I averted my gaze back ahead as we passed the white lounge chairs on the sand, the tide coming dangerously close to touching them as it rose. The round pergola to our right had employees inside that waved as we walked past. I didn’t recognize any of them.
As we grew nearer to the building at the end of the stretch of beach, I could smell food cooking, the savory smells of chiles and spices. Manu, dressed this time in bright white pants and what could best be described as a thick, white dress draped over the pants, stood at the head of the largest table under the pavilion. There were place settings for nine, so I assumed he planned to join us for dinner.
He laughed before we’d made it to him. “Welcome, welcome! Come on, do not be shy. Take a seat!” He gestured to the empty chairs as we arrived, looking at each other awkwardly. I made a move for a chair as quickly as Emily did, smirking at her before giving up the seat. I pulled the one next to her out, allowing Megan to sit, and taking the place next to her. Jaren, Natasha, Brad, and Laura took their places across from us.
“Well,” Manu said, once we’d settled in. “I take it your huts are all to your liking, then? You have found everything you need? Was everything to your satisfaction?”
We nodded in unison, but it was Emily who spoke. “Everything’s so lovely here, Manu. You’ve done a beautiful job preparing for our stay.”
If it were possible, his smile grew even more endearing at her words. “Thank you, Emily. It brings me great joy to hear you say that.” He looked around the table, waiting for someone else to speak.
“Manu,” Laura said, “Malik told us there’s no cell phone service on the island… Is there a way for our families to reach us here? My parents have our daughters, and I’m very worried that something will happen and I won’t be able to get in touch with them, or vice versa.” She cleared her throat, speaking so quickly she lost her breath when she reached the end of the sentence.
Manu chuckled under his breath. “Laura,” he said, expelling a sigh with her name. “The worrier…as mothers do.” His smile was small. “Yes, of course. We do have a phone on the island in case of emergencies, and I have personally seen to it that each of your emergency contacts have that number.” He glanced up, apparently thinking. “Mona, correct?” Her mother. “Your mother?”
She nodded, and I saw the shock on her face.
“Yes, lovely woman. She knows how to contact you if she needs you, but the beauty of the island is in the fact that you do not feel pressured to keep electronics on you at all times. If you want to jump in the ocean, you are free to do it. No more spending your days handicapped by the fact that your most valuable possession is in your pocket, or your hand. While you are on Isla del Amor, you are free. Free to do what you want. Free from the pressures of society and social norms. You are free to focus on your partner and on your friends, without feeling like you should be doing something else. No distractions.” He smiled. “And, of course, if you hate it, it is only six nights, seven days. Though we will do everything in our power to make sure you are begging to stay longer once your time to leave has come. I know it must seem scary in the beginning, but from the feedback we have been receiving, our couples are really finding it an amazing chance to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with each other.” He gestured toward Brad. “This beautiful man next to you wants your attention, my dear. This is your chance to give it to him.”
She looked back toward Brad and shrugged one shoulder, nodding at Manu, but not responding.
“Do you have any stores here?” Jaren asked. “Like for T-shirts?”
Manu shook his head. “Ah, I am afraid we do not. We want everything here at Isla del Amor to be all-inclusive, so a store does not quite fit that narrative. But, if you would like to suggest it, I am very happy to consider one in the future. It does not help us now, though. I am sorry.”
“Okay, cool,” Jaren said. “No big deal.”
“All right, then. I’m sure you are all starving…and I hope you are because our chef, Alon Valencia, is world-renowned and highly coveted, and he has prepared a few delicious meals for you to choose from.” He gestured toward the menus lying on the white tablecloth in front of us. After a few moments, a waiter approached the table, taking our orders. I chose Caribbean fish stew with a ’96 Fevre Chablis.
“So, tell me about yourselves,” Manu said when the orders were taken and our waiter had disappeared. “What do you do for fun?”
“This,” Emily said gleefully, sinking back in her chair with a laugh.
“Yes, yes,” Manu said, smiling joyfully. “And what about your partner there? Andy?”
Andy looked up, apparently distracted by something. “Sorry, what?”
“What is it you do for fun, Andy?”
“I…I like to work on cars. I’m obsessed with ’em.”
“Very nice,” Manu said. “And you, Megan?”
Megan smiled, her hand wrapping around my arm. “Well, I love to bake. I own a bakery, so it’s basically what I do all the time, but Nicky and I are planning our wedding, so that’s especially fun for me right now.”
“A wedding. Oh, how marvelous.” He clasped his hands together in front of his chest. “Congratulations,” Manu said, glancing at me.
“Thank you,” Megan said with a sigh.
“And what do you like to do for fun, Nick?”
I
