Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

“Okay. Blue dress. Strappy sandals. They're feminine, but not slutty. And they're easy to walk in.” Brianna went to the closet and started pulling things out. “Sexy undies. You can pick those out.”

Cassie sipped on the Gatorade but otherwise didn't move.

“You should probably shower, too,” Brianna said, crinkling her nose. “You smell like fruity booze.”

Cassie gave her a slow blink.

“I mean, I guess he's a bartender. Maybe he's into that kind of thing.” Brianna shrugged and managed to dodge the pillow Cassie lobbed at her head.

With a groan, Cassie swung her feet off the bed. She was definitely hungover, but the Gatorade was helping. She was still wearing her cherry sundress from the night before. It was all wrinkled now, and there was something pink spilled down the front.

Cassie turned on the shower and ran cold water in the sink to soak her dress. She hoped the stain hadn't set. She was rather fond of the cherry dress. It was her brave, fun, flirty dress now. Even if she never wore it out again, just knowing it was in her closet would give her confidence.

She'd been flirty and carefree once. She could do it again.

The hot shower water felt like life flowing back into her, and when she emerged twenty minutes later, her skin was pink, and she actually felt a little hungry. It was a freaking miracle, and one that Cassie wasn't about to waste.

Brianna had left her blue sundress out on the bed. Hotel stationery sat next to the dress with Brianna's curly, loopy handwriting.

Have fun. Be crazy. The room is all yours for the rest of the day!

PS. Bachelorette party tonight! Don't be late!

Cassie shook her head and slid into the silky blue dress. The fabric hung to her curves and felt see-through. Brianna had assured her that it was not see-through under various lights, but Cassie still felt naked.

She brushed her hair and let it air dry while she put on a light layer of makeup. Just some smoothing sunscreen, mascara and eyeliner. And a little lip gloss. Lip gloss with color was always a good touch. It was also one of the few makeups encouraged by corporate.

Cassie finished three minutes before she needed to leave in order to get to the Cantina by noon.

She stood in front of the full-length mirror, making sure the dress really was opaque and that her mascara was in place.

“You can do this. You are fun. You are cute. You are sexy,” she told her reflection. Her stom

ach was twisting, and it had nothing to do with the drinks from last night. She was nervous. “If it's awful, you leave and never see him again. No one is judging you here.”

She took a deep breath, put her room key in a small beach bag, and headed down to the Castaway Cantina. It was almost noon.

Cassie walked quicker the closer she got. What if he didn't show up? What if he wasn't so attractive without two glasses of wine in her? What if he realized just how boring and old she was?

What if she had said something super dumb while drunk?

Cassie tried not to think about it. She told herself not to worry. There was no real consequence here. Unlike at home where she had her job, her reputation, and her hotel's reputation all on the line. This was her chance to try something new. She didn't have to be perfect here. She could be human.

Castaway Cantina came into view. It was a small building with large open windows to let in the sea air. It was a buffet style eating area with seats both inside and outside. The atmosphere was relaxed and soft music played overhead.

Cassie checked her watch. It was ten seconds past noon.

She didn't see him in the restaurant. She didn't see him walking up the path or sitting at a chair near the entrance. He wasn't here.

She tried to tell her self that it didn't matter. She'd been drunk, and he had been kind. It wasn't a big deal. It was no huge loss.

Yet the ache in her chest and the burning in her eyes said otherwise. Deep down, his rejection hurt.

“You came.”

She turned to see him walking up the path to greet her. Today he wasn't wearing the employee outfit. Instead, he wore a pair of dark blue swim trunks and a really nice short sleeved shirt that showed off his broad shoulders and lean waist. He pushed a pair of sunglasses up into his windswept hair.

Her heart skipped a beat, and the tightness in her chest changed. Now it was nerves instead of heartbreak trying to strangle her.