Ciara’s smile was definitely rueful, as she motioned with her hand. “Rand, these are my friends, Emma and Janelle.”
Rand continued, “Fancy meeting you ladies here tonight. It’s nice to meet you Emma and Janelle. Me and the guys were wondering if the three of you would like to join us for dinner? We’ll probably head back to my place afterwards, so we won’t be pests. My friends are returning to the states tomorrow, and we were thinking about making it a short night.”
“Sure. That would be nice,” Emma answered. “We’ve booked a short tour for Monday, but since none of us have ever been here before, maybe you can fill us in on some of the best places to go?”
“It’d be nice to know about the places to avoid, too,” Janelle muttered. “Especially since Emma wants to go everywhere.”
When Emma slapped Janelle lightly on the arm, Janelle grinned.
“I can definitely fill you in,” he answered, as Ciara stood first and then the others followed.
The ladies appeared to have just ordered drinks, and their waitress was approaching the table.
Rand motioned for the waitress to lay them down at the more isolated table beyond.
She nodded and smiled, carrying the tray to Rand’s table and carefully laying down the drinks.
While the women took their seats at the table, Rand, Jack and Nick ordered drinks.
“You’re looking lovely, tonight,” Rand murmured, scooting his chair closer to Ciara’s after the waitress left with their order.
“Yeah, well, you look lovely too,” Ciara answered, dryly.
Laughter echoed from around the table, and everyone’s eyes were on Rand.
Rand cleared his throat, rolling his eyes as he motioned with his hand. “Jack and Nick, meet Janelle and Emma. I probably never mentioned that I used to know Ciara, a long, long time ago, when I spent my summers in Crystal Rock.”
Ciara’s jaw dropped, apparently shocked that Rand actually recalled who she was.
Finally, Ciara snapped her mouth shut and spoke. “How in the world did you remember me? I don’t look at all the way I used to look as a kid. Plus, it’s been almost fifteen years.”
“It was your eyes,” he murmured softly. “I remember thinking, even at fifteen years old, that yours were the prettiest color eyes I’d ever seen. They’re like a deep blue turquoise.”
Ciara shook her head, looking dazed.
Nick wasn’t the only one taken aback at Rand’s pronouncement, but Emma, the beautiful blonde, was studying Rand thoughtfully as Jack grinned at Janelle, who was seated beside him.
A few minutes went by with everyone conversing as a group. It was probably good that Rand and Ciara had a date tomorrow night, because the attraction was sizzling between them.
Nick turned to Emma. “So Emma? What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a hairdresser and stylist,” she answered.
Sounding distracted, Nick replied, “A hairstylist? What else are you planning on doing with your life?”
Nick had put his foot in his mouth again, Jack realized, because Emma’s face seemed to turn to stone.
Jack kicked Nick in the shin, giving him a disapproving look when he turned to stare at Jack.
Now, it appeared that Emma was giving him the cold shoulder, and Nick grimaced.
Ciara appeared to be watching Nick and Emma with fascination, along with Rand, because he raised a brow.
“Emma’s had every guy in Crystal Rock in love with her at one time or another. He must have said something to upset her,” Jack heard Ciara whisper under her breath.
“I was just thinking the same thing myself,” Rand admitted, picking up the menu and studying what was inside.
“What do you guys recommend?” Janelle asked, apparently not noticing the exchange between Nick and Emma. “I’d kind of like to try something unique, but what if I don’t like it? We’re planning on going out for a little dancing and a few drinks afterwards, so I want to be sure to eat.”
“Why don’t we order six different items and share?” Rand answered. “I’m going to recommend a few of these appetizers too, so when we’re finished, everyone should be satisfied.”
“Sounds good,” Ciara said with definite approval.
“I agree,” Jack said, giving Janelle a side glance and studying the menu at the same time. Not only did she look lovely tonight, she had the sexiest pair of legs he’d ever seen. Jack suddenly realized he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so attracted to someone in his life.
When the waitress came back for their order, everyone had pretty much made up their mind, deferring to Rand’s recommendations.
“For appetizers,” Rand said, “let’s have the seared scallops, deep fried marinated squid rings and steamed clams. That should satisfy each of us in one way or another.”
“Sounds good to me,” Janelle murmured.
“And for our main courses? I think we’ve decided.” Rand pointed around the table as he listed their selections. “I’ll have the grilled octopus for myself, two of the baked sea bass, king prawns saganaki, orzo and Ciara, you said you wanted the grilled sea bass fillet?”
Ciara nodded her agreement. “I’ll try a little of your octopus. I’ve had it at home, but I didn’t care for it.”
“You might be surprised at how different it tastes the way that it’s prepared here. There’s a lot that I’ve eaten since I’ve moved here that I never expected to like,” Rand admitted.
It was funny how everyone seemed to relax when food was involved. The ladies each had another tropical drink while sampling the appetizers when they arrived.
“Where are you ladies headed afterwards?” Nick asked.
“A place called The Rock,” Janelle answered. “It was recommended to us by someone at the hotel.”
“You’ll like the place,” Rand murmured. “There’s a lot going on. DJs with music and dancing, all in a beautiful setting, especially when the sun
