Page 2 of Fever

She did a little jig in her seat, and I laughed.

“That’s right, girl, you better state your claims.”

Desiree smiled over at me. “It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Huuuusssband.” We laughed, and I shook my head.

“I’m not mad at you. Maybe a little jealous but not mad at all.”

“Mmmm, I was you at the beginning of the year when Claudia and Jaden got engaged.”

“And look at you now,” I retorted.

“That’s exactly my point.”

I took my eyes off the distance and looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

Desiree shrugged. “Who knows what can happen in a couple of months or even years when you connect with someone.”

“I’m not sure I follow.”

“Oh yes, you follow,” Desiree said.

How did she know I was feigning ignorance? I couldn’t imagine myself with Josiah as husband and wife. First, we were not dating. Our friendship was new and currently under construction since I didn’t speak to him on a regular basis. Then, he was young, in his late-twenties, and we all knew men took light-years to mature. And let’s face it. I didn’t have light-years.

Movement at the entrance of the deck pulled our attention.

“Having breakfast without us?”

It was one of the triplets. They were sisters to Julian and Jaden. I could never tell them apart, so I didn’t bother to call out a name.

“Do you see any breakfast here?” I said.

“Eden, Santana, the name’s Eden.”

“What?” I shrugged, and she chuckled.

“I know you can’t tell me apart from Phoebe and Jasmine.”

“Oh, so there’s someone who can then?”

We all laughed again.

“We’ve made a decision.” This time it was a different triplet who’d spoken. She stuck her head around Eden then stepped to her side. “For the duration of this trip, Eden, Jasmine, and I will wear specific colors, so you’ll be able to tell us apart. For me, I’ll be wearing purple, as you can see with this to-die-for bikini I have on.”

Eden spoke up next. “I’ll be wearing yellow. I like to think of myself as the bright one of the bunch.”

Desiree and I chuckled when Phoebe side-eyed Eden.

“You wish,” Jasmine stated, moving between the ladies to step out in front of them. I’ll be wearing—”

“Let me guess,” Desiree said, “green?”

Desiree and I both held amused grins.

“Ding!” Jasmine said as if Desiree had won a prize.

“Great!” I said. “Now all I have to do is remember which one of you is wearing which?”

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