Romance: One Fine Holiday Read Online Free PDF

the back of my mind at every turn. 
    I have not been with another man other than Nick for many years and I am nervous whether I would live up to his lofty expectations.  I doubt that I would. 
    A man like Clarke would have experienced so, so much more than I have.
    I do not even know what to expect.
    After an early dinner of wonderful fresh seafood, we make our way to the resort bar.
    “Right,” Kate states, “We will have one drink here, and then we will walk down to the locals bar where you will find your man.” 
    “One drink should be enough for you to gain some confidence without affecting your ability to stand up straight,” Mel laughs.
    “What do I even say?”
    “How about – ‘Sorry I ran away from you last night, but I would like to see you naked.  Take off your clothes and show me that wonderful body’,” Mel giggles.
    “You start with hello and see where it takes you from there,” Kate reassures me.
    “Just hello?”
    “That’s all it takes.  Trust me.  Men don’t care about fancy lines.  They don’t want to listen to some attempt to charm them.  If he wants you there, hello will do.”
    We finish our drinks quickly at the bar, and after Kate spends time fixing my hair and make-up, we begin the short walk to the locals bar.
    The sun has set and night has fallen on our beautiful island.
    “Let’s hope he’s there,” Mel says in excitement.
    I hope he’s not. 
    That way I don’t have to deal with these nerves and I can run away to hide in bed.
    When we are in sight of the bar, Kate points him out.
    “There he is,” she says excitedly.
    Damn.
    There’s no turning back now.
    “Remember, start with hello.  Just take one step at a time,” Kate pushes me towards the bar and I reluctantly walk in that direction.
    I look back in an attempt to run away but the girls wave me forward.
    Damn.
    I have to go.
    My stomach is turning with nervousness.
    I walk into sparsely filled bar, and walk up to stand behind Clarke’s wide shoulders. 
    He notices a presence behind him and swivels around on the bar stool.  He doesn’t say anything - he just stares at me - waiting for me to speak.
    “Hello,” I say.
    “Hi,” he replies.
    Then he says nothing else.
    Damn.
    Hello is all I was prepared for.
    He smirks as my mind races to think about something to say.
    Come on, I have to think of something to say.
    Nope.
    I can’t think of anything.
    Instead, I stand in front of him looking like a fool.
    I don’t say a word.
    I can’t say a word.
    I am too nervous to speak.
    How embarrassing!
    I talk all day, and I could talk all night, but now that I am in front of a beautiful, handsome man – I can’t think of anything to say! 
    My mind is blank.
    “You never finished that cocktail,” he finally breaks the silence with a smile.
    I breathe a sigh of relief, return his smile, and sit on the stool next to him. 
    Taking one glance over my shoulder at the girls, I see them smile and then walk away giggling to each other. 
    It’s all up to me now.
    I still can’t think of anything to say as the bartender passes over my cocktail. 
    “When do you leave the island?” he asks.
    “Tomorrow,” I finally mutter something out of my mouth.
    “That’s a pity.  This island won’t be as beautiful without you on it.”
    Oh wow.
    My heart melts.
    “But you will need to excuse me Ella, I have to go and get some sleep,” he smiles and stands off the bar stool.
    What?
    No!
    He can’t go now. 
    I have only just gained the courage to talk to him – he can’t leave me now.
    “No,” I mutter.
    “Sorry?”
    “Um… I… Can I come with you?”
    What?
    What a stupid thing to say.
    “Come with me?”
    “Yes, um… can I come with you?”
    Why would I say that!
    That is a ridiculous thing to say! 
    No man would ever say yes to that!
    “Ok.”
    “Ok?” I question.
    “Sure.”
    “Where are we going?” I ask.
    He laughs out loud.
    Once he finishes laughing, he holds my hand and leads me out of