A/N…Soooo sorry for the delay. My goal is at LEAST one chapter every week or two until it's done! Same goes for Storm Front (whomever is reading that one).
The story is taking an interesting turn, but the suspense isn't over yet! Hope you enjoy!
Reviews are like an afternoon on the beach with a frozen margarita... One can never have too many! :P
Bobby's POV
"So when do we leave?"
"Are you in?" I asked hopeful.
"Yes, I'd love to go."
"Great," I smiled back. I was elated. And for a couple of reasons…
First, this trip sounded good in theory, but it might look very different after a few days alone in another part of the country. She and I are very similar in that we both get a little stir crazy when we're off the job for a few days. This will be good. We'll keep each other in check.
Second, because she's overdue for a break. She's thrown everything she has into moving past what happened with her and Joe. She's done great, but I really wanted to see her enjoy herself like she used to.
It would help if Joe would actually let her go…
She received about four letters from him since he was sent to prison.
To my knowledge, she hadn't replied.
x
We booked our plane reservations, then we each went home. I think she wanted to check in with her parents and see if they needed anything. I grabbed some dinner on the way home and made a few calls, including one to Lewis to let him know I'd be bringing Eames.
Lewis adored her, so I knew he wouldn't mind. I think he was even more disappointed that he wouldn't be able to join us.
We both needed Saturday to catch up on laundry, sleep and other things, before leaving on Sunday.
x x
Sunday afternoon finally arrived. We landed in Miami a little after 8:00pm. It was a difference of night and day with the weather.
I don't think it was even 30 degrees in New York when we left, and the air carried the scent and feel of the imminent blizzard.
Miami was a balmy 78 degrees. The tropical air lofted through the open doors of the terminal.
Playing over the loud speakers—amidst all the usual security warnings about leaving baggage unattended—was some upbeat island music.
Eames glanced around, taking it all in. Then she looked over at me and smiled.
She's happy. I sighed contently. This was a very good idea.
We grabbed our luggage and started toward the exit.
Eames tapped my arm and gestured to my right. I followed her suspicious gaze toward the person standing near the exit.
He was holding a sign that said 'Bobby Goren.' But I had no idea who he was.
The man was a little shorter than me, and he looked to be of Latin American descent.
"That's just too much of a coincidence," she remarked. I nodded.
When he saw us, he smiled and started to approach. "Bobby! Hey, guy!" he greeted me enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you. How was your flight?"
Eames and I stopped. "I'm sorry…but do I know you?" I posed to the man.
He saw our perplexed glares and his expression faded to a frown. "He-he…never called you?" He looked back and forth between us. "He was supposed to!"
"Who?"
"Lewis… I told him I'd be picking you two up." His face shown disappointment. "Guess he forgot."
I grabbed my phone, pulled it out of my inside pocket and turned it on. Then I waited for a signal.
"Forgive me… But who are you?" I asked.
He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Oh... You probably think I'm just some strange nut. Don't even know me from any other nut in this place," he extended his hand. "Apologies. I'm Jaime Lorenz."
I shook his hand, then he extended it to my partner and she accepted it. "And you must be the lovely Ms. Alexandra Eames," he kissed her hand. "Even prettier than Lewis described."
She smiled. "Nice to meet you, Jaime. How do you know Lewis?"
"We're old friends. We've known each other since we were little kids. His uncle lived about two blocks from my family and he used to visit his uncle during the summer."
My phone finally found a signal. On it was a new text message. I held it for Eames to see.
Bobby…My friend Jaime will pick you and Alex up at the airport. Thought I'd save you the hefty cab fare. He'll look for you by the exit. Have fun…L
Jaime pointed to the phone. "Guess that's all the notice you get, amigo," he chuckled nervously. "Better late than never."
I put the phone away. "You really don't have to give us a ride."
"Oh, I don't mind at all."
"How far is it to Clear Cove?" Eames inquired.
"About an hour." He thought for a second. "With no traffic."
"And where did you drive from?"
"Oh, I live here in Miami."
I must have appeared as hesitant as I felt.
"It's totally fine. I'm happy to do this."
"Yeah, but then you'd have to drive back to Miami."
"Like I said, it's okay."
Eames and I exchanged another look.
"I just happen to be free tonight, and I did want to meet you both. I've heard a lot about you, Bobby. Lewis considers you a great friend. And any friend of Lewis's…"
I smiled. He did sound sincere. I glanced over at Eames. "Are you okay with it?"
"Sure."
I sensed a little unease from her. But I don't think it was mistrust as much as fatigue from the flight and the desire to get away from the masses. I couldn't blame her.
"Great! Can I help with the bags?"
I glanced at her and she shook her head. "I think we're fine."
He clapped his hands together twice excitedly. "Okay, then! Let's go, amigos!" He walked on blissfully toward the exit.
Eames shot me an amusing glare, and I smirked. We followed him out to the garage.
Jaime located his car; a gold Subaru Outback. He opened the hatch and there was a thick tweed blanket covering what looked to be some stereo equipment. He made some room for our luggage by shifting things around.
"What's all of this?" I asked curiously.
"Amps. Sound equipment. I work for WMMA news."
"Expensive stuff to be hauling around," Eames remarked.
"Just finished a job not far from here," he replied, then turned to her. "No one can get these amps out except me. Not even my own crew some times," he remarks with a chuckle. "It's burglar proof and idiot proof." He checked the blanket once more then closed the trunk. "Well, off we go."
By the time we got to the Clear Cove, a lot of the initial awkwardness had subsided. He did have a bubbly personality, but he's a very kind-hearted person. It was easy to see why he and Lewis were friends. I had already started to like the guy and I got the impression that Eames had as well.
"Hey guys, we're a few blocks from where you'll be staying," Jaime remarked after we turned off the highway and onto a local road. "I need a cup of the world's greatest cappuccino before I drive back. You two want to join me?"
"The…world's greatest cappuccino?" Eames mused. "Really?"
"Oh, I would not lie to you, Senora," he stated gleefully. "Best in the world. But I can take you two to the condo straight away, if you want. Probably tired from your flight, which I would understand. I just thought we could shoot the breeze a little longer…if it's okay with you?"
"You buying?" Eames posed to Jaime, seeming interested. She leaned forward in her seat.
He turned toward her and smiled warmly. "Si, Hermosa. Anything for you, beautiful."
"Well… When you put it that way," she replied.
Jaime and I chuckled.
About a minute later, we pulled up outside of Café Amore, which was right at the beach.
We got out of the car and could hear the waves breaking against the posts beneath the pier, less than 20 feet from where we stood. The lamp posts illuminated the pier and the boardwalk, but dimmed into the pitch black of night. The air lofted the scent of the ocean, the wooden pier and nearby dining places.
It was a very rustic looking place. Inside, it had very low light and nice ambience. From floor to ceiling—much like the outside of the building—all of the walls, flooring, furniture and tables were stained in cedar. At the back wall, there were floor-to-ceiling mirror tiles which made the place look even bigger.
The east side of the dining area had a door that led outside to a dining patio. It was nice, so we opted for this.
The staff all knew Jaime and greeted him warmly.
"Are you guys hungry?" he asked us when the waiter arrived to take our order.
"I'm okay, how about you?" I directed to Eames.
"Just cappuccino would be fine."
"Same here," I replied.
"Me as well," Jaime told the waiter.
"With rum or without?" the waiter asked us.
"None for me. I've got to drive home," Jaime stated. "But make sure these two get a really good cup, amigo. They'll be here for the week."
"Oh, I see," the waiter grinned. "Well, enjoy your visit. We have breakfast all day and a good selection of sandwiches. But our specialty is coffee."
"He's already been singing your praises," I commented to the waiter.
"Yeah…'sometimes' he's good for business," he taunted playfully, giving Jaime a nudge. I'll bring your beverages right out," the waiter said as he left.
"So, how long have you two worked together?" Jaime asked us.
"Nine? Almost ten years?" I replied, and glanced to Eames to confirm.
"It'll be ten years this month. You transferred to Major Case on the 17th," she reminded me.
"How in the hell did you remember that?" I asked her disbelievingly.
"I had to fix some…personnel paperwork recently," she remarked. She held my gaze warily for a second, and I realized what she was referring to.
Jaime glanced back and forth between us. "Well, congratulations on ten years!"
"Thanks," I replied, my gaze returned to her. "Just hoping she keeps me around a little longer."
"Only if you behave yourself and stop getting into trouble with the chief of D's."
Jaime glanced at me. "Uh-oh, amigo. Sounds like you've been a bad boy." He turned to Eames. "You keeping him in line?"
She nodded. "It's a full-time job."
The waiter brought our drinks, Jaime raised his glass and toasted us.
Eames took a sip and then glanced up at the two of us wide-eyed. "Oh, you weren't kidding," she told Jaime. "Really is the best damn cappuccino! What the hell do they put in this?"
"No idea. I think it's a family secret. You'll probably have to whack someone to get it," he added with a chuckle.
We sat there talking and laughing for about an hour and a half. Jaime kept us entertained with stories from when he and Lewis were younger. Eames and I occasionally chimed in with our own relevant stories. We polished off the cappuccinos and ordered a second round of drinks.
The check came and Jaime snatched it up before I could. "No, no. It's mine. I promised," he responded. I caught a glimpse of it and realized the waiter had only charged us for mine and Eames's drinks. "Mine's free, but only when I bring them customers," he explained.
"Thanks. But will you let us return the favor?" I asked him.
"On the return trip. We'll have a cup of coffee before I take you two to the airport?"
"You're offering to drive us back too?" Eames posed in a mixture of surprise and gratitude.
He nodded.
"Thanks, Jaime. That's really out of your way. We don't mind splitting a cab," I suggested.
"It is no trouble at all. And besides…" he gestured to Eames. "Why miss out on a chance to see this lovely lady again?"
She smiled at him.
"I think it's an afternoon flight. Let us buy you a late breakfast or lunch, at least?"
"Well…okay. There's a great place in Miami just a couple of minutes from the terminal. They make the most amazing omelets all day," he grinned.
"Sounds perfect," I stated.
Jaime paid and we left. A few minutes later we pulled into the driveway of the condo.
The motion sensors triggered the lights that illuminated the long driveway and the walkway leading up to the porch. Jaime got out and retrieved our bags.
"Thanks again," we told him.
"Oh, no problem at all. Glad to have met you two. So what time is the flight on Sunday?"
I quickly checked the itinerary. "Oh, it's…3:45."
"I'll pick you up at 11:30am. That should give us enough time. Enjoy your vacation!"
Jaime left and we went inside.
Fatigue from the long flight had finally started to catch up to me, but I was anxious to see this place.
We went inside and I hit a few light switches so we could see the entrance and hallway. The place was every bit as large as Lewis described.
We glanced around at the rustic, ornately decorated family room. It was very open. Very warm and inviting. The fireplace seemed to be the focal point.
"This is nice!" Eames turned to me. "Didn't you say Lewis was having a hard time selling it?"
"Why? Are you interested?"
Her eyes continued to scope the room and entrance way. "Not on my income."
I followed her down the hall, hitting light switches along the way. There was one bedroom in the middle of the hallway on our right and a full bathroom across from it.
We reached the end of the hallway. On the left was the kitchen, and on the right was another living room. There were two French doors that led out to the balcony and the beach.
Eames eyes drifted around at the massive kitchen, the living room and back down the hallway toward the main entrance.
But my focus was on her. I guess there was still a part of me that was nervous about this arrangement.
While we've traveled together for work many times, this was completely different. I don't doubt I'll enjoy her company.
But would she mind being stuck here for a week with me?
I guess time would tell.
x x
I awoke at my usual Monday-morning work day time—5:45am, and I gazed around at the unfamiliar surroundings of the guest bedroom I was staying in. Very spacious and nice. Cedar- stained floors with a few thick area rugs. Large furniture pieces—a few that might have been antiques. The walls were wood-paneled and the panels extended up to a high vaulted ceiling.
I'd bet that most of my belongings from Brooklyn would fit in this one room. Although this four-poster bed took up a lot of the space.
Eames had selected the room on the main floor in the middle of the hallway. It gave her some privacy, and had an outside entrance from the balcony to her room. I had initially posed the idea that she could come and go as she pleased. I figured this was why she was interested.
I knew I wouldn't be able to fall back to sleep, so I got up and changed into some running clothes.
When I arrived downstairs, I immediately checked to see if Eames was up.
The door to her room was open but she wasn't in there. After giving a glance around at the rest of the place, I assumed she was out for a run.
I wandered toward the back door, opened it and stepped out onto the balcony.
It was cool but pleasant; probably just under 60 degrees.
I gazed out at the pre-dawn skies above the ocean. The red and golden streams of light gave the ocean an interesting violet hue from where I stood.
There was an expansive beach between our balcony and where the tide was breaking—probably 70 feet. The closest neighbors were about twice that distance to our right, and as far as the eye could see, there was no one to our left. No problem with privacy.
Either Jaime or Lewis had mentioned that our closest neighbors were a nice couple that spent winters here and the rest of their time in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
The balcony was an elaborate pine wood, with a few lounge chairs. At the back of the balcony was a round picnic table with bench seating and an umbrella in the center.
There were steps leading down to the beach. As I started down them, I discovered another patio beneath this one. It had a hammock, a few more lounge chairs, a large grill, another round picnic table with bench seating, and a mini bar with four wooden bar stools.
There was also a Jacuzzi in the corner that could probably seat ten to twelve. It had a vinyl padded cover over the top. Lewis said we were welcome to use it.
I recently learned that Lewis's uncle was a famous romance novelist. I hadn't read any of his books, but they weren't the genre that I tended to follow. Although according to Lewis, his uncle's reading interests were much more varied. I hadn't explored much of the condo last night, but one of the rooms is supposedly a library/reading room with a lot of classics. Lewis said if I found anything I liked, I was welcome to it.
I headed up the stairs and walked out onto the beach.
I glanced over to my left and found Eames. She was walking near the water's edge. She stopped for a bit to look out at the horizon.
She was dressed in her running gear, so I was right about where she'd been.
I strolled slowly toward her, but remained far enough back to allow her some privacy. I didn't want to disturb her, but wondered what could be holding her attention. Not seeing anything obvious, I figured she was just deep in thought.
The wind blew the loose tendrils of her hair—the part that wasn't tied back in a hair band.
She had on a pair of cropped pants; her hands were shoved into the pockets of her light colored sweat jacket.
Part of me felt a little guilty for staring, but she had such a natural beauty about her.
Her hair, a sweet-scented golden color, perfectly complemented her face. I also happen to know from the few times it's brushed past me, that it's very soft. It looked very nice whether she wore it up or down. Personally, I think I liked it best when she wore it up. She looked very elegant.
Her eyes were probably my favorite feature. The warmest honey brown I'd ever seen.
Those eyes were about as dangerous as they were innocent. As playful as they were sincere. As sweet as they were sexy.
I like how well I've come to know her over the years.
I've lost a few relationships with women because of this job. But Eames and I have remained close.
For obvious reasons, we've never had anything beyond a close friendship. I think it would probably destroy what we had, if we ever got romantically involved. I'd be too afraid of losing her.
x x
I was so focused on a memory, that I hadn't noticed when she turned her head toward the right.
So far, she still hadn't seen me, but I caught more of her expression this time.
Her eyes were a little withdrawn. I wondered what might be troubling her. I held on to the hope that she was at least happy to be here.
She glanced just a little further in my direction and this time, she finally she saw me.
She visibly relaxed, her expression softened, and she gave the most beautiful smile as she started toward me.
The wind lifted the strands of her hair. Her eyes sparkled. Her face flushed just enough to be glowing.
She looked a little sad just a few seconds ago… What happened? Was she this happy to see me?
Just couldn't take my eyes off of her.
"Uh… Hi. Good morning," I greeted her.
"Good morning," she replied back.
"Uh… Just get back?" I posed. I gestured toward her outfit. "Umm… From your run?" I meant to say something like, 'How was your run?' but I was fumbling my words.
I was staring…
Beautiful smile. Sparkling eyes…
She finally glanced away, looking a little more toward the shore. I was a bit relieved that one of us had broken eye contact or this was about to get very awkward.
"No, I haven't started yet." Her eyes drifted around at our surroundings. "It's just so beautiful out here."
"Yeah." Especially from where I stood…
The wind lifted a strand of her hair toward her eyes, which she tossed back with a slight tilt of her head.
"Um… Just thought I'd take a look around first," she explained.
I nodded.
"So… You want to take a run with me?" she asked, as she took a step or two back from me to prepare.
Beautiful smile. Sparkling eyes…
"Only if you let me buy you breakfast afterward?"
"Only if you can out-run me," she challenged. She picked up her pace, tossed me a playful grin over her shoulder.
And then she was gone.
x x x
TBC…
