“How about three o'clock this afternoon?” he asks her as we stand to leave. “We could meet right here. I'll buy you a drink.”

  She looks around, then shrugs. “Sure, I guess that will be fine.”

  “Thank you,” he says with dark, sparkling eyes. “I look forward to it.”

  I stifle laughter as we walk away. “That guy is hitting on you, Sid,” I warn her.

  “No,” she tells me, “he's just trying to sell real estate.”

  “I can't believe you let him talk you into listening to his time-share presentation,” I say. I consider warning her about the conversations I heard this morning. Still, I don't want to spoil her fun.

  She laughs. “Well, he has no idea what a hard sell I am. And a hundred-dollar dinner for spending an hour listening to a handsome guy? Well, I guess I might be a sucker after all, but it sounds like an easy deal to me.”

  We get our maps and the little list that Juan made for us and head out in the rental car. After getting lost a couple of times, we finally make our way through San Lucas and find the restaurant that Juan's brother owns.

  “That looks pretty nice,” I tell Sid as she slowly drives by.

  She nods. “Yeah. It looks legit to me.”

  Then we drive around looking for a parking spot so we can get out and do some shopping. Finally Sid gives up on finding an opening on the street and pays to park in a tiny lot.

  “Whew,” she says as we get out of the car. “Driving in this city is a little crazy.”

  “Maybe walking will be better,” I say.

  Her cell phone rings. “Sorry,” she tells me. “I should take this. It might be work related, and I promised to be in touch.”

  We go over to stand in the shade while she answers the phone. But I notice a small store nearby. It has colorful blankets hanging outside and lots of terra cotta pots stacked up by the door, sort of the quintessential Mexican shop. So I go over to explore it.

  “You want to buy something, miss?” asks a boy.

  I smile at him. “No, gracias.”

  Just the same, he begins showing me his blankets, talking them up, and practically begging me to reconsider my answer. I look at the blankets and admit they're pretty, but I'm not ready to buy anything yet.

  “Manana, “ I tell him, starting to walk away.

  “No no,” he says, insisting that he has the best prices and selection and that I should buy something right now.

  I can't help but laugh at his stubborn enthusiasm. I try to explain that we're going to walk for a while and I don't want to carry anything. That maybe I'll buy something when we come back for our car. I even point to our car like it's proof of my sincerity. For some reason, he seems to accept this. Or maybe it's because an older couple has just walked up. Judging by the woman's jewelry, it looks like they could be pretty wealthy. The woman studies the blankets but seems unimpressed. Still, he makes his pitch.

  “Are these old?” she asks the boy.

  “No no,” he says. “Nueva”

  Now she actually smells them. “They don't smell clean to me,” she says. “I think they've been used.”

  He frowns, but he doesn't give up. He insists the blankets are new and clean and very nice. But she is not buying this—and she's not buying a blanket, either. She makes a sour face, then looks like she's literally turning up her nose at the boy and his blankets. It's all I can do to control myself from going over there and telling her to straighten up. But I don't. Instead I just watch a dark shadow of hurt and disappointment wash over the boy's face. And this makes me mad.

  So I go over and ask him how much for the blanket I liked the best, and he tells me. Now, I know I'm supposed to try to get him to go down on the price—that's what I've read in the travel books—but twenty-five dollars for a really cool hand-woven blanket sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I ask if he takes American money, and he nods eagerly. So I pay him. He smiles as he carefully folds up the blanket and slips it into a pink plastic bag and hands it to me.

  “Gracias,” I tell him.

  “De nada,” he says with a big grin.

  I go to find Sid. I want to see if I can leave the blanket in the car while we walk around. She's still standing in the same place, but I can tell by her face that something's up. She says good-bye to whoever's on the other end and hangs up with a happy sigh.

  “You'll never guess who that was.”

  “Who?” I ask.

  “That was Ian.”

  “Oh, good,” I say. “How is he?”

  “He's on his way to Mexico.”

  The statement almost doesn't compute. “Mexico?”

  “He's just waiting to get on the flight,” she says with sparkling blue eyes.

  “To come here?” I ask.

  She nods.

  Okay, I'm happy for her. But suddenly I see myself as odd man out. Make that odd woman out. I know how Sid feels about Ian and how he feels about her. But where does that leave me?

  “Oh yeah,” she says, like she's been playing me. “I almost forgot. He's bringing Ryan with him.”

  “He's bringing RyanT

  “They met in Seattle last night when Ian flew in from Dublin. And in an hour they'll board a flight to Mexico and arrive here this evening.”

  “Seriously?”

  She nods with wide eyes. “I'm stunned.”

  “Me too.”

  “I guess he got a really good deal, one of those last-minute vacation packages. He booked it online.”

  “Where are they staying?”

  “It's called Casa del Sol,” she says. “I think I remember seeing the sign on the highway last night. It's not too far from where we're staying.”

  “Cool.”

  She smiles. “Yes, very cool.”

  “So does this change our plans for today?” I ask.

  She considers this. “No, not really. Ian said it might be late by the time they get to their hotel tonight and that he'd call tomorrow.”

  “Oh.” I hold up my purchase. “Can I put this in the car?”

  “Of course. What did you buy?”

  So I pull it out and show it to her, explaining about the young salesman and the unfriendly American tourist.

  “Well,” says Sid as she slams the trunk closed, “I guess I better go buy a blanket too.”

  “That'll show them,” I say as I lead her over to the shop. The boy is pleased to see that I've returned with a new customer. Sid buys two blankets, and he gives her an even better deal. I point this out, and he offers to make it up to me if I'll purchase another blanket. This boy is good! But I fall for it and buy another one. It's a good thing our car is nearby so we don't have to carry them.

  “I can't believe it,” says Sid as we wander down the narrow street, looking into various shops. “Ian is really going to be here!”

  “I'm pretty stunned myself,” I say. “What made Ian think to invite Ryan?”

  “Well, you know how they made that connection in Ireland and how they've stayed in touch since then? I just think Ian has sort of adopted Ryan into his heart. Ryan was just as disappointed as I was when Ian couldn't make it for Christmas.” She smiles as she holds a piece of rainbow-colored glassware to the light. “But at least they'll be together for New Year's.”

  “And down here in Mexico with us!” I say happily. I can hardly wait to see them tomorrow!

  try not to obsess over the fact that Ryan is actually going to be down here. I mean, its not like he and I really have anything going on besides a good friendship. And yet, I cant help but imagine how fun it'll be to have him around.

  Even as Sid and I enjoy a great lunch at a downtown restaurant called Pancho's, complete with bright-colored tablecloths and pottery, not to mention amazing service, I think how much better it would be if Ryan and Ian were here. Afterward, Sid and I do a bit more shopping, and once again, Im looking at things and thinking, Wouldn't Ryan like that belt? Or / wonder if Ryan would buy this? Okay I tell myself as we stop by the market to pick up some groceries, quit obsessing over this guy Just chill

  “I think I'm ready for a little siesta,” I admit as Sid drives us back to the condo. In the back of my mind, I'm probably thinking I'm ready to have a nice dream about Ryan.

  “Me too,” says Sid. “But I've got that silly meeting with Juan. I wish I could cancel it.”

  “Maybe you can,” I suggest with a sleepy yawn.

  “Maybe…”

  We're barely back in our room when I suddenly feel wide awake again. I have this dire need to go check out the pool and the beach and hopefully catch some rays as well as some z's and work on my tan—sort of a multitasking outing. I tell my aunt, and she decides to join me. So we put on our suits and the sarongs we got in Hawaii and trek down to the pool, which turns out to be pretty crowded and noisy. Plus all the lounge chairs seem to be occupied. So we wait in line to get some towels from the towel guy, then head down to the beach, where we finally locate a couple of lounge chairs and make ourselves comfortable.

  “Not bad,” I say as I stretch out and soak up the warm afternoon sun. There's a delightfully cooling breeze coming off the Sea of Cortez, and the ocean air smells fresh and clean. Nothing like what I expected to find in Mexico. I cant wait to see how Ryan reacts to all this.

  “Not bad at all,” agrees Sid with a yawn. “I think I'll have that siesta after all.”

  I sigh and close my eyes. “Yeah, I could get used to this.”

  “Wake me up before three o'clock if I'm asleep.”

  “You're still going to meet with Juan?”

  “I guess so.”

  We both snooze for a while, and I wake up feeling pretty groggy and sweaty. I run down and plunge into the ocean, which feels ice cold compared to my hot skin, but it wakes me up. When I get back to where Sid is still sleeping, I glance at her watch to see that it's almost three. I'm tempted to let her sleep, except it looks like her back might be getting sunburned. So I wake her.

  “Sorry,” I say. “But your back is getting kinda pink, and it's almost three.”

  She turns over and sits up and blinks into the bright light as she puts on her sunglasses. “Oh yeah… I was having the greatest dream.”

  I study her happy expression. “About Ian?”

  She laughs, then stands and ties on her sarong. “Maybe…maybe not.

  “Want me to come with you?” I offer, hoping she doesn't.

  She's about to put on her watch but then stops and hands it to me. “No, I don't think so. No reason we should both suffer. How about if you keep my watch and then come get me at four o'clock sharp? We'll tell Juan we need to do something. Then he'll have to stick to his one-hour promise.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I wave as she treks back up the beach toward the stairs.

  I get some more sun, then decide to shower off the sticky saltwater residue and check out the pool scene again. To my relief, a lot of the kiddies seem to have evaporated into the hot afternoon air, and I find an empty lounge chair in a quiet corner of the deck. I park my stuff there and slide down into the clear blue pool. At first the water feels cool, although not nearly as cold as the ocean, but I quickly acclimate and discover it's merely tepid. I swim a few lazy laps before I get out and head over to the lounge chair. On my way, I spy a large tan iguana sunning itself on a stone. I can't help but relate. I feel a little bit like a lizard myself. But after all, this is supposed to be a vacation. Poor Sid, up there haggling with Juan about time-shares. I do not envy my aunt right now.

  It's hard not to think about Ryan as I stretch out in the sun again. My plan is to act all cool about this unexpected twist to our vacation. I don't want anyone to know how jazzed I am that he's coming down here. For some reason, his decision to come seems to put a whole new spin on things for me. Or maybe I'm reading something into it that's not there. It's not like we have a real boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, but we have kept in close contact the last six months, and sometimes I feel like I can talk to him more openly than to any of my other friends. Like he really gets me. The truth is, I'm more than just a little bit interested in this guy. I almost get the feeling he's equally interested in me. To be perfectly honest, he's probably one of the main reasons I'm so ready to transfer to the university next semester. Well, along with the chance to be with Sid and Lydia. I cannot wait to see Lydia again!

  I imagine Ryan and me walking down the beach together at sunset. I have on my new pink sundress, and he's wearing a white shirt and khakis. In my mind's eye, we're holding hands…and maybe he even bends down to kiss me. First on the forehead…and then— Splash! I'm doused with a chilling spray of water, and I open my eyes just in time to see a boy leaping into the pool just a few feet from me. He yells “Geronimo!” as he also cannonballs, sending water everywhere. The two culprits appear to be about twelve or thirteen, and I can tell by their grinning faces that they think their antics are pretty hilarious.

  “Did we get you wet?” asks the one with red hair.

  I make a face at him, then nod as I dry my sunglasses on my towel. “Yeah, thanks a lot for the shower.”

  “Why don't you come in?” calls out the other boy. “We can play Marco Polo.”

  I smile at his invitation, then glance at Sid's watch and see it's close to four now. “Thanks for the offer, but I've gotta go.”

  “Just because we got you wet?” asks the redhead.

  “No, just because it's time for me to go,” I tell him as I stand and put on my sarong.

  “You coming back later?” asks the other one.

  “Maybe.” Okay, I guess I'm tossing them a bone here. But they both smile and wave, and I figure no harm done. Besides, I feel a little flattered that two middle-school-aged boys are actually flirting with me. Pretty funny really.

  I drop off the towel and head up to the restaurant, where I quickly spot Sid and Juan. I go over and inform them that it's almost four and that Sid and I need to be going, that we have plans.

  “Just five more minutes,” says Juan. He nods toward the bar. “Go get a drink. Complimentary. Tell them Juan said so.”

  Sid sort of shrugs, and I set her watch in front of her, then go over to the bar and order a Sprite. “Juan said it's complimentary,” I tell the man and he nods and smiles.

  I sit at the bar, watching my aunt and Juan. I can tell she's uncomfortable and wants to get out of here, but he's not willing to give up just yet. Not only that, but it looks like he's flirting with her too. Or maybe that's just part of his sales technique. Even so, I can tell by her expression she's not thrilled with any of it.

  I notice another man in a suit, obviously a time-share salesman too, just a few feet from where I'm sitting. He's talking to an aggravated-looking couple, who appear to be about my parents’ age. The woman is wearing a straw hat with orange flowers, along with a frustrated expression. Her husband looks hot and tired, and the top of his bald head looks like its had too much sun. I feel sorry for them, and I can tell they're trying to extract themselves from the salesman, but not unlike the boy who sold me the blankets earlier today, this sales guy is persistent. When the woman starts to stand up to leave, he even grabs her arm and pulls her back down. This makes her husband angry. He very explicitly and not too politely tells the sales guy to knock it off.

  “We want our free gift now,” he says angrily. “We've sat here with you for nearly four hours, and we do not want to buy a time-share here. Comprende? For Pete's sake, we didn't even have hot water in our room this morning.” Then he swears.

  The salesman starts to explain the hot-water problem, but now the woman cuts him off. “We're leaving right now—with or without the free gift.” She looks down at her husband's glowing head. “Richard, are you coming?”

  He slowly stands, placing both hands on the table as he looks at the salesman. “Not without our free gift,” he says. “I was promised a coupon for dinner tonight, and I intend to get it before I go.”

  The salesman looks angry too. But without speaking, he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a piece of paper, hastily writes something on it, and thrusts it at the man. Then he turns on his heel and stomps off.

  “Well!” says the woman in an irritated tone. “See, Richard, I told you this was a mistake. I don't know why you always insist on getting something for nothing!”

  He sort of growls at her as he pockets his precious coupon. “At least well get a free meal out of it, Marsha!”

  “Free indeed.” She rolls her eyes at him, then walks off.

  I imagine Sid being stuck with Juan for three more hours, and I feel I must make a better attempt to rescue her. I concoct a story in my head as I finish my soda. It's not completely untrue. Sid did tell me she wanted to look into parasailing while we're here, and I think that's just what we should do this afternoon.

  So I walk over and interrupt Juan once more. “Sid,” I say in an urgent tone, “if you still want to go parasailing, we really need to leave right now.”

  She blinks, then nods. “Yes, that's right.” She stands and smiles and shakes Juan's hand. “Well, as I said, I'm staying here at the condo, and I'd like to think this whole thing over. My friend bought a time-share here, and who knows?”

  He smiles. “I hate to let you get away.”

  “You promised it would take only an hour,” she reminds him. “And I listened to your presentation, which was really well done. But I do need to go now.”

  I can tell he's disappointed, but he's handling it a little better than the other salesman. And it probably helps that, unlike the other couple, Sid is being very congenial too.

  He pulls out a coupon. She thanks him, and he says he hopes to see her again.

  She smiles warmly. “And thank you for your time,” she says. “It's been a pleasure.” Then I pull her away.

  “It's been a pleasure?” I repeat. “Isn't that putting it on a little thick?”

  She laughs. “Well, his job can't be easy. And he really was nice about it. Why shouldn't I be nice in return?”

  “Yeah, that makes sense.” Then I tell her about the other couple.

  “Four hours?” she repeats. “Thanks for rescuing me.”