The warm, humid air rested on Tori’s cheeks. She cracked the window and lifted her arms up over her head, allowing the circulating air in the car to cool her perspiration. The long, droopy travel day was at a close. Ethan had snuggled in at her side, and was now asleep. His head bobbed with every bump in the road. Tori looked down and smiled at her little pecking chicken, and curled her hand behind his head to steady the bobbing.

Zee had arranged for them to stay at his sister’s hotel, located off the white sand beaches of Playa Flamingo on the western coast. Tori had researched the hotel online. It was a posh, five-star resort with luxury amenities.

It had been almost two weeks since she’d seen him. The thought of walking with Zee along the beach in the morning sent Tori’s body into panic palpitations. She needed sleep, and a de-traveling shower—a purifying shower that removed all the noxious nastiness of airports, planes, and public taxis from her skin.

Could she continue to keep her blossoming affection for Zee unpublished? The refugees at the garden were well-aware of her affection. She’d recklessly given that one away. There was a sense of comfort knowing that at least Anita knew of her admiration for Zee. The question remained: How did he feel about her?

Tori received mixed messages from him, as if he had a hot/cold button. When she told him that she was only able to offer him friendship, he seemed eager for the association, then as if he wanted more, then as if he didn’t. She hadn’t let Zee in, but nor could she let him go. How could she protect herself from an imminent and painful separation?

The hotel taxi pulled into a half-mile-long, cobblestone driveway, lined with young palm trees and hanging streetlights. The shimmering hotel at the end of the drive lit the early morning moonless sky.

“Hey, buddy, we’re here.” Tori spoke softly, as she gently rubbed Ethan’s arms to wake him.

“Awesome. Can I get in the ocean?”

“Yeah, right.” Tori laughed. “Do you see how dark it is outside?”

Ethan rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. “Gimme a sec.”

As the car came to a smooth stop, the passenger car door opened. Tori recoiled as a long arm reached into their space.

“You made it.” Zee’s voice sent Tori into a giggling frenzy.

“You scared me,” she said, taking his hand. Embracing her impulse, she lifted his velvety hand to her cheek. It was smoother than she’d remembered.

His grip remained steady as he assisted her from the car. “Sorry.”

“How are you still awake?” Tori questioned. “It’s four o’clock in the morning.”

“Almost five. Which is why I wanted to assure your safe arrival myself. I know you’re an independent woman, but I feel a responsibility for you…as you’re my guests,” he stuttered.

“Wasn’t easy finding a flight here in less than two weeks. Schools are just getting out for the summer.”

“You should’ve allowed me to purchase your flights.”

“I appreciated the offer, but I have tons of flight miles to burn through.”

“How’s the cargo?” Zee motioned to the back seat where Ethan was lying on the bench.

Tori reached in to wake him. “He fell asleep again? He was just asking me if he could get in the water.”

“Hold on.” Zee placed his hand on Tori’s shoulder. “Let me carry him to your room.”

“He’s too heavy,” Tori protested.

“Haven’t you seen how big and strong I am? Maybe you didn’t get a good look at my ripped muscles.”

“I remember the last time you ripped your muscles. You couldn’t walk for two days.”

Zee pulled Ethan from the car, draping him onto his chest and over his shoulder. “I would appreciate it if you would remember my amazing climb.” He cleared his throat. “Not the unfortunate injury that followed.”

“The unfortunate injury is what makes you real. Isn’t that what you’re all about, being real, surfer boy?”

“Let’s see who calls who boy tomorrow. You’re going to be calling me the surf master.”

A whoosh of wind, followed by deep whooping animal sounds, rattled the forested area adjacent to the open-air hotel lobby. Tori clutched Zee’s arm. “What was that?”

“That was a nocturnal primate, the Howler Monkey.”

“At least they got the name right. That was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard come out of an animal, other than my son.”

“I’ve heard African Safaris can get loud. Ever been?”

Tori’s excitement spiked. She’d dreamed of visiting Africa ever since she was a teenager. That dream was solidified after becoming friends with the refugees from the gardens. “No. It would be a first. But, if you’re asking, the answer’s yes.”

“I like that answer.” He smiled, causing Tori to stumble through the doorway and into her suite.

The room was massive. The entrance sitting area was furnished with a tan couch, two formal chairs, and a coffee table. Past the sitting are stood a king-sized bed.

As Tori’s eyes swept the room past the bed to the glass windows, which were more walls than windows, her mouth dropped open. The ocean was omnipresent. The open floor plan afforded an unobstructed view of the ocean from every inch of the suite.

“This is spectacular! I can’t imagine anyone designing it any better.” Tori scrunched up her lips as she placed a hand on her hip. “I would, perhaps, place a chaise right here, instead of this Victorian inspired chair.”

“I thought Queen Victoria was your great-aunt? How can you dis her that way?”

“Clever boy. Excuse me.” Tori said, stepping out onto the balcony. “I mean, master.”

The rising sun in the eastern sky produced pink and light-blue streaks, layering the clouds with cotton candy fluff above the aquamarine oceanic waters.

“Wow.” Tori gasped. “Isn’t it too early for the sun to rise?”

“Not here. The sun rises close to 5am this time of year in Costa Rica. Based on longitude, Costa Rica should be in line with Florida, not Utah, but you Utahans share the same local time.”

“Utahns,” Tori corrected, breathing in the salty air. “Can’t wait to walk the beach.”

“Why wait?” Zee held out his hand, “Take your first walk on a Costa Rican beach with me.”