Page 7 of Poseidon's Island Flower

“Do you think the people staying here are rather odd?” I asked.

She shrugged. “A little, but who cares? Think of all the rooms we’ve cleaned over the years. Yeah, usually they’re dirty, but maybe we’re finally getting a break. We’ve dealt with um…” Candice looked around the room, studying it. “Wait, did they bring their own comforter? Pillows?”

Did she not notice before?

“Yeah, they did,” I replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that.”

“I know families do it with kids. Sometimes kids have a texture thing, and the hotel blankets can be scratchy from all the bleach. Maybe a child is in here?”

I doubted that, not with the books that were on the nightstand. They were obviously for an adult. Especially the few that said, “Understanding Sarcasm,” “Understanding Relationships,” and “Trusting Again.”

Candice didn’t seem bothered. She was just happy that the room was clean, and we could move on.

“I’m just glad this person is getting out. Seems like they don’t get out much and maybe he needed the sea air to reset. His friend next door might be good for him. He seems like the party animal. Maybe he’s trying to break his friend out of his shell,” I snorted.

“Got that right. Dude can really put down some alcohol.”

Candice and I walked out of the suite, putting up the vacuum and throwing the old sheets from the toga man’s room in the hamper.

“Listen.” Candice leaned on the cart. “I know this morning was hard with Koma.”

A sigh of frustration escaped my mouth; I didn't have any desire to talk about it. I wasn’t one to talk about my feelings, not when I could barely understand them myself.

“No, no, listen.” She pointed at me. “Now that Koma is gone, it’s time to concentrate on you, and that’s why—”

“God no!” I banged my forehead on the cart.

“Just hear me out!” She persisted as I pulled the cart to the next suite.

“No, I don’t wanna!”

“You listen here, Lani, you are going on a blind date this Saturday, like it or not. You have got to get yourself a man. You gotta get that dried up pussy back in the game.”

“Oh my god, do you hear yourself?” I hissed. “Someone could hear you!”

“Hey, it isn’t my fault I have to yell to get you to listen to me. Now this Saturday, seven o’clock at Puka Shells, you’re gonna meet this guy. He’s smart, he’s funny, and I heard he’s got a real big dick, Lani.”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “I don’t need just any dick; I don’t need any of that. I want a relationship, not some quicky. I need a connection.” I emphasized with my hands.

Candice made a face. “Ew, a connection? Honey, how long has it been since you sat on a friendly face?”

“Candice!” I laughed.

Candace raised her hands up in defense. “Hey, I’m thinking you haven’t been touched in eight years, and a lot has changed in the dating world. You just need a good lay, and then go find Mr. Right. Get the cobwebs out and make sure you are nice and slick for the right guy.”

“You are insane, Candice.” I chuckled as I put the key card into the suite's lock, unlocking the door.

“Yeah, but you love me. And you know your bestie is right,” she chided.

“I tell you what, let’s make a deal. I’ll go out and buy a big dildo. But cancel that date with Cory.”

Candice gasped, her hand slapping on her chest. “How did you know it was Cory!?”

I rolled my eyes, pushing in the door. “Because this island is small, and Cory doesn’t just have a big dick but a big mouth as well.”

“Damnit, that idiot. I was trying to smooth things over first!”

We both had a chuckle and continued our journey to the next room.

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