Second Chance Bride (A Sapphire Bay Novella) Read Online Free Page B

twenty-third floor room ensured that nothing got in the way of that glorious view.
    “Seriously, Gene…” Cami’s voice echoed from the cell phone in Genie’s hand. “You went on a date last night?”
    “I wouldn’t exactly call it a date.” Genie shrugged. “I think his mother put him up to it.”
    “His mother?”
    “Yeah. I think they both work here at the hotel.”
    Cami sighed. “Well, if nothing else, he’s a great transitional guy to get back in the swing of dating.”
    “I’m not really interested in dating anyone.” Even as she said it, Genie knew she was lying as images of last night flickered though her thoughts. Donnie was so easy to talk to, not to mention completely gorgeous. She wondered what his job was at the hotel, and how long he’d had to save to take her on that dinner cruise last night. It just didn’t make sense that he’d spend that kind of money on a girl his mother had pushed him into taking out to dinner. Maybe the dinner cruise was a reward from the hotel for his exemplary service. No matter how it happened, the truth was, she was interested in dating Donnie, but he lived half a world away. “Besides, there’ll be like two thousand miles separating us when I go back home.” That was just it. Genie was going home, and sooner than she’s like. In a couple of days.
    “Typical,” Cami said. “You finally meet Mr. Right and he works in a hotel in Hawaii.” Her laughter teetered off.
    “Mr. Right?” Genie scoffed. “Nobody said anything about Mr. Right. Besides, we’ve only had one date. One.”
    “Doesn’t take more than a taste of the wine to know if the bottle’s a keeper. So did he kiss you?”
    “No!” Genie said a little too quickly and a little too loudly.
    Cami grunted. “Next time, you kiss him.”
    “What?”
    “Is that not every woman’s secret fantasy…to be swept off her feet by Mr. Hot-and-Sexy while on some exotic vacation?” Cami chuckled.
    “Well, there’s not going to be a next time.” Genie felt the depression over that swelling inside her. “We said goodbye in the lobby last night. I went my way and he went his. We made no plans to see each other again.”
    “Oh, he’s gotta call.”
    “Says who?”
    “The fantasy doesn’t end like this, Gene.” Cami’s insistence flowed through the phone. “It ends with one of you having to make the decision to move to where the other lives. My money’s on you.”
    “Why me?”
    “Because I want to come visit you in Hawaii.”
    “Well, you’re out of luck. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days and I don’t anticipate seeing him again beforehand.”
    “Of course you’ll see him again. Fate wouldn’t be that cruel.” A brutal silence lay between them for just a second or two, but it was long enough to make Genie wish she hadn’t told Cami about last night. “Plus,” Cami continued, “he works at the hotel where you’re staying.”
    Genie was about to object when a firm knock pulled her thoughts toward the door. “Hang on, someone’s at the door.”
    “Mr. Fantasy!” Cami giggled.
    Genie opened the door to a delivery person behind a dozen white roses. Genie’s heart thudded against her chest. The girl behind the bouquet peeked around and smiled. “Genie Wainwright?” she asked. Genie nodded. “These are for you. I’ll just need a signature.”
    “Hang on,” Genie said into the phone, then used both hands (her phone still in one) to grab the vase. She set the roses on the table by the door, then signed the girl’s tablet. “One second and I’ll get you a tip.” She hurried toward the dresser where she’d laid her purse, grabbed her wallet and fished out a five. “Thanks,” she said, handing the money to the girl before closing the door.
    Genie leaned against the door. Crazy, chaotic thoughts raced through her head. Where had the flowers come from?
    “Gene, what’s going on?” Cami’s voice came from the phone lying on the table next to the roses.
    Genie grabbed it.