sparkling. “Why? Did Rick say something?”
“Oh, please. He didn’t have to.” Carly made a shooing motion, trying to get her friend out the door. “Tony is definitely hot for you.”
A pleased smile curved Ginger’s lips as she walked out into the corridor. “I’m betting he just might get lucky tonight.”
“Might?” Carly pulled the door closed. “Yeah, right.”
Ginger laughed. “Which reminds me. How are we going to work the room thing?”
Carly frowned at first, and then she got it, petty envy taking a bite out of her. “Just put out the do not disturb sign and I’ll disappear for a while.”
“If he spends the night with me, you can spend it with Rick in their room, right?”
Carly swallowed her disappointment and jealousy. “Sure,” she said, ignoring the butterflies that had turned her stomach into a circus.
“WHAT LOOKS GOOD?” Tony stared at the menu. “Anybody ever have conch chowder?”
Carly had never even heard of the dish. She glanced at Ginger who was too busy making goo-goo eyes at Tony to notice.
“It’s okay,” Rick said. “I prefer abalone myself, but it’s a local favorite. You ought to try it once while we’re here.”
“You’re right. Try everything once is my motto.” Tony grinned at Ginger. “Go back for seconds if you like it.”
She giggled and gave his arm a playful punch.
Carly started to roll her eyes but caught herself. From her peripheral vision, she saw Rick watching her. Instead of acknowledging him, she buried her nose in the menu.
“What are you having, Carly?” He touched her hand and she jerked in surprise, nearly knocking over the pina colada he’d ordered for her before she and Ginger had arrived.
She set down the menu and clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m not sure.”
“Want me to make a couple of suggestions?”
Something in his lowered voice made her look up. He winked and her silly heart fluttered. “I’ll probably have the mango chicken.”
“Oysters,” Tony suggested. “They’re good for—”
Giggling, Ginger nudged him again. “We all know what they’re good for.” With a lift of her chin, she made a teasing sound of disgust. “As if I need an aphrodisiac.”
Tony smiled and whispered something in her ear.
Carly inwardly groaned and quickly picked up the menu again. Why on earth had she agreed to come to dinner with them? Stupid question. She wasn’t ready to be alone with Rick again.
“Come on, children, save this for later.” Rick threw a wadded up cocktail napkin at Tony.
“We have far more interesting matters to discuss later,” Tony said, throwing the napkin back and giving Ginger a significant look.
Thankfully, Tony and Ginger cooled it long enough to order and eat dinner. Carly knew Rick had spoken up because he noticed she was embarrassed. Not embarrassed, really, more uncomfortable. And a little annoyed. Not with Ginger or Tony, certainly not with Rick, but with the situation in general.
She’d loved flirting with him earlier. No way could she deny the incredible chemistry that had made the entire room sizzle. She’d relived the touching and kissing the rest of the afternoon, but in the end apprehension nailed her. If she did anything with Rick, she was going to think back to it forever and ever. Think about the carefree person she was with him, and about what could have been. Sad, but true.
Which left her starting to panic over her vacation. How could she possibly enjoy herself wondering if he was watching her? She would have to think of something quickly or spend the rest of the week watching reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
She blinked at the stunning blond waitress who smiled at Rick as she served them another round of pina coladas. Maybe the week was still salvageable, after all. If Rick hooked up with someone, he’d be too busy to pay attention to what Carly was doing….
The sudden thought stirred mixed emotions. Jealousy clawed at her just thinking about him being with another woman. Ridiculous, of course, but there it was. Yet there was also relief in knowing she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder constantly.
“Would you like anything else?” the blond waitress asked them, although her attention was mostly directed at Rick.
“I’m fine,” he said. “What about the rest of you? Want some dessert?”
Tony and Ginger promptly shook their heads. No big surprise. They were clearly anxious to be off on their own.
“Okay, I guess that’s it.” Rick reached into his pocket. “How many beads do I owe you?”
“I’d like some dessert,” Carly said.
Tony and Ginger had already gotten up from the table, but they hesitated.
“Go ahead.” She waved them off. “Rick will keep me company, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, we’ll see you guys later.” Tony exchanged a knowing look with Rick, and then steered Ginger toward the door.
“Would you like to see the menu again?” the waitress asked, perky and braless beneath her pink T-shirt.
Rick had given her a couple of glances, but nothing more than Carly herself had done. The woman’s brief white shorts showed an extraordinary amount of well-defined leg as she leaned across the table to remove dishes, but, again, Rick didn’t seem overly interested.
Carly shook her head. “I know what I want. A hot fudge sundae with extra whipped cream.”
Rick chuckled, one eyebrow lifting in surprise. “Better make that two,” he said to the waitress, his gaze staying on Carly.
“Coming right up.” The blonde picked up a couple of more plates and then drifted to the next table.
Still, Rick’s interest remained solely on Carly. She felt a stupid thrill that she could hold his rapt attention. Which was crazy. She was supposed to be trying to get rid of him.
“I need help trying to figure something out here.” Rick pursed his lips, looking suspiciously as if he were trying not to laugh.
“Yes?” She forced herself to hold his gaze.
“Why you’re stalling.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Either you’re thinking of a way to get rid of me, or figuring out how to get me in the sack. Which of course would be a no-brainer.”
“Why does this have to be about you?” Carly bristled and didn’t care that it showed. “I simply would like a hot fudge
