She found herself speculating how Prince Marcus might have reacted had he gone through the same past couple of hours with her. Surely it would have been much different. It was more confirmation that she’d made the right choice by not marrying him. She went to her bank’s website and attempted to log into her account. Denied. She tried again, more carefully this time. Denied.
“What the…?” She typed slowly, repeating the letters to herself as she… Denied.
“What’s wrong?” David leaned over.
“It’s not letting me in. And now I’ve tried too many times from an unrecognized computer.” She sagged back in her chair. “I’m locked out.” Which meant trying to get on from an app on David’s phone wasn’t going to work, either.
“Okay. So you can finally stop worrying about this paying-me issue and we can move on? The only reason I wanted you to do this was because of the phone anyways.”
“Back to square one.” Darn it! Roadblocks everywhere she turned. “I guess I’ll just have to wait until we get to High Tide Harbor.”
He reached over and pulled her hand off the keyboard. “I’m not worried about that, so you can stop. This was my idea, remember?”
This whole thing-walking out on her wedding, hiding from her father and mother, getting her own place, coming with David on his boat-had all been an effort to get a little distance and figure out where she went from here. She couldn’t do that as long as she was still anchored to her old life. It might seem silly to him, but Bonnie didn’t like taking advantage of anyone’s generosity, and having David cover her expenses, as well as transporting her, even if it was his idea, was more than she could accept.
“None of this feels right.” She didn’t realize she’d said that out loud until she felt his fingers brush the side of her cheek. She glanced up, found his face close to hers, felt the warmth of his breath against her skin. Bonnie blinked, licked her lips and watched his pupils contract as he lowered his gaze to her mouth. Was he going to kiss her? Anticipation coiled hot and tight in her belly. Oh, she hoped so. She wanted him to. She had wanted him to ever since they had gone to that party…and memories of their previous kiss was still embedded in her brain.
“You’re worried about things you can’t control at the moment, Bonnie.” He inclined his head, his mouth curving into a gentle smile. “You have all you need right now to make it through this storm…. and I’m here too”
“You’re right.” Emotion clogged her throat. “I have you.”
He blinked, then pulled away from her.
“We’ll grab something to eat, then head back to the boat. With any luck, we can get another few hours out of her today. The sooner we’re in High Tide Harbor, the easier everything will be for both of us. There will be a bank there. You’ll get your account issues sorted and you can get on with your life. Sound good?”
She nodded even as her throat tightened. “Yeah,” she croaked. “You’re right, of course.” Apparently she was the only one thinking about a kiss between them.
“How do you feel about Mexican food? There’s a great little place on our way back to the boat. Want to give it a shot?”
“Sure.” She managed a quick smile, then turned back to the computer, clearing the history and making sure to log out of her email. When she stood up, her fake smile was back in place. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”
Cantina La Vida was located at the end of the main thoroughfare of Palm Bay, nestled into a bungalow-style building under the thick foliage of palm trees and whimsical drooping peppertrees. They were seated in the shaded side patio in iron chairs painted in hues of pink, blue and green. Traditional Mexican artwork lined the exterior walls, from murals to tile work to metal sculptures and a rock-formed waterfall that made it feel as if they were in the middle of the rainforest.
“Senor Dave.” The young woman seating them handed him a menu. “Nice to see you again.”
“Thanks, Flora.” David gave their server a wide smile. He’d only been here a handful of times, but after the first they knew him by name. One of the many reasons he came back. “This is my friend Bonnie.”
“Welcome, Senorita Bonnie.” Flora’s dark eyes crinkled when she offered her a menu. “Would you like to hear today’s specials?”
“Please,” Bonnie said.
David only half listened as he took in the serene setting and half-filled restaurant. In the distance, church bells chimed, announcing either the beginning or ending of services.
“The roasted-chicken-and-poblano tamales sound wonderful,” Bonnie said. “I won’t even look at the menu.”
“Si. My father is a wonder with tamales. Senor?” Flora turned her attention to David. “Your usual?”
“Si, Flora, gracias. What would you like to drink?” he asked Bonnie.
She shrugged. “I’m open to anything, remember?” Her cheeks went pink almost instantly. “I mean-”
“Cervezas-dos. And an order of your blue cheese guacamole.”
“Squawk! Duchess pretty girl.”
“Oh!” Bonnie twisted in her chair and looked up into the trees. A green-as-grass parrot with huge black eyes blinked down at her. “Well, hello there.”
“Shoo, Duchess,” Flora snapped and waved one of the menus at the bright green bird perched on a branch just beyond the gate of the restaurant. “I’m sorry. Poor thing belonged to the owner of the fitness center in town, but when it closed, Duchess got left behind.”
“That’s horrible!” Bonnie gaped. “Who could leave such a pretty creature behind?
“Is it my imagination,” David said slowly, “or is that bird posing?”
“Guac,” Duchess sang. “Guaca-mooleeeee!”
“She’s a fan, too?” David teased.
“Unfortunately.” Flora frowned. “I’m afraid she’s a bit on the stubborn side. If you ignore her, she should go away. And no matter how much she asks, do not give her any guacamole. Avocados can be toxic to birds.”
“Good to know,” Bonnie said. “We’re probably encroaching on her space.”
“If Duchess had her way, the entire town would be her space,” Flora said. “I’ll get your drinks. Please, relax and enjoy. Duchess! Silencio ahora!”
“Guaca-mooleeeee! Drop and give me fifty!”
Bonnie laughed. She pushed back her chair, walked to the fence and lifted her hand. “I bet you miss your owner, don’t you, girl?”
“Be careful,” David warned. “They’re known to bite.”