Page 72 of What Happens in Paradise

‘That would be a very good idea.’ She nodded.

We sat down and ordered a selection of dishes including beer-battered shrimp, rum BBQ spare ribs and a dish called ‘Ital’ which was roasted vegetables with herbs and spices in an olive-oil sauce. Jasmine said she remembered her grandmother making it and wanted to try it so we did.

After we had eaten our mains, we tried the sweet potato pudding and traditional rum cake.

I was glad that I had come here. Not just because I had the chance to spend more time with Jasmine (and kiss her multiple times), but also because the menu and the dishes we had tried had given me a lot of inspiration.

Another cocktail later and Jasmine and I were back on the dance floor, our bodies rubbing against each other.

This time, neither of us even attempted to fight our feelings. I was so hard that if we kept dancing for much longer like this, I was in danger of burning a hole in my shorts.

Just when I was about to ask if I could kiss her again, the DJ announced that the café would be closing soon.

‘I didn’t realise the time!’ Jasmine looked at her watch. ‘I should call Bob to meet us.’

‘Vale.’ I nodded, disappointed that our evening was about to end. I had no idea how I was going to survive the three-hour car journey back to our hotel without wanting to kiss or touch Jasmine on the backseat.

When we left the café and saw Bob standing outside, we both froze. He was always happy, but this time, his grin was huge and his eyes looked glazed. I could not see his car, which was strange.

‘Miss Jasmine!’ he shouted.‘Alejandro!Wah gwaan, bredrin?’

I frowned, not understanding what he had said.

‘Wah gwaanmeans what’s up andbredrinis like saying friend,’ Jasmine explained.

‘Oh.’ I nodded.

‘But I think it’s us who should be asking himwah gwaanbecause he doesn’t seem like himself…’ she said quietly. ‘Bob, we’re ready to go now. Are you okay?’

‘Yuh wan fi go back tonight?’He swayed as he attempted to step forward.

‘Yes.’ Jasmine’s face crumpled. ‘That’s what we agreed, remember?’

As he got closer, the stench of alcohol hit me.

‘Mi sorry, but mi cyaan drive tonite.’

I was glad he had been honest and told us he could not drive instead of pretending he was okay and putting everyone’s safety at risk.

‘Shit,’ Jasmine said, then led me away from Bob. ‘He’s clearly off his face. We’ll need to find someone else to drive us back.’

‘We are three hours away from our hotel. That is a long way.’ I rubbed the back of my neck, considering whether or not to say what I was thinking. ‘We could stay over,’ I suggested. ‘Then Bob can drive us back in the morning.’

‘Stay over?’ Jasmine gasped like I had just suggested we jump off the cliff naked. ‘That’s not a good idea.’

‘It is late. Do you really want to spend time trying to find a licensed taxi driver? And they may want cash. Do you have enough to pay for a three-hour taxi journey, because I do not. Staying at a hotel is a valid company expense. It is the most sensible option.’

Jasmine chewed her lip in silence, probably trying to decide what to do next.

For me, it was clear. A hotel was the best option.

Was a little part of me hoping that our rooms would be close together and that Jasmine may decide to visit me in the middle of the night to continue our kiss? I would be lying to say that had not crossed my mind. But I still thought staying over made sense.

‘Okay.’ Jasmine blew out a breath as her fingers flew across her phone screen. ‘Looks like there are some hotels nearby, so we can go and check their availability.’ She walked over to Bob. ‘We’re going to get a hotel room. I mean,twohotel rooms,’ she corrected. ‘Are you coming?’

‘Nuh,’Bob shook his head.‘Mi gwaan sleep inna di cyar.’

‘You sure sleeping in the car will be comfortable?’ Jasmine frowned. I liked that she cared about whether he’d be okay. Most bosses would not be concerned about a taxi driver.

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