Until I Met You

At the end of the day, Roman counted the cash at the till drawer and let out a low whistle. ‘We work well together.’

‘You’re a businessman and I’m a business writer,’ Samantha said. ‘I think we can run a little shop.’

He sorted the notes into piles and locked them away. ‘It’s like we’re made for each other.’

All day she felt like a ball of wool caught between the paws of an incredibly naughty cat. Roman was toying with her and having fun with it.

‘Roman Carver, you’re a flirt. Good thing I’m immune.’

‘I hope not,’ he said. ‘I have something in mind.’

She was curious, if nothing else. ‘What is it?’

He rounded the counter. ‘You’re here for just a few days.’

‘I’m aware.’

‘Want to have fun?’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘I think you do.’

She absolutely did, and she could see, in vivid detail, all the many splendid ways she and Roman could take full advantage of this limited time. The ‘yes’ was at the tip of her tongue. Naturally, she said no.

‘Scared?’

‘Please!’ she scoffed. ‘I’m not interested.’

‘I think you are.’

Someone had to set this man straight. The burden fell upon her shoulders. ‘You’re not irresistible, Roman.’

‘But you are, Samantha.’

The shop was quiet except for a song playing low on the radio. The air was static around them. Roman was still as a cat. He watched and waited. Finally, he asked, ‘Want to think about it?’

Fortunately, her closest, dearest friends came to her rescue, saving her from answering. They pulled up in the bus and filed into the shop making wild and outrageous demands. ‘Where’s Sam?’ ‘Release her at once!’ ‘Free Sam!’

Wet hair, tanned skin, in flip-flops that left sand on the floor Roman had just swept, they were a wild crew.

Naomi approached Roman. ‘How’s your grandfather?’

‘He’s fine. There was no crisis.’

‘Good to hear,’ she said. ‘I like him. He gives me free stuff.’

‘There’ll be none of that!’ Samantha intervened. ‘Buy your snacks and support the local economy.’

‘In that case, I’ll take a dozen of these,’ Jason said, admiring the assortment of pastries. ‘I want to do my part.’

Jen and Chris purchased cans of coconut water. Jasmine stocked up on tins of ginger tea all the while painting an image of Cotton Bay. ‘Guys, you missed out. It was breathtaking.’

Anthony eyed them with interest. ‘You two spent the day here? Alone? With no adult supervision? How did that go?’

‘I don’t know what I’d do if it weren’t for Sam,’ Roman replied.

Anthony grinned, obviously pleased with himself. ‘I bet!’