"She hates your dad."
"Right?" My best friend let out a long sigh. "I don't know. She's pissed about me changing my major a few years back. I want to help people, and counseling in the schools seemed the best plan of action. She wants me to be an accountant or lawyer or doctor."
I picked up the mango chicken taco and examined it. "That's not you at all, unless you were doing pro-bono work."
"Which would get old after a while. I'd be the only broke lawyer in the state." She gave me a cheeky grin.
A handsome, dark-skinned guy moved up to the table and pressed his hands to the top of it as he glanced between us. The smooth curves of his chest and stomach muscles were on complete display as he looked like he'd just come in from the beach as well.
"Hi girls. Just wanted to stop by and let you know that we're having ladies night at Halla every night this week." He pulled a card from his back pocket and dropped it on the table. "Hope to see you there."
"You just might," I mumbled, getting lost in the beauty of his eyes. They had to be the lightest blue I'd ever seen. He smiled and walked toward the next table as Casey picked up the card.
I took a bite of the taco and closed my eyes briefly, letting the flavors roll over my tongue as I identified the ingredients. I opened my eyes and jotted down a quick description of the taco and the experience it provided.
"My turn." Casey reached for the taco in my hand, and I gladly gave it to her.
"It's delicious, but a little hot."
"I like them hot." She wagged her eyebrows. "Like I like my men."
"Brother..." I picked up another and moved through the rest slowly, taking time to enjoy each of them. My dream of being a food critic wasn't something I could see in my near future, but I had a hard time giving up on it. I'd wanted it for far too long.
We finished our meal and cleaned up, depositing our trash by the door before walking into the cool, late afternoon weather. I wrapped my arms around myself and glanced back at Casey.
"I can see why people love that place. It was delicious, fresh and authentically unique."
"You have such a way with words." She slid her arm back into mine. "Tell me about your folks. How are Linda and Mark?"
"Same as the last time I visited. They're still living together, but I can't imagine either of them going on like they are for much longer. It's so weird too..." I paused, trying to get a hold of myself. I didn't want to be emotional. Our day had been too fun to ruin it with tears. "They used to be the epitome of a love story, you know?"
"Yeah. I remember thinking your dad was dreamy, and that if I could just have what your parents had, I'd be set." Casey released me as we walked into the lobby of the hotel. "What happened? Any clue?"
"No. I don't know. I haven't asked my mom about it, and she hasn't offered any information. Everything changed earlier this year though. I would assume one of them cheated on the other, but it's a thought I just can't entertain." I shrugged and turned, stopping dead in my tracks as Easton walked off the elevator and our eyes met.
"That's because you're going through something like that now. I'd not wish that on anyone. I just can't imagine Mark hurting Linda." Casey stopped a little ahead of me and turned around. "You coming? What's up?"
"Fate, I think," I whispered under my breath, not quite sure how I felt about the handsome businessman being a part of my day once more so soon.
"Vivian. Casey." He stopped beside Casey and smiled. "Sorry I haven't called yet. It's been crazy and I'm working all week while I'm here. Looks like you guys found the beach by the burn you’re both sporting."
His smile was warm and sexy, though he probably had no idea. His dark hair a little disheveled and his green eyes only for me.
"We did. It's beautiful out there." I glanced around. "Don't tell me you're staying here with us. I'm going to label you as a stalker soon."
He chuckled. "I was going to say the
same thing."
"We're going to change and then have a drink in the lobby. You wanna join us?" Casey asked him.
"I'd love to, but really, I have a hundred things to do in the next few days and almost every minute is filled with something." He glanced at Casey for only a moment before turning his gaze back to me. I hadn't been in the dating game much over the last few years, namely due to being with Jackson since junior high, but something told me that Easton was stretching the truth in order to not hang out with us.
"No worries. Have fun where you can this week. Hope you get all of your stuff done." I moved toward Casey and tugged her with me. "Come on. Shower, change, and liquor."
"And boys," she mumbled, her head turning back toward him. She was ballsy and wanted him to know that she found him attractive.
I, on the other hand, would have melted into a puddle of embarrassment had he known just how tight my stomach was thanks to his presence alone.