I decide against changing because I’m keen to make the most of every minute of my hour and as I walk on the beach, I congratulate myself on landing what is shaping up to be my dream job. Watching me approach is the man of those dreams, and he waves as I get nearer.
“Hey Kat, glad you made it.”
As I reach him, he grins. “Welcome to the beach hut. This is where we arrange the water sports for the guest. Paddle boarding, canoes, jet skis and snorkelling. There’s also the speedboat you experienced first-hand that yours truly uses to take the guests out to explore. We’ll do that when we’ve got more time.”
“Great, thanks.”
Nate smiles and I stare at him with open admiration and I’m guessing he’s used to that because what’s not to like. He must be over 6ft tall with dirty blonde hair that he wears slightly longer on top, framing astonishingly blue eyes. His body is tanned and the result of a lot of hard work at the gym, judging from his biceps. He wears his casual clothing with style and as he perches his aviators across his eyes, he offers me his hand.
“Let me help you, this sand can be treacherous.”
“Are you kidding me?” I laugh as he grins, his large hand closing around mine and settling there as if it was made to.
“Come, we’ll do the tour and then grab some lunch. It’s lobster today and you won’t want to miss that.”
I think I’m in a parallel universe where everything is five stars because who gets to eat lobster—for lunch?
“So, pretty lady, this is the beach, home of yours truly. If you take the steps over there, they lead to the pool, which you know from last night. If we go the other way, there’s a gazebo on the edge looking out to sea where the private meals are served. We’ve had the odd wedding here too, but most of our guests are a little past that unless it’s for the second or third time.”
“Do many return?”
“Some do, but mostly they’re new.”
“How do they hear of it?”
“Usually by invite. Madelaine is our saleswoman, and she does a good job.”
At the mention of my saviour, I say with interest. “Does she come here much?”
“Yes, she spends one week a month here, just to check in and keep Chester happy.”
“Why?”
I’m confused, and he laughs out loud. “Chester and Madelaine are partners.”
“What as in…”
“Together in every way.” He grins. “You’ll get used to Catalina ways, Katrina. Nearly all the staff are encouraged to pair up with someone. It keeps them happy and there aren’t any vacancies for single people on this island.”
“But I’m single.”
I stare at him in shock, and he shrugs, “You have me.”
“What do you mean?”
I’m a little taken aback, and he stops and stares straight into my eyes, saying firmly, “I’m without a current partner and you need one. Problem solved.”
“A current partner.”
I’m reeling from this, and he nods. “Darcey was my partner, but she left, so I’m looking for the position to be filled. You need one, so here we are.”
I stare at him in shock as he shrugs. “It’s for the best. We team up and they leave us alone. You get to stay, so problem solved.”
“So…” I blink in shock, my mind racing like a racing car off the grid.
“We partner up and I can stay. If we don’t, I must leave.”
He nods. “Correct.”
“But…”
I’m so confused because I don’t think I’ve understood what partner means on Catalina and it must show because he says with a small smile, “Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands. Just go with the flow and you’ll figure it out. All it means is that we partner up in the evenings and spend our free time together.”
“So, friends really.” My voice is getting higher the more I digest this information, and he grins, with a slightly devilish look twinkling in his eyes.
“Maybe more. Who knows, it could be fun.”
Wishing there was a fan handy to help with the surge of heat setting me on fire, I follow him as he points out several places on our walk. The trouble is, I can’t even concentrate because what is this – Love Island or something? Couple up or go home. Surely Madelaine would have told me about that. Then again, I would choose Nate in a heartbeat because he is everything I like. Then I think of Adam and wonder about his own stay on the island.
“Does that mean Adam has to leave?” I blurt out my question and Nate stills for a second.
“Possibly, if he doesn’t play the game.”
“The game?”
Now I’m even more confused and Nate shrugs. “Adam has been told to partner with Chloe. He’s refusing but Chester will talk him round.”
“But that’s so cold.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and he shakes his head. “Adam’s a fool if he refuses. Chester’s a good guy, but I wouldn’t want to upset him and if Adam doesn’t play ball, his time here is done.”
“He may prefer that. Maybe he fell in love with Jenny and will follow her.”
“He probably will if he turns his back on Chloe. He should just learn to roll with it and enjoy the perks of the job instead.”
He squeezes my hand and says brightly, “Let’s go and eat and I’ll show you the staff area after.”
We head into the cool air-conditioned canteen, and I sigh with relief at the respite from the heat outside. It’s a cool oasis of delight, judging by the feast laid out before me. Beautifully prepared lobster is resting on mixed salad leaves with delicious looking salads in bowls nestling nearby. Grabbing a couple of sparkling cocktails, Nate hands them to me. “Go and grab a table, babe. I’ll bring the food.”
Feeling as if I’m having an out-of-body experience, I take a seat at an empty table overlooking the spa building and look around with a keener interest than before because Nate has just dropped a huge bombshell and I need to think about what it means for me. Noticing the tables are filled with couples, all male and female, I pay particular attention to them. Many are holding hands, some laughing and gazing flirtatiously into each other’s eyes. I watch one man gently stroke the girl’s face opposite him and it strikes me that every staff member here is around my own age or slightly older. In fact, other than Chester and the guests, it’s a very young crew and I wonder about that.
Nate heads back carrying plates laden with food and says happily, “I never miss lobster. It’s always good and Joseph, our head chef, is particularly gifted.”
“Does he have a partner?” I am so intrigued I can’t think past this strange requirement, and Nate nods. “Fran, she’s one of the masseurs. Pretty girl with the patience of a saint. She needs to be with him as her partner because chefs are known to be volatile and he’s no exception.”
“Maybe that’s where Adam gets it from.”
He laughs. “Probably.”
I look past Nate and see the man himself glowering at us from across the room and I feel awkward. He looks as if he hates us both and it puts me on edge.
Nate is eating his food as if he’s dying from starvation and as I nibble at mine, I find I’ve lost my appetite, which is a shame because this food is seriously good.
Then I have an idea and say casually, “I’ll grab us some water.”
Nate nods and carries on eating and on shaking legs, I head toward the buffet where Adam is working, clearing away empty dishes. I’m not even sure why I thought this was a good idea and hover nervously beside the water cooler that is placed to the side, with slices of refreshing lemon infusing it. As I grab a glass, without even looking at me, Adam says in a low growl, “Meet me at the gazebo at ten tonight. Don’t tell anyone.”
I move away fast, my heart thumping with adrenalin and curiosity. Maybe Adam has something to tell me that I really need to know because I’m not a fool. There is something seriously weird going on here and Adam appears to be the only one who is not that happy about it. I need to know all the facts before I make up my own mind, so I decide to meet him later and find out just what this island’s secret is.