Free Island in the Sea by Anita Hughes Page B

backpack or float down the Amazon in a bikini and sunscreen.” Lionel paused. “You are as pale as a character in a Henry James novel.”
    Juliet took a sip and grimaced. “I must have eaten a bad piece of fruit at breakfast, I’m going to the hotel and lie down.”
    â€œYou can sit by the pool,” Lionel suggested. “I’ll rustle up a tostada and a bowl of cold tomato soup.”
    â€œI might feel better if you tried to write a song,” Juliet replied. “I have to e-mail Gideon and tell him my progress. Think about your first date with Samantha, surely you could write some lyrics about the heady rush of meeting someone new.”
    â€œI’m not a trained monkey,” Lionel snapped. “I can’t write songs on cue.”
    â€œThen I should go. I have work to catch up on.” Juliet stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    *   *   *
    Lionel stood at the French doors and glanced at the turquoise swimming pool. Why had he invited Juliet to stay when he couldn’t wait to get rid of her? He pictured her drawn cheeks and thought he was only trying to make her feel better.
    He walked to the bar and poured a shot of Grey Goose. The alcohol made his throat burn and his eyes sting. He put the empty glass back on the bar and sat on the striped love seat.
    He dug the notepad from under the cushions and flipped it open. After he covered two pages in tight cursive he leaned against the silk cushions and put his head in his hands.
    He jumped up and walked to the Regency desk. He sifted through the papers and found his leather-bound address book. He grabbed his phone and dialed the number.

chapter seven
    J ULIET SAT AT THE DRESSING table and dusted her cheeks with powder. She smoothed her hair behind her ears and rubbed her lips with pink lip-gloss. She glanced at the bowl of peaches housekeeping left on the glass coffee table and realized she was starving.
    She had come back from Lionel’s villa and climbed into the four-poster bed. She pulled the floral comforter around her shoulders and tried to stop shaking. Finally she closed her eyes and woke to the sound of church bells ringing. She glanced at the sun streaming through the white shutters and realized it was early afternoon.
    She called Lionel to apologize and he insisted she spend the rest of the day in bed. She had a summer cold and he didn’t want Gideon to blame him if it got worse.
    She wrapped herself in a cotton robe and sat on a chaise longue in the garden. She gazed at the twinkling Mediterranean and boats bobbing in the harbor and thought how much she loved Majorca. Everywhere she looked there were green inlets and elegant pastel colored villas.
    Now it was almost sunset and the sky turned a muted purple. She slipped on gold sandals and gathered her purse. She was meeting Gabriella in Sóller for dinner and didn’t want to be late.
    She remembered Gabriella’s clear voice drifting through the kitchen and wished she could convince her to record a tape. She pictured Hugo’s arms wrapped around Gabriella’s waist and felt an empty pit in her stomach.
    She ran down the wood staircase and heard her phone buzz. She slipped it out of her purse and read the text. She looked up and saw the concierge standing at the marble desk.
    â€œGood evening, Miss Lyman,” the concierge called. “I see you made reservations for two at Ca’n Pintxo. You and your date will enjoy the roasted sea bream, it’s the best on the island.”
    â€œI was meeting a friend but she just texted and canceled.” Juliet looked up from her phone. “Her mother twisted her ankle and she has to work.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll find another dining companion.” The concierge studied her chiffon dress and small diamond earrings. “It’s Friday night and the plaza will be full of young people.”
    â€œI think I’ll just order room