He smiles weakly and looks at the surrounding faces. “I’m on vacation. Let’s talk about business some other time.”
The answer was true enough. I imagine most people don’t work on vacation like I do, but I wonder if he’s only trying to avoid the discussion.
“I get it,” I say. “Maybe we can schedule something when you get back.”
“Yeah, maybe,” he says, and I think he has no intention of setting up a meeting.
I look for the server, but he’s busy, so I turn back to Guerrero. “So, how long are you here for?”
“I leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Not before we go on that Off-road Adventure,” says the girl next to him. She wears this fake pout she must think is sexy but looks rather ridiculous on her grown-ass face. But she may have inadvertently helped me out.
I raise an eyebrow. “Off-road Adventure?”
“Yeah, the one the front desk recommended. It sounds freaking awesome.”
“Yeah. I know the one,” I say. “I’m booked on that one tomorrow, too.” Of course, I haven’t booked it, but I’ll make damn sure I’m registered before I head back to my room.
“Cool,” says Guerrero. “Guess I’ll see you there.”
“Yeah, yeah. See you there.”
He turns back to his friends and laughs at one of them, putting two shot glasses in his mouth and throwing his head back. Realizing tonight is not the right time to chat him up, I walk back to the lobby and inquire about the excursion.
“What do you mean, it’s all booked?” I ask the receptionist.
“There are no more spots on the bus.”
“Well, then get me a car to follow that bus.” I know my response is terse, but she doesn’t understand how important it is that I’m on that tour tomorrow. I came all the way to St. Kitts to talk to Guerrero and I’m not missing this chance.
“You’ll have to pay for two tickets to offset the cost, sir.”
“Fine, charge me for two. I don’t care, as long as I’m there.”
She types something on her computer and then hands me two blue tickets with the words Off-road Adventure on it. “Please meet here in the lobby at 8 a.m.”
“Thank you.” I grab the tickets and head toward my room.
As I pass the lounge bar, the vocalist sings a jazz song, and she hits a low, sultry note at the same time I walk by. The woman from earlier closes her eyes on that note and slowly sways her head from side to side, pressing her lips together, absorbed by the song. Realizing I never got that drink at the bar, I stop at this one and order a Negroni.
Even with my back turned, the music still reaches me and eases my muscles. I try to think about something other than business, but work consumes me. The musichelps though, and I tune out all other conversations and center my thoughts on the sound.
A feminine voice interrupts my focus. “Can I buy you a drink to say thanks?”
I hadn’t noticed her freckles earlier, but now that she’s closer, I can’t miss them splattered across her nose and cheeks.
“The drinks are included.”
“I know, but I want to thank you for your gentlemanly behavior earlier.”
No one has ever described my behavior as gentlemanly, nor have I deserved such praise in the past. I admit it was generous of me to let her have the room, but it also seemed like a dick move to watch her pack her things and leave when she obviously looked quite happy to be there.
“Like I said, it’s no problem.” Looking around, I confirm my earlier assessment but decide to ask anyway. “Are you here alone?”
She smiles. “Yes. How about you?”
“Yep. I always travel alone. I prefer it, actually.”
