Page 32 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
Olivia saunters over and takes the menu from him. “Excellent shoreline service. I must say, I’m impressed.”
Hudson nods. “Thanks.”
“I’m a resort concierge in Breckenridge.” She bats her lashes while Hudson just stares at her. He’s either mesmerized by Olivia’s beauty, or wondering why she’s telling him this. “Well, that’s my official title, but I think of myself as more of an ambassador, because I promote a lot of places in the town. Kind of like an influencer.”
Another quick nod from Hudson. “Good to know.”
“Breckenridge is in Colorado,” she adds.
“I’ve heard of it.”
“Oh, well, my main job is at The Blue Bell. Have you heard of The Blue Bell?”
“I don’t think so.” Hudson shifts his weight. “So…. Can I get you a beverage?”
“Oh, yes, please!” Olivia grins, undeterred by the server’s lack of interest. I’ve got to give her credit. That kind of confidence is more impressive than the service at The Beachfront. She peruses the menu, then addresses the group. “Since I’m a professional who gets paid to make sure people are having fun at a resort, please allow me to handle this.” We all shrug as Olivia orders a round of fancy-sounding drinks.
“Virgin for me, though,” Amber calls out.
“Me too, please,” I chime in. This maid of honor needs to keep an eye on her bride, and also keep her wits clear around Brady. Once Hudson leaves, I wrestle with my folding chair, adjusting the seat back. Olivia peels off her cover-up. She’s got a nice base tan, probably from all that time spent as an ambassador in Breckenridge.
“I just texted Beau,” Kasey says, dropping into the chair at the other end of our semicircle. “They’re almost done.”
Olivia gathers her hair, securing it into a bun with a couple of bobby pins. “So the guys will be down soon then?”
Kasey snorts. “You just want to flirt with Hawk, don’t you?”
“Personally,” Darby says, “I think Hawk is into Natalie.”
The back of my folding chair collapses. “Whoa!” I flop backward onto the sand.
“Personally”—Olivia glares at Darby—“I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.”
“There’s nothing going on with Hawk and me,” I blurt, hauling myself upright. Now there’s sand in my hair, on my neck, and down my cover-up.
“Either way.” Kasey pushes her sunglasses up her nose.
“There is noeither waywhen it comes to me and Hawk,” I quip. “There’s no way at all. No me. No Hawk.”
“It’s all good, Nat.” Olivia sprays something from a can on her skin that makes it shine. “I actually think Hudson’s kind of cute now. And as far as I’m concerned, all’s fair in love and war.”
“But to be clear, Liv, there is no war. And no love.”
“Well, that’s even better.” Her smile is sly. “Because I’d definitely win.”
A few minutes later, Hudson returns with a tray of drinks in neon-yellow plastic tumblers. Curly straws and skewers of fruit and umbrellas stick out from the top. “The two with the cherries are virgin,” he says. While Olivia hands over her credit card, the rest of us take long sips, nodding our approval. Mine is perfectly sweet, all coconut and pineapple.
“Delicious,” I say.
Kasey sighs. “Perfection.”
“FYI,” Amber says, holding her drink up to block the sun, “I don’t think I can do the chicken fights today.” With her free hand, she pats her rounded belly. “Baby on board and all.”
I nestle my tumbler into the sand next to my chair. “Chicken fights?”
Kasey lowers her sunglasses. “Didn’t you see the agenda I texted for the beach party?”
Darby passes her phone over to me. “Here. Check it out.” There’s a text from Kasey open on her screen.
