Page 18 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

A s Deb was getting ready, Matteo’s number lit up her phone. She tapped it from the edge of her bathtub and answered.

His voice rang out over the speaker. “I forgot to tell you to dress casually. Be sure to wear something you can move in.”

Deb was curious now. “Are we playing tennis or sailing?”

Matteo said, “It’s a surprise, but what I have in mind won’t be rigorous. Not for you, anyway.”

After hanging up, she stepped from the tub and wrapped herself in a light cotton robe. Peering into her closet, she wondered what would be suitable. She’d hardly had time to wash clothes lately.

She reached for a white sundress she hadn’t worn in a long time and put it to one side.

A surprise, he’d said. She would have to trust his good taste, but she wasn’t worried.

At the window, Duke rested his chin on the sill, watching every movement outside.

“Hey boy, tell me when Matteo arrives, would you?”

Duke pricked his ears and turned back to her as if to acknowledge her request.

She sat on a velvet chair beside her vanity. As she smoothed on her skincare and sunscreen, she thought of the past week and how busy it had been.

After the drama of yesterday with Grant and her brothers, Deb had tried not to dwell on it. All day, she’d taken the service elevators and stairs to avoid running into Grant or Kitty.

However, she missed Mason and Teddy. They were good kids, but they were summer kids. She knew she shouldn’t become attached to them. Their father was here now, so they didn’t need her anymore.

She’d arrived early at the hotel and spent her day coordinating with Knox, calling suppliers, and making alternate arrangements.

Painters had mistakenly used an incorrect paint color in one meeting room, and artwork was delayed for another.

Despite the challenges of her work, she loved what she did.

Guests would see the finished look and hardly give a thought as to what it took to conceive and manage a job of this size. That was the point. They should appreciate the ambiance, not the effort. She thought of her work as a theater production: whatever happened backstage, the show must go on.

Holding up the white dress in front of her mirror, she shook her head. “Too sheer, too flirty.”

Duke dipped his head in agreement.

Hastily, she decided on a coral tank top and matching skorts, paired with a white linen overshirt and sparkly white sneakers she’d bought at Babe’s shop in the village. She changed and glanced at herself in the mirror.

This will do , she thought. It’s not a date.

As she snapped on a silver bracelet, Duke whined from his perch.

Looking out, she saw Matteo walking to the front door. “Thanks, Duke. I want you to be nice when you meet Matteo.” She shook out her hands and drew in a deep breath, expelling a bit of anxiety as she released it.

As if sensing her nervous energy, Duke trotted beside her.

Deb rubbed his furry neck. “Nothing to get worked up about.”

After her unsettling encounter with Grant, Deb agreed to Matteo’s invitation as a distraction. Yet, she’s spent a restless night replaying old memories. Even her morning run with Duke hadn’t sufficiently cleared her head.

Maybe April had a point about Grant.

Matteo knocked on the door, and she opened it. He wore loose, crinkled cotton trousers and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

“How’s this?” she asked, gesturing to her outfit.

“It’s perfect, and you look gorgeous.”

He greeted her with a light kiss on each cheek. As he did, she detected a fresh, woody citrus scent on his skin and recognized it as one a local perfumer made.

“You’ve gone full island,” she said.

“I went shopping today.” He gestured to his impossibly white sneakers, then held out his hand to Duke.

That’s a nice gesture , she thought.

Duke sniffed his hand and, after a few moments, bestowed his approval with a lick. The dog nudged his way between them, demanding attention.

Matteo laughed and knelt. “The true man of the house,” he said, scratching Duke behind the ears.

After Duke received his due attention, Matteo looked up. “Hope you’re ready for fun.”

“Should I be worried?” Deb asked, picking up her purse.

“Never,” Matteo replied, grinning. “Only intrigued, I hope.”

As they approached his car, Deb noticed a backpack on the rear seat. “Are we hiking somewhere?”

Matteo opened the passenger door for her. “Not hiking, but we’ll be active. I hope you don’t mind a slight change from the traditional dinner date.”

“I’m fascinated,” Deb said, sliding into the seat.

They drove through town, chatting easily about the island and Matteo’s vineyards.

He told her that in Argentina, he tended the vines his father and grandfather had planted and married before he turned twenty.

Years later, after his divorce, he’d taken a soul-searching trip to Napa Valley.

There, he’d stumbled upon a neglected vineyard and bought it on impulse.

Deb enjoyed hearing about his past. “Is that where you met your second wife?”

He nodded as he drove. “I want to be transparent with you. I’m human, so I make mistakes, but I try to learn from them.”

“Good advice,” she said, trying not to think about Grant. “Where are we headed?”

“Have a little patience,” Matteo replied with a playful smile.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot beside Regal Bikes.

“A bike ride?” she asked, pleasantly surprised.

“This island is so rich with beauty, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. We’ll enjoy the sunset from a special place.”

He opened the door for her and grabbed his backpack.

Inside the shop, Adrian Marino was making an adjustment on a bicycle. His salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back in his usual ponytail, and his hands moved with precision. Classic rock music played in the background.

Adrian greeted Matteo with a firm handshake and gestured to a pair of shiny bikes. “You’re ready to go. Best in the fleet for you and your princess.”

Deb grinned and greeted Adrian. She’d grown up with him, so he was like another brother, though far less annoying.

The bell over the door jingled, and Adrian’s son strolled in, his sun-bleached hair still damp. Sailor stopped when he saw Deb. “You’re renting these?”

“Matteo is taking me on a mystery bike ride,” she said, introducing them.

While Sailor and Matteo shook hands, Adrian added, “Sailor is heading to Huntington Beach tomorrow for the U.S. Open of Surfing.”

“That’s impressive,” Matteo said. “You must be pretty good.”

Sailor shrugged with modesty. “I do my best.”

Deb was proud of one of the island’s own. “Sailor has been surfing since before he could walk. Now he’s a champion.”

The younger man grinned. “This will be Maileah’s first time attending the U.S. Open. We’re expecting big waves.”

“Maileah is my best friend’s daughter,” she said to Matteo, who seemed to take all the island connections in stride. “Many of us grew up together, so we’re practically related. Adrian and I have known each other forever.”

“I can relate to that,” Matteo replied without a hint of jealousy. “Reminds me of my home in Mendoza. Many of our families are as entwined as the vines.”

After wishing Sailor well, Deb and Matteo wheeled their bikes outside. The late summer sun was heading toward the horizon, though they still had an easy hour before sunset.

“Which way?” Deb asked as they mounted their bikes.

Matteo gestured to one side. “Adrian told me there’s a secluded beach this way.”

They turned away from the main beach, pedaling along the coastal road.

They rode side by side where they could, chatting easily.

The pathway curved around rocky outcroppings and through patches of wind-sculpted pines, offering impressive views of the Pacific.

This part of the island was natural and preserved from development.

After about twenty minutes, Deb gestured to a narrower trail that led toward a small, sheltered cove. “The locals call this Lover’s Beach.”

“This is the one Adrian mentioned,” Matteo said.

They dismounted their bikes and walked the rest of the way.

Deb removed her helmet. “Few tourists come here because it’s hard to find. Except for those who want some privacy. Mostly teenagers, but they come later.”

“It’s perfect,” Matteo said, taking in the view.

The small crescent of pink sand looked deserted, framed by rock formations that created a natural sense of privacy. The sun edged toward the horizon, but they still had time.

He retrieved his backpack and took Deb’s hand, leading her to the sand.

As they walked, Deb enjoyed the feeling of his hand solidly in hers. Though his touch lacked the magnetic attraction she’d felt touching Grant’s hand, it was sure and trustworthy.

Matteo stopped and dropped his pack. “This looks like a good spot.”

From the backpack, he produced a lightweight blanket, which he spread on the sand, followed by a paper bag and a bottle of wine. He brought out two shatterproof wine goblets and a corkscrew.

“This one is from my California vineyard. Would you open the bag while I pour the wine?”

Deb brought out a loaf of crusty sourdough bread, along with a container that held a selection of grapes, berries, cheeses, and sausages. She recognized the label from a gourmet shop in town.

She appreciated his effort and his excellent taste. “You thought of everything.”

“I enjoy elegant simplicity.” He poured two glasses of wine and handed one to her. “To unexpected journeys.”

They clinked glasses and settled onto the blanket, watching waves race to shore. The setting sun brushed the sky with rosy tendrils. Deb sipped her wine and sighed, truly relaxing for the first time since her encounter with Grant.

She had to get him out of her mind.

“This has always been my favorite time of day,” Matteo said, watching the sun sink lower. “At home, my family would gather on the terrace at the vineyard at this time. My grandfather used to say that even the most ordinary day deserves a beautiful ending.”

Deb smiled, touched by the sentiment. “Your grandfather sounds like a wise man.”

“He taught me everything about wine and quite a bit about life.”

Their conversation flowed easily from Deb’s design work to Matteo’s travels, from island gossip to childhood memories. As they ate and chatted, deeper streaks appeared in the sky.

“There goes the sun,” Deb said. She loved this time of day.

Matteo put his arm around her, and she leaned easily into the warmth of his embrace. As the last sliver of sun disappeared beneath the horizon, he turned to her. His eyes sparkled in the waning light, and she could feel his breath. Feeling curious, she tilted her face to his.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since we met,” he murmured.

Deb hesitated as thoughts of Grant flashed unbidden through her mind. But as her lips met Matteo’s, those thoughts receded. His kiss was tender and inquisitive. She slid her hand against his chest, then let her fingers linger on his cheek. This togetherness was pleasant, and she felt safe with him.

After a moment, he pulled back slightly, studying her.

“I’ve been looking for a woman like you. Smart and adventurous, who knows how to enjoy the fine things in life.” He paused to kiss her again. “I’d like to be alone with you. Will you take a trip with me soon?”

As handsome and intriguing as he was, a wave of uncertainty filled her. She knew what he was suggesting. “I’d like to know you better.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “We don’t have to rush. I have the summer.”

Relief washed over her. She nodded toward the trail. “This part of the path isn’t lit, so we should start back soon.”

He rose and helped her to her feet. After gathering the remains of their picnic, they made their way back to their bikes.

Once they’d left the rural area behind, the island’s lamp lights flickered on in the gathering dusk, guiding their way. They returned to Regal Bikes, now closed for the evening, and locked up the bikes as Adrian had asked.

“It’s still early,” Matteo said. “Would you like to listen to the pianist at the Ferry Cafe and have dessert?”

“That sounds nice, but I have an early meeting.” For now, this was all she wanted.

As they drove back to her house, Matteo reached for her hand. The gesture was comfortable. At her door, he kissed her once more.

“Thank you for a lovely evening,” Deb said.

“The first of many more to come, I hope,” Matteo replied.

As he got into his car, Deb watched, trying to envision a future of summers with him. Or, if he asked, would she leave the island for him? He was certainly interesting and pleasant enough.

He waited for her to go in, so she stepped inside.

Leaning against the door, she thought about their kisses. The unbridled passion might not be there with Matteo, but the depth of what she’d felt with Grant scared her. Matteo was a safer choice, one in which she could control her feelings.

Duke charged from the bedroom to greet her, his legs nearly sliding out from under him in his excitement to see her. He wagged his tail madly, pawing at her as if for reassurance.

Deb knelt to hug him. “Don’t worry. It’s still just us, boy.”

Another thought formed in her mind. If there was room in her life for someone new, Matteo might be the perfect antidote to Grant.