Page 21 of See You Next Month

“Oh, good. I thought you were trying to get me drunk.”

Isabella laughed. “You only brought one bottle of water for us. We have to drink something.”

Kelsey giggled. “I think I’m already a little drunk.”

Isabella looked over at Kelsey and smiled. She couldn’t remember when she’d felt this relaxed and had this much fun.

“You’re staring at me again.”

“I’m having fun. Can’t I look at you?” Isabella giggled.

Kelsey met her gaze and they both began to giggle.

“It sounds like you two are getting to know each other and enjoying the beach,” Carmen said, walking up. She moved their things to an empty chair and joined them.

“We’re having a wonderful time,” Kelsey said, straightening up. “Luis keeps bringing us drinks and it’s caused a bout of giggles.”

“I think we both needed this though,” Isabella said. “I haven’t been this relaxed and carefree in ages.”

“Tomorrow will be a full day depending on how long you stay at Peaches,” Carmen said.

Kelsey giggled. “I love that name.”

Carmen furrowed her brow and looked from Kelsey to Isabella.

“Big ol’ lesbian sitting right here,” Isabella said, snickering. “Come on! Peaches, get it?”

Kelsey laughed, but Isabella realized what she’d just said and gasped. “Oh, my God, Kelsey! I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay,” Kelsey said, stifling a laugh. “I’m not ashamed of who I am.”

“Uh, big lesbian sitting right here, too,” Carmen said, pointing to herself with a smile. “How many drinks have you two had this afternoon?”

“Luis just kept bringing them,” Kelsey said. “We may have lost count.”

Carmen chuckled. “You’re both tipsy and funny.”

“I promise we are professionals,” Isabella said. She looked at Kelsey and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Kelsey shook her head and mouthed back, “It’s okay.”

“I know you’re professionals and neither one of you has probably been on a vacation in a long time. That happens to single moms,” Carmen said. “That’s another reason I think you’ll be perfect for this campaign.”

“Don’t you have kids?” Kelsey asked.

Carmen smiled. “I do. I have a son and a daughter who are both off doing their own thing. They’re a little older than your girls, Kelsey. My son followed me into hotel management and my daughter is a teacher. They are both in the states. However, I am not a single mom. I don’t know how you two do it. My wife and I live here in St. Thomas.”

“Maybe we can get them to do the Valentine thing,” Isabella said, widening her eyes.

“Good idea,” Kelsey said.

“So you haven’t just been lazing on the beach and drinking all day,” Carmen said. “You’ve been talking about the coming year?”

“We have,” Isabella said. “We’re already making notes.”

Carmen leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees. “You don’t have to start now. I want you to have a good time while you’re here. I don’t expect you to go through the excursions we have planned and start working. They’re for you to see what I’m talking about and we’ll go from there. We can start planning the January trip before you go back, but for now…” Carmen stopped and looked around. “Please enjoy this.”

“Oh, we are,” Kelsey said. “Can’t you tell!”

---