Page 49 of A Quick Stop in Paradise

“She’s not justthe staff,she’s my friend,” I said. Allison smiled.

“No, staff is right. She’s paying me to agree with her.”

I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging on my lips. “Allison. Telling is a breach of contract. I’m cutting your pay.”

Stella laughed, and she sighed, slouching. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make things worse, or anything.”

“It’s all right… I appreciate you taking my side. And I appreciate the apology. I feel like crap for ruining the vacation, too.”

“Shane’s the one who ruined it,” Stella said, at the same time Allison said, “Your stupid boyfriend is the one to blame.” Stella shrugged. “See?” she said. “Even your paid lackey agrees.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Well, if even the paid lackey says so. You really can go watch the show, though. Although… what’s this about a lifeguard?”

Stella bit down on a smile, looking away. “We were all at the beach last night, and I was just admiring the scenery a little bit. And by that I mean this lifeguard on duty. Tall guy with dark skin and total dreamboat eyes. I got to talking to him a little bit, his name’s Jacob, he’s vegan and loves this vegan sushi place here, so I washopingmaybe I could take him there today.”

“Ah… I should have known. Looks like Allison and I both are just pieces on your board.”

She waved me off. “That’s a later thing anyway. I want to meet your friend.”

“Oh, uh…” I looked at Allison, who shrugged at me. “Brooklyn and I were going to get lunch with Allison and go to the beach together once Allison’s done with her shift… I guess you could come? Your hunky lifeguard might be there again today.”

Stella stood up taller, beaming. “Yeah, that’s a plan,” she said. “What about you, Allison? Do you have a boyfriend, or are you going to be talking to lifeguards too?”

Allison shoved her hands in her pockets. “I’m a lesbian.”

Stella blinked. “Okay… do you have a girlfriend, or are you going to be talking tolady lifeguards?”

“Uh.” Allison lost her mojo.

“Allison’s terminally single,” I muttered, and Allison shot me a betrayed look.

“Oh my god! I’m working on it!”

“Okay, great,” Stella said. “Then we can divvy up the cute people between the two of us and talk to everyone on the beach.”

I shot Stella a look. “What, forgot about Jacob already?”

“I don’tknowit’ll work out with Jacob. Talking to other cute boys is, like… insurance. I’m trying to make sure I findsomebodynice while I’m here. You should, too. Try to bounce back from Shane.”

Allison snorted, and I withered. Stella shot her a look.

“What? I’m serious! Bouncing back is a real thing!”

“No, just, uh—” Allison scratched her head. “Uh, it’s just… I’d actually just been saying the same thing to her.”

Oh, god, she was bad at this. I pursed my lips. “I will let you know if I decide to,” I said. “But for rightnow,I would just like to be in peace.”

Stella laughed. “All right, so am I going to meet your friend or am I keeping Allison company?”

Well—I was vindictive. “You’re going to keep Allison company,” I said. “She’s looking for all the advice she can get on how to score a date.”

Allison gave me a horrified look. “Ryan. Why?”

Stella grinned at her. “Yeah? I can do that.”

I smiled sweetly at Allison as I headed for the door. “Have fun, Allison.”

Allison hung her head. “You too. You and BB go have a much better time.”

---