“Playing Juliet? That didn’t end well, you know.”
Adam’s voice had drifted up from below the balcony, and for a moment she thought she’d imagined it. She leaned farther over the railing to find him standing some thirty feet below, gazing up at her from the shadow of a rustling palmetto. His face was half in darkness, giving him a mysterious, rakish appearance that elicited a wholly feminine jolt in her.
Seeing him again after their kiss that afternoon was as unsettling as she’d predicted, the very reason she’d been tempted to run. At least there was a healthy distance between them this time, so neither of them would be tempted to touch or taste.
She cleared her throat. “What are you doing down there?”
He motioned vaguely with one hand. “Just heading back to my quarters after that god-awful PR dinner.”
He’d raised his voice only a little for her to hear him, which worked because no one else was in the courtyard. She could hear the sounds of music and voices from the bar area, but Seafoam Lodge was quiet for now. “I take it you didn’t have a good time?”
“Lots of things I’d rather have been doing.”
Something about his tone made her bite her lip as her head filled with images of alternatives. Stop this, Joanna. “Well—good night, Adam...”
But he wasn’t quite ready to end the balcony chat. “How was your dinner at the buffet?”
She leaned over a bit more. “It was very good. Simon loved your dessert suggestion.”
“Glad to hear it. Is he in bed?”
“Sound asleep. He’s worn out from his busy day.” She glanced around again. She still didn’t see anyone, but that didn’t mean they were truly alone. “Should you really be calling up to me this late? What if the people below me are trying to sleep?”
Adam’s brief laugh was quiet, but she heard it, anyway. “JoJo, it’s not even nine o’clock. That’s only late at a vacation resort if you’re five.”
“Oh.” Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head in bemusement. “Of course. I’m still in mommy mode, I suppose.”
“Are you ever not in mommy mode?”
For a few reckless minutes that afternoon, she hadn’t been. She’d been focused on Adam. On herself, as a still young, healthy woman with very natural desires. “Occasionally.”
Their gazes met, and the distance between them seemed to shrink. Her hand twitched on the railing as she fought the impulse to reach out to him. And then he nodded and took an abrupt step back, deeper into the shadows. “I’d better get going. Good night, Joanna. Sleep well.”
“You, too.”
From her perch, she watched as he disappeared down the pathway toward his quarters. It was as if his departure triggered an end to an oddly quiet interlude. Muffled teenage laughter drifted on the breeze from the beach path. Two middle-age couples appeared from the pool area and ambled toward the building entrance below, their lively conversation and laughter easy and maybe a little rum-fueled. A wistful sigh escaped her, hanging in the fragrant, salty air when she turned to go back inside her darkened suite.
* * *
TORCHLIGHT OFFERED A breakfast menu and The Crew’s Galley served a big buffet, according to the promotional material, but when given the choice Wednesday morning, Simon opted for the coffee and pastry shop patio outs
ide the guest relations building.
Joanna agreed, but only with the condition that he order something healthier than a sweet pastry this time. He conceded cheerfully. Selecting a veggie wrap and coffee for herself, she followed Simon to a table close to the patio railing so he could people-watch while he ate. Swinging his legs beneath his chair, he chattered eagerly about the day’s plans.
“Look, Mom. There’s Mr. Adam.”
Her heart skipped, but she kept smiling as she glanced over to where he indicated. Standing by a fountain a few yards away, Adam was in deep discussion with two maintenance workers holding toolboxes. Adam pointed and talked while the other men nodded, obviously taking instructions. A woman in the resort uniform stood with the small group, waving a hand as if to add her own input.
It was the first time Joanna had seen Adam in his leadership role, and she could tell he was a natural at it. No surprise that his employees smiled as they conferred with him. Adam was both personable and likeable in his own quiet, steady way.
She’d bet he got along very well with the staff here, which had no doubt accelerated his career. It was obvious that Trevor depended on him—and liked him. She was glad Adam had such a good friend. He’d seemed so solitary when they’d met.
She bit her lip. As she’d just observed, Adam didn’t have to be alone. It had to be his choice. How many hearts had he broken when he’d walked away?
She wouldn’t let him break hers. And she damned sure wouldn’t let him break her son’s.
As though he sensed someone watching him, he looked around then, and waved when he saw Joanna and Simon. Simon waved back. Adam said something else to his coworkers, then turned and headed toward the coffee shop.