Down and Out in Flamingo Beach by Marcia King-Gamble

whole nine yards. She wanted to be home to raise those kids. She couldn’t see Derek being in a position to give her that.
    Joya threw some dollars on the table, her share of the bill.
    â€œKeep your money,” Derek said. “Since this is a business meeting Shore Construction can pay.”
    Was he being sarcastic or simply letting her know that he could afford to pay for their meal?
    Better to be gracious and just accept. She picked up her money, leaving a twenty behind. “How about I leave the tip?”
    â€œI have that covered.” He slid the bill back toward her.
    Gentleman that he was, he walked her to her car.
    â€œThanks for dinner,” Joya said, at the same time depressing the button on the remote lock.
    â€œMy pleasure. What time is your grandmother’s surgery?”
    Joya felt herself tear up; just thinking of Granny J under the knife made her weepy and that was not at all like her. “Early. I plan on being at the hospital at seven.”
    â€œYou’re keeping the store closed then?” Derek asked.
    She hoped he hadn’t caught on that she was trying her best not to let her emotions take over. “Not exactly. The student who works part-time can handle the morning activity.”
    â€œYour grandmother’s going to be just fine,” Derek said, the back of his hand grazing her cheek in an incredibly intimate gesture. Joya felt herself go warm all over. She gulped back a sob.
    â€œI hope so. Now I’d better go. Morning comes around faster than you know it.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Derek said, closing the space between them and enveloping her in a tight bear hug. He felt safe, even smelled safe.
    His mouth pressed against hers in a chaste kiss that soon heated up and took on a life of its own. When he parted his lips, their tongues dipped, danced and melded. The heady scent of his soap filled her nostrils. Joya clung to him, enjoying the feeling of his rippling muscles under her hand and the searing kiss that was both exploratory and passionate.
    Then good sense returned. What was she doing?
    â€œUhhh,” she said, “Uhhh,” wiggling out of his hold. “I’ve got to get home.”
    Derek’s arms fell to his sides. Joya used that time to put several inches between them. Her lips still tingled and felt raw. She was wired and jumpy. They stared at each other for what seemed an eternity.
    â€œI suppose I shouldn’t have done that,” Derek eventually said. “But I’m glad I did.”
    â€œI didn’t exactly stop you.”
    Joya fled for her car. “Thanks again for dinner,” she said hurriedly.
    â€œYou’re most welcome.”
    She closed the vehicle door quickly and put the key in the ignition, starting it up.
    Derek was still standing there staring. He raised his hand in a half salute. She wiggled her fingers at him and quickly backed the automobile out.
    She should never have allowed this happen. And she didn’t plan on it happening again.
    Â 
    Next morning, a perky nurse came bouncing into the waiting room where Joya sat restlessly flipping through a magazine. While relatives of other patients paced, ignoring the no-cell-phone policy, Joya tuned out the snippets of conversation and tried not to think of Derek’s kiss. And what a kiss it had been!
    â€œHow’s my grandmother?” Joya asked, putting the magazine aside and heading off the nurse who was there looking for someone other than her.
    â€œStable. She did great. A bit woozy from the anesthesia but otherwise fine.”
    â€œWhen can I see her?”
    â€œAs soon as she’s fully awake.”
    Joya sent a silent prayer up to God for bringing Granny J through this. It would have been devastating had anything happened to her grandmother.
    The nurse was already busy talking to another family. Now would be a good time to step out of the waiting room, call the shop and check with Portia to see how things were