The irish blessing, p.3
The Irish Blessing, page 3
“Wow. That wasn’t nice. I was not a mean-spirited little girl. Well, at least not at four years old.” Mel glowered at me.
Shane was chuckling along with the others at the table. “That was cute. I can picture the two of you bickering with each other. It sounds like you’ve had quite a few years of delinquent behavior together.”
“We’re both thirty-two, so we’ve had a few years together. Although I wouldn’t exactly call them delinquent,” I said.
“Liz was also the star player on our high school’s volleyball team.” Mel shrugged when I glared at her. “I thought I’d embarrass you a little more.”
“Volleyball?” Dylan leaned forward in his chair, an eager look on his face as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger. “Liz, you’ll have to play a game of water volleyball down at the pool with us. And don’t let Shane tease you. He was a troublemaker in college. He and I met when we roomed together at Columbia University. After graduating and passing the bar exam, we moved to Washington, D.C., to take attorney positions with different companies. My specialty is corporate law, while Shane’s is employment law. The way he behaved, you’d never expect him to be a lawyer for the government. He spent far more time at the pub around the corner from the campus than he did on his studies or attending class.”
“Hey, no changing the subject. We’re talking about Liz’s delinquent childhood, not my college years.” Shane leaned back in his chair. “So, Mel. Are there any other stories you’d like to share?”
“There’s Anna,” Caitlin said with a hint of displeasure in her voice as she interrupted Shane. “It looks like she’s decided to join us.”
George followed behind Anna, carrying a large tray with our dinner plates.
Shane stood up to greet her, pulling out the empty chair between him and Patrick. He returned to his seat after assisting her. “Anna. I’d like to introduce you to our guests. Next to me is Liz, and across from her is Mel. Caitlin met them earlier. They’re here from San Diego.” He glanced at me and then at Mel. “Ladies, this is Anna.”
“Nice to meet you,” Anna said, the tone in her voice indicating otherwise.
“Same here,” Mel said.
Shane partially blocked my view of Anna, so I leaned forward and turned to look at her. “Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I couldn’t help it. I disliked her. It was like she was intruding on the fun I was having with Shane. Alex and I used to banter with each other, and I missed it. The teasing at our table this evening was comforting and reminiscent.
George had distributed the dinner plates while Shane made the introductions. Now, he stood by Patrick’s chair. “Does anyone need anything?”
“You should probably order your dinner,” Shane said, turning toward Anna.
“I already did, inside the restaurant. I figured you were eating by now. I ordered the lobster salad and a glass of Moët and Chandon Imperial.”
I caught my breath. The price of the champagne on the menu was exorbitant.
Shane turned to George. “We’ll have a glass of the Cambria chardonnay instead.”
“I want champagne,” Anna said, pouting.
“You’re welcome to have champagne as long as it comes with a separate bill.” Shane arched a brow at Anna in response to the angry look she gave him.
George looked at Shane, and he shook his head.
“I will bring a glass of the Cambria chardonnay. Thank you, sir.” George hurried off.
That was extremely odd. I could understand and agree with not ordering the champagne based on its price, but the underlying friction between Shane and Anna was palpable. It wasn’t what I expected from a couple on a gorgeous tropical vacation.
A low mutter floated to my ear from the seat to my right, the only words identifiable being gold digger and princess. I turned my head slightly, spotting Caitlin’s hardened face.
“I have your lobster salad and chardonnay.” George placed a bowl and a glass of wine on the table in front of Anna. “Can I get you anything else?” He stood next to her chair, waiting while she stayed silent and ignored him.
“Thank you, George. We’re fine.” Shane’s shoulders tensed as he answered for Anna.
After checking on us several times, George returned and started picking up plates as we finished our meal. Seeing several nods when he inquired whether anyone wanted dessert, he hurried off, returning with a stack of dessert menus. Starting with Caitlin, he went around the table, taking our orders. He ended with me.
“Miss, did any of the desserts interest you?”
“Could I have the sticky toffee pudding, please? I’ve never had it before, and it sounds interesting.”
“You’ve never had sticky toffee pudding?” Caitlin sounded aghast at the thought. “We grew up eating it. You’ll have to try it. It’s deadly.”
I stared at Caitlin, confused by her comment. I started to open my mouth, then shut it.
“Liz, the look on your face is priceless.” Shane’s laughter rippled from his chest. He cleared his throat. “Caitlin meant deadly as in the dessert is great. Not deadly as in eating the pudding will kill you.”
I stared down at my lap. It was my night to get teased.
“It isn’t that funny,” Anna said, snapping at Shane.
I looked over at Mel as she started to say something. I shook my head at her and kicked her under the table.
“Ouch.” Caitlin glared at me. Then it appeared to dawn on her that Mel had been my target. She picked up her napkin and covered her mouth while her shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“Are you all right?” Shane raised a brow at Caitlin.
“I am.” She cleared her throat. “I accidentally kicked the leg of the table.” She bent down to rub her leg after Shane turned away, a snicker spilling from her throat.
George brought the desserts to the table and dispersed them.
I looked down at the sticky toffee pudding on my plate and hesitantly took a bite. I quickly took another one. It was delicious.
“I guess it didn’t kill you.” Shane kept his voice low as he peeked at me.
With the background noises and distractions all around us, plus Patrick’s deep, booming voice as he told everyone a story, no one else but me seemed to hear him.
“Not yet. But if I do keel over, no mouth-to-mouth. I want to die in a sugary ecstasy.” As soon as I whispered the words, I visualized Shane doing CPR on me. I froze, mentally berating myself for my slip of the tongue.
“All right. But I certainly wouldn’t want you to die.”
I relaxed in my chair, thankful he hadn’t taken my comment and made something out of it. I needed to be more mindful of my choice of words in the future.
We finished dinner, and Patrick paid the bill.
“Patrick, what do I owe you for our dinner?” I said.
“Nothing. It’s our treat. We’re going next door for a few scoops, and you’re welcome to join us.”
“He means drinks, not ice cream.” Shane grinned at me.
“I appreciate the explanation, especially since ice cream didn’t seem fitting at the moment.” I turned to Patrick. “I’m afraid we’ll have to decline. Mel and I are going to head back to the poolside bar. Thank you for dinner. I enjoyed meeting everyone.” I didn’t want to intrude any further on Caitlin’s group. Besides, it was best to avoid Shane at the moment. The image of him rescuing me with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was still too vivid in my mind.
There was a round of goodbyes as Mel and I got up and left the table.
The bartender working our side of the bar earlier was still there, only now he didn’t appear to be as swamped. He came over to take our order. “Hey, you’re back. Sorry I couldn’t get to you before you left earlier. What can I get you?”
I read his name badge. “It’s all right, Carlton. We weren’t here that long. How about a glass of the house chardonnay and a rum and Coke?” I turned my attention to Mel after Carlton walked away to make our drinks. “I enjoyed dinner. They’re nice people, and I thought it was fun.”
“Yeah, it was nice. But I would have had more fun if that blond guy had stuck around. You know, you and Shane look cute together.”
“Excuse me? How can you say that? He isn’t exactly alone.”
“Geez. Don’t get upset. I didn’t say anything was going on. I’m just saying you two would make a cute couple. You looked happy, and I saw you laughing and having fun. You don’t do that very often. Besides, I saw how you two were whispering back and forth.”
“Seriously? You heard us?”
“No. I couldn’t make out anything you said. But I did see the sideways glances you were making towards each other. What was up with that?”
“Here you are. One rum and Coke and a glass of chardonnay.” Carlton set our drinks down in front of us. He slid the bill over to me to sign, charging the drinks to our room.
I signed it and slid it back to him, adding a small amount for a tip. I was thankful for his interruption as I preferred to keep my CPR comment to myself. Shane stirred something in me that I hadn’t felt in a long time, and I wasn’t about to share that knowledge with Mel. If she knew, she’d be relentless in trying to push the two of us together, and that couldn’t happen. Besides my knowing nothing about him, Shane was here with Anna. Fortunate enough to have shared thirteen years with a man I deeply loved, I valued monogamy and respected others’ relationships.
The band that had been setting their equipment up when we arrived began to play.
“Let’s go dance.” Mel grabbed my hand and dragged me out onto the dance floor.
We danced to song after song, periodically returning to the bar to sip on our drinks and order a shot. After several rounds and a load of dancing, we retreated to our seats.
“What can I get the two of you?” Carlton stood in front of us, a younger bartender with cornrows weaved into a zigzag pattern standing next to him.
“I’d like another rum and Coke and two more shots of tequila,” Mel said.
“No tequila for me, please.” I put my hand in the air. “I’m good for now.”
“Ah, come on, Liz. Have another shot. We’re on vacation.”
“No. I’ll pass. I’ve already had three shots. That’s enough for me.”
“Suit yourself.” Mel shrugged.
“This is Christopher.” Carlton motioned toward the man next to him. “He’ll be taking care of you. My shift is over for the night.” He gave us a nod and left the bar.
“One rum and Coke and one shot of tequila coming up.” Christopher walked away to make Mel’s drink.
“I’ll be back.” I touched Mel’s arm. “I need to use the restroom.” I left her at the bar and strolled toward the facilities. I was on my way back when I noticed one of the shops was still open. After browsing the boutique’s window display, I went inside to look around. They had lovely pieces of jewelry and an assortment of beachwear. Seeing nothing compelling to purchase, I decided to head back to the bar. I couldn’t find Mel when I got there.
“I think your friend has had too much to drink.” The middle-aged lady sitting next to me pointed to the dance floor.
I swiveled in my chair, spotting Mel near the pool. She was dancing with an older gentleman in a Hawaiian print shirt. The man leered at her as he inappropriately brushed his body against hers. His male friends shouted encouragement, causing the man’s actions to grow bolder.
I got up from my chair and worked my way across the dancefloor toward Mel. “Excuse me.” I pushed my way between the man and Mel.
“You came to dance with us.” Mel’s speech sounded slurred, and she weaved on her feet.
“No. I came to take you off the dance floor.” I took hold of Mel’s arm. “You promised me you were going to behave, remember? Come on. I think we should go back to our room.”
“I’m having fun. I don’t want to go.” Mel tried to push me away and stumbled backward a foot or so. Recovering, she grabbed the man’s arm and started dancing with him again.
The man put his hands back on Mel.
“Take your hands off my friend,” I said, my voice tight as I glared at the man.
“Your friend likes it, so butt out.”
I clenched my jaw as I took a step toward him. “Take your hands off my friend, now, or I’ll call security over here. She’s drunk and doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
The man scowled at me and gave Mel a little push to detach himself from her arms.
Mel tripped over her feet, stumbling down the concrete as she tried to stay upright. She plowed into a man standing next to the pool, sending him flying into the water. Then she crashed to her knees on the cement and landed on her shoulder.
The man in the pool flailed around as he yelled obscenities, calling Mel a choice name or two.
“Oh, shit. Are you okay? Mel, talk to me. Are you hurt?” I rushed to Mel’s side.
Mel rolled onto her back and tried to sit up, collapsing back down on the concrete. After a second attempt and my help, she managed to get into a sitting position. She stared at me and then started laughing. “Did you trip me?”
“No, Mel. I didn’t trip you. Come on. Let’s see if you can stand up.” I draped her arm around my shoulder and tried to get her on her feet. She was like a dead weight, and I couldn’t move her.
A voice came from behind me.
“Miss, I think you’re going to need some help.”
I turned, spotting two men watching me, one blond, the other dark-haired. They looked to be in their early to mid-thirties. “If you could help me get her to our room, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem. It looks like your friend went well past her limit. I hope she doesn’t do this too often.” The blond man shook his head at Mel.
“I don’t know what happened. Mel’s a partier, but she usually holds her liquor much better than this. I stepped away from the bar for a little bit. When I came back, I found her in this condition.”
The two guys got Mel on her feet. With one on each side of her, they followed me as I led them from the bar.
“Excuse me,” Anna said smugly, coming out of nowhere. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “I see your friend has a bit of a problem. Before you run away to play babysitter, I should give you this.” Anna extended her hand, my driver’s license in her grasp.
“How did you get my license?” Startled by what she had in her possession, I glanced at my purse. It had come open, my license falling out when I tried to help Mel.
“You dropped it. In my experience, people who change their names usually have something to hide. What are you hiding, Alyssa?”
“I’m not hiding anything, and it’s none of your business,” I snapped, snatching my license from her hand. Anna’s comment that I had changed my name was ridiculous, especially since Liz was a common nickname for Alyssa. It appeared she was trying to make something out of nothing. Irritated, I quickly scanned the bar area, looking for Shane. He was nowhere around. That was odd. Why would Anna be here by herself?
“We’ll see,” Anna said with a sneer on her lips. She turned and flounced away, an exaggerated swing of her hips gaining the attention of several men nearby.
I turned toward the two men helping Mel. “I’m so sorry for the interruption.”
“No problem,” the blond man said. “She seems like a piece of work.”
“It seems so.” I glanced in Anna’s direction, spotting her taking a seat at the bar, her seductive smile directed at a young-looking man seated beside her. Confused by her animosity toward me and her behavior at the bar, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.
“Hang on.” The dark-haired man looked at his friend. “Let me have her. She’s small. It’ll be easier if I carry her.” He took Mel from the other man and picked her up in his arms. He followed behind me while his friend trailed behind the three of us.
“You’re a hottie. Where are you taking me?” Mel started giggling.
I swung around to face her. “We’re going to our room, Mel. It’s bedtime for you.” I led the two guys down the corridor on our floor and opened the door to our suite. “Could you please take her to the bedroom on the left and lay her down on the bed?” I walked behind the man carrying Mel to ensure he safely deposited her in her room.
“There you go. Your friend is safe, but I don’t think she’ll feel too good in the morning.” The dark-haired man took a step back, his gaze on Mel sprawled on the bed.
Mel moaned and rolled onto her side.
“I’m sure she’s going to feel horrible. Thank you, both. There’s no way I could have gotten her up here by myself. I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask your names. I’m Liz.”
“I suppose we bypassed that part.” The blond chuckled. “I’m Rick, and my friend over there is Steve.”
“Well, it was nice to meet you, although I wish the circumstances were different. Next time I see either of you, I’ll have to buy you a drink to thank you for helping us out.”
“Sounds good. At least your girlfriend was entertaining, although I doubt she’ll remember much of it. Have a good night,” Steve said.
I walked him and Rick to the door and then checked on Mel, finding her passed out. I slipped her sandals off her feet, dropping them on the tile. Then I covered her with a blanket I retrieved from the closet. After closing her bedroom door, I retreated to my room. I hoped tomorrow would be better. I’d had enough chaos for the night.
CHAPTER 3
TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON
Disoriented, I glanced around the bedroom in the darkness. Worried when nothing seemed familiar, I quickly reacquainted myself with where I was, my hotel room in Providenciales. I sat up and slid to the edge of the bed, swinging my feet onto the cold tile floor. According to the clock on the table next to me, it was five o’clock in the morning. I sat there for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. The dream had awakened me again; the people, place, and event were always the same. They’d started when I was in my late teens and, until recently, only occurred every once in a great while. Now, it was monthly.
