Page 5 of Fighting Fate
ROSIE hesitated for a long moment, considering Adam. He was really a very good-looking guy, she thought, taking a moment to give him a more thorough look over. Her gaze snagged on the slim black and gold watch on his left wrist.
That’s a Piaget Altiplano. And I think it’s a real one.
Which meant Adam was well-off, and the way he looked, surely he had no shortage of women vying for his attention.
Conclusion; probably not an axe murderer rapist who pickles up tragic lonely fat girls to victimise.
He actually seems really nice.
After all, he’d interrupted his run on the beach when he heard her crying, had come over to check if she was alright, even said he’d beat someone up for her.
A nice, good-looking, apparently well-off guy just asked me out to dinner.
“Yes,” Rosie was a little surprised to hear herself say. “I’d really like that. If you mean it?”
“I definitely mean it.” His eyes crinkled at the corners in a surprisingly cute way as he smiled at her. “You just name the place and the time, and I’ll… um, well, I probably can’t do the pumpkin coach and shit, but I can definitely play Prince Charming to your Cinderella for the evening.”
Rosie laughed. “You’re a really nice guy, huh?”
“Well, hopefully you’ll still think so this evening.”
“Hamilton Island,” she said, and he blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“I’d rather not have dinner at any of the island’s restaurants,” she said apologetically. “Literally everyone knows me and the gossip… I’m sure you understand. We can get the last boat back this evening, it doesn’t leave until ten.”
“Works for me. Would you like me to book somewhere?”
Rosie shook her head. “It’s fine, I can get us a table anywhere. Meet me at the dock at five-thirty?”
“I’ll be there,” Adam promised. “You sure you’re going to be alright today?”
“I’ll be fine, thank you. I’ve got a day off rostered anyway.” She smiled thinly. “I’d hoped to be spending it in bed with Luke, but I guess I’ll just catch up on the sleep I’ve missed.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Adam rose to his feet, held out his hand. She put hers in it and let him help her to her feet.
“Thanks for stopping, and listening,” she said, feeling it needed to be said.
“Any time.” He let go of her hand, stooped and picked up her shoes to hand them to her. “Only thing is, I still don’t know your name.”
“Oh!” Startled, she realized she hadn’t told him. “It’s Rosie. Rosie Brown.”
He was even bigger standing up; she had to tip her head way back to meet those dark brown eyes. Six foot five at least, she estimated, and the muscles practically screamed professional sportsman. She was going to have to Google once she got back to her room.
“Can I walk you anywhere?” Adam asked, and Rosie shook her head.
“No, I’m good, thanks. It’s not far back to the staff quarters. You carry on with your run.”
He nodded, mouth twisting thoughtfully as he gazed at her, and then he said “Alright. I’ll see you later.”
She watched as he turned to stride back down the beach, going almost to the water’s edge before breaking into a loping run which carried that huge frame with deceptive efficiency and speed. He was a tiny figure in the distance within mere moments, or so it seemed, and Rosie sighed and turned to head back to the resort, praying she wouldn’t run into anyone she knew. It looked a lot like she was doing a walk of shame, after all. Maybe the early hour would save her.
Only a couple of the garden staff were about, thank goodness, and they were both focused on their work and didn’t pay any attention to her tiptoeing past, probably thinking she was a resort guest.
Rosie practically held her breath as she let herself back into her cabin, praying she didn’t wake Jill. There was a note pinned to her bedroom door.
I WANT DETAILS, was all it said, and Rosie winced. Jill would be sympathetic, but she was also very forthright and would probably have some pithy comments to make about Rosie’s reckless decision to leap in feet-first and proposition Luke publicly.