Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“I’m not calling you. Try to relax.”
I huff. “Relax. Sure.”
“Yeah, you, relax.” Tor shakes his head. “Google it. It’s something humans do to enjoy life.”
“You should talk.” Natalie smirks, nodding toward my brother. “He worries so much about me and the kids…the only time I see him relax is when I’m giving him—"
“Okay, I gotta go.” I flap my hand in front of my face so she will stop talking, then open the back door and slide out as a skycap rolls a cart toward the car. “You guys need to learn some boundaries.”
“Have fun.” Natalie rolls down her window and waves. “Send pictures. I want to see you in that new bathing suit on the beach or in a pool relaxing.”
I wave over my head as the skycap finishes loading my suitcases on the cart and we head toward the terminal doors. In four hours, I’ll be in San Phillipe and I’ll probably be the only one of my friends who won’t be relaxing.
Ten hours and one migraine later, I’ve thrown my luggage in my room and punched the down button on the elevator. My connecting flight was delayed by four hours in a tiny airport with no restaurant or bar and air conditioning that needed some recharging.
All my friends went to town for a fabulous dinner at Ethos and I’m extra salty I missed it because it’s one of the biggest reasons we picked San Phillipe for this trip. Instead, I ate corn nuts and beef jerky from the duty-free store before grabbing a cab and heading for the hotel.
I take a deep breath as the elevator dings and the doors open. Stepping inside, I’m thankful there’s no one else riding because making small talk or avoiding eye contact seems like an epic feat right now. Goosebumps rise on my skin in the cool air conditioning, and I consider going back to my room and snuggling into the huge white robe in the bathroom after a bubble bath and room service.
But, I’m here for some fun and adventure, so I sally forward wearing my new bikini and a lacy black cover up. Natalie helped me pick them out after seeing my boy shorts and swim t-shirt. I’ve never had a bikini before and especially not one that is no more than two sets of varying-size beige triangles, held together with matching fabric sort of shoelaces.
But, she said, go big or go home, and something about less is more. She loves her cliches, even when they make almost no sense, but I love her anyway and she’s the sister I never thought I’d have.
My hair is tangled in a messy bun and the bit of makeup I threw on this morning has long worn off. I did manage a new swipe of deodorant and a spritz of my favorite perfume before heading out of my room and down the hall, just to be polite to anyone that may come within sniffing distance of me.
The elevator dings with each floor it passes as my text notification goes off.
Ruby: Where are you? We’re all half in the bag already. GET DOWN HERE! We’re near the swim up bar.
Me: I’m getting on the elevator now. Be there in 5.
Harold: There’s some prime cuts of beef down here. I got first dibs.
Me: Have at it. I’ve got all the prime beef I need back at the restaurant.
Ruby: Prime beef and some juicy looking sausages too. I’ll order you a Strong Island. It’s like a Long Island but…STRONGER!
Harold: I’m on my thrid allm bready.
Me: It’s okay, I don’t really want a drink.
Ruby: Get don here.
Harold: Order her too. 2. TWO.
There’s a soft bump when the elevator settles on the main floor. The doors slide open and I look at the sign on the wall with arrows and directions to the different parts of the hotel. I hear music and voices as I follow the one that indicates the Party Pool & Swim Up Bar. As the voices get louder, I remember Tor’s commentary on my friends, and I’m honestly a bit relieved this trip is only two nights and the first one is already partially over.
I check my phone one last time before slipping it into my purse. I’ve already let my family know I’ve arrived and I’m safe and sound, otherwise they would be blowing me up all night.
The battery is only one tiny slice of red but I forget all about that when I step onto the pool deck. The warm breeze sweeps around me as I come face to face with a wall of a man wearing a black t-shirt with the word ‘security’ in yellow over his left pec.
It’s a party atmosphere, people are dancing and drinking out of coconuts and pineapples with little umbrellas. A group is cheering as they down shots at the massive swim up bar along one side of a pool as big as a lagoon and just as blue.