He smiled, his gaze softening. “Thanks for making my vacation something to remember.”

Their food came and Felicity spread her napkin on her lap, sure that her cheeks were turning pink. “Do you have any pets?” she blurted out, trying to think of anything else to take the attention off her.

“No. I’m allergic to cats and I’m not really a dog person.”

“I think Mabel is adorable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cuter dog.” Now words were just coming out for no reason. Why was she talking about her ex’s dog while on a date with another man?

“I had a pet snake when I was a teen.”

Felicity balked. “A snake? Like a little garter one?”

“A ball python.”

Just the thought of a snake that large made her anxious. How could anyone enjoy one as a pet? “Really?”

“Yep. Named him Fluffy.”

Felicity couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Nice.”

Harold’s eyes sparkled. “The best part was feeding him. I’d go to the pet store and buy a live rat—”

“Stop!” She held up her hand, her stomach feeling queasy. “I don’t want to know about that.”

He pressed his lips together. “Sorry. I forget not everyone loves that kind of thing. Maybe I should tell you about my brother’s pet instead.”

“If it eats rats, don’t bother.”

“Nope. A ferret. The little fur ball would climb onto his shoulders and just sit there while he walked around.”

“Yes. Tell me about that one. Ferrets are much cuter than snakes.”

Harold put on a mock hurt look. “Fluffy was cute.”

“I bet.” She bit into a piece of shrimp and tried to think of something else they could talk about. The rest of the conversation centered on his job and aspirations in life.

After they finished their meal, Harold walked her to her villa. As they approached, Felicity grew nervous. Would he expect a kiss? Harold nervously tapped his leg as they slowed. The light from a nearby lamp post cast shadows on his face. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it. “Good night. I’ll see you around.”

“Good night, Harold.”

She watched as his figure disappeared into the shadows. He was a nice guy, but she knew she wouldn’t see him at her villa again. They didn’t have anything in common, and something told her he knew it. She took out her key card and slid it into the slot, opening her door.

Her villa was dark, which was odd. She was sure she’d left a light on in the living room. Had Grams been in her place? She shook that thought off. Why would she sneak in and turn off the light? That was too weird.

Felicity felt along the wall for the light switch. When her fingers found it, she flipped it up. Nothing happened.

She turned it off and back on, then felt stupid. If it didn’t work the first time, why did she think that would work? But, even so, she flicked it off and on again once more in the hopes that, for some odd reason, the lights didn’t work because she hadn’t flicked the switch off and on enough.

Dang. No power. She pulled out her phone and texted Aiden.

Is it just my villa without power?

His answer came back quickly.

What? You have no power? I thought we fixed that.

Maybe the lightbulb was just burned out. She inched her way into the living room area and fumbled for the knob on her lamp. Nope. The knob clicked, but no lights came on.

She messaged him back.