Just a Taste (Private Relations 1)

Nodding again, Sara said, “I couldn’t have done it without him. I was a mess.”

“That’s why I called him, sweetie. I knew y

ou would’ve been a mess and that you’d never ask.”

“I know, thank you,” Sara whispered.

“The reason you doubt him…is it something he’s specifically done?”

Shaking her head, Sara sighed, then said, “No. It’s entirely my own bullshit.”

“Then you need to just let the fear go. He’s a good man. He’s proven that to you in a million different ways. Until he gives you a real reason to doubt him, you owe it to him and yourself to expect the best.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“You need to. For both of you.”

Sara nodded, then said, “I’m going to go work on the invoicing. My head hurts. Thanks for listening.”

“Always.”

Nodding, she walked back to her office and shut the door.

Texting Deacon, she said, Hope you’re having a good day. Can’t wait for this weekend!

A few minutes later, when she was on the phone, she saw her phone buzz. He replied, Busy but good. Me either. Shall I pick you up tomorrow night then around 6?

Continuing to talk with her distributor, she replied, Can’t wait. Love you.

Her phone buzzed immediately, Love you too. About to walk into a meeting. Call you tonight.

Smiling, Sara returned her attention back to work.

By the time they arrived in Catalina Friday evening, both of them were exhausted. They’d caught the late ferry over, so they grabbed dinner and drinks at the hotel restaurant. Neither of them were up for much of anything else, so they opted to go back to their hotel room and curl up on the lounge chairs on the patio to watch the ocean. Within about fifteen minutes, she had dozed off. She vaguely remembered waking up, freezing from the night air and nudging Deacon awake. Both of them had stumbled into the bedroom and immediately passed out.

The next morning, they both woke up early, deciding to walk around for a bit, seeing if anything caught their fancy. Sara was able to talk Deacon into going parasailing with her. He had seemed a little bit apprehensive at first, but once they were up in the air, it was amazing. She wished they had thought to bring a waterproof camera up with them.

After they were back on dry land, Sara said, “You know what. I just realized? Both times we did anything that involved being in the air, you were uncomfortable. Are you afraid of heights?”

Glancing at her, he said, “I wouldn’t say ‘afraid,’ but I would certainly say that I’m not the biggest fan of them.”

“You should have said something! I wouldn’t have even asked!”

“After I got over the initial nervousness, it was actually really cool. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Bending his head down, he kissed the top of her head. Sara sighed, shaking her head.

After their morning adventures, they grabbed a quick lunch, then headed down to the beach. Slathered in no less than a gallon of sunscreen, Sara had opted to lay under the cabana and read. Deacon stretched out next to her, napping peacefully in the sun. The jerk. He tanned and she went from pale to red in about twenty minutes’ time.

Deciding to have a leisurely dinner, they walked into town and found a nice steak house. They had a decadent meal and a few glasses of wine. After wandering the downtown area for a bit, they decided to go back to the hotel room and relax for the evening.

Sara stretched out on one of the loungers on their balcony and stared out at the ocean. Reaching to the chair beside her, she took Deacon’s hand and sighed happily.

“I don’t know if I mentioned this, but this was a great idea. I’m having a great time.”

Squeezing her hand, she heard him laugh and say, “No less than eight times, I think.”

Smirking, she said, “Seriously. This was perfect. After all of the stuff with my Dad and the last couple of weeks. It’s nice to just relax with you and not really have any sort of agenda.”