We . . .What could I say? As she’d said, he was wonderful. Cute. Hot. Sweet.
If I wanted him, would he be mine?
Where are you guys now?I asked.
At the swim-up bar, of course! Mom and Dad are here, too, though they’re staying in the shade. When you’ve finished (take your time!!!), join us.She signed off with that.
I changed into my swimsuit, and we went down to the pools, dropping towels and my beach bag on lounge chairs under a palapa beside my parents. The sun sliced through the palms overhead and cast dappled shadows across the bright turquoise water. The scent of sunscreen filled the air, mingling with the sharp tang of the sea. Music thumped from hidden speakers, a tropical beat that had the whole pool in a rhythm of its own.People swam around while others tossed balls or played games in the water. It was paradise wrapped in sunlight.
“Hello, hello,” Mom said, giving me a smile and a wink. Truly, she had more hope for my love life than I did. Although, Ostor and I had fun this morning. Maybe we’d have more fun later.
Dad grunted but rose from his chair, his gaze on Ostor. “Your friend and I need to talk.”
“Dad,” I warned.
“Now, honey. I promise I’ll be nice.” The look in his eyes as they remained on Ostor didn’t appear nice, but we might as well get this over with. Dad wouldn’t stop until he’d laid down his rules. I was sure Jacob had gone through the same routine when it was clear he and Macy were getting serious.
“You don’t need to do this,” I told Ostor.
He gave me an easy smile. “I don’t mind. Your father is within his rights to ask this of me, and I welcome it.”
More power to him, then.
He looked completely out of place in the best way possible. His large frame stood out among the milling crowd of human males, and he towered over my father. Surely Dad wouldn’t take this too far.
“This way,” Dad said, waving to the path that meandered around the outside of the resort.
“This may take a few minutes.” Mom nudged her chin toward Dad’s chair. “Sit. We can chat ourselves.”
Our talk would be nothing like the grueling barrage Dad was about to drop on Ostor. How would he handle it? I cringed, wishing this wasn’t happening.
“Rosey,” Mom said. “Sit.”
With a grumble, I perched on the edge of the lounger.
“Tell me more about Ostor. I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“We haven’t been together for long.”
“Long enough to invite him to your sister’s wedding.” Mom’s penetrating gaze snagged mine. “If Ostor makes you happy, I love him already.”
And there was my mom, always kind to others, behaving as if she was okay with whatever it was me and Macy did, even if she might have hidden doubts. She’d always urged us to jump off the cliff, so to speak, and we could because we knew she was there to catch us if something went wrong.
She was the only one who knew how heartbroken I was when Jacob ended things with me to pursue Macy.
“He’s a great guy.” That was neutral enough, but what could I say? I wasn’t mentioning that this had started out fake but was beginning to feel real, because for all I knew, nothing would come of the weekend.
“I’m glad. Bring him by for dinner once we’re home?”
I shrugged. “I’ll see when he’s available.” And make up excuses if he wasn’t.
Dad and Ostor returned, Dad wearing a pleased smile, Ostor looking a touch shell-shocked.
I got up, and Dad dropped onto his seat. He lifted the playing cards sitting on the low table between the two chairs and gestured to the board. “Your deal or mine, Jenny?”
“Mine, I think,” Mom said, taking the deck from him. “You kids go have fun!”
While Mom dealt the first hand, Ostor and I slipped into the pool, wading through the warm water.