, I suppose I can start with asking how long you’ve known Tanner and his family, and how it is that you came to work together?”
“Ah, sure, sure.” He nods earnestly, leaning forward to fold his hands on his desk. “Tanner’s father was Dutch too, you see. He spent many years here in Aruba before relocating to Florida. It still astonishes me, just how alike they looked—the same features, same hair, same everything.”
I tilt my head, quickly moving forward to scramble through the pile of papers on Bernhard’s desk in search of something to write on. I spot a blank notepad and snatch it up, and Bernhard hands me a pen. I get to work. “So, you were friends with his father, first?”
“Ah, yes, yes. We go way back. Tanner had always showed an interest in the Trident Voyager, although he possessed an abundant rebellious streak, growing up. I just assumed it was a part of him being a single, free young man with his own opinions. When you’re young and wild, you’re determined to make your own way, even when you’re brought up around wealth. Sometimes even more so, you know, to prove a poi
nt and all. Well, Tanner was, at least.”
“Tell me about the history of this place. Have you owned it since its original launch?”
“This club is my first and only born. I have no children, no grandchildren, so this is my baby. Smaller than a ship, but just as mighty!” He releases a deep, hearty belly laugh, and his eyes shine with fondness for the building in which we sit, the place that no doubt has brought much joy to this man’s life.
I click the pen and cringe as I open my mouth to ask my next question. “Forgive me, Bernhard, but what is the name of the club? That’s what I get for being thrown to the wolves.” A little, nervous laugh bubbles up and Bernhard takes mercy on me, shaking his head in laughter.
“Anneke. It means gracious, or merciful.”
“That’s beautiful. I take it there’s a story behind it?”
“Ah, there’s always a story behind everything, lovely. Some are best left to the imagination though, wouldn’t you say?” He winks and I jot down a reminder to do some digging on the origin behind the club’s name. I may never discover the true reason for his choice, but my curiosity is peaked and I don’t doubt I’ll have fun entertaining a few theories.
As I’m scribbling on the notepad, my eyes are continually being drawn to the warzone that is this man’s office. It’s beyond distracting. I sit up, straighten my shoulders, and decide to take a leap. It’s quite the risk, considering Bernhard is not a man I’d ever want to cross, but he’s warming to me and it can’t hurt.
I hope.
“Okay,” I grin slyly, “there’s nothing wrong with maintaining a little mystery. I like it.”
“But?”
“Haha. But I have to ask…”
“Oh, boy.”
“This office.” I wave my hands in exasperation. “Can we talk about this office?” Bernhard looks cautious at first, then confused. His gaze slides from left to right, and I take pity on him. He’s beyond lost. “I have a knack for organization. It kind of drives Tanner mad.” I clear my throat as Bernhard narrows his eyes, the confusion shifting to curiosity. “Would you mind terribly if I straightened some things up while we chat? I like to stay moving while I work.”
Bernhard leans back in his chair and cracks his knuckles. “Tell me, Anya. Have you met Jade Simmons?”
I swallow. Hard. “Yes. I have. She hired me, actually. It’s a very…recent arrangement.”
“You remind me a lot of Jade.”
There’s a sickening punch to my gut. My head spins.
Bernhard must sense the panic, because he lightens up a bit on me. He lowers his voice and glances at the door. “This is off the record, just between you and me.”
“Okay…”
“I’m not fond of Jade. Not one bit. If you ask me, she’s a hoity-toity socialite who never grew up. She likes to throw her weight around and quite frankly, it pisses me the hell off. I see how she’s moving in on Tanner’s ship—fast and ruthlessly. Like a snake!”
“Um…Bernard, I don’t know if—”
“Your desire to learn, your professional demeanor—that’s what reminds me so much of her as I sit here with you. But you possess something she doesn’t, lovely.”
I stutter and blink. And blink some more.
He inhales deeply and eyes me, studying my face. “Grace. Grace and dignity. You’re a gem, I can tell.”
I gulp, choking on a laugh. “Bernhard, with all due respect, I just insulted you. I implied your office is a disaster area and that it needs to be straightened. How is that graceful?”
“You did, you little witch! You called me out on my mess!” He chuckles and slaps his palm on the desk. “But it’s the delivery that matters, don’t you see?” Wagging his finger in the air, he rises and gestures for me to join him near the filing cabinet. “You spoke up, but you did it gracefully. Professionally. You turned my mess around and made it about you, instead of embarrassing a poor old man. You could’ve easily told me I was a slob. But you didn’t.”
I stand to join him, watching quietly as he slides open the top drawer. He thumbs through a few files, grunting when he finds the one he’s looking for. “Yep, this is the one.” He shuts the door and hands me the file, tapping the top in finality. “Everything you’d want to know about my club is in that file. Feel free to take it with you. Just be sure to return it to me before you leave Aruba. You have my permission to use anything in that file for your publication.”
I look up, eyes wide. “Really? Wow, Bernhard…I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say thank you, honey. And take the damn thing. That’s all there is to it. Now.” He claps his hands and turns to survey his desk. “About this straightening up nonsense.”
I bite my lip.
“Maybe it’s not such nonsense, afterall.”
“Oh, I don’t have to—”
“Pssshhh!” Bernhard swats his hands in the air, blowing out a sharp breath. “Oh, yes, you do. That file right there is a goldmine, my dear. Contains things that even Tanner himself doesn’t know. You have to pay up! I reserve the right to put you to work!” He squeezes my shoulder and points to his desk. “Go on, lovely. Work your magic.”
I scuttle around the desk and set the file next to my bag, then return to his side. I fold my arms and bite my fingernail, sizing up the mess before me to decide which area I want to tackle first. “If you insist.”
“I insist.”
Like a busy worker bee, I get moving, first sorting and stacking papers into various piles. Next I work on the office supplies, shoving paperclips and staples into their appropriate spots in the desk drawer. I laugh to myself as I work on the sticky notes next, knowing Tanner would be barking at me if he were here to see the task.
After a vigorous clearing of Bernhard’s desktop, I finish the job off with a quick polish, using some tissues and furniture spray to make the desk shine. I even dust the bookshelf and top of the filing cabinet, wiping my hands off on some spare tissues when I’m done. I release a satisfied sigh and reach for my bag and the Top Secret file Bernhard’s entrusted to me.
“My work here is done!”
Bernhard stands still, watching me, his mouth agape. “You, my dear, are a machine.”
“Hey, I warned you.”
“You did, indeed. It’s so damn clean, I’m not sure what to do with it.” He looks grumpy again, completely lost and deflated. I can’t hold back my laugh. It reminds me too much of how Tanner overreacts when I mess with his sticky notes.
“Bernhard, I assure you that you’ll work much better now that your space is clear and tidy.” I send him a flirty grin and take a little bow. “You’re very welcome. You’ll thank me later, I promise.”
“Okay, okay.” He huffs and walks around the desk to guide me to the door. “I suppose I’ll just have to take your word for it. It’s not everyday Tanner brings a smart, successful, confident woman around who’s willing to clean my office.”
As he says the words, I feel my face fall. My gaze drops to the floor and I quickly move to meet him at the door. I reach for the doorknob but he stops me cold, his hand meeting my chin, lifting it so his eyes can find mine.
“My dear, I’m going to say something to you and it never leaves this room. Nod to let me know you agree, please.”
My lashes flutter and I nod softly, stunned still.
“Jade Simmons has nothing—and I mean nothing on you. Whatever it is you have going on with Tanner, you hold your head high. Don’t let her intimidate you. Not for one second.”
“What—what makes you think I’m involved with Tanner—”
Bernhard’s lips curve. “Please, my dear. I’m getting old, and I’m a grumpy bastard, but I’m not a stupid one. Tanner does not bring women to Aruba. He doesn’t bring them here. Ever. And he certainly doesn’t introduce them to me. He’s taken with you. You’re a fool if you can’t see that.” He lets go of my chin and steps back to open the door. He nods politely, slipping back into business mode. “Miss Banks, it was a pleasure.”
My cheeks flush crimson as I exit. “Thank you, Bernhard. Same here.” I lift the file in the air, thanking him again, and then I’m gone.
EIGHT
When I return to the party, I find Lana and Brie doing the Macarena. It’s a scary, scary sight. Tanner’s watching from the bar with a coy expression, munching on something. I can’t see what yet. As I approach, I realize it’s a tray of some very fancy-looking nachos.
“Warm, processed cheese. And more cheese. Classy.” I pinch his shoulder as I join his side, dipping a finger into the pile of gooey yellow sludge.
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“It smells divine.”
“Tastes it, too.”
I crunch on a mouthful and groan. “So, how long has this circus show been going on?”
“It started as soon as I left you with Bernhard. They’re still doing the Macarena.” One of his brows arches as he glances at my friends. “To Lady Gaga.”
I tilt my head. “Interesting.”
“Mmhhmm.”
I reach for another handful of nachos, going quiet. I spot a tiny speck of cheese on the corner of Tanner’s mouth. Swiping at it with my finger, I give it a taste. He glances down sheepishly. It’s sort of adorable.
“Hey. I was saving that for later.” He pouts and I stretch to kiss him on the cheek.
“Changed your mind about public affection, have you, Miss Banks?”
“Have you?” I study him with shifty eyes, waiting.
“I’ve changed my mind about many things since you came along, Anya.” He scans the room and runs a finger along the edge of the nacho tray, collecting a clump of cheese. He sucks it from his finger and turns his body around to stand in front of me, effectively trapping me against the edge of the bar. In one smooth sweep, he lifts me onto the bar stool and places his hands on either side of me, palms down on the countertop, caging me in.
I gasp and tilt my head back to stare up into his baby blues. My instinct screams at me to look around the room, to check for any sign of onlookers. I’m not sure why it matters anymore. Plenty of people on and off the ship have seen us together by now. I just kissed him openly right here, in front of everyone. Hell, he was bold enough to nearly screw me back at the beach house on Alvita, when Jade was home.
