Page 5 of Unwrapping Spring Break

When I’m a few feet away, I glance over my shoulder, checking to see if he’s following me.

“Now.”

It’s been a weird night. My emotions are all over the place and conflict with each other, pulling me in too many ways. It’s time to call it a night and deal with the reality of what happened tomorrow.

Chapter Four

Jax

Ihaveabusinesstrip next week. A new cigar maker in the Bahamas wants to make a deal for us to import their product and sell it in our stores. Since they are a new client, Alexander and I have to go there to inspect the quality of their cigars. If they’re on par with the quality we carry in our stores, the negotiations for a year-long contract will begin.

Sadly, this won’t be a quick trip like most new ones we take. It’ll take less than a week, and having all my ducks in a row is essential. The financials for the trip are on an open spreadsheet on my laptop.

It’s broken down into segments: expenses, budget numbers for the new product, and miscellaneous. I know the figures like the back of my hand. I started working them out when Alexander and I decided to take a closer look at the new distributor. All I need to do is run them one more time to ensure their accuracy. Relatively simple. Yet, my mind is on anything but work.

I’m staring at the screen but Lily invades my mind. At the grand opening, I noticed the blond streaks throughout her chestnut hair. Several other things about her come to mind, such as the curve of her hips and the length of her legs. Her perfume had been not overpowering, but enough to make me a little dizzy in the best of ways. But it’s not her physical attributes that occupy the time I should be dedicating to my job.

It’s everything else.

Her tongue can be as sharp as a knife, with a wit to match. She’s quick to laugh and knows who she is. She doesn’t shy away from awkwardness, and she’s calculated in how she’s learned to avoid situations she wants no part of. All these traits are astounding, in my eyes. Eyes that should be looking over the numbers for my trip.

I shake my head, bringing myself back to reality and warding off risky thoughts of Lily. To keep my thoughts at bay, I navigate back to the tab with the list of hotels for the trip. Then I flip through them until I find one that works.

I can tell from the photos that the rooms on the website don’t accurately represent their appearance. I’ve traveled enough by now to know how to interpret the images and flattering descriptions, especially ones out of the country. Using my experience, I’ve narrowed it down to two hotels. The one close to the airport is the obvious choice, the location being ideal for business meetings. But the other is the one I’m lingering on.

This hotel is off the beaten path, more expensive, but still within the budget allowed. Slightly pushing said budget, but I never shy away from pushing budgets or boundaries.Unless it’s with my partner’s daughter.The restaurant and lounge on the premises guarantee privacy. There’s also a conference room that includes a buffet and minibar. Other amenities include room service for breakfast, a personal concierge for the entire stay, and a private beach. Extravagant? Absolutely. It would be a great place to stay if a certain young woman goes with me.

I can imagine Lily walking on the beach, wearing a bikini top and a crocheted wrap tied around her waist, strands of her loose hair flying in the Caribbean breeze. The image weakens my resolve to keep things as they are. I’m aching to see this scene as reality. Without a second thought, I pick up my phone and call her.

She picks up on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“Lily.” The sound of her voice makes me smile. “It’s Jax. How are you?”

I interpret a moment of silence as confusion. Although we’ve spoken on the phone before, this feels different.

“Fine. And you?”

“Good, good.” While I have her on the phone, I tap away at the keyboard, making our reservations with the hotel. “When is spring break at your school?” I know the answer already since Gretchen has talked about how much she wants Lily to spend time at home. I have to ask, though.

“Next week,” she answers, sounding baffled. “Why?”

I add a guest to the reservation but choose a room with two beds. I may be a little rough around the edges, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a gentleman.

“Get out your passport. Pack a bag with a swimsuit and bring sunscreen. We’ll be spending a week in the Bahamas, so pack accordingly.”

I complete the hotel reservations, then switch to the airline. While I already purchased my ticket, adding another will be no problem. First class is rarely full, especially flying out of Crimson.

“Wait, what?” Her confusion grows. “Why would I go to the Bahamas with you?”

I grin but dismiss her question. “Our flight leaves at nine on Friday, so I’ll pick you up at seven. See you then.”

Quickly, I hang up before she can argue. Lily is a planner. She’d prefer to have time to figure out every last detail and create our itinerary. She can put her time to better use than arguing with me.

Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. Lily knows the cigar business as well as her father and I do. She grew up surrounded by cigars and has absorbed everything she’s heard us discuss when she was around. Though few and far between, but there’s been a surprising moment or two when Lily’s corrected us about the details of a specific brand. Alexander and I stare at her in amazement when that happens.

In addition to the rational reason for her to accompany me on this trip, it will be the perfect opportunity to explore these new feelings. The kiss between us sparked something. Is it something real, or a byproduct of being alone for so long? It’s been ten years since my late wife passed away. I’ve spent time with Lily before and nothing has arisen, so why now? Is this a natural reaction to Lily herself, or is it me taking the next emotional step in the healing process? There is no time limit to process grief. Maybe spending some time with Lily will help.

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