Tuesday
"Marcus!" Sofia's yaw dropped down. Her eye must play her a practical joke. She forgot her boat she wanted to tie to the dock and starred at the man in front of her. Over six feet tall, a handsome face like it was made by an artist, shinning blue eyes and a smile like one of these people you see in TV advertisements for toothpaste.
"Hola Belleza, I knew I'd find you here. Come on, give me un beso."
Sara observed how a tall very good looking Latin guy lifted Sofia up in the air and gave her a big kiss straight on her lips. Sofia's arms got around his neck and she held on to him. They definitely knew each other.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I know my mujer muy guapa, you love to run at eight in the morning and I thought I'll join you like in good old times. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea."
"Okay, ready when you are."
"Give me a sec." Sofia turned to Sara. "I'll see you later. Lunch at twelve?"
"Sure."
"Good. Come on, I make you eat my sand."
"And I make you do other things, Querida." He slapped Sofia's backside and started to run.
"Hey!" The blonde followed him, closing the distance between them fast. With a slap on his backside she overtook him.
Sara followed them with her eyes until she couldn't see them anymore. That was a strange situation. Confused she went to the bar. Maybe Rhys could give her an explanation after Sofia didn't bother to do so nor did she introduce Sara to this man.
"Good morning Beauty, how are you?"
"I'm fine…who was that?"
"Marcus."
"I heard that. Does he work here too?"
"No, he's a special guest."
"A special guest?" He had to be very special the way Sofia greeted him.
"Wasn't that obvious?"
"Well it looked like they know each other."
"They do. Marcus has been here before and he didn't stay for a short time."
"Are they…were they…?"
"I told you she likes beauty." And Sofia told her the night before she had feelings for Sara. This morning it didn't look like that. It looked like she was over the moon to see this poster boy.
"She let him slap her backside."
"I'd let you slap my backside too if you want."
"No, thanks. I prefer a breakfast."
"Breakfast cocktail and a fruit salad. Very well. Anything else I can do for you?"
"You can explain the stone to me."
"Again?"
"I haven't understood it yet. Tell me why it gets warm. And don't give me any answers I can understand in a million different ways. I want a straight forward answer."
"When does your stone confuses you."
"For example when it gets warm."
"And it does that when?"
"It was extreme last night when I pulled Sofia in my arms. And don't give me the bullshit you'd feel warm too when you had Sofia in your arms."
"You're a little bit oversensitive today. Anything happened?"
"No."
"She told you about her feelings."
Irritated and surprised Sara starred at the bartender. Did Sofia tell him about her feelings? What else did she tell him?
"She told you about them."
"No. She didn't have to. All I had to do was to look into her eyes and I saw it. Usually I'd tell you not to hurt her but I know you won't do that. You want a straight forward answer about the stone, fine but don't complain or argue when you don't like it, Sara. The stone reacts to Sofia because of your feelings for her. I've no idea what exactly these feelings are but I can tell – not only because of the stone – you have some. She's important to you and she's a reason why you took the job here. You found already out that the stone has something to do with Sofia, you knew it when you realized it gets warm whenever she's around or you think of her. It can be a kind of love you have for a very good friend, it can be the kind of love you have for a family member. You told me your colleagues in Vegas were like your family and it can be also that it's the kind of love you feel for a lover. The only one who knows exactly what it is are you."
"I…I like her." At least Sara thought that she liked the other woman. Or was like the wrong word? She didn't mind her…all right she liked to spend time with Sofia and it was because of her. Why to yourself when you knew you were lying? So yes, she liked her. Now it was out in her head and it didn't hurt.
"Good."
"Do you think it's a good idea when I move in with Sofia? Shouldn't we have some distance between us?"
"Do you feel better when you have a distance between her and you?"
"No. I feel good when I'm with her."
"That should answer your question."
"It answers the question from my side, what about her?"
"I think she feels better with you around."
"That's what she said yesterday."
"Believe her. She has no reason to lie."
"Yeah…I think I change and go out for a little snorkeling tour. Do you know anything new about the wreck?"
"The boss sorted everything out, they will bring it in tomorrow. You can do me a favor and find out the name of it."
"Why?"
"Maybe there's a nice story about it. Maybe you found a real pirate ship."
"First voodoo and now pirates. At least pirates existed. You are too much into stories, Rhys."
"In every story a little truth, Beauty."
"I thought Sofia had to work this morning." Sara furrowed her brows. In a distance she saw Sofia and this guy she went on a run with in the morning. They walked side by side at the beach, not noticing anybody around because of their conversation.
"Probably he was her job."
"He looks somehow familiar…he really doesn't work here? I could swear I've seen his face somewhere."
"I bet you have." Rhys laughed. "He's a model. His pictures are everywhere. In newspapers, magazines, on TV, he even was on a twenty by fifty yards poster at Times Square. Marcus, the most sexy and wanted model at the moment."
"Oh." That was why she thought he looked familiar. "And they know each other well?"
"If you want to know if they were a couple just ask her, Beauty."
Sara felt how her head turned red. She didn't say that, she didn't ask that. It wasn't her business and it wasn't important. If he made Sofia happy it was all right. The blonde could use some fun.
"That's none of my business."
"Okay."
She watched them coming closer. Sofia slapped playfully Marcus' side so that the man grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder like she weight nothing. With all these muscles he had she weighted probably nothing for him. Sofia's legs fidgeted in the air until he let her back down. She jumped on his back and pulled his hair a bit. They definitely looked like they were close and knew each other well.
"Hold on, Fury." Sofia ordered Marcus when they arrived at the bar. "Good boy."
"Are you my treat?"
"No, you can order your treat. Hey." Sofia hugged Sara. "How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Good. I forgot to introduce the two of you this morning. Sara, that's Marcus. Marcus, that's Sara."
"Hey." Marcus gave Sara his nicest smile. She wasn't impressed. "Sofia told me a few things about you. You worked together and you'll work here soon."
"Yes. She didn't mention you." Sara knew that sounded bitchy. She didn't feel sorry for it.
"Doesn't surprise me. I'm her little secret."
"You're quite tall for a little secret, Marcus."
"For you I go down on my knees."
"Not necessary. Rhys, can I have some fries and salad, please?"
"Sure. Salad and steak for the guy? Chicken and vinegar sauce?"
"Great memory, Rhys."
"That's my job. Sara?"
"I take a pizza."
"Vegetarian is back on the list."
"Perfect. Can you double the cheese?"
"Sure."
"Calories."
"Your natural enemy." Sofia grinned at Marcus. "Fat and calories, the bastards that ruin your six pack."
"Yes. Not everybody is a natural beauty, some have to work for it and have to avoid certain meals to stay fit."
"And become the sexiest and most wanted model on earth."
"No pain no glory. But I still want a barbecue with you. Guess what I bought for you, which little calories and fat bombs?"
"You didn't!"
"Oh yes. T-bone and a triple chocolate mud cake. If you have dinner with me tonight you can have it."
"Sounds…no, I've dinner plans with Sara."
"That's all right. We can rearrange our dinner." Sara said fast.
"No, we…"
"I'll be around for a while, remember I'll work here. Have your steak and we'll have our dinner later."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. What time do you want to eat?" Marcus took the chance.
"Sevenish?"
"After we had a run?"
"Yes."
"And a walk after the dinner?"
"We will need one."
"A swim to your island?"
"Not with a full stomach."
"Okay, we'll have that later."
Suddenly Sara felt sick. "Sorry. I get the pizza later, Rhys." She jumped up and left the bar.
"Sara!" Sofia wanted to follow but Marcus held her back.
"She'll be back soon, I bet she just had an upset stomach, she held it. Something wrong for breakfast or some swallowed ocean water."
"I hope she's all right." Sofia wasn't happy with letting Sara go. The problem was she had to eat her lunch and go straight back to work. There wasn't much time on her hands today.