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I pushed my hands from the railing of the deck and walked back inside my room. I took off my travel clothes and changed into swim trunks. Then I called the front desk to have some appetizers and a cocktail delivered to the room. After I hung up, I walked back to the deck and launched myself off, landing in the clear, blue waters below.
That afternoon, I ate fresh fruit and French fries from the deck and sipped on Mai Tais, as I floated in the warm waters. It felt like I was on my own private island. Brody had been right. This was a good idea. Areallygood idea. I couldn’t remember the last time I had taken a vacation. I had traveled for work, sure, but not for leisure in a very long time. Maybe this was what I needed to forget everything.
I pulled myself onto the deck, water dripping off of me, and faced the sun. I heard my phone ring on the deck chair. I reached over and grabbed it. It was Brody. I accepted the video call.
“Hey, bro,” I said, grinning.
“Wow. Is this my brother actually smiling?” he asked.
He was in his office, and for a second I felt guilty for not being there, but he had been the one to insist on this trip.
“Yeah, yeah. You were right. This place is amazing.”
“Wait, wait. What was that?” He cupped his hand to his ear.
I rolled my eyes. “You were right,” I said.
He gave me that annoying triumphant smile of his.
“I told you it would be just what you needed to get out of whatever funk you’ve been in.”
“I’m already feeling better. Look at this place,” I beamed, as I turned my phone and showed him the view of my room and the ocean surrounding.
“Wow. Maybe I should have gone instead. It has been tiring doingallyour work for you.”
“Ha ha,” I laughed sarcastically. “How is it going over there?”
“We’re moving forward on the design process with the London offices. Thank God. I never thought we would actually get anywhere with them. But enough talk of work. You are there to relax.”
“How do you do that again?” I asked with a smirk.
“You’ll learn,” he replied. “Now get back to paradise. I’m just about to go to lunch. Enjoy, bro.”
“Thank you, Brody.”
I hung up and pulled myself to stand, my body already dry from the sun. I padded into my suite and into the bathroom. I took a long shower and got dressed for an early dinner. The travel days had caught up to me and I was ready to eat and then crash until morning.
I walked down the winding path toward the lobby, passing other guests on the way. It was mostly couples walking hand in hand, their hair wet from the ocean and a frozen drink in their other hands. I smiled and nodded as I passed, trying to be happy for them when they were a reminder that I was alone here.
I found the restaurant just off the lobby. It was open air, much like everything here. I sat at a table on the patio that overlooked the white sand beach. I ordered a whiskey on ice and sipped on it slowly as I watched other guests enter the restaurant.
I did a double-take as I saw a woman with long, dark hair sit at the bar. As if Heart would somehow be here. I laughed to myself, but couldn’t tear my eyes away at the possibility it could be. When I saw her partner join her and she turned toward him, I saw the profile of her face and knew I was out of my head. I took another sip of whiskey and began studying the menu. A moment later, a server came by.
She wore a purple floral halter dress that hugged tightly to her breasts before flowing down to the floor. Her bright blonde hair was pulled into a low bun and her tan skin contrasted against it perfectly. She was probably in her early twenties.
“Hello, Mr. Jacobs. We are so pleased you could join us tonight,” she greeted with a heavy French accent.
“Hello,”—my eyes fell to her name tag—“Collete.”
I let my eyes explore a little more without bothering to hide it. I noticed her cheeks turn a shade of pink as if she were sunburnt. She gave me a knowing smile. She was game to play along.
“Have you had a chance to look over the menu, Mr. Jacobs?” she asked.
“Please, call me Daniel.”
She let out a small giggle.
“I have, but I would love to hear your recommendations. It’s my first time in Bora Bora.”