showing off her freshly-pedicured toes.
She moved to the mirror and brushed her thick, brunette hair until the red and light-brown highlights shone brightly. Then she tied it up with a red ribbon that matched her dress. After applying light makeup she grabbed a cream-colored sweater in case the nights were chilly and headed down the steps of her bungalow toward the path that led to the beach.
The sun was setting and people were hurrying along the beach to the event site. Jennifer could see Tiki torches and Chinese lanterns surrounding the designated area. She could also smell the wonderful food that had been prepared. She hadn't eaten since morning and the delicious aromas were making her stomach rumble with anticipation.
When she arrived people were scurrying in every direction in their attempts to secure enough seats for everyone in their parties. Luckily, she found a single beach chair with a small table beside it right in the thick of the action. She sat down before anyone else could snatch it, well aware that she was only so lucky because she was alone.
The atmosphere was electric and Jennifer didn't feel lonely for long. Musicians sat on an elevated stage, energetically playing the instruments of their native land including ukuleles, various sized drums, flutes and other wind instruments. The music was loud, vibrant and infectious and it made Jennifer want to move her body.
As the music continued and the organizers prepared to begin the night's festivities, people continued pouring in droves; talking, laughing, singing and dancing. Jennifer felt relaxed and exhilarated at the same time and was making fast friends with the people around her. She settled in and allowed herself to go with the flow.
Chapter 2
"Would you like a Margarita, Vahine?"
Jen smiled at the use of the Tahitian name for a lady.
"Yes. Thank--"
She looked up, assuming it was a server who had spoken, and was disconcerted when she discovered the truth.
"Oh, it's you," she grumbled.
"Is that any way to treat someone who is offering you a sinfully delicious drink?" London chuckled.
"I'll take the Margarita then you can go," she said dismissively, not even sure why she was being so cold.
She extended her handed for the drink. He pulled the glass back, away from her grasp.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily. I come with the drink," he laughed.
She rolled her lovely eyes at him while, at the same time, marveling once again at how gorgeous he was.
"Fine," she muttered.
He set the drink on the small table then grabbed the first vacant chair he saw, unconcerned whether or not it had been claimed. He set it next to hers and sat down.
"This is a fun shindig," he said conversationally.
"Have you attended one of these before?" she asked curiously.
"Sure! Tahiti is one of my favorite spots. I come here as often as I can," he said. "I'd be happy to show you around."
It was a statement rather than a question. He acted as though he knew her well despite being a stranger. That piqued her.
"It's arrogant of you to assume this is my first visit," she said testily.
"Are you saying that it's not?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jennifer watched the people dancing, refusing to answer. She thought he was insufferable and wished he would go away. And she was fairly sure that she meant it.
London looked at her stubbornly set chin and sighed. He had tried to be cute and clever and, instead, had gotten off on the wrong foot with her once again. Now he needed to make amends while continuing to try and figure her out.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Jennifer. I am sorry. Please forgive me," he said contritely. He waited for her response. None came. "Jen, will you forgive me?"
She stiffened. He'd used her nickname despite knowing nothing about her. The man was impossibly presumptuous. Yet she had to admit that there was something about
She moved to the mirror and brushed her thick, brunette hair until the red and light-brown highlights shone brightly. Then she tied it up with a red ribbon that matched her dress. After applying light makeup she grabbed a cream-colored sweater in case the nights were chilly and headed down the steps of her bungalow toward the path that led to the beach.
The sun was setting and people were hurrying along the beach to the event site. Jennifer could see Tiki torches and Chinese lanterns surrounding the designated area. She could also smell the wonderful food that had been prepared. She hadn't eaten since morning and the delicious aromas were making her stomach rumble with anticipation.
When she arrived people were scurrying in every direction in their attempts to secure enough seats for everyone in their parties. Luckily, she found a single beach chair with a small table beside it right in the thick of the action. She sat down before anyone else could snatch it, well aware that she was only so lucky because she was alone.
The atmosphere was electric and Jennifer didn't feel lonely for long. Musicians sat on an elevated stage, energetically playing the instruments of their native land including ukuleles, various sized drums, flutes and other wind instruments. The music was loud, vibrant and infectious and it made Jennifer want to move her body.
As the music continued and the organizers prepared to begin the night's festivities, people continued pouring in droves; talking, laughing, singing and dancing. Jennifer felt relaxed and exhilarated at the same time and was making fast friends with the people around her. She settled in and allowed herself to go with the flow.
Chapter 2
"Would you like a Margarita, Vahine?"
Jen smiled at the use of the Tahitian name for a lady.
"Yes. Thank--"
She looked up, assuming it was a server who had spoken, and was disconcerted when she discovered the truth.
"Oh, it's you," she grumbled.
"Is that any way to treat someone who is offering you a sinfully delicious drink?" London chuckled.
"I'll take the Margarita then you can go," she said dismissively, not even sure why she was being so cold.
She extended her handed for the drink. He pulled the glass back, away from her grasp.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily. I come with the drink," he laughed.
She rolled her lovely eyes at him while, at the same time, marveling once again at how gorgeous he was.
"Fine," she muttered.
He set the drink on the small table then grabbed the first vacant chair he saw, unconcerned whether or not it had been claimed. He set it next to hers and sat down.
"This is a fun shindig," he said conversationally.
"Have you attended one of these before?" she asked curiously.
"Sure! Tahiti is one of my favorite spots. I come here as often as I can," he said. "I'd be happy to show you around."
It was a statement rather than a question. He acted as though he knew her well despite being a stranger. That piqued her.
"It's arrogant of you to assume this is my first visit," she said testily.
"Are you saying that it's not?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jennifer watched the people dancing, refusing to answer. She thought he was insufferable and wished he would go away. And she was fairly sure that she meant it.
London looked at her stubbornly set chin and sighed. He had tried to be cute and clever and, instead, had gotten off on the wrong foot with her once again. Now he needed to make amends while continuing to try and figure her out.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Jennifer. I am sorry. Please forgive me," he said contritely. He waited for her response. None came. "Jen, will you forgive me?"
She stiffened. He'd used her nickname despite knowing nothing about her. The man was impossibly presumptuous. Yet she had to admit that there was something about
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