It comes as a shock to me when Dane says goodbye.
He has driven me to a marina near a beach. Lots of cars are pulling up and people are merrily getting into numerous boats and yachts.
“I’ve arranged a date to take you onto the island,” he says.
“Who?” I ask, too startled to object. I don’t want to go with someone else. I thought I would be going with him.
“Who doesn’t matter. You won’t be with him for long, and he’s been warned to keep his hands off you. You’ll see Aeron on the island and then you can ditch the guy.”
“You’re not coming?”
“Of course not,” he says, giving me an impatient look as if I am being stupid. “Remember our deal. You have the amulet?”
I nod. It is clenched in my fist. I hold it up to show him.
He takes it from me, and this time I let him. He attaches it to a bracelet, sliding first the chain and then the jagged red gemstone into a slot in the ornate metalwork until they vanish. He places the bracelet on my wrist, his fingers lingering on my skin. I examine it closely, but the pendant is completely indiscernible.
“Keep it safe. Keep it with you at all times and don’t let anybody see it. Switch them while he’s sleeping.”
Suddenly I feel sick. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You can!” he says harshly. “Take this. He’ll never even know.”
He hands me a ring that is set with a black gem the size of a finger nail.
“What is it?”
“It contains a memory emetic. If he wakes up while you’re removing the amulet, put it near his nose and uncap it. It will release a gas that will knock him unconscious and make him forget the past hour or so.”
I examine the ring, turning it over in my fingers. I can’t see a cap.
“Here.” He points out a tiny notch to the side of the gem. “Slip your fingernail beneath it and flick to open it. Just make sure you don’t breathe it in yourself.”
“How will you know when to come to get the pendant?”
“I can’t… I won’t be coming. You will send it to me. Throw the bracelet with the amulet attached into the water and it will come to me.”
“Will I see you again?” I say, a note of anxiety creeping into my voice.
“No,” he says, his face unreadable, the word so harsh and so final. Like he doesn’t even care.
Sudden tears sting my eyes. I cannot let him see. To distract myself, I slip the ring onto my finger, and then I fiddle with the bracelet that he has given me.
He points out of the window to a fancy red convertible that has raced past us. “Your date’s here.”
The convertible’s horn beeps loudly as it screeches to a stop. A bronzed blond hunky guy leaps out, nearly knocking over the valet, who came to get his key. The guy races over to the jetty where he snatches up a slender girl and enthusiastically spins her around.
“It looks like he’s already got a date,” I mutter.
“You’re his date. Make sure you keep him entertained. The point is to make Aeron jealous enough to want you back.”
Dane leans past me to unlock and push open my door. I catch a breath of his minty fresh cologne. I take one last look at him and have to stifle the urge to kiss his cheek. With a heavy heart I get out of his car.
He drives away immediately, without taking a single glance back. He turns a corner and speeds out of sight. I stay there, watching the spot where he vanished. It begins to feel true that I will never see him again.
“There she is!” yells an obnoxious voice behind me.
I turn around to see the bronzed hunk coming towards me at full speed. Before I can stop him he has seized me into his embrace and is lifting me off my feet. I tug at the back of my new skirt, wishing almost everything the shop assistant had made me get wasn’t so short.
After spinning me around, he sets me down at arm’s length so that he can look at me appreciatively.
“Never would have guessed you’d be a hottie,” he says with a grin.
“What?” I ask, startled.
He glances around before leaning in close to whisper, “Hotties usually don’t pay. Know what I mean?”
I try to quell the instant aversion I feel towards him. This is the kind of guy who would look at me in my usual clothes and dismiss me as worthless.
“You’re Lola,” he says with oblivious cheerfulness. “I’m Robb.”
“Good to meet you,” I say, extending my hand to shake his.
He ignores it and flings his arm around my waist. He begins to walk back towards the jetty, taking me with him.
“Listen,” he says quietly next to my ear. “There’s no need for you to mention to anyone about our little arrangement, right?”
“What arrangement?” I ask sharply.
He clears his throat nervously, and looks around to ensure no one is within earshot.
“Our financial arrangement,” he whispers. “I wouldn’t want my friends to know I’d been a little short on cash.”
I try to keep the relief from my face. “Of course not. That’s between us.”
A grin sweeps over his face. “Awesome. So what’s your deal anyway? Why so desperate to get on Balthazar Island?”
“I won’t tell about your arrangement,” I say, “if you don’t ask about mine.”
He winks at me. “Anything you say, babe. But you better not let Geoffre Balthazar catch you at it, or you’ll be in a world of trouble.”
“Who?”
He gives me an incredulous look. “You’re kidding, right?”
But we have reached the jetty and there is no more time to speak. His friends surround him, largely ignoring me. I have already lost his attention and we haven’t even reached our destination.
I am not even sure that jealousy will be enough to catch Aeron’s interest. Or that he will ever look at me and see anything but the girl who ruined his closest friendship.
The island is a choppy thirty minute speedboat ride away. I spend the journey gazing into the crystalline waters. They are so clear I can see right through them, catching glimpses of stunningly colored shoals of fish as we go. They fluoresce like nothing I’ve ever seen, as if preening for me.
Even the sky above is glorious, a dazzling clear blue with something sparkling in it. Each time I try to fix my gaze on the sparkles they vanish away.
A bone-deep sense of completeness spreads through me. I could look at these views forever and never grow tired. So this is where Aeron comes from, this magical land. No wonder I fell for him.
When we get to the island, we are driven to a sprawling residence overlooking the coastline. Welcoming staff take us to our rooms, and Robb tells me to meet him at the beach.
I unpack my case and feel very grateful for the clothes Dane bought for me. Compared to them my own clothes look so drab. He knew what he was doing.
I put on a backless jade one-piece swimsuit, ignoring the several tiny bikinis the sales girl insisted I must have. I tie a floral printed sarong around my hips and slip on some sandals. I feel like the chunky bracelet and ring look conspicuous, but know I am imagining it. They are designed to look good with anything.
There is a welcome card and guestbook on my bed. Inside is a schedule of events for the next few days. I scan it, finding that lunch will be served on the beach today. Surely I will find Aeron there?
My heart races as I make my way to the beach, pleading with whatever fates brought me here to make Aeron happy to see me. To make him forgive me.
As I get near the beach I pause on the path that overlooks it to scan the people down below. The beach is long, curving all the way around this part of the island, its sands a pristine white. Many people are frolicking in the sea or basking in the sun. At the far end of the beach the fire-pits and seating areas have been set up, and the faint aroma of something delicious wafts over, making my mouth water.
Aeron was always at the heart of any party, and so my eyes seek out the various games that have been set up around the beach. A particularly energetic game involving several balls is taking place at the edge of the surf. A crowd has gathered to watch, blocking my view.
My heart tells me Aeron is there.
It comes as a shock to me when Dane says goodbye.
He has driven me to a marina near a beach. Lots of cars are pulling up and people are merrily getting into numerous boats and yachts.
“I’ve arranged a date to take you onto the island,” he says.
“Who?” I ask, too startled to object. I don’t want to go with someone else. I thought I would be going with him.
“Who doesn’t matter. You won’t be with him for long, and he’s been warned to keep his hands off you. You’ll see Aeron on the island and then you can ditch the guy.”
“You’re not coming?”
“Of course not,” he says, giving me an impatient look as if I am being stupid. “Remember our deal. You have the amulet?”
I nod. It is clenched in my fist. I hold it up to show him.
He takes it from me, and this time I let him. He attaches it to a bracelet, sliding first the chain and then the jagged red gemstone into a slot in the ornate metalwork until they vanish. He places the bracelet on my wrist, his fingers lingering on my skin. I examine it closely, but the pendant is completely indiscernible.
“Keep it safe. Keep it with you at all times and don’t let anybody see it. Switch them while he’s sleeping.”
Suddenly I feel sick. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You can!” he says harshly. “Take this. He’ll never even know.”
He hands me a ring that is set with a black gem the size of a finger nail.
“What is it?”
“It contains a memory emetic. If he wakes up while you’re removing the amulet, put it near his nose and uncap it. It will release a gas that will knock him unconscious and make him forget the past hour or so.”
I examine the ring, turning it over in my fingers. I can’t see a cap.
“Here.” He points out a tiny notch to the side of the gem. “Slip your fingernail beneath it and flick to open it. Just make sure you don’t breathe it in yourself.”
“How will you know when to come to get the pendant?”
“I can’t… I won’t be coming. You will send it to me. Throw the bracelet with the amulet attached into the water and it will come to me.”
“Will I see you again?” I say, a note of anxiety creeping into my voice.
“No,” he says, his face unreadable, the word so harsh and so final. Like he doesn’t even care.
Sudden tears sting my eyes. I cannot let him see. To distract myself, I slip the ring onto my finger, and then I fiddle with the bracelet that he has given me.
He points out of the window to a fancy red convertible that has raced past us. “Your date’s here.”
The convertible’s horn beeps loudly as it screeches to a stop. A bronzed blond hunky guy leaps out, nearly knocking over the valet, who came to get his key. The guy races over to the jetty where he snatches up a slender girl and enthusiastically spins her around.
“It looks like he’s already got a date,” I mutter.
“You’re his date. Make sure you keep him entertained. The point is to make Aeron jealous enough to want you back.”
Dane leans past me to unlock and push open my door. I catch a breath of his minty fresh cologne. I take one last look at him and have to stifle the urge to kiss his cheek. With a heavy heart I get out of his car.
He drives away immediately, without taking a single glance back. He turns a corner and speeds out of sight. I stay there, watching the spot where he vanished. It begins to feel true that I will never see him again.
“There she is!” yells an obnoxious voice behind me.
I turn around to see the bronzed hunk coming towards me at full speed. Before I can stop him he has seized me into his embrace and is lifting me off my feet. I tug at the back of my new skirt, wishing almost everything the shop assistant had made me get wasn’t so short.
After spinning me around, he sets me down at arm’s length so that he can look at me appreciatively.
“Never would have guessed you’d be a hottie,” he says with a grin.
“What?” I ask, startled.
He glances around before leaning in close to whisper, “Hotties usually don’t pay. Know what I mean?”
I try to quell the instant aversion I feel towards him. This is the kind of guy who would look at me in my usual clothes and dismiss me as worthless.
“You’re Lola,” he says with oblivious cheerfulness. “I’m Robb.”
“Good to meet you,” I say, extending my hand to shake his.
He ignores it and flings his arm around my waist. He begins to walk back towards the jetty, taking me with him.
“Listen,” he says quietly next to my ear. “There’s no need for you to mention to anyone about our little arrangement, right?”
“What arrangement?” I ask sharply.
He clears his throat nervously, and looks around to ensure no one is within earshot.
“Our financial arrangement,” he whispers. “I wouldn’t want my friends to know I’d been a little short on cash.”
I try to keep the relief from my face. “Of course not. That’s between us.”
A grin sweeps over his face. “Awesome. So what’s your deal anyway? Why so desperate to get on Balthazar Island?”
“I won’t tell about your arrangement,” I say, “if you don’t ask about mine.”
He winks at me. “Anything you say, babe. But you better not let Geoffre Balthazar catch you at it, or you’ll be in a world of trouble.”
“Who?”
He gives me an incredulous look. “You’re kidding, right?”
But we have reached the jetty and there is no more time to speak. His friends surround him, largely ignoring me. I have already lost his attention and we haven’t even reached our destination.
I am not even sure that jealousy will be enough to catch Aeron’s interest. Or that he will ever look at me and see anything but the girl who ruined his closest friendship.
The island is a choppy thirty minute speedboat ride away. I spend the journey gazing into the crystalline waters. They are so clear I can see right through them, catching glimpses of stunningly colored shoals of fish as we go. They fluoresce like nothing I’ve ever seen, as if preening for me.
Even the sky above is glorious, a dazzling clear blue with something sparkling in it. Each time I try to fix my gaze on the sparkles they vanish away.
A bone-deep sense of completeness spreads through me. I could look at these views forever and never grow tired. So this is where Aeron comes from, this magical land. No wonder I fell for him.
When we get to the island, we are driven to a sprawling residence overlooking the coastline. Welcoming staff take us to our rooms, and Robb tells me to meet him at the beach.
I unpack my case and feel very grateful for the clothes Dane bought for me. Compared to them my own clothes look so drab. He knew what he was doing.
I put on a backless jade one-piece swimsuit, ignoring the several tiny bikinis the sales girl insisted I must have. I tie a floral printed sarong around my hips and slip on some sandals. I feel like the chunky bracelet and ring look conspicuous, but know I am imagining it. They are designed to look good with anything.
There is a welcome card and guestbook on my bed. Inside is a schedule of events for the next few days. I scan it, finding that lunch will be served on the beach today. Surely I will find Aeron there?
My heart races as I make my way to the beach, pleading with whatever fates brought me here to make Aeron happy to see me. To make him forgive me.
As I get near the beach I pause on the path that overlooks it to scan the people down below. The beach is long, curving all the way around this part of the island, its sands a pristine white. Many people are frolicking in the sea or basking in the sun. At the far end of the beach the fire-pits and seating areas have been set up, and the faint aroma of something delicious wafts over, making my mouth water.
Aeron was always at the heart of any party, and so my eyes seek out the various games that have been set up around the beach. A particularly energetic game involving several balls is taking place at the edge of the surf. A crowd has gathered to watch, blocking my view.
My heart tells me Aeron is there.
I walk there slowly, fiddling with the knot on my sarong as I go. As I get closer I catch tantalizing glimpses of the players through gaps in the crowd. I squeeze past people and make my way towards the front.
And then I see him, his athletic body moving with that predator’s grace, his tanned skin gleaming with splashed water.
He is laughing. A team mate whips a ball towards him and he catches it effortlessly. He flings it with all his might at the opposing team. His target dives away, and yet the ball still smacks his target right in the middle of the chest. Aeron whoops with delight, his eyes sparkling.
He turns to his team mate and they bump fists, celebrating a victory. My stomach lurches, seeming to drop away from body. The guy who bumped Aeron’s fist is Tyler, his former best friend.
Tyler, the guy who kissed me and broke us up.
I walk there slowly, fiddling with the knot on my sarong as I go. As I get closer I catch tantalizing glimpses of the players through gaps in the crowd. I squeeze past people and make my way towards the front.
And then I see him, his athletic body moving with that predator’s grace, his tanned skin gleaming with splashed water.
He is laughing. A team mate whips a ball towards him and he catches it effortlessly. He flings it with all his might at the opposing team. His target dives away, and yet the ball still smacks his target right in the middle of the chest. Aeron whoops with delight, his eyes sparkling.
He turns to his team mate and they bump fists, celebrating a victory. My stomach lurches, seeming to drop away from body. The guy who bumped Aeron’s fist is Tyler, his former best friend.
Tyler, the guy who kissed me and broke us up.
