by Claire Adams
“It was still wrong,” he said. “Oh, and despite what I said down there, I don’t expect you to share a bed with me. I only said that to shut him up.”
“I know,” I laughed. “I appreciate you sticking up for me. But, if we’re being honest, I actually am the help.”
He shrugged. “That’s not how I see it, at all. You’re here as my guest, and I want you to enjoy yourself. So, if there’s anything you need to be comfortable or-”
“Dirk,” I said firmly, interrupting him again. He stopped talking and blinked. “Do you even see where we are?”
I gestured behind me toward the beach with a laugh. He stared out at the water. A small, content smile spread easily across his face.
“How could I possibly be any more comfortable than this?” I asked, with a laugh.
“Can we go out to the water now?” Josie asked, from the bedroom doorway.
“Honey, I need to unpack our things and arrange for lunch to be sent over,” Dirk said. “Once I’m done, then we can-”
“I can take her,” I interrupted. “If that’s okay.”
“Of course,” he said. “But, are you sure? Don’t you want to get settled in first?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Are you kidding? I just want to put my toes in that water.”
“Okay,” he said with a smile. “Well, you two go on then.”
Josie squealed with joy when I held out my hand. She ran across the room and grabbed my arm, half dragging me outside. When we reached the sand, we both took off running as fast as we could. She was giggling and screaming before we even reached the water.
On the plane ride, it was easy to forget how young Josie was. Her vocabulary and mannerisms were that of someone a few years older, but one the beach, she was just a little girl. Her excitement bubbled over and spilled out of her mouth, and she screamed and jumped around with joy. I laughed as I watched her dip her tiny toes in the water for the first time.
“Brr! It’s cold!” she yelled and jumped back with a laugh.
“I bet it’s not,” I teased.
“It is!” she said, “Try it.”
I tiptoed forward, being as dramatic as possible. Josie watched me with wide, excited eyes. When I finally reached the water, I jumped back with a squeak, and she roared with laughter and ran toward me.
We kicked and splashed the water at each other. Soon, we were both soaked through and happier than I could ever remember. There weren’t many moments in my life when I was completely peaceful — when a blissful existence was possible. As I played on that beach with Josie by my side, I felt comfortable and relaxed for the first time in years.
My thoughts weren’t revolving around my studies or my latest client. In fact, I forgot I was even working while I played with Josie. I forgot Dirk was even a client, and when he finally made it out to join us, I thought of him as nothing more or less than a great friend.
“Come here, you!” he roared playfully, lunging for Josie and scooping her up into his arms. He ran with her to the water and set her down, letting her splash him, trying her best to shove him over into the water. With great exaggeration and drama, he finally landed with a thud and a splash.
“Way to go, Josie!” I called with a laugh.
I ran over to them and looked down at Dirk. He was grinning as the waves washed over him. I reached out my hand to help him up, but a devilish looked flashed in his eyes, and I knew it was too late. He grabbed my hand and yanked me down, tossing me into the water right beside him.
Josie laughed harder than ever as a wave washed over my face. I rose up out of the wave, dripping wet and sputtering, but happy. Dirk was laughing a huge belly laugh, one I hadn’t yet heard from him.
“You’re going to pay for that,” I said, trying to keep a serious tone in my voice. It was no use. With one look from Dirk, I was erupting in another fit of giggles.
The three of us spent the rest of the afternoon playing on the beach. We splashed in the water, completely ruining our clothes. The jeans I wore were dripping and stuck to my skin. Dirk’s pants looked even worse. Only Josie remained unscathed in her delicate sundress.
Still, we didn’t care about our clothes or the temperature of the water. As we collapsed on the sand to warm up, I felt my body tingle with joy. Josie flopped down beside me, Dirk on her other side. She reached out her tiny hand for mine, and I held it close, clutching her freezing fingers between mine.
At that moment, I didn’t care about the money. Dirk was paying me enough to pay off all my student loans. By the end of the vacation, I would be debt free. This opportunity was a dream come true, but I barely cared. The entire experience would have been worth it just to spend this time with the little girl by my side.
Chapter Eleven
Dirk
By the time we left the beach, the sun was already beginning to set. Josie was stifling a yawn as she stumbled through the door of the bungalow. I smiled at her ruffled hair and red eyes. We’d only been in California for a few hours, but her exhaustion was evident.
“I can get her bathed and ready for bed,” Marissa offered. “If that’s okay?”
“That would be amazing,” I said. I shouldn’t have been surprised by her willingness to help. She fawned over Josie almost as much as I did.
“Come on,” she said, holding her hand out to Josie. “Let’s find you some pajamas.”
“Okay.” Josie covered her mouth as another yawn overcame her.
I watched the girls disappear into the bathroom with a small smile on my face. My own exhaustion was growing with every passing second, but I wasn’t ready to succumb to sleep. We’d just arrived, and I wanted to enjoy every minute of this vacation.
The water began to pour into the bathtub, and I could hear Josie giggling as Marissa helped her inside. As I fell back on the couch, I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the waves coming in through the open doors. They were only interrupted by the occasional laugh or squeal from Josie. Even from the living room, I could hear how tired she was. It was no surprise when she fell asleep within five seconds of her head hitting the pillow.
“Are you hungry?” I asked Marissa when she joined me in the living room.
“Starving,” she said with an eager nod.
I picked up the phone and ordered room service for us. We sat together in the living room, not talking. Every time I glanced at her face, I expected to see some discomfort, but there was none. If she was bothered by the silence between us, it didn’t show. Her eyes were focused on the sea, watching the waves crash against the shore as the stars began to shine against the black sky.
“It really is beautiful here,” she said, speaking more to herself than to me.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” I said. She smiled at me politely and then looked back outside. “I mean that. I really want you to have a good time on this trip. I know it’s a job, but-”
“Dirk,” Marissa said, her eyes locked on mine. “You don’t have to keep convincing me. I can tell you feel awkward about this arrangement, but you don’t have to. I’m fine. More than fine.”
I nodded, relieved. She was right. Ever since we’d boarded the plane, I could feel myself growing more and more stressed. Marissa was amazing and kind. Beautiful and caring. I found it hard to believe someone like her was willing spending time with my daughter and me. I often had to remind myself that she was working and nothing more.
“I just don’t want you to feel like this is a job,” I said.
“Well, it is my job,” she laughed, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun while I’m at it.”
Her smile, like always, was contagious. Without even trying, she coaxed a matching one to my lips. I leaned back against the couch cushions and let another comfortable silence wash over us both. She didn’t tear her eyes away from the ocean until our food arrived.
When it did, we ate quickly and silently. My body was weak with exhaustion, and judging by the way Marissa kept rubbing her eyes, she fe
lt the same.
“We should get some rest,” I said when we both finished eating. “Thanks for having dinner with me.”
“Are you kidding?” she laughed, “That was the best burger I’ve ever tasted.”
“You need to get out more,” I said, with a chuckle of my own.
“That’s probably true,” she said.
“Have a good night,” I said.
She nodded, but didn’t move. We stayed there for a few seconds, both awkwardly looking around the room.
“The second bedroom is yours,” I said, finally understanding her hesitation. “I’m taking the couch.”
“No,” she said quickly. She shook her head and added, “That’s insane. I can sleep out here and…”
“Marissa,” I said firmly. “This isn’t open for discussion. Josie is sleeping soundly in the master. I can move her if I need to, but I’m absolutely not letting you sleep on the couch.”
She hesitated for another few seconds, not sure what to say. I watched her dark brown eyes slide over the couch and then toward the bedroom door. There was a subtle hint of longing in her eyes. I knew it probably wasn’t often that she was able to spend the night somewhere as nice as this — if ever. The least I could do was help make her experience worthwhile.
“Are you sure?” she finally asked. “I really don’t mind the couch.”
“This may come as a shock to you,” I said. “But, generally speaking, I am a gentleman.”
Marissa laughed and nodded. She pushed herself out of the chair and walked slowly across the living room. I tried not to watch her as she slipped through the door and pulled it closed behind her. Even with the door closed firmly between us, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away.
It was hard to fall asleep. The waves were loud, and even with the doors closed, I could still hear it every time they crashed out over the sand. It should have been soothing, a lullaby that gently rocked me to sleep, but it wasn’t. It was jarring and gave me the perfect excuse to let my imagination run free. Instead of sleeping, I lay on the couch and stared at Marissa’s bedroom door, wondering what else there was to learn about her.
***
I woke with the sun the following morning. My eyes felt heavy, and my neck ached from sleeping on the couch. Still, when the first wave of salty air wafted through the living room, I grinned and made my way outside. Marissa was already there, lying in one of the hammocks with her hands tucked behind her head.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Morning,” she smiled sleepily. “This view was too good to pass up.”
“I don’t blame you.”
The air around us was still cool from the night, and the ocean breeze blew over our faces. My neck stopped aching, and I was suddenly wide awake. There was something about the California air, or maybe it was Marissa’s presence, that forced me into full consciousness in the most pleasant way.
“When will you wake Josie?” Marissa asked.
“I won’t,” I said with a shrug. “I’ll poke my head in and check on her, but it’s vacation. She can sleep as long as she wants. Besides, yesterday was a long one for her.”
“It was,” Marissa said with a nod. “She passed out quickly last night. One minute she was talking and bam, she was out.”
“She does that,” I laughed. “I wish I could sleep like that.”
“You can’t?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Never,” I said. “Maybe it just comes with adulthood, but that ability to fall asleep within seconds is just not something I have.”
“Same here,” she said. “I usually toss and turn for hours.”
“Even last night?”
“No,” she said with a sigh. “Last night was the best sleep I’ve had in ages. I don’t know what that mattress is made of, but it’s amazing.”
We spent the next few minutes chatting about the bungalow and the many benefits within. The air was beginning to warm up, but I could have stayed there talking to Marissa all day. If she hadn’t sat up to climb out of the hammock, I would have.
“I have some work to do on my thesis,” she said. “Do we have any plans for the day?”
“Not yet,” I said. “I’m sure Stanley and Eloise will plan something for tonight, though I kind of hope they don’t.”
Marissa nodded and slipped back inside, disappearing into her bedroom. When she returned, she was carrying her computer and a few notebooks. I watched her set everything up on the coffee table and get to work.
As the morning progressed, I wanted to ask Marissa about her thesis, but she was so focused that I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt her. Instead, I drifted back outside and took up residence in the hammock. I let the warm morning air blow across my face. It wasn’t often that I could simply sit back and enjoy my day. Back home, I would already be at the office.
“Daddy,” a small voice whispered from my side. I opened my eyes to see Josie standing there, her blonde curls falling over her face.
“Good morning,” I said. “How’d you sleep, Princess?”
“Good,” she said with a shrug. “But, I’m hungry. Can we have breakfast please?”
“Of course.” I jumped out of the hammock and led Josie back inside. “Marissa, are you hungry?”
“Sure,” she closed her books and turned to face Josie with a smile. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Eggs Benedict,” Josie said in that matter-of-fact tone of hers.
Marissa turned to me with raised eyebrows. I just laughed and shrugged. Josie’s sophisticated taste wasn’t new to me. Her favorite breakfast was Eggs Benedict, and her favorite dinner was filet mignon.
“For you?” I asked Marissa.
“Waffles, please,” she said.
I nodded and ordered our breakfast. We ate together at the little kitchen table and then spent the day lounging around. Marissa worked on her thesis a little more while Josie and I walked around the resort. By the time evening was beginning to approach, Josie and I were curled up together on the couch watching a movie.
A sharp ring tore our attention away from the TV as Marissa hopped up quickly to answer the phone.
“Hello?” she said. “Hi, Stan. Dinner?”
“Tonight?” I asked, checking my watch for the time.
“Two hours?” Marissa said. She turned to me with wide eyes. I just sighed and nodded. It wouldn’t do any good to deny Stan and Eloise. “Great. We’ll meet you in the lobby.”
She hung up the phone and turned to me with a silent question in her eyes. I knew she didn’t want to ask why my mood seemed to suddenly deflate, not with Josie in the room.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Le George?” Marissa said, with a frown. “Do you know it?”
I nodded. “Best restaurant in town.”
“Well then,” Marissa said. “That means us two ladies need to get dolled up, don’t we?”
Josie just giggled and let Marissa lead her out of the room. Marissa shot me another inquisitive look before she disappeared to get herself and Josie ready.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go to Le George. The food was incredible, and I knew Josie would flip over their dessert choices. Still, the idea of having dinner with Stanley, Eloise, and Marissa made my stomach churn nervously.
Le George was the nicest restaurant in town. Fancy was an understatement. My nerves began to act up as I hurried into the other room to change. Marissa had been nothing but poised since the day we met, so I knew she would be able to handle the restaurant. Still, I worried about Stanley and Eloise.
Would they be pushy toward Marissa? Would they put her on the spot? And if so, would she be able to hold up under the pressure?
Everything I knew about Marissa screamed confidence and strength. It wasn’t likely that someone as petty as Eloise would be able to throw her off her game. Still, I found myself wiping sweat from my palms as it neared time to leave.
“We’re ready!” Josie said, with excitement in her voice as she reappeared
from the bathroom.
I grinned as she spun around to show me her dress and hair, which Marissa had braided elegantly down her back.
“You look beautiful,” I said, with a smile.
“Bonita,” Josie corrected. “Marissa says I look bonita.’”
Marissa stepped out of the bathroom wearing a floor-length black gown with gold accents. She looked radiant. My eyes didn’t leave her until it was time to make our way to the lobby.
Chapter Twelve
Marissa
Stan and Eloise were waiting for us in the lobby. When we arrived, Eloise made a show of looking me up and down with her nose wrinkled.
“You look just lovely, dear,” she said, through pursed lips. I knew she didn’t mean it, but it wasn’t worth causing a scene.
“Thank you, Eloise. That’s very kind of you,” I said. The smile on my face felt worse than fake. It was as if someone had stitched it on, making it impossible for me to relax my cheeks for even a second.
“Shall we go?” Stanley asked, offering his arm to his wife.
“We shall,” Eloise said with a girlish giggle.
When their backs were turned, I allowed myself one eye roll. I knew this dinner was important to Dirk. When the phone rang in our bungalow, I could see his shoulders tense from across the room. The idea of spending an entire evening with Stanley and Eloise was obviously stressful to him. I couldn’t help but wonder why he agreed to this trip if he didn’t even enjoy their company.
We stepped outside and were quickly ushered into the back of a limo. I slid all the way toward the front, with Josie glued to my hip. She was clearly just as uncomfortable with the situation as her father was.
“What do you think you’ll order tonight?” I asked her softly.
“Um,” she paused. “What do they have?”
“I’m sure they have everything,” I said. “Your dad said this is the best restaurant in town.”
“Le George is the best restaurant in the state,” Eloise corrected loudly. My eyes flickered up to meet her scrutinizing gaze. I hadn’t realized she was listening.