Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

Chapter One

Cassie

Cassie couldn't believe it.

The guy at the bar just looked at her.

Not just looked, but did a double take and then a full body check out.

And then he smiled like he liked what he saw.

It wasn't something Cassie was used to. It certainly wasn't anything she expected, and to be honest, something she hadn't had in a long time.

She was sure it had to be an accident. She checked her clothes and didn't see any embarrassing stains or funny marks. Her hands immediately went to her hair and face to make sure nothing was wrong. Her long dark hair seemed to be still neatly up in its ponytail, and nothing was sticking out. She didn't feel anything strange on her face. Why else would he be looking at her and smiling like that?

“Psst, Brianna,” Cassie whispered to her best friend. They stood next to one another in the line to check into their hotel. “Do I have something on my face? Anything in my hair?”

Brianna set down her suitcase and carefully evaluated her friend. “Nope. Not even a gray hair. You look good. Why?”

At least her hair dye job was working.

“I think that guy over there is checking me out.” Cassie motioned with her head, trying not to be too obvious. The line to check into the hotel moved up slightly, and Brianna took the opportunity to look around without it being blatant.

“The tall guy by the bar?” she asked. “With the beachy hair and rocking body?”

“Yeah,” Cassie said with a nod. She had to resist the urge to turn and look. Instead, she stared at the island-themed wallpaper behind the check-in desk. They had some lovely flowers in a vase on the counter as well.

“He is definitely checking you out,” Brianna replied.

Cassie started to grin. “Really?” She'd been on an airplane all morning and didn't feel cute. She felt tired, hungry, and sweaty. Cute, let alone sexy enough to check out, felt crazy. “What should I do?”

“This.” Brianna raised her arm and pointed to Cassie, looking directly at the guy. “She's single!” Brianna yelled out.

Cassie felt the entire hotel lobby turn and look at her. Brianna's voice echoed down the hall, and so the people at the pool probably heard her too. The whole Caribbean resort now knew that Cassidy Turner from Phoenix, Arizona was single.

Great. What a way to start a vacation.

Cassie winced and instantly felt her cheeks burn. “Brianna, what are you doing?” she hissed. She wished she could disappear into the floor. Risking more humiliation but unable to stop, she quickly glanced over at the guy to see him grinning. He winked at her and her blush deepened. He shot her a knowing smile and then walked out of the lobby bar and disappeared.

“What am I doing? I'm trying to get you a date,” Brianna replied, shrugging like she hadn't just completely embarrassed her friend. “Remember what we talked about on the plane? You're going to have fun. You're going to relax. You're going to let loose and be a little wild.”

“And what does that have to do with shouting that I'm single to a random guy in the bar?” Cassie asked. She tugged angrily on her suitcase as they inched closer to the check-in desk. “That isn't fun. It's embarrassing. Everyone here is looking at me.”

Brianna sighed. “How many people do you know here?” She waved her arm, indicating the hotel lobby.

Cassie glanced around, counting heads. They were at the end of the short line to check in. A couple of people in shorts and tank tops sat at the bar on the opposite side of the room watching some sort of sports program. Other than that, the lobby was fairly empty. Maybe ten people. Tops.

It wasn't enough people to be angry over, but there was now way she was going to tell Brianna that.

“That's not the point,” Cassie replied, crossing her arms and flipping her hair over her shoulder. Her face still felt hot, but she tried her best to ignore it.

But Brianna wasn't finished. “How many people do you know on this entire island?”

Cassie shrugged. “I don't know. It's a big island.”

“How many?” Brianna crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. She was determined to make some kind of a point.

“Fine. There's you.” Cassie held up one finger. “Janessa and Kyle.” She held up two more fingers for the bride and groom whose wedding they were attending. “Julia's not here yet, but she counts,” Cassie continued, naming the fourth friend in their friendship group. “And Lorna.”

“Lorna barely counts as a person,” Brianna informed her with a grimace.

They both chuckled, breaking the tension between them. Cassie wasn't a fan of Kyle's cousin Lorna either. Lorna was self-absorbed and caused trouble everywhere she went. She was a classic “mean girl” and loved to rub it in everyone's faces how much better she was than everyone else.

Cassie tried to always be friendly, but Lorna definitely rubbed her the wrong way.

“So, you know five people, most of whom would love for you to let loose and have a little fun.” Brianna motioned to the empty

lobby. “This is the place to be 'Vacation Cassidy.' You can be the fun-loving, crazy girl I know is locked deep inside of you.”

Cassie frowned. “I'm fun.”

Brianna crossed her arms and gave her a wry look. “Right.”