Eric sat on the terrace of a local bar drinking Scotch and staring at the ocean. He reflected on his earlier attraction to Dex.
Obviously he had learned nothing from the Bill debacle. Here he sat, wasting time daydreaming about a guest when he should be thinking about something which wouldn't end with him needing another transfer. The odds of the man being gay were slim at best, and even if he did happen to be gay and unattached, the chance of him being truly interested in a boring hotel manager was even slimmer.
Eric had already been someone's weekend diversion and didn't plan to fill that slot again. The experience had hurt too much.
Even as he pondered his gloomy thoughts, a shadow appeared beside his table. "Is this seat taken?" a familiar, sexy voice asked.
He flinched inwardly.
Speak of the devil. Or, in this case, think of the devil. Damn it! Better tell him I'm meeting someone.
"No." Eric barely suppressed the urge to slap a hand over his own traitorous mouth. What the hell did I say no for?
Dex sat down across from Eric, his face apologetic. "Sorry if I'm bothering you. I know your boss told you to keep me happy, but if you want me to get lost, just say so. I promise not to hold it against the resort."
Eric couldn't help smiling. "No, you can sit here. I was drinking alone anyway. I've been told that's a bad thing."
Dex laughed. "It is indeed. You're lucky I came along when I did."
Man, he's got a great laugh. "Maybe so. What brings you out tonight?"
"I felt so tired when I got here I slept for hours. Then I woke up and didn't want to go back to sleep just yet, so I decided to walk around a bit. I'd started on the way back to the resort when I saw you. I thought I'd come over and say hi."
Eric looked up. The stars glimmered in the cloudless sky. The moon wasn't full, but it shone brightly. Its rays bathed the waves lapping peacefully at the shore. When he'd first come here he'd missed Colorado, but on nights like this Eric thought Hawaii must be the best place on Earth to live. "Well, you picked a good night for a walk. It's really beautiful tonight."
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