"But New Year's Eve is three days away. Canyou really plan a proper parry in that time?" Upton asked.
"You so underestimate me, Mr. Giles," Kiran joked. She whipped her BlackBerry out of her canvas tote and started dialing. "I'm going to start making arrangements right now."
As Kiran did her party-planning thing, Graham started up with Sawyer and soon a new wrestling match ignited. Gage and Dash both joined in, and before I knew it Upton was on his feet and rushing into the scrum. Even West and Daniel got involved.
"Boys," Noelle said, rolling her eyes as she sat up to watch. "So juvenile."
But of course we all couldn't help watching and laughing as they tossed each other around in the sand. For the first time in days I felt completely happy, completely at ease. I felt like my vacation was just about to start.
50
AN OFFER
"Aren't you glad you stayed?" Taylor said as we stepped through the automatic sliding doors to the Simon Hotel's gilded lobby the following night for dinner. The marble-tiled floor shone beneath our Jimmy Choos, and almost every surface was bursting with pink and purple blooms. Athree-piece band played Caribbean music softly in the corner, the steel drum gonging a happy tune. I took a deep breath of the salt air and smiled. We were there to meet up with the rest of the crew and have dinner at the Simon's most exclusive restaurant. Everyone had dressed up for the occasion. I saw a few heads turn as Taylor and I paused to wait for Kiran and Noelle.
"Yeah. I kind of
am," I replied giddily.
"That dress is killer, Reed," Kiran said, stepping up behind me with Noelle. I was wearing a black dress with a halter neck and a slim skirt--a dress Kiran had bought for me our first day on the island--and I did feel rather killer. "Upton's goingto have a stroke when he sees you."
51
"Let's hope not," I replied. "I don't think I can handle a sudden death."
"What do you say we make a pact never to utter the word death again," Noelle suggested, lifting her thick brown hair over her shoulder. She was wearing a black strapless dress that made mine look like a muumuu. "At least until we get back to Easton."
"Deal," I replied with a laugh.
"There they are," Taylor said, lifting her chin. The rest of our group was gathered around the lobby bar, their voices gradually growing louder and more jovial, filling the high-ceilinged room. The cool air chilled the bare skin of my arms as I crossed the room, concentrating on not teetering in the four-inch heels Kiran had lent me. The last thing I wanted was for Upton to see me fall flat on my face. But as I stepped up next to Tiffany and Amberly, I realized Upton was nowhere to be found.
"Hey, girls," Tiffany said, lifting a champagne flute. "Grab a glass at the bar."
The three of them obliged while I held back.
"Hey, Tiff, where's Upton?" I asked.
"Lounge," Tiffany said, nodding to a wide doorway across the way. "But I don't know if you want to go in there."
"Why not?" I asked, my heart thumping extra hard.
"He's with Poppy," she replied, lowering her voice.
A slick of dread washed down my spine, but I shoved it aside. Somehow Poppy always seemed to manage to corner Upton. But I wasn't just going to stand there and wait for them to come back.
52
I was going to go get my man. Show her I was not about to be intimidated.
"Thanks." I tucked my black clutch under my arm, strode purposefully across the lobby. Suddenly four-inch heels were not an issue. Adrenaline can be such a fabulous thing.
Leather chairs dotted the lounge and several older men smoked cigars near yet another bar. The lighting was darker in here and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they did I saw Upton and Poppy standing in the corner near a grand piano, arguing.
"If you think I'm just going to take this you are absolutely mad," Poppy said, her expression incredulous.
"Then I suppose I'm mad," Upton replied, resting his hand on the piano.
"Everything okay?" I asked loudly, walking over to them.