Page 89 of The Mating Quest
“Perhaps. I like Florida. I like mingling with Skins. Humans fascinate me. They’re complex and yet simple, and passionate. The ones we have as customers and clients opened my eyes to the greater world around me. Some of them are incredibly brave and how they survive the unspeakable, I don’tknow.”
Ilana looked at the other diners. “Skins have a magick of their own. I once thought as you did. Then I saw war, and cruelty and what Skins cando.”
He set down his glass. “Like Others, they have two sides. They’re not all terrible, and you can’t judge Skins based on the behavior of those who are selfish, cruel and evil. The ones I’ve made friends with, the ones I go boating with and play guitar with when I get a chance, they’re altruistic and fun. Devoted to family and causes they support, like conservation and helpingothers.”
True. She’d forgotten what it was like and had closed herself off to dealing with any of them, after the disappointments of the past fiveyears.
“We’re surrounded by them here,” she mused aloud. “It’s been a while since I interacted with them. Or had anything resembling a good time withSkins.”
On a stage a few tables away, a band set up and began playing soft rock. Ilana leaned back to enjoy the music. After a few songs, the lead singer asked if anyone wanted to jam with them. Feeling daring, she waved herhand.
“Ethan plays a mean acoustic guitar,” she calledout.
He rolled his eyes. “Ilana…”
The crowd began chanting. “Ethan,Ethan.”
With a mock scowl on his face, he pushed away from the table. “I’ll get you forthis.”
Laughing, she watched him take the guitar offered by a band member. Ethan began playing classic folktunes.
The applause was loud and enthusiastic. “Can you sing?” someone calledout.
“For me to sing, you’ll have to convince the pretty lady at my table to join me. She has an amazing voice. Ilana, come onup!”
Her jaw dropped. People turned, looked at her and began chanting “Ilana,Ilana.”
Oh no… but the chanting grew louder. Shaking her head, she climbed onto the dais. Ethan’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “Gotcha.”
Her self-consciousness faded under his infectious grin. “If I’m going to do this, you’re going down withme.”
The band’s leader handed them song sheets. “Try this.Both SidesNow.”
Ilana studied the lyrics and nodded as the piano player began to play. She and Ethan began to sing, sharing the song sheet. He had a beautiful tenor voice, filled with emotion as hesang.
When they finished, the applause was thunderous. Ethan bowed and she gave a little wave. Before the crowd called for more, Ethan thanked the band leader and herded her back to theirtable.
A little girl, no more than five or six, came up to Ethan with a red rose. “Mommy said to give this to you to give to your girl as thanks for her singing. It’s her favoritesong.”
“I’m not his…” she started to say and then smiled as Ethan thanked the child. He handed her the rose. Ilana inhaled the delicatefragrance.
The child beamed and ran back to hertable.
“That was a lot offun.”
“Change your mind about humans?” hewhispered.
Ilana smiled. “They’re not allbad.”
He glanced outside. “If we leave now, we can just make sunset. Much as I like Skins, a deserted beach with you sounds much moreappealing.”
She had toagree.
Half an hour later,her red rose rested in a bud vase Ilana found in the kitchen. They sat barefoot on the beach, watching the yellow sun peer between indigo storm clouds. In the distance, a couple strolled hand in hand, their heads bent close to each other. Wanting to know, yet not wanting the answer, she asked him if he’d ever brought his lovers to the beach for long, romanticwalks.
His trousers rolled up to show the strong curves of his calves, his brown hair tousled by the wind, Ethan gave a lightlaugh.
“Ilana, I haven’t had a lover in a long time. Life got away from me, I was too damn busy and no one interested me.” He paused. “It’s been a year and I certainly did not have time for any long, romanticwalks.”
