CASA MARINA HOTEL

“Well boys, this is my room. It was, um, interesting. You really didn’t have to walk me all the way here. But thanks.”

Once getting through the lobby Tony went straight to the suite leaving Nick and Mike to walk Cesilie to her room. “Um, Mike, can I have a minute please?” Nick was asking his friend. Mike just shrugged his shoulders and looked at Cesilie. Then to Cesilie, Nick asked “Can I speak with you a second? Inside?”

Looking first from Nick then to Mike, Cesilie took a minute then decided it would probably be okay to let Nick in and see what he wanted. “Sure.”

Inside, he shut the door and leaned back against it to be able to look her in the eyes. “I wanted to ask if you would meet me tomorrow to watch the team race.” He asked arching an eyebrow.

“That’s what you wanted?” Cesilie shook her head and looked down before looking back up at him out of the corners of her eyes. “You could have asked me that out there.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just, the guys pick on me and stuff, ya know. Sometimes it’s hard having them around all the time. I mean, they’re great friends and I trust them, but sometimes it’s nice to just have some privacy, even if just for a minute or two.” He was looking at his feet afraid to meet her eyes.

She took a step closer to him. “I can understand that.”

“Then, they expect things from me. Sometimes I feel even around my friends I have to put on an act. It just gets old.”

“So why do you do it?” He wouldn’t look at her.

Shrugging his shoulders, “Habit I guess.”

“Just habit?”

“I dunno. Maybe just wanting to fit in, be accepted.”

“For someone that you’re not, or someone that you are?”

“You know, I’m not such a terrible guy.” He finally looked up at her.

She smiled at him. “I never said you were.”

“You didn’t have to.” He whispered. “Every time I got near you tonight you’d move away.”

She really wanted to take a step backwards, but it would just be proving his point. Instead, she stood her ground. She swallowed aqwardly, smiled weakly, but stood her ground. Then she laughed a little. “Habit, I guess.”

It was his turn to smile. “So will you watch the races with me tomorrow? It’ll be fun. I’ll even give you a tour of the boat.” He wiggled his eyebrows causing her to giggle.

Rolling her eyes she nodded her head then answered, “Sure, it sounds like fun.”

“Cool.” He said as leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. Cesilie’s eyes opened wide in shock, but before she could move backwards he was already pulling away, but not too far away. Just enough to reach up and rub his thumb across her bottom lip as if he was wiping it off, a little smile playing across his own lips. “Just a goodnight kiss after walking a pretty lady to her door.”

“Oh” She mouthed. This time he leaned in a little slower, letting her realize ahead of time what he was fixing to do, giving her time to pull away, and gently kissed her goodnight.

“Good night, Cesilie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Reaching behind him, Nick opened the door and walked out.

BACK IN HIS OWN SUITE

Hearing the door close Tony emerged from one of the back rooms of the suite. First he looked at his watch, shook his head, and then did a poor imitation of AJ’s cackle. “15 minutes! 15 minutes! I TOLD you. You ain’t gonna get this one. No way. No how. I SO have this one won. Give it up Nicky boy.”

Nick stomped to his room. “Shut up Tony. I have it under control, man.” He stated right before slamming his door to Tony’s laughter.

<~ Chapter 2 or Chapter 4 ~>


Karina 2003