Page 9 of Spring Break with a One Night Stand

“You had a one-night stand?” Ginger’s mouth hung open.

“He’s here in Love Beach?” Willa Leigh had firsthand experience with a long-lost lover suddenly reappearing.

“Did you talk to him?” Jezzy was enjoying herself, which fueled Odette’s frustration.

“There’s nothing to say.” Odette’s voice went up an octave. “He rescued me when a lech got handsy at a nightclub. I said I was leaving to get something to eat, and he invited himself along. He was nice. There was chemistry. We had amazing sex and–”

“You panicked.” Jezzy huffed disapproval.

“But why?” Ginger asked. “If the sex was good…”

“The sex was spectacular. Off the charts.” Odette stated.

“Oh, honey. He’s married.” Willa Leigh’s eyes glimmered.

“He’s not married. He’s not ugly. He doesn’t live with his mother. He doesn’t drink or do drugs or abuse animals.” The conversation was going in circles, confusing Odette even further. Why had she run out on Nelson?

Oh, yeah. He had…wanderlust.

“It was a one-time thing.” She shrugged, trying to shake off the heartache. “He was a Navy brat. Growing up, his family moved around all the time. He still relocates every few years.”

Ginger and Willa Leigh still weren’t tracking, but Jezzy made the jump in one leap.

“You just bought a house in Love Beach. You’re settling down while he’s pulling up stakes.”

The server arrived with the sangria and glasses, giving everyone time to absorb Jezzy’s analysis.

“We’re incompatible.” Odette crossed her arms on the table and laid her head down, completely deflated. “I finally meet Mr. Right, and he turns out to be Mr. Wrong.”

“Before you assume, try asking. You might be surprised by the answer.” A familiar masculine voice floated over the partition separating their booth from the one next to it.

“Noooooo!” Odette groaned, crossing her arms over her head.

“Jamie, can you get the kids back to the hotel? I need to have a long overdue chat with Miss Bell.”

“I knew there was something going on between you two!”

Odette lifted her head to see Jezzy, Ginger, and Willa Leigh staring at the wooden panel.

“Is that–“” Willa Leigh started.

“–Mr. Las Vegas?” Ginger finished.

“Come on, girls.” Jezzy inched out of the booth, the sangria pitcher in one hand and her glass in the other.

Nelson came around the row of booths, the commotion drawing attention from everyone in the restaurant.

“Oh, girl, he’s hot.” Ginger faked a sizzling sound.

“He looks like that guy…from that movie…about that family…” Willa Leigh remained parked on the bench, eyes round with amazement.

“On second thought.” Jezzy returned to her seat and fluttered her fingers toward Nelson. “Odette, go! Listen to what the man has to say. He followed you all the way from Vegas–”

“Actually, I’m from Jacksonville.” Nelson shook hands with Jezzy, Ginger, and Willa Leigh. “Nelson Price. I’m with the group of high school students who have been helping out at the animal shelter all week.”

“He teaches English and coaches the JV basketball team.” Brenda’s head popped over the wooden divider. “He was voted Most Popular Teacher for the yearbook, and he’s a solid five stars on HotTeach.com.”

“Jamie!” Nelson called out.

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