Until I Met You

Chapter Thirteen

To quote Naomi, Amelia put her foot down. She insisted her daughter quit crisscrossing the island with her friends and get serious about finalizing the wedding plans. There were linens and place settings to select, a cake topper and keepsakes to approve. The final fittings and touch-ups of the bridal gown and bridesmaids’ dresses, all purchased in London and already touched up, could not be postponed another day. The outing to Buccoo Bay was cancelled. Instead, the ladies were headed into town.

Samantha welcomed the break. She loved swimming and snorkelling and all the rest, but she was eager to venture into the capital and explore the city streets. She was the first to join Naomi and her mother in the hotel lobby. Jasmine and Jen arrived soon thereafter. Finally, Maya made a sluggish entrance. The valet attendant brought around Amelia’s SUV and they all piled in. Amelia took the wheel and slowed to a stop at the guard gate. Naomi pointed out a black saloon waiting for security clearance. ‘That’s Roman!’

Samantha perked up in the third row of the SUV. She couldn’t even hide her excitement.

‘Mum, stop,’ Naomi said. ‘He probably didn’t read the revised wedding schedule.’

Samantha had to agree. There was a fair chance Roman wasn’t starting his day checking for updates on the Naomi and Anthony wedding website.

Amelia flashed her headlights. The black saloon pulled over to the side of the cobblestone road. Naomi addressed Samantha in the rear-view mirror. ‘Sam, go and tell him we won’t be snorkelling today. He can find Anthony at the pool, if he’d still like a swim.’

Maya raised her hand. ‘I’ve got a question. Why do the guys get to lounge by the pool and we have to go pick out table linens?’

Amelia shot her down with a look. ‘Haven’t you lounged enough?’

Samantha climbed out of the vehicle, happy to escape the tempest that was brewing. Roman had lowered the tinted driver’s window and called out to her. ‘Where are you off to?’

‘Change of plans: The girls are going to do girl things. The lads are lounging by the pool.’

‘What qualifies as girl things?’

‘Picking out cloth napkins. It’s more complicated than it sounds.’

‘I don’t get to see you in a bathing suit today?’

‘Afraid not.’

Earlier, when Naomi had informed her via text of the change in itinerary, her first thought had been of Roman. While Naomi had a lifetime of bliss ahead, she had only a precious few days and didn’t want to waste them.

‘Want to hang out later?’ he asked. ‘I’ll take you somewhere off the tourist trail. It’ll be good material for your blog.’

Was this his roundabout way of asking her out on a date? Why did this simple invitation make her irrationally happy? Could she stop grinning like a fool for five seconds? The moment called for nonchalance. ‘I guess … I’ll bring my camera.’

‘I’ll pick you up at seven.’

‘That should work.’ Amelia, or possibly Naomi, tapped on the car horn to get Samantha’s attention. The SUV stood idle on the side of the road leading off the hotel grounds, yet everyone inside was actively straining to catch a look at them. ‘They’re getting restless. I should go.’

‘I can’t imagine Maya is up for this,’ Roman said. ‘Tell her I’ll help her escape.’

‘I would, but I need you alive for tonight’s date.’ He moved to grab her waist, but she jumped out of reach. ‘It is a date, right?’

‘It’s whatever you want,’ he called after her. ‘And nothing could keep me from it.’

She blew him a kiss and, heart skipping, raced back to the waiting car.

Far from their quiet seaside retreat, the city centre was chaos and Dolly’s Bridal Boutique was at the heart of it. Amelia parked kerbside and, before leading them inside the salmon-coloured shop, promised to treat them to lunch if they behaved. Shockingly, Jasmine was the first to misbehave. She tugged at Samantha’s arm and pulled her aside. ‘Let’s hang outside a while. We don’t get out of the resort much, I want to soak all this in.’

Of them all, Jasmine was the eco-traveller. She scheduled visits to forests and reefs, any type of nature reserve she could find. When they visited a city, she was determined to get a feel for its ‘vibe’ outside the tourist-designated areas. One of the best experiences Samantha had had in Mexico was an afternoon following Jasmine about in a local marketplace. So if she wanted to hang outside, where it was hot, instead of inside an air-conditioned shop, Samantha wouldn’t argue. She would, however, insist they find a spot in the shade.

Jasmine didn’t waste time. ‘You’re warming up to Roman. I love this for you. Stepping outside your box, trying new things.’

A dimple popped in Jasmine’s cheek whenever she was being cheeky. ‘Flirting with a hot guy is hardly brave new world type stuff.’

‘At least you admit he’s hot.’

‘Fine! I admit it. Roman Carver is insanely sexy. Happy now?’