Lulu pulled out a key card from her purse and handed it to Hena. “She’d love to see you. Don’t worry, you have time. The airboat tour isn’t for another few hours.”
“Lulu, do I have to?” Hena groaned. “They look so noisy.”
“This one isn’t!” Lulu brightened. “Seriously. We partnered with Bob’s Airboats, and they’ve got great ratings—guaranteed alligator sightings, and they take you over to their own personal island, which the reviews say is nice as far as gator attractions go. We contracted with them for their prototype electric boats. They’re practically silent on the water. I’d love your honest feedback before paying guests arrive.”
“Lulu—”
“Think of it as your way of helping the family business. Carrying on our father’s legacy and all that.”
Hena’s stomach turned. Lulu was eight when their father died. A second grader whose biggest worry was figuring out how to tie her shoelaces. Hena and her mother had done everything they could to shield Lulu from the brunt of who he was, but was it possible Lulu didn’t remember anything?
Hena wasn’t about to poke this hornet’s nest now.
“Sounds good,” she said instead.
Her sister drifted off to attend to the other guests, and Hena sipped her coffee as Khaled, bleary-eyed, wandered to the juice bar and ordered a kale-and-carrot concoction. Catching her eye, he gave her a wave. It occurred to her now that she had only exchanged a handful of words with the groom since she’d arrived.
“You holding up okay?” Hena asked, walking over to him.
“Barely.” He gave her a rueful smile. “It’s one thing toattendweddings like these, another to be one of the hosts,deciding between pastel blue linens or cerulean. I’m over it and we’re not even halfway through.”
“It’ll be done before you know it,” she said. “Then it’s Fiji for your honeymoon, right?”
“Yep. I told Lulu I want unstructured beach time and lots of naps. Nothing else.”
“Not sure Lulu will let that happen,” Hena said. “Knowing her, she’s got you scheduled for snorkeling as soon as you deplane.”
“You’re probably right.”
They both laughed as Reza joined them. He was in a plain gray T-shirt and dark jeans this morning, his hair damp.
“Did you find your watch?” Khaled asked him.
“Not in my room,” Reza said. “I’ll check with the front desk in case someone dropped it off.”
“Sounds like you guys had quite the night,” Hena observed.
“We were up past three.” Reza groaned. “I showered twice, but I still smell like smoke.”
Khaled’s mother drew him away to discuss the carnation lapels for the evening, and Hena and Reza stepped onto the side patio where a row of iguanas sunned themselves along the back wall, their slitted eyes following the two of them as they sat at a table.
“How’s your hand?” Hena asked Reza.
“Much better.” He held it out as if inviting her to take it. “You knew what you were doing.”
An announcement sounded overhead. Lucinda’s peppy voice informed guests that the shuttle for the Las Olas excursion would be departing in thirty minutes.
“There are so many events going on,” Hena said. “Even with the binder, I can’t keep track.”
“This week’s giving major summer camp vibes, isn’t it?” asked Reza. “There’s a seashell necklace class this afternoon. Seashells.”
“Well, sorry to disappoint you, but you won’t have time to make jewelry. The wedding party’s going on an airboat ride, remember? Explain to me how that falls under wedding party duties.”
“I’m kind of looking forward to it,” he admitted. “I’ve never been on one.”
“I haven’t either, but considering alligators are the main attraction, I’m not sure what there is to be excited about.”
“Are you scared of alligators?” He tilted his head.