Page 33 of Caribbean Crush

“So help me, I’m going to drown myself in that water. Look at it! It’s so blue.”

She takes my hand and starts tugging me onto the sand so that I’m half running, half stumbling after her. My bag slips off my shoulder, and I have to secure it before everything falls out.

“Slow down!”

Ricardo races after us, laughing. “I was supposed to tell you guys, there’s a picnic set up for you all. That tent right over there.”

I look to where he’s pointing, and my jaw drops.

“Well done, Aurelia,” Sienna says with an impressed tone.

A few yards from where we stand, closer to the water’s edge, there’s a large-scale blue-and-white-striped tent under which sits a long banquet table set low to the ground. Around it, throw blankets and pillows have been arranged by careful hands. A bartender serves cocktails in carved-out pineapples, and there’s another table overflowing with charcuterie.

“This could be someone’s wedding,” Sienna notes, already reaching for her phone so she can take pictures for social media.

She’s right. There are floral arrangements set out everywhere and morning glory vines twist around the tent poles. Everything is so beautifully done that it’s hard to believe it’s just for a beach picnic.

“Good afternoon,” a kind voice greets us, and we turn to find a crew member smiling at us.

I recognize her from the welcome reception in the observation lounge. She has pale-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that seem to leap out at you. Shannon, her metal name tag reads.

“Would either of you care for a cocktail?” she asks.

“Absolument,” Sienna teases in French, all too happy to skip off to the bar.

Shannon looks to me, and I smile. “I’m all set for now.”

My stomach feels a little off after I’ve been baking in the heat all day. Ricardo wasn’t the best driver behind the wheel of the golf cart either. My insides feel like slush, and I’d rather not tempt fate by adding alcohol to the mix. Shannon points toward the water.

“If you’re interested, we’ve arranged surf lessons.”

Now that sounds fun.

I’ll take any excuse to slip out of this sundress and get in the water.

“I’m game,” I say excitedly.

“You can stow your things over there with the attendant for safekeeping and then head down to the water.”

I see a row of surfboards set up in the sand, six of them lined up one after another. Though we’re early to the beach—most of Aurelia’s guests have yet to arrive—two of the surfboards are already being claimed. One by a girl I don’t immediately recognize and one by Sienna’s Spanish lover (or soon-to-be lover, that is). I claim the surfboard beside him after slipping out of my sundress and applying a quick spritz of sunblock.

I’m eager to help facilitate a wingwoman situation, so I introduce myself with a little wave.

“Hi, Casey Hughes, Bon Voyage.”

Sienna’s man turns to me with an easygoing smile. “Javier Mendez, freelance mostly.”

Oh, his accent is heavenly. Sienna’s going to melt.

“Pleasure to meet you,” I say before turning to the girl.

I realize she’s one of the influencers Sienna told me about yesterday, the ones she wanted to steer clear of. I can see why. My welcoming smile is met by a sour expression.

“Avery,” the girl says with a snooty tone. And that’s all, no last name, no job title. It’s like she’s on par with Beyoncé or Madonna. One name, and we should damn well know it.

I can’t help myself. “And what do you do, Avery? Are you a writer?”

She gives a little pitying laugh, like she feels sorry for me that I don’t already know the answer to my own question. “I’m in digital marketing.”

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