“To firsts… together.” He held up his glass of soda and she tipped her glass of wine against it.
She was thankful that Calvin went out of his way to make the lunch conversation light and fun. She laughed and flirted with him while enjoying the sun and the fresh sea air.
When he glanced down at his phone after it chimed, he frowned over at her. “And that’s my lunch break.”
She sighed, not wanting to leave the warmth of the beach.
“Feel free to stick around.” He motioned to the now crowded beach. There were more than a dozen people lounging around or swimming in the water. A few others had picnics like theirs.
“I think I will. At least for a while.” She sighed and relaxed back, wishing for her own swimsuit. Then she glanced sideways at him. “Did my swimsuit survive?”
He shrugged as he dusted off his work slacks. “I didn’t really take stock.”
She nodded. “If not, Serenity’s has some really cute ones I saw in there the other day.”
He chuckled and then bent down to kiss her. “I’ll come find you after the party. It starts in an hour.”
She held him down and kissed him again. “I may just nap here now,” she admitted.
He chuckled. “You are on vacation.”
“Right,” she admitted as he pulled away.
“If you need me.” He wiggled his phone.
“Thanks, for the lunch and… for everything,” she said. He nodded and she watched him disappear back down the pathway.
She lay around enjoying the sun until she grew thirsty. A resort worker had come and hauled the remains of the picnic away shortly after Calvin had left. She noticed a few of them standing around the beach, most likely on guard, watching out for her. Thanks to Calvin.
Dusting her jeans off, she made her way away from the beach. She had just stepped onto the pathway when she heard an argument. She thought about turning back and finding another way to the pool bar area.
She stopped when she heard the slap. There was no mistaking the sound of skin on skin followed by a woman’s slight cry of pain. Rushing forward, she went on the defense as all thoughts of her own safety fled her mind.
Chapter Sixteen
Calvin remained so busy after lunch that by the time the rehearsal party rolled around, he hadn’t had any free time to think about Bella again.
The finishing touches were in place as the wedding party started arriving. Everyone was standing around waiting for the groom and bride to arrive when the bride’s mother rushed over to him.
“What have you done?” she hissed at him as she tugged his arm, trying to get him away from the group of family members he’d been chatting with.
“Is there a problem, Miss Wright?” he asked, stepping aside so their conversation wouldn’t be heard.
“Yess,” she hissed again as she glanced around. “You are the problem. I can’t believe the lack of professionalism.” She shook her head. “Your boss will hear about this.”
He waited until she was done. “I’m sorry, if there’s anything my staff has…”
The woman laughed sarcastically. “Your employees are not at fault. You are. I’m going to hold you financially responsible for everything.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’m not following you.” He looked around and saw Fredrick Stafford heading his way. To say the man looked pissed would have been an understatement.
He waited for the man to stop in front of him, but instead, the guy threw his fist back and swung it at Calvin’s head. Thankfully, Calvin had seen the move coming, since the man wasn’t in any shape to fight.
Before he could respond, two of his staff members rushed over and, between the three of them, they held the man’s arms down to his side as he filled the air with colorful curse words.
“Would one of you like to tell me what this is all about?” he asked when the man ran out of steam. It didn’t take long. There was a bead of sweat rolling down the heavy man’s face, which had turned a bright red.
“That,” Fredrick spat out, “was for sleeping with my virgin bride.”
The entire group of family members had all gathered around to watch the show. Everyone gasped at this and glared in his direction, as if already judging him as guilty.
Calvin couldn’t help it, he laughed. “This is some sort of joke.” He looked around. Catching Kathleen Wright’s eyes, he knew that they weren’t joking.
“I haven’t slept with or, for that matter, done anything with Miss Wright except having a very brief conversation with her yesterday,” he responded. Then he remembered how the younger woman had thrown herself at him and frowned.
“See.” Fredrick tried to point a beefy hand at him. “It’s written all over your face. You can’t deny it.”
“I can and I am,” he said again. “I’m involved with someone else at the moment,” he added.
“So? Once a cheater…” someone in the growing crowd called out.
He glared around and shook his head. “I’m not sure what brought this matter up. If I’m being accused, please tell me, who is it that witnessed this act?” Everyone was silent, so he added. “Now, if we’re all settled.” He moved closer to Fredrick and lowered his voice. “Have you considered this rumor was started to stop the wedding?”
The man’s eyes narrowed, then he turned on Kathleen. “Where is your daughter?”
“She’s here.” Calvin heard Bella’s voice and watched the crowd part as she marched towards them, holding onto Eliza’s arm.
The blonde woman was holding an ice pack to her cheek and looking as if she wished she were anywhere else but in the middle of a crowd.
The look on Bella’s face had Calvin holding his breath. He’d never seen her so riled up before. She was obviously pissed about something. Standing back, he waited to see what was going on.
“I’ve called the police,” she informed him and turned her body towards the man still being held back by two of the resort’s employees.
“Good,” the man sneered. “They’ll sort this mess out and—”
“Arrest you,” Bella finished as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Me?” Fredrick balked. “For what? He’s the one who slept with my virgin bride.”
“Virgin…” Bella hissed. “You disgust me.” Bella stood closer and Calvin’s arms moved to her shoulders, trying to keep her a safe distance from the man. “And no, he didn’t. You crossed the line when you hit her.” Bella motioned to the woman, who was trying to hide behind them.
A hush fell over the crowd as every eye turned on her now. She avoided everyone’s gaze.
“Is this true?” Kathleen gasped, rushing over to her daughter. The mother gently raised her hand and pulled the ice pack away from Eliza’s face. There, on the girl’s cheek, was a nasty red mark, clearly in the shape of a hand. Her skin was marred with red lines, as if the blood vessels had burst under her pale skin.
Gasps once again circled amongst the group as stares turned towards Fredrick.
“She’s lying,” the man screamed out. “It was probably him.” He motioned towards Calvin.