He smiled, but there was something in his expression that made me think he didn’t believe me. Maybe I was just paranoid. Either way, he moved on. “And you, Natasha?”
Natasha twisted her lips in thought, a wrinkle forming on her forehead. “I like to read, but I haven’t done it in years. And I like…” She paused, giving herself time to think. “I don’t really know. Netflix, I guess. I don’t ever have time for fun, honestly.”
“Oh, everybody has time for fun,” he chided playfully. “Perhaps you can put our library to good use while you are here. It is just inside our relaxation center.” He pointed to the building our waiters had exited from moments ago. “Inside, you will find our state-of-the-art spa, gym, a library, a movie theater, the kitchen, and a small indoor eating space for when we have bad weather. Oh, there is also a pool on the other side. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but some of our guests have found it quite useful. You would be surprised how many people come to an island resort and dislike the ocean. There is also a restroom straight inside those doors, as well as one down by the kayak rental booth.”
“Thank you, Manu. This all sounds so awesome. I’ll have to check the library out.”
“Yes, you must. There are a great many classics, as well as modern literature that I think you would quite enjoy,” he said, moving on. “And you, Jaren?” He said his name, overenunciating the a and n.
Jaren twisted his empty wine glass. The quietest of our group, he was the type to rarely talk unless asked a direct question, and even then, it wasn’t something he enjoyed. “I’m a sports guy,” he said. “Mostly football… And mostly watching. I haven’t played in years.”
“Well, I am afraid we do not have football here, but we do have a small basketball court inside in our gym. Perhaps you would enjoy yourself in there.”
Jaren nodded, looking relieved to have had the attention taken away from him as Manu directed his gaze to Brad. “And you, Brad? What do you like to do for fun?”
Brad cleared his throat, as he so often did before speaking. I couldn’t deny the way it drove me crazy. He looked at Laura, who was looking at Manu. “I’m like Natasha, I guess. I haven’t had time for fun in years. I’m a dad to two amazing little girls and I run my own accounting firm, and I also work with a company that’s bringing clean drinking water to developing countries.” Saint Brad.
“Perhaps, then, relaxing is something you should be doing for fun,” Manu joked, and Brad’s eyebrows bounced up as he gave an agreeable laugh. “And you are last, Mrs. Laura. What do you enjoy doing?”
“Oh,” she said softly, her eyes bouncing to Brad, then me, then Natasha, and back to Manu. “I don’t know. I’m a mom to two little girls, like Brad mentioned, so that takes up the majority of my time. But, when I’m not doing that, or when I’m not working at the dental office Nick and I run, I like to…” She put a finger to her lips. “Well, I used to love hiking; we have lovely woods behind our house. But I haven’t done that in years. I run quite a bit, but typically when I’m stressed. Mostly to have fun, I just relax on the couch with Netflix and wine, when I get the chance.” She smiled sadly, obviously unhappy with her own answer. “Oh, and I’ve always loved to write. I’d love to publish a novel someday.”
“Well, we do not have Netflix here, but I am happy to say there are plenty of hiking trails in the woods—just please stay on the paths we have marked for your safety—and I should think you will find plenty of time to write during your stay, if you would wish to do so. It is peaceful here.” His smile broadened. “And there is certainly no shortage of wine.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Natasha said with a cackle, raising her empty glass.
At her words, the doors to the relaxation center opened and eight waiters appeared, each carrying white trays. They approached our table, and nearly in unison, placed our plates in front of us. They poured our drinks and took the menus from us, checking to make sure everything was in order before they left.
I looked up, realizing Manu didn’t have any food in front of him. “I shall leave you now and let you talk, relax, and enjoy your meal,” he said, standing from his chair. “And I certainly hope you do. You are in paradise now, my dears. Your only focus should be enjoying every moment of it.”
I lifted the wine to my lips, letting the cool, rich texture sit on my tongue. Behind us, the water could be heard slapping against the sand, bringing with it a humidity that had the back of my shirt clinging to my neck.
He skirted away quickly, and when he was inside of the building, Andy broke the silence with as much class as could be expected.
“Holy shit, this is delicious!” Pineapple sat atop his pork, and I snorted watching him dig in. Emily picked at her salad, though I didn’t see her take a bite.
“Had you eaten today, bud?” Brad joked, and Andy flipped him off.
“This is really great,” Megan agreed, plucking a mandarin orange from the salad in front of her.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” Natasha said, taking a sip of the yellow mixed drink in her glass. “Like, this is really happening, you guys.”
“It’s wild, right?” Laura agreed. “This place is breathtaking.”
And so the conversation shifted, from our usual talk of the day-to-day to our newfound existence in paradise. I had the vague feeling that we were all just waiting for the other shoe to drop, like none of us—Emily aside—could believe it was really happening.
It was
