After spending considerable time exploring the rest of the ruins at San Gervasio, Nick and Sara headed back to where Juan Carlos had left the taxi. As they approached, they noticed that he was in the midst of an animated conversation with another man who appeared to be a tourist. Juan Carlos glanced up and upon seeing Nick and Sara he broke into a wide grin. "Ah, see, there they are now." He gestured toward them as if that would answer all of the questions the man had.
Nick quirked an eyebrow at Sara and then forced a smile at Juan Carlos. "Hey, man, what's up"
Juan Carlos continued smiling and gestured to the man standing next to him. "I was just telling Mr. Ned here that the taxi was spoken for."
It was then that Nick and Sara noticed the scowl of frustration on the other man's face. Nick extended his hand in greeting. "I'm Nick Stokes and this is Sara Sidle." He gestured toward Sara as he shook the man's hand.
"Ned Augustine." He gestured toward Juan Carlos and the taxi. "I made the mistake of renting a moped to come out here, only it was stolen and I'm stuck."
"You staying in town" Nick quizzed him formulating an idea in his mind.
"Yeah, at the Plaza Las Glorias." Ned let out a frustrated sigh. "As you can see, Juan Carlos is the only taxi here at the moment."
"And I'm employed by Nick and Sara." Juan Carlos gave Sara an extra long look, paying special attention to her legs as he wondered if Nick had made his move.
Sara stepped a little closer to Nick, a move that made the corners of his mouth curl upwards as he snaked an arm around her waist in a protective gesture. Feeling a bit more secure, Sara smiled at Ned. "You could just share the taxi with us, I'm sure there's enough room."
"Yeah, Sara's right. There's just the two of us." Nick agreed, trying not to let his smile widen as he felt Sara lean a little closer to him. He had to admit that he could get used to this.
Relief washed over Ned. "Thanks. That would be great."
Juan Carlos beamed. "See, problem solved. Everyone is happy." He directed a meaningful stare at Nick and then winked as he whispered too loudly. "I see you took my advice."
This time, Nick was the one who had color infusing his cheeks. He wasn't going to correct Juan Carlos because he might start hitting on Sara again, but he also didn't want to do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. At the moment he felt as if he was between a rock and a hard place and anything he might say could backfire.
Ned seemed oblivious to the situation as he climbed into the front seat of the taxi, leaving the backseat for Nick and Sara.
Sara pursed her lips together to keep from smiling and as Juan Carlos looked at Nick expectantly for him to either confirm or deny his assumption. Sara decided to just take matters into her own hands. She leaned over and planted a kiss on Nick's cheek and then climbed into the taxi, calling out after him. "Coming, baby"
Nick just smiled at Juan Carlos and climbed in after Sara. "Yes, honey."
A flicker of disappointment registered on Juan Carlos' face, but he quickly replaced it with his perma-smile and decided that all this crazy American had needed was a little push. Maybe tomorrow he'd meet another lovely American woman to try and woo; or perhaps an Italian, those Italian women were exceptionally beautiful.
Ned glanced back at Nick and Sara and smiled. "Thanks again for letting me hop a ride with you. How are long are you in Cozumel for"
"Ten days. We just got here yesterday." Nick answered, taking advantage of the charade Sara had decided to play by taking her hand in his. He smiled when she laced her fingers with his and then rested her head against his shoulder.
"Where are you staying" Ned continued; wincing as Juan Carlos barely missed a pedestrian as they pulled out onto the roadway.
"Hacienda San Miguel." Nick answered.
"Ah, a fine choice." Juan Carlos answered. "Very romantic." He looked at Nick and Sara in the rearview mirror and grinned.
Ned furrowed his brow. "That's not down by the beach is it" Ned looked very much the part of the tourist who preferred the tour busses and package deals. His foray on the moped only underscored that he probably wasn't going to venture out by himself like that again in the near future.
Nick shook his head. "No, it's a bit further inland."
Juan Carlos interjected as he swerved to avoid a pothole. "Small and historical with a lovely courtyard." He almost sounded like a travel brochure.
"It's nice." Sara smiled as she watched Ned's eyes widen at the way Juan Carlos was maneuvering the vehicle on the two-lane roadway.
"You here by yourself, Ned" Nick queried him, trying to keep his smile to a minimum as he felt Sara pull their linked hands into her lap.
"Yeah." He looked disappointed as he furrowed his brow. "This was supposed to be my honeymoon, but my fiancée decided that she preferred our SCUBA instructor to me. The trip was already paid for so I said 'what the hell'." He let out a resigned chuckle.
Nick winced. "Hey, sorry man."
"It's ok. I guess I should just be glad it happened before we got married." Ned put on a good-natured smile. "Besides, I sort of like Cozumel, even if Gina was supposed to be here with me."
Sara felt badly for Ned. "You know Nick and I haven't made any firm plans for what we're doing this week. Maybe you can join us for dinner or something."
Ned looked grateful, but a bit skeptical. "I wouldn't want to impose on your romantic vacation."
"No imposition." Nick insisted with a smile.
"We insist." Sara echoed. She had been sitting there fairly silent as Juan Carlos drove thinking about the fact that she was snuggled up next to Nick holding his hand and enjoying every minute of it. She only wished that she was in the position because he wanted to be with her, not because she was trying to throw Juan Carlos off the scent.
Ned smiled genuinely. "That would be really nice. I'll leave you the number at my hotel and I'll let you two decide when you want some company."
Juan Carlos couldn't help but interject again. "You must try my brother's restaurant. El Moro has wonderful local food and you must try the lime soup. I'll pick you all up later and you'll be my guests." He smiled widely at his captive audience.
"We don't want to put you out, Juan Carlos." Nick began, glancing at Sara and wondering just how much more of this guy she was going to be able to handle.
"I insist." He smiled. "Best food in town. My treat, because you're a smart man." He winked in the rearview mirror at Nick.
Ned shrugged his shoulders. "I'm free if you are."
Juan Carlos spoke in a conspiratorial tone to Ned. "Nick here just needed a little push to win Sara's heart." He looked back at Sara over his shoulder. "Isn't that right, Sara"
With Ned looking at her and Juan Carlos not paying any attention to the road, Sara smiled as she felt Nick squeeze her hand in support. She glanced up at him with a smile and then answered Juan Carlos without missing a beat. "Nick's a keeper."
Nick felt a rush of longing that he wished that Sara really was speaking the truth and he wondered how she would feel if she knew that his feelings towards her had been edging closer to romance over the last few months. He also wondered if it was wise to reveal that information when they still had nine days left in Cozumel and only one bed in their hotel room.
