A light balmy breeze carried the sweet fragrance of coconut suntan oil. The steady rhythm of waves rolling into the shore made a pleasant backdrop against the chatter of the sunbathers and laughter of children playing nearby. Selma lifted her face to the clear, azure sky. Even the warm sun on her skin wasn’t enough to dispel the worry lurking beneath the surface. She’d been reading a book on her Kindle, trying to keep her brain occupied, but she couldn’t stay focused. A prayer went through her mind. Please help Mama be okay. Her stomach coiled into a tight knot as she swallowed. She shouldn’t have let Mama talk her into going to Hawaii. She should’ve stayed in Las Vegas so she could accompany Mama to the doctor.
Other than the obvious of Mama wanting to keep Nicolas happy, Selma suspected that Mama had urged her to take a vacation so that Selma would be occupied, in case the news was bad. A single mother struggling to make ends meet, Mama had always gone to great lengths to shelter Selma from any unpleasantness. In fact, Selma hadn’t even realized that her mama had uterine cancer until her chemo treatments were well underway. With a heavy sigh, Selma sat up in her chair and retrieved her cell phone from her beach bag. No calls from Mama. Only a text from Nicolas.
Sorry I had to leave so suddenly this morning. Soak up some sun for me. I’ll see you back home in a few days. N.
Conflicting emotions churned inside Selma. What to do about Nicolas … She was relieved that Nicolas had gotten called away on business. The prospect of spending a few days alone in Hawaii was glorious. She couldn’t put Nicolas off forever, but she needed more time to come to terms with the inevitable. Nicolas was pressing her to get engaged, but she’d used Mama’s health and impending checkup as an excuse to buy more time. Also, Selma claimed that she was feeling the strain of work and needed to recharge before making any large changes in her life. There was lots of truth to that statement. Selma’s job as the lead singer and performer of one of the most notable shows in Vegas required her to put in long hours. The competition was stiff. Selma had to constantly work to stay at the top of her game.
Instinctively, Selma’s gaze scanned the beach, looking for Moose, Nicolas’s head security guy. Technically, she wasn’t alone here in Hawaii, but Selma didn’t mind Moose tagging along. Mac Bradley, AKA Moose because of his beefy build, was like a father to Selma. Moose was good at keeping a low profile. Selma was sure that he was somewhere nearby, keeping watch over her as he’d been directed by Nicolas. But Selma couldn’t see Moose, so at least she had the illusion of privacy.
Placing the phone in her lap, Selma lay back down on the chair and closed her eyes. Her skin tingled and stretched in the sun. She’d just drifted off to sleep when her phone rang. She startled as she looked at the screen. It was Mama. “Hello,” she answered breathlessly, her heart hammering like a washing machine in her ears.
“Hey,” came Mama’s response.
“What did the doctor say?” She sucked in a breath, waiting.
“The PET scan came back clean. No cancer,” Mama announced joyously.
Tears sprang to Selma’s eyes. “That’s fantastic!” She sucked in a long, relieved breath.
“It’s a miracle,” Mama cried.
“Yes,” Selma agreed, her heart exulting. Her body felt shaky from the release of the tension. “So, does this mean that you’re in the clear?”
“I’ll have to go back for regular checkups every few months, but I’d say it’s a very good sign.” Mama’s exuberant laughter gurgled through the phone. “I guess you’ll have to put up with me for many more years to come.”
“I guess so.” Ever since Mama had gotten cancer, Selma had been on pins and needles. She could hardly believe the words that Mama was saying. Was it possible that she was cured? She blinked to clear her vision from the tears. God was good! Her repeated prayers had been answered.
“It looks like I’ll live to see my grandbabies,” Mama added with a trace of tenderness.
A wry grin touched Selma’s lips. “Slow down, speed racer, I’m not even engaged yet.”
Mama chuckled. “Oh, I know. I’m just excited.” Her voice hitched. “We owe Nicolas so much. It’s because of the non-traditional treatments that I have a second chance.”
“Yes,” Selma said quietly. Several months ago, when all of the traditional cancer treatments failed to work, Selma had spiraled into a pit of despair. She couldn’t fathom the thought of losing her mama, her only constant in the world. That’s why she’d gone to Nicolas.
Nicolas Diaz, owner of The Crown Monarch Casino and Hotel had always been kind to Selma and her mama. He gave Mama a job as a bookkeeper, and he gave Selma her start in her career. From the time she was a teenager, Nicolas had been on the periphery of her life. She considered him a family friend, which is why Selma had felt comfortable asking him for help with Mama’s treatments. Nicolas’s expression was thoughtful and concerned as he listened to Selma’s tearful plea. Stroking his chin, he told Selma that he would cover all costs for Mama’s treatment. He then explained that everything came at a price, and that he would require something from Selma. Thankfully, Mama didn’t realize the high price that Selma would have to pay. As tough as it would be to go along with the arrangement, Selma would do it a hundred times over if it meant saving Mama’s life. In a perfect world, Nicolas would have paid for Mama’s treatments out of the goodness of his heart. But that’s not how the world worked.
Selma had witnessed firsthand how hard her mama scratched and clawed to carve out a respectable life for them both. While Mama had tried to shield Selma from the unpleasantness, Selma had felt Mama’s desperation in those early years when she danced as a showgirl to put food on the table. On many occasions, Selma heard Mama crying quietly in her bed at night because she was alone, with no one but herself to depend on to provide for her and her young daughter.
“How’s your vacation?” Mama asked.
Selma’s voice lifted. “Great!” Much better now, she added mentally. A weight had been lifted from her heart. She could now relax and enjoy the next few days. Mama was going to be okay! She had to keep running the words through her head for them to sink in.
“Is Nicolas there with you?” Mama asked eagerly. “I’d like for him to hear the news.”
“No, some unexpected business called him to Argentina.” A native of Argentina, Nicolas still had lots of family there and several companies.
“That’s too bad,” Mama lamented. “Nicolas was looking forward to going to the party. He wanted to show you off to the players and coaches—” she giggled “—to the world.” Mama always got the same dreamy quality in her voice when talking about Nicolas. In her eyes, Selma had hit the jackpot. Sure, Nicolas was handsome and successful. While Selma was fond of Nicolas, she wasn’t in love with him. Hopefully, that would change with time. Selma didn’t relish the thought of a loveless marriage. And yet, there were worse things, she supposed.
“Yeah, it’s too bad,” Selma said dutifully. A few months ago, Nicolas had purchased The Mavericks, a pro football team that was based out of Las Vegas. Nicolas had a home on Kailua Bay on Oahu. He was hosting a pre-season party for all of the players and coaches on the team. Selma had questioned why Nicolas didn’t just hold the party in Vegas. The casino certainly had enough lavish conference rooms. However, Nicolas insisted that he needed a vacation, and the party would give him a good excuse to go to Hawaii. Selma suspected that the real reason Nicolas wanted to hold the party at his mansion in Kailua was because he wanted the players and coaches to get the full scope of his wealth and influence. Nicolas had an insatiable desire to be viewed as a success. He was even toying with the idea of running for public office.
“Should I call Nicolas and tell him my good news?” Mama asked.
Selma began blinking fast. “No, don’t do that,” she inserted. “He’s supposed to call me this evening. I’ll tell him.” Now that Mama was better, Nicolas would be ready to move the engagement forward. She was so not ready for that! She didn’t know if it was marriage to Nicolas that had her squeamish, or maybe it was the idea of being coerced into marriage that irked her. At any rate, she was not getting warm fuzzies about the situation.
“Okay.” Mama’s voice went bubbly. “All those years ago, when I started dancing at The Crown Monarch, I never dreamed that my daughter would one day be married to the owner. It warms my heart to know that you’ll never want for anything again.”
Her heart clenched. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” Mama asked.
“I’m great,” Selma squeaked.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Mama had always been able to pick up on Selma’s emotions. “Is everything okay with you and Nicolas?”
She winced at the concern in Mama’s tone. Selma wished she could tell Mama the truth. The two of them had never kept secrets from one another. Selma had never known her dad. It had always been just her and Mama. If Mama knew the truth behind Nicolas’s generosity, she’d flip her gourd. The situation couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t Mama’s fault that she got cancer. Selma had done what she had to in order to preserve her mama’s life, and that was that. Selma forced a light tone into her voice. “Yeah, we’re good. I’m just feeling a bit worn out from the show.”
“I totally understand,” Mama soothed. “It takes a lot to go on stage nearly every night of the week and perform the way you do.” Her voice quivered with throaty emotion. “I’m so proud of you, honey. I hope you realize how much I love you.”
“I do. I love you too.”
They chatted for a few more minutes before Selma ended the call. She took in a deep breath, filling her lungs with the balmy salt air. A prayer of gratitude flitted through her mind. Mama was cancer-free!
Her mind raced forward. Now that Mama was good, the engagement would roll forward. She pressed her lips together, pushing away the despondency crowding around her. She was on vacation. As of now, she was still a free woman. She wanted to enjoy the next few days. When she got back home, she’d own up to the deal she made with Nicolas. Until then, she was determined to live fully in the present, holding nothing back.
She took in the colorful array of umbrellas and people. This was Selma’s first visit to Hawaii. She looked out at the ocean, noting how the sun sparkled like diamonds against the water. Several minutes later, she heard male laughter off to the side. She shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked over to her left where a group of guys were playing beach volleyball. Their bodies were tanned and muscular. An unconscious smile curved her lips as she imagined what Minky, her costume designer, and the other showgirls would say if they were here. They’d be salivating, for sure. A couple months ago, Selma had gone into the employee lounge of the casino and found Minky and several women, huddled around Minky’s cellphone, watching the famous clip from the movie Top Gun, when the hunks were playing beach volleyball. Eat your heart out, Minky.
Selma’s breath caught as her gaze settled on a particular guy. He was shirtless and wearing tangerine swim trunks, which contrasted nicely with his bronze skin. She guessed him to be around six feet tall. He moved with an easy, athletic grace, his chestnut-colored hair flopping with his every movement. Her throat went dry as she traced his broad shoulders, defined pecs, and chiseled abs. He wore a cocky grin and moved with jaunty steps. The guy emanated excitement and adventure, all of those spontaneous things that would now be out of Selma’s reach. Her stomach twisted. She’d always been super independent. She wanted to live life on her terms. She loved performing but didn’t want to stay in Vegas forever. She wanted the freedom to go where she pleased, marry whom she pleased.
The guy spiked the volleyball, landing his team a point. He hooted loudly as he postured around like a proud peacock. His buddies shoved his arm as they laughed. Then it happened. Almost as if the guy could feel her watching him, he looked her direction and flashed a dazzling smile that could give Tom Cruise a run for his money. Selma was taken off guard by the attraction that sizzled through her. She returned his smile with a slight one of her own before looking down at her Kindle, pretending to take interest in her book. A few seconds later, she lifted her eyes, daring another glance in his direction. He was too immersed in the volleyball game to give her a second thought. A curious disappointment swelled inside her. Then she chided herself. It would be reckless and dumb to get involved with anyone, given her situation.
Irritation simmered in her gut. She was frustrated at Nicolas and frustrated at the circumstances that had brought her to this point. Shackles fastened around her heart. She’d never know what it meant to live an unencumbered life. Her life was laid out for her. She’d be rich beyond her wildest dreams, with the admiration of a handsome, powerful man who adored her. Wasn’t that more than most people could hope for? Why was she feeling such turmoil?
Selma needed to count her blessings. She’d prayed so hard for a miracle, and it had come. Her precious mama was cancer-free! Nicolas was a good man in many ways. He would be good to her. She knew that Nicolas loved her. She’d known it for a while now. She needed to keep her silly attractions in check before they became her undoing.
As if having a mind of their own, her eyes moved to the guy. She jerked in surprise when their gazes met … again. His smile was as brilliant as it was bold, doing strange things to her heart. The guy knew he was all that. His confidence made him even more attractive. A goofy grin wobbled over her lips, splashing her cheeks with heat. She tore her eyes away from the guy to break the connection and looked back down at her book. The words blended together in unintelligible lines. She vowed that she wouldn’t give in to the temptation to look at the guy again.
A blitz of pain streaked through her as she gasped. At the same moment, it registered in her brain that she’d been hit in the arm with a ball. Blinking rapidly, she sat up, rubbing her arm as she glanced down at the volleyball, resting in the sand by her feet. The dark-haired guy trotted up to her. “Hey,” he began pleasantly. “Sorry about that.” His voice was melodic and modulated with a hint of a Southern accent.
She looked up at him, struck by how incredibly blue his eyes were. Up close, he was even more impressive than he’d been far away. Was he real, or some figment that her self-consciousness had dredged up to torment her? She scrambled to find her voice. “You hit me.”
He grinned, revealing a dimple in his left cheek. “I had to do something to get your attention.”
Laughter tickled her throat. “Well, at least you’re honest.” It pleased her to note that he’d thrown the ball as an excuse to talk to her.
He bent down and scooped up the ball in a swift motion. “Yep, that’s me,” he boasted. “Honest Abe.”
She arched an eyebrow in amusement. “You’re humble too.”
A large smile broke over his features. “Now that is something that I’m not often accused of being.”
“I can imagine,” she chuckled. He struck her as reckless and bold. He reminded her a lot of Tom Cruise. No wonder she’d thought of Top Gun when she saw the guys playing volleyball.
His eyes caught the sparkle of the ocean behind them. “The name’s Mason.”
“Selma.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Like Selma, Alabama?”
She chuckled. “Yep, my mama’s from Selma. That’s how I got my name.” Not many people made that connection, especially in Vegas.
He tilted his head. “You don’t sound like you’re from the South.”
“Nope. I’m not, but my mama grew up there.” Even though she was shielding her eyes, the bright sun directly behind Mason caused them to water. She thought of her sunglasses in her beach bag, wishing she’d put them on.
“Come on, Mason,” one of the guys called out to him. “Bring the ball back.”
“Be right there,” he yelled over his shoulder. “Well, duty calls.” He gave her a long, hopeful look. “See ya around? After the game?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.” She felt so intensely alive. How tempting it would be to just throw caution to the wind and allow herself to spend time with Mason.
“Dude! Let’s go!”
Mason rolled his eyes in faint irritation. “I said I was coming.” He threw Selma a cavalier wink. “See ya around, Selma.” Something about the way he spoke her name was intimate. She liked it.
“See ya,” she said as he turned and jogged away with light, nimble steps.
She couldn’t stop the mile-wide smile from spilling over her lips. It was pointless to get worked up over Mason. She didn’t even know his last name, would never see him again. And yet, their exchange had left her exhilarated. Everything in her wanted to stick around until after he was finished with his game, but she knew it would be futile. The smart thing to do would be to get up right now and leave. That way, she would remove herself from the temptation of getting to know Mason.
She had to do it now … before she lost her resolve. She dropped her phone and Kindle into her bag. She slipped her feet into her slippers as she stood and reached for her towel, draping it over her shoulder. She allowed herself one final glance in Mason’s direction, but he was too focused on the game to realize that she’d left. It’s just as well, she sighed as she forced her feet to keep moving.
