Until I Met You

Naomi rose to address them. ‘Attention, everyone! This will be a short outing. A hike and a swim and we’re heading back.’

‘What’s the rush?’ Hugo asked from the very back seat.

‘We have high tea with Amelia at four thirty.’

Hugo cupped a hand to his ear. ‘Excuse me, what?’

‘You heard me.’

Samantha raised a hand. ‘Sorry, ma’am. That’s not on the schedule.’

‘It is now,’ Naomi said. ‘Any questions?’

Jason cleared his throat before addressing Naomi. ‘Could we speed through the hike and take our time at the waterfalls. That’s a high priority for me.’

‘Noted.’

Hugo’s hand shot up. ‘This isn’t a question. Just like to point out that it is effing hot in Tobago and hot tea may not be my cup of tea. Get it?’

Naomi advised him to suck it up. ‘We have to be back on time and dressed and ready for high tea at four thirty. End of story.’

‘You tell ’em, babe!’ Anthony shouted his encouragement. He was seated behind Roman, who asked to be officially excused.

Impatience crept into Naomi’s voice. ‘Yes, Roman. You are excused for the rest of the day. The tea is to welcome our new guests.’

‘Well,’ Jen said. ‘Chris and I have been here a while so …’

Naomi issued a one-word warning. ‘Jen.’

‘I don’t know what you guys are complaining about,’ Jasmine said. ‘It sounds lovely.’

‘You English and your tea,’ Hugo said. ‘If she were serving lemonade, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.’

‘Maybe there’ll be an ice tea option,’ Jen said. ‘What do you think, Naomi?’

Naomi pointedly ignored the question.

‘What do we wear?’ Jasmine asked.

‘Smart resort casual. Any sort of dress will do.’

‘No fancy hats?’ Hugo asked.

‘Screw you guys,’ Naomi said. She gave the driver the all-clear.

Samantha was still giggling like a schoolgirl when Naomi slid into the seat beside hers. ‘Glad you’re in a good mood,’ she said. ‘Because I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Roman.’

‘What’s there to talk about?’ Samantha asked, all wide-eyed and innocent.

‘I won’t mince words,’ Naomi said. ‘You should make a move on him.’

Samantha knew this was coming, but she bristled anyway. ‘Is there any specific reason? Or simply because he’s the only single man within arm’s reach?’

‘Well, he is single,’ Naomi said. ‘He’s also smart, fit and financially independent.’

‘He’s also kind of cocky and cute.’

The last bit was Jen’s contribution to the private conversation. She slumped over the back of their bench and popped her head between them. Before Samantha could object to the intrusion, Jasmine did the same. ‘Hey. Are we talking about Roman?’