‘Me?’
‘Hey, there!’ a woman called out.
They all turned to check out the newcomer. A stunning blonde in a black bikini at the wheel of a golf cart motored toward them. She parked, hopped out, and came skipping close up.
‘Everyone, this is Jennifer Carter,’ Naomi said. ‘My co-worker and my very best friend on the West Coast.’
‘Hi! Call me Jen!’
Samantha had heard only good things about Jen, but wasn’t sure how she felt about the woman now. There was just something about her. Her hair was too shiny, her smile too bright.
‘California has entered the chat room,’ Hugo observed.
‘Yep!’ Jen flashed perfect teeth. ‘So what are we talking about? Get me up to speed.’
Hugo obliged. ‘Naomi was about to break some bad news to Sam.’
‘Oh no, don’t worry!’ Jen said. ‘It’s no big deal.’
It irritated Samantha no end that Jen was already in the know. She eyed Naomi expectantly. ‘Go on, tell me. What is it?’
‘We have a last-minute guest,’ Naomi said. ‘Since you’re alone and no longer need an entire bungalow to yourself, we wondered if you would mind joining Maya.’
Samantha felt a pang of anger. ‘You want me to share with messy Maya?’
‘It’s not like that,’ Naomi said. ‘We’d upgrade you to a deluxe two-bedroom bungalow, so there’d be plenty of room. You’d never have to deal with her mess.’
Wethis. We that. Which committee had made these decisions?
‘It’s the party suite,’ Jen said. ‘It’ll be fun. I’d have joined them myself, but I found a last-minute date. I hate going to weddings alone.’
Samantha turned to Naomi and stabbed the air between them with an index finger. ‘You said the guest list was on lock!’
‘Did I?’ Naomi said, once again bringing her left hand to her heart. ‘Sorry! I’ve been such a diva these last few weeks.’
‘We forgive you,’ Jasmine said.
‘Yeah,’ Jen said. ‘It’s chill.’
If it were so chill, why were Samantha’s cheeks on fire?
Right then and there, the committee presided over by Naomi and composed of Hugo, Jasmine and Jen decided by unanimous vote that Samantha would share a deluxe two-bedroom bungalow with Maya, and the matter was closed for debate.
There went her fantasies of having an entire oceanside villa to herself – the only tangible benefit of travelling solo. She had hoped to wake up early and record videos for the blog in pristine light, or stay up late and belt out eighties pop ballads while soaking in the tub, or prance around naked if the mood struck her.
Naomi let out a breath, visibly pleased that she’d ticked one unpleasant task off her to-do list. ‘Now!’ she declared. ‘Let’s get you all settled and—’
‘I’m sorry,’ Samantha said. ‘But I’m not giving up my bungalow. I need my privacy.’
‘Sam!’ Naomi said. ‘Be reasonable.’
‘Sorry. Can’t do it.’ This was one upgrade that she’d have to pass on.
‘Are you sure?’ Jen said. ‘The party suite is—’
‘I think she’s sure,’ Jasmine said with the urgency of a person attempting to defuse a bomb.
‘You heard the girl,’ Hugo said, coming to her defence. ‘No means no.’
Naomi laughed. ‘You’re my guest. I want you to be comfortable.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Can we please get out of the heat now?’ Hugo said.
‘Yes, sir!’ Naomi said playfully. ‘Follow me, everyone!’
The bungalow was blissfully silent when Samantha crossed the threshold for the first time. She slipped off her trainers and wandered around. The space was all terracotta tile, stucco walls, carved wood furniture, and breathtaking views from every window. The bedroom was serene with a canopy bed swathed in gauzy netting; there were red hibiscus petals sprinkled on the crisp bedding. It had obviously been prepared for a couple.
She flung herself on the mattress, feeling triumphant. She’d had to battle the forces of darkness for this privilege. It had been a while since Samantha was last single, but she didn’t remember it being this way. Bumped up to first class or thrown into the party suite, it was all the same. She was expected to step aside and accommodate those with the good taste or plain good sense to travel in pairs. That was BS, utter BS, and she wasn’t going to stand for it.