“Tell me how old you are.”
“I told you. I’m legal.”
“Does that mean eighteen or twenty-one?”
“Silly. The resort doesn’t allow anyone under twenty-one, with the nude beach and all.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “So how much older than twenty-one?”
She giggled. “About three months.”
Just a baby. A baby who shared a room with two others and left a sock on the door when it was occupied. This was sorority central.
To my surprise, I wasn’t interested.
“I think you’re too young for me, Juliet.”
“Why? How old are you?”
“I’m thirty-two. Pretty close to thirty-three, actually.”
“Wow, an older man.” She widened her eyes. “Shay and Lisa will absolutely be green with envy if I bring you to our room.”
Just what I needed. A couple of other teenyboppers jealous over me. “I don’t think so.”
“But you bought me a drink.”
“Correction. I ordered you a drink. This is all-inclusive, remember?”
She turned her lips down into a pouty frown. “What if I got you another? What do you like to drink?”
“Wine. Good wine.”
“Hmm. I don’t know anything about wine. I don’t like it much.”
This was so not happening. Not that I couldn’t handle a woman not liking wine. She was just too young. I held out my hand. “It was great to meet you. I’m sure we’ll see each other around.”
“I hope so. My friends and I are here for a few more days. How long are you here for?”
“A week.”
She smiled sweetly. “Are you sure I can’t convince you? You’ll have fun with me. I promise.” She winked.
I shook my head. “You’re very attractive, but you’re just too young. I’m sorry.”
I turned and walked toward the pool ladder. Sticking around here wouldn’t do me any good right now. I’d never get rid of her. Besides, I had to go back to my room and shower before dinner.
Ruby would be at dinner. Maybe she’d be wearing more flattering clothes. Of course, why did I care what Ruby wore?
I didn’t.
I was here to have fun, vacation, relax after such a busy and tiring wine season, and help my brothers celebrate their weddings.
And that was exactly what I planned to do.
* * *
Marjorie had made reservations at the Japanese hibachi steakhouse at the resort. There were eight of us, so we took up a table by ourselves. I had put on a pair of black dress slacks and a white shirt, no tie. I needn’t have bothered with any of it, though. Everyone else was dressed in shorts and flip-flops. Casual seemed to be the way of it around here.