“We are. It’s a small island, and the staff is pretty close.”
How close? I wonder about that as he places a glass in front of me with a beautiful purple concoction inside. I don’t ask that question though. It’s none of my business. And I don’t care.
Nope. Not at all.
I take a sip, and my eyes close as I let out a small moan. “Oh my God. That’s good.”
He doesn’t look surprised by my reaction. “I’m very good at what I do.” He grins, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s flirting with me. But when I look at him—while he’s very good-looking, I don’t feel that spark I’ve been looking for. Seems like I’ve been wanting that connection forever, though I never allowed myself to admit it.
I wanted it to work with Christopher. I really did, even though there wasn’t really a spark with him either. It was just fun. For the most part, when we weren’t arguing about me coming out at least.
“And speak of the devil,” Holden says, his eyes bright as he looks back at the door. I turn to look over my shoulder, and my entire body sags when I see who he’s talking about.
Atlas.
And damn it, he still looks good. That wasn’t my imagination at all.
His face drops when he sees me sitting at the bar as he approaches with a cocky stride. “This isn’t the smoothie bar.”
I hold up the delicious drink Holden made for me. “Seems to be. Or maybe some members of the staff aren’t completely rude, after all.”
“Well, this is fun,” Holden says, placing his elbows on the bar, his chin in his hands as he watches us. “I see you made a new friend, Atlas.”
Atlas rolls his eyes at his friend, not looking at me. “Nope. Just doing my job.”
“Loudly,” I add as I take another sip of smoothie.
“It’s a vacuum. They’re loud. Take it up with the manufacturer if you’re that annoyed.”
I puff up, ready for another argument, but he ignores me, looking over at Holden. “So I guess we aren’t going to lunch.”
“Sorry, man. I think Elijah here needs my services.”
My neck heats at the way he says services. But again, no spark. Fucking spark. Maybe I don’t need it. Maybe I could just sleep with this hot bartender dude and live a little.
“You gonna tuck him in for his nap too?” The question is directed at Holden, but I glare angrily up at Atlas.
“I’m not a child.”
He just snorts an obnoxious laugh and full-on ignores me again, looking at Holden. “You want me to grab you something?”
“Yeah, get me a Caesar wrap.” Holden nods in my direction. “And for my new friend, Elijah, what would you like?”
I notice Atlas’s body tense at the question and stiffen too. But then I decide to go with it. I straighten my back and lift my chin. “I’ll take a salad. If they have anything fresh, that is.”
Holden chuckles, and I swear I hear a growl coming from Atlas, but he doesn’t say no this time. Maybe his friend makes him a more decent human. Who knows? I certainly don’t care.
Atlas starts for the door as I take another sip, and Holden focuses on me. “You know, you should join us Friday for nude night on the beach.”
Nude night?
I nearly squeak when he extends that invitation. I’m about to politely decline when Atlas stops and laughs. “Yeah. No way.”
I turn on the stool to face him. “And why not?”
He rolls his eyes at me effortlessly, like he doesn’t mind offending me at all. Well consider me offended. “Because it’s exactly what it sounds like.” He walks closer, and I try like crazy not to watch the way his shirt clings to every muscle with each step. I don’t want to focus on his ridiculously handsome face either. Goddammit, there’s nowhere to look. He stops a couple of feet from me. “It’s nude, as in naked night. We smoke, we drink . . .” His voice is deep and firm as he looks directly into my eyes. “We party, and we relax. Something tells me that isn’t your scene.”
I straighten my back again in defense, and Holden laughs it off easily. “It’s fun. You should come.”
“It does sound fun.” I spin back around on my stool and look at Holden. “Friday, you say?”
He grins with a nod. “Yup.
“I’ll be there,” I say defiantly, finishing my smoothie and climbing off the stool. I drop a ten-dollar bill on the bar. “Thanks for the smoothie and the invite.”
“Can’t wait.” He takes the ten, and I nod, turning and brushing past Atlas on the way out, trying to ignore the brief contact and how it makes my entire body tingle just from the touch.
“I’ll pass on the salad though. Thank you.”
He studies me carefully but stands with his shoulders back and an irritated look on his handsome face.
Instead of staying there, arguing about how rude he is or telling him I’ll be at their naked night, I push my way through the doors and stare up at the bright blue sky.
He doesn’t know me at all.
I can totally relax.
I’m sure of it.
Maybe.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Atlas
By Friday, I’m in a seriously bad mood. Which, believe it or not, isn’t normal for me. I’m not moody or grumpy. Especially not on Friday nights, when it’s time to party.
Usually, I’m pretty easygoing. I really do like my job. I love living here in paradise. I like the few friends I’ve made. Despite a rocky start in my younger years, I know I have it pretty much made now. I’m happy.
But fucking Holden inviting Elijah to nude night seriously messed with me. The defiant way he held himself when I called him on it remains in the recesses of my mind.
Not that I expect him to show up.
There’s no way a guy that uptight will strip his clothes off for the whole island to see. But there was a challenge when I said he wouldn’t show. One I wasn’t sure he’d accept or not.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him to show up.
I haven’t seen him since that first day. His villa isn’t on the schedule until Monday. But on an island as small as this one, I expected to run into him at least once. Maybe he did find someone to be his errand boy.
All I know is when Holden texts me about meeting up, I tell him I’m not going and then shut off my phone so I won’t have to listen to his, no doubt, excellent reasons for me to go.
I leave my phone, along with my wallet and keys, on my bedside table and change into tangerine and lime green swim trunks and my black sandals before heading out.
I may be skipping nude night, but a nice walk on the beach sounds good to me. I suppose. And okay, maybe I’m being a little bit of a creeper as I walk near the spot we usually meet at, just to see if our newest island member has the balls to show up.
I’m shocked when I see him. He’s lingering, just watching, and I wonder for a minute if he’s going to approach Holden. But he turns and quickly starts walking away, his face showing something that looks like disappointment.
I should feel victorious, but instead I feel like an asshole.
Not everyone can do naked night. He shouldn’t feel ashamed he didn’t.