Page 21 of OneTime Lovers
If only he looked more convincing, I might have believed him. Instead, he has a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. I guess I’ll have to tell Jasmine later how we were spotted.
Pouring myself a glass of juice, I follow Blake over to the grill, where it looks like all the arguing over who’s the best cook has produced a damn good breakfast feast.
Chapter 11
Jasmine
Scott.Speedos.Sunshine.Ican’t get the images of Scott from this morning out of my head.
Last night as I lay in bed, I started to have second thoughts about theone-timedeal I’ve made with Scott. But now, after getting aclose-upof the impressive bulge in those ridiculous Speedos, I can’t wait to seal the deal.
Why should I deprive myself of a chance to get my hands on a well-built sexy man?
After a messy breakup with my ex last year, I went through a self-imposed dry spell. Brad orAssholeas I like to refer to him, decided I wasn’t enough and was hooking up with not just one other woman but two. Who knows if there were more? He was a player of the worse kind, the arrogant, cheating, lying bastard kind.
It took me a while to step back into the dating world, the casual dating world as I’m not looking for anything else now. And so far, it’s been a disappointing, unfulfilling experience. Most of the guys have been self-absorbed jerks, without a clue about a woman’s needs. The major reason I haven’t bothered with a second date and lately haven’t even bothered with a first one.
I don’t think Scott will be disappointing, and certainly not unfulfilling. Apart from my obvious attraction to his body, there’s also a connection. A spark, which is uniquely different to anything I can remember feeling in the past. I can’t see how we can avoid ending up in bed together. Besides, it’s not like this can be anything other than a bit of fun on vacation.
With a mental shake, I discard lustful thoughts of Scott and concentrate on what today is supposed to be all about, Cassie’s wedding day.
Through the open glass doors of our bungalow, a pretty bridal-inspired breakfast table has been set up for us on the lawn. The round table is filled with tiered fresh fruit platters, granola topped yogurt cups, and flaky croissants.
After taking our seats around the table, two waiters serve us each chilled mimosas in tall, delicate crystal glasses.
I tap a spoon gently on the side of my glass, the tinkling sound quietening the chatter around the table as I rise to make a toast to my beaming friend.
“Cassie, firstly I want to say thank you for choosing us to be your bridesmaids,” there is a chorus of agreement around the table. “I know I speak for everyone when I say we are honored. You’re a special friend … and sister,” I look over to Cassie’s sisters sitting opposite, “with great taste, lucky for us. The bridesmaid dresses are beautiful.” Everyone murmurs their agreement again.
“Secondly, thank you for choosing such an amazing location for your wedding, these last couple of days together on the island have added to our memory bank of specialgirl timespent with you. Finally, you deserve all the happiness today brings. We love you, hun,” I finish quickly, then raise my glass, gulping down the lump in my throat. “To Cassie, our beautiful bride.”
Cassie fans her face with her hand, trying unsuccessfully to hold back her tears of happiness as we each stretch out our glasses, meeting in the center of the table together in a toast.
Then before we can take our seats again, Madison adds, “Hey, Jas, you forgot to thank her for marrying a guy with hot single friends.” We all burst out laughing.
Madison is Cassie’s oldest friend from high school, who seems to be on the same wavelength as me as far as having a good time goes. I just hope she isn’t looking in Scott’s direction, I have plans for that man.
“So true, Mads, a very important point for us single ladies. Let’s toast again.”
Seated back down, we can finally do justice to the tasty array of food before us. I select a warm croissant from the offered plate, biting into the light buttery pastry. It’s not a chocolate-filled one like our local bakery makes back home but still incredibly good.
After another sip on my mimosa, I lean back in my chair to listen to the excited chat around the table about our plans for the day. It will be a late afternoon wedding, so we have plenty of time to enjoy our casual breakfast.
At eleven, we have our bookings for manicures and pedicures followed by a beach hut massage. A light lunch will be served at around one in the same garden before hair and makeup. It all sounds truly indulgent, and no one is more excited than Cassie.
Joy radiates from every one of her features, with no hint of stress or nerves. Weddings generally aren’t my thing, but this one is different. It almost convinces me they’re a good idea when the couple is as in love as Cassie and Luke.
Whoa.Where did that thought come from? No, weddings are still not a good idea. Not for me anyway. Especially not when my one long-term serious relationship ended so disastrously, no thank you. Just the thought of putting myself through that again has me breaking out in hives. It’s much better to keep things casual, and nothing is more casual than a one-time vacation fling. Relationship avoidance works for me as even as a little girl, I never dreamed of my own wedding like my friends did.
Princesses and dressing up has never been my thing, much to my mom’s disgust as a prominent socialite in the city. I was the total opposite. All I wanted to do was hang out with my big brothers, wearing baggy T-shirts and shorts, begging to be included in the same games they played.
It’s only been in recent years when I’ve really understood the power behind the right clothes. Now I love dressing up, shopping for that perfect dress, which co-ordinates with those even more perfect shoes. It’s especially rewarding when I find the right outfit, which gets me noticed, makes me feel sexy or makes atake me seriouslystatement in the boardroom.
My bulging suitcase for this trip is a testament to how much my attitude to clothes has changed. And of all the new clothes I packed my favorite is the bridesmaid dress I will wear today, standing proudly beside my best friend.
Cassie clicks her fingers in front of my face to get my attention. “Hey, are you ready for our nails and group massage? You seemed a million miles away just now.”
I smile at my best friend and tell her honestly how I was thinking about my beautiful bridesmaid dress. Luckily, she didn’t catch me out earlier daydreaming about Scott’s impressive body, I might not have been able to answer quite so honestly.
