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Ben

“Catch you later, Catalina”

“See you, Dr Handsome Enjoy your days off” Catalina, the head nurse in the ER and grandrins up at me from behind a stack of papers

“Dr Stone,” I reree to call me Ben?”

“It’s either Handsome or McDreamy Take your pick” She puts one fist on her hip and stares at me over the top of her bifocals like she means business

“This is bordering on sexual harassment, Catalina I may have to report you” The look on

“You’re forgetting you aren’t in the United States anymore This is St Lucia, where love rules the island”

“Can’t argue with that logic,” I say, rapping my knuckles on the reception desk as I walk by

“Now, get going so the other girls and I can stare at your very fine ass”

I laugh, waving over my shoulder as the doors slide open and I step outside I find o I’o hos to the air even though it’s dark out and I slad that I decided to o Back horees today I checked the forecast on rin every time

But even in the Caribbean, a guy needs a break once in a while I look at myself in my rearview mirror only to see stress written all over ht The past feeeks, I’ve barely had any sleep But I’ on no sleep—the hospital is understaffed and it's high tourist season whichfro every day

I start up the Jeep, unroll the s, and make the ten- content when I arrive at ho I have a long shower and a cold beer, then sit onfor sleepiness to set in I’m restless in the same way I was before I er on why I stare at the ht occurs to hts on and find so for me As I walk into the house and ht be on her way soon

Three

Lila

Gina and I exit the airport, dragging our suitcases behind us I adjustthe humidity and heat surroundmy body

“Welcome to paradise” A deep voice stops Gina and ainst a yellow cab “Where to, ladies?”

Looking at the travel itinerary, I struggle to pronounce the na I had paid more attention in Spanish class “E-l Ho-tel de la Pu, Pu, Pu-es…”

“El Hotel de la Puesta del Sol?”

“That’s the one” I nod, feeling a little out of my element

As the cab zips down the freeway toward the hotel district, Gina and I take turns grinning at each other and staring out the open s at the sights Every now and then, the crystal blue ocean co into the breeze

“I have a feeling this trip is going to be very good for you” Gina bu you laid Properly this tien”