Island in the Sea
Page 24
“I broke your trust and I’ll never do it again,” Lionel finished. “I need a chance to show you how much I love you.”
Juliet walked to the French doors and gazed at the turquoise swimming pool. She turned around and Lionel saw her cheeks were flushed and her eyes glistened.
“I love you too,” Juliet whispered.
He crossed the room and kissed her softly on the lips. He put his arms around her waist and drew her toward him. She kissed him back and he inhaled her scent of jasmine and vanilla.
“You have a signed White Album?” She smiled, pulling away.
“I bought it at an auction at Elton John’s Princess Diana fundraiser,” Lionel said. “George and Ringo and Paul all signed it, and John wrote in purple pen.” He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I can’t wait to show it to you, it hangs on my bedroom wall in Chelsea.”
“I really have to go.” Juliet fiddled with her gold necklace. “I’ll miss my flight.”
“I’ll call Gideon and tell him to book you on a flight tomorrow,” he continued. “He owes me, the new songs are going to make him bloody millions. You can help me log onto a computer and find a place to rent in Los Angeles. Maybe I’ll get a house in the Hollywood Hills, the lush foliage and ocean views remind me of Majorca.”
He took her hand and led her to the piano. He gazed at her blue eyes and small pink mouth and felt like he had been given an incredible gift.
“First I want to play you my new song. It’s called ‘Juliet.’”
chapter thirty-five
JULIET STROLLED THROUGH THE PLAZA and gazed at the narrow buildings with their green shutters and lacquered window boxes. She saw elegant boutiques filled with brightly colored dresses and fruit stands selling baskets of figs and melons.
She had spent the night at Lionel’s, and they ate eggs Benedict and waffles on the terrace. She drank Gloria’s milky coffee and listened to his new songs.
Now she bought a magazine and a packet of Life Savers for the plane. Her flight left in a few hours and Lionel was going to drive her to the airport.
She walked back to Casa Rosa and admired the beds of pink azaleas and white hibiscus. She saw the bright citrus trees and tall birds of paradise. She turned and gazed at the sparkling Mediterranean and thought she didn’t know one could feel so happy
She pictured Lydia and thought she would invite her to Los Angeles. They would go shopping at Hermès and eat California burgers at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She thought about Gabriella’s high, clear voice and sighed.
She remembered what Gabriella said about love and finally understood how she felt. She opened the door of Lionel’s green Mini and waited for him to join her.
Lionel ran down the front steps carrying a black leather Tumi overnight bag. He wore a Ralph Lauren shirt and beige slacks. His sunglasses were propped on his forehead and his cheeks glistened with aftershave.
“Why do you have a suitcase?” she asked. “You’re dropping me off at the airport.”
“I just got a call from the Beverly Hills Hotel.” Lionel backed the car out of the driveway. “They named a drink after me to celebrate the twenty-third anniversary of ‘Going to Catalina’’s release. It’s going to be called THE LIONEL, black cherry vodka with lime juice and agave syrup. They offered me five free nights in the Paul Williams Suite if I came and signed the first glass.”
“It sounds delicious.” Juliet grinned. “I’ve had artists stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel. They renovated the bungalows and the spa does deep tissue massage.”
“I’ve never liked massages.” Lionel bristled. “Why would I want a stranger prodding my naked flesh while I listen to Yanni over the loudspeakers? I do remember the beds have the finest down comforters and their spinach egg-white omelet is delicious.” He leaned over and kissed her gently on the mouth. “Maybe I can convince you to join me.”
The car swerved and narrowly missed a white Fiat. Juliet straightened her skirt and laughed.
“Keep your eyes on the road, so we get to the airport in one piece.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Lionel clutched the steering wheel.
Juliet gazed out the window at the quaint farmhouses and green valley and clear blue Mediterranean. She saw the stone monastery in Valldemossa and the orange wood tram. She turned to Lionel and smiled.
“It sounds wonderful. I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my fantastic agent, Melissa Flashman, and my wonderful editor, Lauren Jablonski, for being such a joy to work with. I am so fortunate to have a tremendous team at St. Martin’s Press: Staci Burt, Karen Masnica, and Laura Clark in publicity and marketing, Elsyie Lyons for her wonderful covers, and Jennifer Enderlin, and Jennifer Weis.
Thank you to new and old friends for always being there: Traci Whitney, Pat Hazelton Hull, Laura Narbutas, Andrea Katz, and Christina Adams.
And thank you to my family: my husband, Thomas; and my children, Alex, Andrew, Heather, Madeleine, Thomas; and my daughter-in-law, Lisa, for giving me everything I could wish for.
1. Working in the music industry has meant that Juliet never had the time or opportunity to fall in love. If you were Juliet, would you have chosen a career more amenable to getting married and starting a family?
2. Gabriella has no interest in being a big star—all she wants is to own a restaurant and start a family with Hugo. Can you understand her choices? What would you do in her position?
3. Do you think Henry really falls in love with Juliet? Give examples of his words or actions that support your position.
4. Lionel finds reading poetry and classic literature to be soothing when he is depressed. What do you do when you are feeling down?
5. What are your feelings about Gabriella’s grandmother, Lydia? Do you approve of the choices she has made in her life? How do you feel about her relationship with Gabriella?
6. Juliet and Gabriella are great friends, but Juliet still goes behind Gabriella’s back. How does Juliet defend her actions? Do you agree with her?
7. Do you think Juliet is right in giving Lionel a second chance? What would you do if the person you loved lied to you, even if it was for the right reasons?
8. The setting of Majorca plays an important part in the book. Is it somewhere you would like to visit? If so, what attracts you most?
9. What are your feelings about Samantha? Do you think she really loved Lionel, and did she act too hastily?
10. When an author writes a book, often characters evolve and take on traits the author never imagined. Island in the Sea has some strong characters. Who is your favorite and why?
St. Martin’s Griffin
also by anita hughes
Rome in Love
French Coast
Lake Como
Market Street
Monarch Beach
About the Author
ANITA HUGHES is also the author of Rome in Love, French Coast, Lake Como, Market Street, and Monarch Beach. She attended UC Berkeley’s Masters in Creative Writing Program. Hughes lives in Dana Point, California, where she is at work on her next novel. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Acknowledgments
Discussion Questions
Also by Anita Hughes
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
ISLAND IN THE SEA. Copyright © 2016 by Anita Hughes. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Elsie Lyons
Cover photographs: Island © holbox/Shutterstock; woman © Anthony Horth/ ImageBrief.com
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-08042-4 (trade paperback)
ISBN 978-1-250-09150-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-9234-7 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466892347
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
First Edition: April 2016