Page 14 of Love Off Course

“Dale, honey, why is that young man carrying that young lady?”

“She’s having a tantrum, Doris. He has to set her straight.”

“SET ME STRAIGHT?! WHAT YEAR IS THIS?!”

“Nineteen eighty-three,” Doris says at the same time Damian says, “Twenty friggin’ twenty.”

“It was a rhetorical question!” Sheridan yells. “Someone help me! Estefania!”

Estefania whines, shooting me a pleading look. Poor girl is the closest thing to a friend Sheridan has around here.

“Don’t worry,” I assure Estefania. “I’ll put her down soon. Follow me.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Sheridan warns. “And your dog too!”

Toro barks, trotting past us, unfazed by the threats.

“He’s so scared,” I tell her, laughing. “Did you forget the part where he weighs more than you and the fact he’s a damn bullmastiff?”

I toss the last set of keys to Estefania. She squeals when they hit her in the chest and then fall to the sand outside the hotel room.

“Nice catch,” I deadpan. “This is your room. Bunk up.”

“Sherrie-dan, we are to be roommates,” Estefania says with a squeal as she picks up the keys. “I am so excited!”

“No,” Sheridan huffs. “Put me down. Now.”

I slide her down my front, setting her to her feet, but don’t let go. Her face is red and her brown eyes blaze with fire. Once silky smooth chocolate-colored hair is frizzy and wild. Goddamn she’s beautiful.

Fuck!

She stings too.

Her thumb and finger pinch my stomach through my shirt before she releases me. She pokes her finger into my chest, glaring at me. “If I never speak to you again, it’ll be too soon.”

“Yes!” Estefania huffs in solidarity, choosing to poke me as well. “Sherrie-dan does not speak to handsome pilots anymore!”

I lift my brows. “Handsome, huh?”

“Smug bastard,” Sheridan rages, charging for me again.

Estefania grips her arm and pulls her into the room. “The handsome pilot is not worth your anger.” Then, Estefania gives me an icy glare.

“He’s not handsome,” Sheridan growls. “He’s an idiot.”

As soon as the door slams in my face, I shake my head and take off walking down the path. This place causes a storm of emotions inside me. While I love seeingMamáand the rest of my friends and family, it feels haunted. Empty. Missing the heart of what made this place the joy of my childhood.

It’s missingmi papá.

And it’s all my fault.

Bitterness sours my stomach, reminding me of my hunger. Rather than hitting my villa, I follow my nose. As much as I want to hate Eduardo, it’s hard to hate someone who loves your mother. Even if he is a mindless idiot most days. Regardless, the man can cook.

With the hurricane on its way, many of the hotel workers are out doing what we always do when this happens. Putting away anything that might blow away. Hammering plywood over glass windows and doors. Sandbagging low-lying areas. But not Eduardo. Nah, that big boy will be in the kitchen slaving away to feed the crew hard at work.

I look around forMamá, but she’s nowhere to be found. This woman lives for this hotel. At one time, I thought she loved itmore than me, but like any good mother, she set me straight a long time ago when I bitched about such things.

Siempre eres mi estrella brillante en el cielo, mijo. You’re always my bright star in the sky, son.

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