by Glazer, J B
“Looks like we’re saved,” says Vanessa, as the waiter comes with our food.
We take a break from the game to eat; everything is delicious. Then we decide to head to the casino at our hotel after dinner; Jake and I haven’t been yet. We’re all too stuffed to order dessert, so we request the check. “One last question before we go,” says Vanessa, as she hands the box to Jake.
He grabs a card and reads it aloud. “What’s the one quality you love most about your partner? I guess I’d say I love how strong a person Lexi is. She’s had some big setbacks in her life, but she still has an optimistic outlook. Most people would become jaded, but she embraces those experiences and uses them as opportunities to help others. And she has an amazing ability to connect with people wherever she goes. She always seems to find common ground and makes friends very easily, even with some whom I consider difficult personalities. I guess that was two. I’m making up for being last.”
I smile at Jake. I’ve never really thought of myself as a strong person. I by no means view myself as fragile and definitely would say I’m assertive, but I usually view strong personalities as being aggressive types, which I’m definitely not. It’s interesting to see Jake’s perspective of me. With my aunt passing away and Ben cheating on me, I could have become bitter, but I always try to find the silver lining. In fact, my mom always tells me I’m an eternal optimist. I half listen as Vanessa and Seth give their answers; I’m trying to think of what to say about Jake. There are so many things that it’s hard to choose just one.
When it’s my turn, I say, “His integrity. Jake always wants to do right by people and is upfront and honest. He never would lie or cheat to get his way—he believes hard work gets rewarded, and he’s one of the hardest-working people I know. He works for the family business, so he easily could use that to his advantage. But in fact it’s the opposite. He works twice as hard to make sure he’s viewed as successful on his own accord. I respect that.”
“No wonder you guys are together. You’re both perfect,” Vanessa says, rolling her eyes.
“At least Seth will admit you’re together,” I whisper to her as we’re walking out. “Jake wants to keep our relationship a secret.”
“Thank God there’s a flaw. You two were starting to make me feel inadequate. I guess we can still be friends,” she says, linking her arm through mine.
The four of us head to the casino. Jake wants to play blackjack, but it intimidates me, so I decide to play the slots. He tells me to meet him at the tables when I’m done. Vanessa and I play, and I end up winning two hundred dollars, which is major in my book. I walk over to Jake, excited to tell him about my winnings. He’s at a table with a fifty-dollar minimum. It would give me a coronary to spend that much on one hand, but Jake doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal. When I ask him how he’s doing, he says he and Seth are each down a few hundred dollars. I’m ready to call it quits, but Jake tells me he wants to try to win some of it back. “Stay with me,” he says. “You’re my good luck charm.”
Apparently I am, because he ends up coming out seventy-five dollars ahead. I look at my watch; it’s 1:00 a.m. “I’m tired,” I tell Jake. “Let’s go upstairs.”
We say good night to Seth and Vanessa and promise to keep in touch. When we get to our room, I rummage through my suitcase.
“What are you doing?” Jake asks. “I thought you were tired.”
“I am, but I thought we’d go for a dip in the hot tub before bed,” I say innocently, as I pull out a swimsuit.
Jake gives me a slow, sexy smile and takes the swimsuit from my hands. “I don’t think you’ll need this.”
I take his hand and say, “Come on. Let’s go make your fantasy a reality.”
When the phone rings the next morning, I’m disoriented. I look at the clock and realize it’s our seven o’clock wake-up call. I roll over, and Jake is still fast asleep. He looks so cute and relaxed. I gently nudge him and say, “Wake up.”
He opens his eyes and looks at me. “I was in the middle of a great dream, but this is nice too,” he says, reaching for me.
“No time. We have golf today, remember?”
“How could I forget?”
Jake’s tee time is in an hour, so we quickly dress. I tell him he looks nice in his golf shirt and khaki shorts.
“You’re in a good mood,” he comments.
“I’m really looking forward to driving the golf cart.”
We grab a light breakfast of coffee and bagels, and then we’re on our way. We take a cab to a resort a few miles up the road. I would have booked the golf course at our hotel, but I did some research online, and this one is supposed to be the best. When we arrive, Jake rents clubs and shoes. Fortunately it’s just the two of us in our group. “Good. I have you all to myself,” I tell him.
Jake hands me the keys to the golf cart, and I clap my hands in delight. “You’re like a teenager out for your first drive,” he says.
I steer us to the first hole, and Jake hops out. I watch as he takes a few practice strokes, and then he tees off and hits the ball straight down the fairway. I don’t watch golf that often, but I can tell it’s a good shot. I keep up with the cart after each stroke and notice most holes are on par.
“Are you sure you’re not bored?” he asks me.
“Do I look bored? I get to watch you. Plus we’re surrounded by breathtaking views. Do you golf often?”
“I do in the spring and summer, and I try to hit the range in the fall and winter so when I entertain clients I can play respectably. Believe it or not, I do a lot of business on the golf course.”
“I believe it. What’s your handicap?”
“Four.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s not bad,” he says. “The higher the number, the poorer the player is. Here, you wanna take a swing?”
“OK. I’m used to playing tennis. We’ll see how it goes.”
Jake shows me the correct stance and helps me practice my swing a few times. I hit the ball and ground it about twenty feet.
“Not bad for your first time. You can putt my next shot.”
I do much better at the putting. “I can see how this can get addictive. I actually play a mean game of mini golf.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Well, I haven’t played in years, but I used to be pretty good,” I say as I sink in a shot. I give him a satisfied smile.
“Beginner’s luck.”
Finally we make it to the eighteenth hole. “You know,” says Jake, “I’ve never done it on a golf course.”
“Too bad, Hartman. You used up your wish last night.”
“Yes, the hot tub. Well worth it,” he says, giving me a mischievous grin. I blush at the memory; I did put on quite a performance, given it was his fantasy. After the game we head back to our hotel for lunch. “Thanks for today,” Jake says, wrapping me in an embrace.
“Thanks for letting me do something special for you, although I didn’t give you much of a choice. I can’t believe tomorrow is our last day here.”
“I know. I’m not ready to go back to reality. What do you want to do?”
“How about we spend the day by the pool? We’ve been running around, so it’ll be nice to sleep in and relax.”
“I agree. I’ll book us a cabana.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Tonight we return to Oranjestad for dinner. We found a great restaurant when we were in town shopping the other day. It’s in an old-style plaza shopping center that features a nightly waterworks show set to music. We dine al fresco, and I love watching the eclectic mix of people walking by. Everyone seems happy and carefree.
“What are you thinking about?” Jake asks, breaking my reverie.
“Just that it’s so relaxed here. I’m not looking forward to the stress of coming home.”
“I know,” he says, taking my hand. “It’s been an amazing week. I wasn’t sure how we’d travel together, but it worked out very well.”
&nb
sp; “Yes, we’re very compatible.”
It’s funny that we’ve been dating for a while but don’t get to spend that much time together. Our longest stretch has been just a few days. The waiter comes by with our drinks. I ordered their signature cocktail, which is fruity and delicious.
“Here, try this,” I say, giving Jake my straw.
He takes a sip and makes a face. “Too fruity for me.”
“You’re just saying that because it’s a girly drink.”
“Guilty. It’s not that bad.” We place our order, and I ask Jake what his travel schedule will be like when we return to Chicago. “I have to go to San Francisco on Monday.”
“I figured as much. When will you be back?”
“Thursday.”
“OK, let’s have dinner that night.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule. I may have a date with Ashley.”
I hit him on the arm. “How did you meet her anyway?”
“Through Nick. Believe it or not, she’s actually quite smart. She’s the head of human resources for a consulting company.”
“Really? I never would have guessed. She doesn’t strike me as a people person. She wasn’t that friendly when we met.”
“I’m sure she saw you as a threat,” he says.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Lexi, you’re way more attractive than her.”
“You’re just saying that because you have to.”
“I’m not. Yes, Ashley’s pretty, but you’re much more my type.”
“And you’re my type,” I say, pulling him in for a kiss.
The waiter arrives with our food, and Jake says his entrée is the best fish he’s ever had. He makes me take a bite, and I have to say it’s pretty good. We take a stroll after dinner to kill some time before the water show starts. A few minutes beforehand, we find a spot in front of the fountain. It’s a really nice show and reminds me of something you’d see in Vegas. Jake puts his arm around me, and we stand there watching the water rise and fall in time to the music. The show lasts about ten minutes.
“Do you want to hit the clubs or head back to the hotel?” Jake inquires.
“The clubs would be fun, but I want to head back and make some fun of our own.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I was thinking the same thing.”
“As I said earlier, we’re compatible in every way.”
He gives me a slow, sexy smile. I grab the back of his head and pull him in for a kiss, which he returns in earnest. As we stand in the middle of downtown, I can’t help think how nice it is to kiss him without a care as to who sees us.
It’s the Saturday night of what would have been my wedding; it’s also the last night of our trip. I’ve tried to act normal, but I think Jake can sense I’ve been in a pensive mood. A million different emotions are running through my head. On the one hand, I never thought I’d be in another committed relationship and have come as far as I have, but on the other, I still feel like I’m starting over instead of embarking on my next chapter. Ben and I used to joke about trying to start a family on our honeymoon. That just feels so off from where I am now. I look over at Jake and realize how lucky I am to have met him.
As I get ready for dinner, I make a concerted effort to snap out of my dark mood. Jake won’t tell me where we’re going. “I’m ready,” I say as I step out of the bathroom.
He gives a low whistle then cradles my face in his hands. “You look beautiful, as usual. Now let’s go,” he says, taking my hand.
He surprises me with dinner on the beach at sunset. It’s a beautiful night, and we have a secluded table right by the water. The waiter brings us a bottle of champagne.
“What’s this for?” I ask Jake.
“I thought we’d celebrate. I know tonight was supposed to be a momentous day in your life, so I want it to be special. I’m sure it’s been looming over your head, and I hope after today you can be a step closer toward putting the past behind you.”
“You’re very thoughtful. Thank you for tonight—and all of this,” I tell him. “This trip was exactly what I needed. You’re exactly what I needed.”
Jake smiles. “How are you doing, honestly?”
“I’m fine.” He looks unconvinced. “Really, I’m fine.”
“You know,” Jake says, “you’re pretty much an open book when it comes to your emotions. That’s one of the things I love about you. There’s no pretense. But when it comes to your relationship with Ben, you’re very closed off. I want to know what you’re thinking, but I don’t want to pry. I want you to know you can talk to me.”
I study his earnest face. “Jake, it’s just not something I like to talk about. I’ve spent a long time trying to get over what happened and move on with my life. I will tell you that a lot of the pain is gone, and you’re a big part of that, but I still harbor some resentment. I think it’ll go away with time, but it’s a hard thing to forgive. When I think back to my frame of mind nine months ago, I never would have thought it possible for me to be where I am today. You’re an amazing man, and I’m so lucky to have found you. Of course I was initially attracted to you because of your looks,” I say jokingly, “but now I know there’s so much more. You’re so generous and have such a big heart. You’re charismatic and hardworking and don’t have an entitled attitude even though you easily could. You always see the best in people, even when they don’t see it in themselves. But most of all, you make me feel truly special.”
“Lexi, you are special. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. I’ve had lots of girlfriends, but no one’s ever gotten under my skin like you have. You’re warm, caring and selfless. You’re always looking out for everyone else; it’s about time you have someone looking out for you. I want to do that for you, if you’ll let me. I know you’re scared of getting hurt again, but I promise you I’ll never hurt you.”
“That means a lot to me,” I tell him. “And I know you’d never intentionally hurt me, but sometimes things happen.”
“Let me make this clear. I’ve never cheated on anyone, and I won’t cheat on you. I don’t know what the dynamic was with you and Ben, but in my opinion, people cheat when they aren’t totally fulfilled in their relationship. It’s like a subconscious way of trying to fill a void. You said you and Ben hadn’t seen each other a lot because you were on different schedules, so maybe you weren’t connecting…I don’t know. I can assure you I’m completely satisfied in our relationship, in every way possible.”
I smile at him. “Me too. You know, I’ve dissected my relationship with Ben so many times, trying to figure out what went wrong, and I really can’t think of anything. That’s what kills me. I was obviously very fulfilled in our relationship, but I guess it wasn’t enough for him.”
“Whatever his reasons,” Jake says, “he went about it the wrong way. Sometimes two people just don’t work together, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. It just means you need to keep looking until it’s right.” He reaches across the table for my hand. “I know I’ve found what’s right for me. Even though we’ve only been together for a few months, I know I’m completely in love with you.”
I stare at him in shock. I knew he cared about me, but I didn’t know he felt this way. I don’t know what to say. “Jake, you know I care for you very deeply. This all has just happened so fast. Can you give me some time?”
“That I can do. You’re worth the wait,” he says.
I move over and sit on his lap. Then I cradle his face in my hands and kiss him. Instead of going back to my seat, I stay on his lap and admire the view of the sun setting over the ocean. When the waiter comes, I ask him to take our picture. He takes one, and then I zoom the camera in and ask him to take another. I want one with the view as well as close-up of us. Both pictures turn out great, and I make a mental note to have them framed for Jake as a thank-you for the trip.
After the bill comes, we decide to take a walk on the beach. We stroll down the sand, hand in hand. I’m
miles away from where I thought I’d be, but I decide I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
We get back to the hotel and start packing. I’ve always hated this part of a trip—it’s so depressing. Jake just throws all his clothes into his suitcase.
“Aren’t you going to fold anything?”
“Why bother? I’m going to wash it or take it to the dry cleaner anyway.”
I wish I could do the same, but the orderly part of me resists. We get in bed early, and for once Jake keeps his distance. Although it’s been an emotionally draining day, I have trouble falling asleep. I toss and turn, trying to get comfortable, and finally settle on my side. Jake wraps his arms around me from behind, enveloping me in a big hug. Finally I feel myself relax.
After a few minutes, he says, “I’ve been meaning to ask—what was that comment you made to Vanessa the other night about not believing in soul mates?”
“You were listening? I thought you were talking to Seth.”
“I was, but I’m a great multi-tasker.”
“She told me that when she met Seth, she knew he was her soul mate. She wanted to know if it’s something I believe in.”
“And you don’t?”
“I don’t know. I used to, I guess.”
“Do you think Ben was your soul mate?” he asks quietly.
“Maybe. We met when we were in college, so it’s hard to say. I’d like to believe there’s someone out there for everyone, but I don’t know if I believe there’s just one perfect person. Sometimes I think there are a lot of people you could be happy with, and the one you find is just a case of good timing. If there is such a thing as a soul mate, how do you ever really know if that’s the person you end up with?”
“I don’t know,” Jake says. “I guess you just find each other—like how you and I kept running into each other before we got together. Can you honestly tell me you bumped into anyone else at work like we did?”
“No, but that could just be coincidence.”
“Maybe, but perhaps it was the universe’s way of bringing us together. For so long I tried to bury my feelings for you, but with each chance encounter, I thought maybe larger forces were working to bring us together, and maybe I wasn’t supposed to be fighting anymore.”