We explored the island, Simon taking me along as if he were giving me a tour of his house. It was an underwhelming piece of land consisting of bedrock and struggling green vegetation but with just enough room for a nice little beach. We climbed its small cliff sides, gazing off into the distance towards Antigua. It didn't take long, however, for us to cover the island and finish our exploration by reclining on the sand, our toes just out of the water's reach.

I gazed up at the cloudless sky, while Simon had propped himself up on an elbow and watched the waves. Suddenly, I realized we were left without anything to say, but the silence wasn't awful either. I had never felt this comfortable with Thomas while on a date.

"Thanks for bringing me here," I said. "And for the boat ride."

"You're welcome. It's no trouble a'tall."

"Why bring me to your little island, though?" I propped myself up to meet his face.

He shrugged. "I don't know. It seemed like you could use a getaway, I suppose."

Recognizing his hint for me to elaborate on what was bothering me, I decided to skirt around the subject. "Well, you definitely helped with all that sailing--it was amazing watching you do all that, by the way. I wish I could do stuff like that."

He laughed lightly and shot me a sly glance. "You're not going to get off that easy. You want to talk about it?"

I looked away. "I'd prefer not to but thanks."

He nodded and then there was silence, but not as comfortable as before. I appreciated his interest and his respect for my privacy, but it still somehow managed to make me feel guilty and uneasy. Plus, I realized he might be the only person I could talk to without getting into an argument or at the very least an exasperated response. But that's silly--I only just met him. I wasn't going to tell him my life story.

"It's just my family," I said, the words spilling out before I could catch them. "They're here with me on vacation--my aunt and uncle, their kids, my parents and my little brother." He turned to me now, paying close attention as he realized I was actually opening up. "Basically, they want me to marry someone rich."

A faint sound of disgust escaped his lips as he shook his head and looked away.

"Exactly how I feel," I said. "In all fairness, I understand their concerns for me. We come from a...somewhat well-to-do family, you see--the big corporate world has been our family business for decades--and they want me to marry someone with a stable inheritance. It's been a family tradition and they want the children in the family to be set for life. And sure, that's all wonderful and everything, but the problem is--" I paused, staring down at the sand as I felt the words halt on the tip of my tongue.

Simon watched me intensely. "What's the problem?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Oh, it's just there are boys I know but they all seem so boring. But my family's argument is that I need to settle on someone instead of waiting for something that doesn't exist because I'm 'not getting any younger.'" I imitated my aunt with a mockingly high-pitched voice, which produced a slight smile from Simon. "But I don't want to do that."

"Hm," he said, a crease forming between his eyebrows. "I'm sorry. I guess everyone has problems no matter what kind of life they live." He began playing with the sand.

This piqued my interest. "What about you?" I said. "I mean, you know a lot about sailboats. How did you learn all that?"

He smiled. "Well, my father sailed so I guess that's where it started. But my uncle still sails. He's the one that mostly taught me from a young age. I live with him here. He owns a repair shop and employs me so we're either working or sailing boats we've repaired. It's a small business--sometimes we aren't sure if we will even stay in business--but it finds a way."

"So that's why that boat you were sailing the other day wasn't yours."

He nodded.

"Well, I think that's amazing. I love this island and would be happy to live here and be on the water all the time. I think you're pretty lucky."

He laughed through his nose. "Funny--I would have said the same thing about you."

"Oh--well, don't. Money doesn't mean a thing. I mean, I guess you don't appreciate it when it's always been there. But that just means you have more to lose and you live with that fear. It's nothing to envy."

"I envy those boys, though," he said. "They sound like they have everything--the money, a lucrative career, pretty girls." He paused. "You know, I have a confession. I searched you out yesterday. I figured you'd be coming down to the beach eventually so I hung around."

"You searched for me?"

"Yeah. Silly, isn't it?"

I paused, gazing out at the ocean. "Actually, I think it's kind of cute," I said, the heat rising to my cheeks.

Suddenly, he peered into my eyes and instead of avoiding it, I returned the gaze. His eyes shifted between mine as if trying to read my thoughts. They were a baby blue but as piercing as the water just beneath our feet. I was enamored of his features as I noticed how smooth his skin was, trailing along his strong jawline to a small hoop earring I hadn't paid attention to before, and, if you looked closely enough, his round nose that almost appeared too big for his face. But it didn't matter with his full, soft lips, and before I knew it, they were touching mine.

It happened so quickly that I couldn't have stopped it if I had wanted to. As he pressed his lips against mine, I became suddenly aware of how hot and humid it was around us. He cupped his hand against my cheek and I placed mine on his neck, but it was as if my touch woke him from a trance and he pulled away, retreating into his space. Disappointment overwhelmed me.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have done that."

"It's okay. It happened so fast. We didn't realize--"

"Still. You don't need me get'ting in the way. Maybe we should go back."

I smiled sadly at the gloominess he exuded, sitting there slumped and staring down into the sand. "I don't want to go back," I said, taking his hand in mine as reassurance. "Not yet."

He faced me again, comprehending that I had not disliked the kiss, before a change came over him. Excitement appeared in his expression from the idea that I liked him as well. But did I--that quickly? I asked myself that question in my mind but I knew the answer. Of course, I liked him. He was nice, knew how to sail a boat and was really dreamy. But deep down, I felt something inside telling me I liked him more than simply on the surface. Regardless of whether or not that was a good thing, considering my family's opinions--and not to mention Thomas--I didn't care. All I cared about at that moment was Simon and I lying on the beach of a secluded island off Antigua. It sounded like a dream.

I slid my hand up his arm and touched his face, placing my palm against his cheek and feeling the faint prickle of a five o'clock shadow. He took this as the signal I had intended and leaned closer to close the gap between us. But then something popped into my mind and I stopped him.

"What's wrong?" he said, worry crossing his face again.

"We don't even know each other's names," I said. "Last names, I mean."

Relief swept over him as he chuckled. "Is that t'all? My name's Le Bon."

"Le Bon?"

"It's French, you know."

"Well, mine is Patterson."

"Well, Kathy Patterson, I'm glad to know you."

I barely had time to laugh before he placed his lips on mine again, the kiss longer and softer than the first time. Then he pulled away, placing a little distance between us as he leaned over me lying across the sand. His face shone with contentment as he gazed at me for a while, before returning to his space beside me and reclining back as well. And then we stayed like that, listening to the splashing of the waves as we silently contemplated our newfound feelings.

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Simon and I spent the entire afternoon on that island until the sun began to descend. The tide was rising and the small beach we had made our own was quickly reducing in size. As the water began to touch our feet, we took this as a sign that it was time to head back. I couldn't help but notice a hint of reluctance in Simon's demeanor.

We swam out into the water but instead of heading towards the boat, we decided to take one final relaxing dip. It wasn't long before I discovered Simon was a prankster as he enjoyed swimming underwater and grabbing my legs. My only defense was to push him as he surfaced in front of me, but that only made him smile more. Then he froze, placing his hands on my waist as we allowed the waves to bob us around.

"We should really go back this time," he said. "But first, you have to tell me how I can reach you."

"My house is on the hill overlooking the harbor--the one with all the windows and the wrap-around porch."

"Yes, I think I know the one."

"How do I find you?"

He smirked. "At the dock, of course. If not there--remember the marketplace--I was standing in front of our repair shop. I'll be there."

"Don't you have a home?" I laughed.

"Yes, but--well, frankly with two guys living there, it leaves much to be desired." He let out a small nervous laugh. "Plus, I'm hardly ever there. Don't worry, I'll look for you."

Then he began swimming towards the boat, while I followed closely behind. He approached the stern and lifted himself onto the transom, before turning around and extending his arms out to me. After he helped me up, we stepped inside the cockpit and began the journey home.

It seemed a shorter distance than before, but I assumed that was likely because I didn't want to leave. Once we docked, Simon released the lines, lowered the sails and tied the boat securely to the dock. I sat on the edge of the boat, watching him do his work with concentration until he paused and looked up at me.

"Sorry, I don't mean to bore you with this," he said, walking over. "I'm just going to wrap up the sails and then I'll be done. But I had a good time, Kathy."

"Me too. Thank you for taking me--really. This was great." I stood up, gesturing at the boat.

"Oh, this? I sort of liked the beach part myself," he said, playfulness in his eyes.

I blushed as a laugh escaped my lips. He was standing only inches away and I could almost feel the heat from his body. "I can't argue with that," I said.

"Will I see you again?"

"You know where I live, don't you?" I gazed up at him through my eyelashes.

He laughed through his nose and placed his hands on his hips. But then he moved them onto mine and leaned in slowly for a kiss. Any doubt I had about a flaming romance with someone I had just met flew out the window. This kiss sealed the deal. I was hooked, and as he pulled away and looked into my eyes, I think he knew.

With a smile, he jumped onto the dock and extended his hand to help me disembark. Without much ado, we said our goodbyes. Then he resumed tending to his boat while I made my way up the dock and walked home.

When I stepped into the house, my family were scattered about in various rooms--hanging out on the couch, lounging outside on the back porch or preparing dinner in the kitchen. However, as they were all within hearing distance and noticed my entrance, all eyes turned to me. Silence filled the room, but only for a long, dreaded second.

"There you are," my mother said, slight irritation in her voice. "Where have you been all day?"

Accepting my fate, I walked into the kitchen to join those standing around the counter. "I was down at the dock and the beach."

"You were gone longer than usual--and out of here so fast," my mother added, poking her pot roast with a knife.

"Well, I met someone who owns a sailboat," I said, my heartbeat increasing. Everyone looked at me in alarm just as I had expected. "He's about my age. We were talking at the beach the other day and I've seen him sailing around before, so he offered to take me today. It seems complicated but it was a lot of fun, actually."

"Oh, that scares me--you going out on a sailboat with a young man. I hope he knows what he's doing."

"I'm sure he does," my aunt muttered, rising her wine cooler to her lips.

I ignored the comment. "Oh yeah, he said he's been sailing since he was really young. He was taught by his uncle." I watched as my mother quietly stirred the spinach dip before her and once I realized I wasn't going to receive a reply, I decided to end the conversation. "Well, I'm going to take a shower." Then I excused myself and as soon as I had left the room, I heard the whispers begin.

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Thank you for reading! :)