Page 62 of Another Lucky Number

‘That’s the spirit.’ He kisses the top of my head. ‘Plus, my friends have already seen you chasing little kids around. How much worse can it get?’

‘Don’t remind me.’

‘So, we’re on?’

‘Yeah, we’re on.’ I gulp as I say this. ‘Let’s give your buddies the full uncensored initiation experience.’

Chapter Twenty-Five

By seven p.m., Cat, Amber and I are sizzling in our evening outfits and we’re on our way to meet the guys for dinner at Barcoa, the resort’s barbeque and grill restaurant, which promises southern-style American soul food with a Bahamian twist. We wind our way along the path, between the tropical vegetation and open grassy stretches, the balmy heat of the day still lingering. The relaxed surroundings, as well as the delicious memories of my earlier stint in the pool with James, almost cause me to forget that I have a serious bone to pick with Amber.Almost.

‘That stunt you pulled earlier was well out of order, Amber,’ I say with the most authoritative tone I can muster.

‘You’ll thank me later.’ Her reply is so casual that it has the instant effect of winding me up.

‘I think you owe me an apology. You ruined my afternoon.’

‘Yeah, it looked awful, you snogging James’s face off in the pool. I’ll pray for you.’

‘I’m not referring to that part.’

‘So, Ididn’truin your afternoon then. Only part of it.’

‘Well, yes.’ I frown. ‘But that’s not the point. It stressed me out, all those things going wrong like that.’

Amber stops and turns to me. ‘Emma, that there – what you just said, is therealpoint. Why don’t you wait for your feedback over dinner before you make a judgement about my actions?’

I look to Cat for support and she steps up.

‘Amber, I think what Emma’s trying to say is that you took things a bit far. And I agree with her.’

‘Thank you, Cat.’ I fix Amber with a pointed look.

‘All you told me was that you had some pre-planned scenarios,’ Cat continues. ‘If I’d known they were going to antagonise Emma that much, I would have told you to tone things down.’

‘Which is exactly why I didn’t tell you what they were.’ Amber shrugs as if this is obvious. ‘The scenarios had to put her under pressure, otherwise the whole exercise would have been pointless.’

‘Well, you certainly achieved that.’ I fold my arms while I walk, still waiting for an apology that evidently isn’t going to come.

‘Look, if you want to do this on your own terms, Emma, feel free.’ She holds up her hands in a clear threat of absolving herself from the responsibility. ‘You wanted my help and I’m giving it to you – the best way I know how.’

‘I know, and I’m grateful for that – for the most part. It’s just that… at times it feels like I’m part of some messed up boot camp.’

‘I told you the School of Amber would be tough. But it’s effective. What’s your alternative?’

‘Oh, I don’t know.’ I kick a small stone on the path in frustration. ‘I still want your help, but I also want to retain a sense of calm and dignity along the way. Is that too much to ask?’

‘Yes.’ Amber looks me square in the eye. ‘This needs to behard to prepare you for that interview and the job beyond it. And it’s going to be even tougher to keep your eye on the prize now lover boy has turned up, so suck it up.’

Cat and I share a hopeless look and follow Amber along the path to the restaurant.

A few minutes later, we arrive at a large barn-like structure with what appears to be a retractable roof that’s currently open to the elements. We’re greeted by the maître’d, who leads us to our table (which is more like a luxury picnic bench), where James, Rob and Tyler are already seated.

‘Evening all.’ Amber is the first to greet them. ‘Not got the shots in yet? Poor show.’

‘Didn’t know that was a requirement. We’ll need to up our game.’ Tyler grins at her and she seems delighted by this response.

‘He’s quick to adapt,’ she says to me. ‘You could learn something from that.’

---