“Did you notice what she was wearing?” I asked, grabbing Vanessa by the wrist and shaking her.
“No. What was she wearing?”
“You didn’t see her necklace? It was an emerald teardrop pendant surrounded by diamonds!”
“She would have mentioned if Bellamy had saved her. Don’t you think?” asked Vanessa.
“Maybe not if she has a migraine. She’s still over there if you want to ask her,” I said, pointing to where Shyla was on her hands and knees barfing into the fire pit.
Vanessa hopped up, adjusted her bikini, and ran over to her. She returned a moment later with an expression of shocked delight on her face. “You’re good!” she said. “Yes, indeed! She got that necklace today. Klassie and Amy are safe too.”
“Cool. I can’t wait to get one tonight. And to spend time with Bellamy,” I added.
“I guess I’m going to have something to eat and get ready for the cocktail party.” I stood up and stretched.
“Look at you. I just must say it again: I love that suit. And you’re so flat, like a model. Seriously, you look so cool and sophisticated. How did you manage that without looking anorexic? Did you get surgery for that?”
“Nope, they’re a hundred percent real,” I said, admiring my pectoral muscles.
“Lucky,” sighed Vanessa.
“Bellamy’s here!” exclaimed Marissa, running past us. She was dripping wet, and swaddled in a striped beach towel. “I’ve got to change before he sees me like this! I can’t believe I was stupid enough to actually go swimming.”
“She’s right,” said Vanessa. “She’s a total amateur. Why would anyone go swimming when there are all these cameras around?”
“Hi there,” said Bellamy. He was wearing a plum colored Speedo and tall gladiator sandals. “Mind if I join two of my favorite ladies?”
“Of course we don’t mind,” I said when Vanessa was too lost for words to respond. I sat back down on my lawn chair even though I was dying to go inside and get some food.
“Does this look stupid?” asked Bellamy, gesturing towards his lower half. “The producers said it showed off my abs, but I’m not so sure.”
“It shows off your abs,” I said.
“Cool,” he said, moving the lawn chair that was next to Vanessa so that it was right in front of both of us.
“I’m not blocking your sun, am I?” he asked.
“No. That’s considerate of you to ask,” said Vanessa, regaining her composure.
“I think both of you know that I think you’re both great girls, right?”
“Oh, thanks,” we said.
“Cool,” he said. He adjusted the chair so it leaned back. “Ahh. It feels good to sit down. We hiked all day. It was great.” Before we knew it, he was snoring.
“Poor little guy. He’s all tuckered out,” said Vanessa. We looked at each other and smirked.
“Time for me to grab something to eat,” I said.
“Me too,” said Vanessa, gathering her sunscreen and magazines.
“Mind if I steal him away?” asked Tamika, appearing before us holding two glasses of champagne.
“If you can wake him up, he’s all yours,” said Vanessa.
“Hey Sexy,” Tamika said to Bellamy, dribbling champagne down his belly. He continued to snore. “Hey Sexy, it’s me, Tamika,” she said louder. He rolled over and managed to curl up in the fetal position without falling out of his lounge chair, still not waking up. Tamika set one of the glasses beside him and wandered away looking embarrassed.
We went inside and were rummaging through the cupboards when there was a knock at the door.