Page 12 of Paradise Pride

“You know me so well.” Kim laughed. “Of course I hope you’ll like him, but no pressure. It’s just an innocent drink, nothing official.”

Knowing Kim would never give up unless she agreed, Meghan groaned in frustration. There was only one way to shut her friend up. “Okay, okay. But to be clear, I’m coming to meet your boyfriend. I’m not going on a date.”

“I swear, it won’t be a date.” Kim crossed her fingers and shot her an innocent look. “Tuesday. You, me, Andres and Tiger.”

“Tiger? What the actual fuck?” Meghan’s eyes widened. “Is that his real name?”

“Yes, but you can’t judge him on that. It’s not his fault.”

“I don’t care if it’s his fault or not. I’ll take any of these women over someone called Tiger,” Meghan joked. She randomly pointed to the first woman who walked by. “Her,” she said. “I’d rather date her.”

12

Florence

“Hello, bartender.” A woman leaned over the bar and made eyes at Florence. “You’re cute.”

“Thank you,” Florence said, amused by her directness. She was tall, blonde, and tanned, dressed in a bright-yellow bikini and denim shorts, and she made sure Florence saw the rainbow bracelet she was wearing. “You’re very cute yourself.”

“Thank you back…” The woman reached over the bar and pulled Florence closer by her nametag. “Florence. Nice name. I’m Amber.”

“Nice to meet you, Amber. What can I get you?”

“I think I’ll have a beer.” Amber shot her a flirty look. “And I wouldn’t mind a kiss too.”

Florence laughed. She wasn’t one to shy away from kissing a beautiful woman, but this was a whole new level of overconfidence. Amber was pretty and she knew it, and Florence suspected she usually got what she wanted. “I’m flattered, but I’m working. I’m not supposed to fraternise with guests.”

“Shame.” Amber jutted out her bottom lip. “What about after work?”

“Still the same. You’re a guest.” Florence hadn’t played by the rules when she’d asked Meghan out for a drink, but Meghan was an exception, she’d told herself. Besides, it wasn’t a date, so she wouldn’t be crossing any serious boundaries.

“But I’m not staying here all week, I’m only here for the Pride event,” Amber said. “I’ll be at the Seabreeze further down the strip as of Monday.” She batted her lashes and flashed her pearly white teeth. “So lucky for you, you can kiss me then.”

“Lucky for me, huh?” Florence handed her the beer and chuckled. Amber seemed fun and she was certainly attractive, so why would she even have to think about it? “I’m actually busy on Monday, but we can go for a drink on Tuesday if you’re free?”

“Tuesday… That’s a long wait, woman.” Amber borrowed a pen from the bar and scribbled her number on a napkin. “But I’m a patient girl.”

“You don’t strike me as the patient type,” Florence joked, tucking the napkin into the back pocket of her shorts.

“You’re wrong. All good things are worth waiting for.” Amber flicked a lock of hair over her shoulder and winked. “Message me. I can’t wait for that kiss.”

“Holy shit, Flo.” Manuel, who had been listening in on the conversation, nudged her. “Did you cover yourself in lesbian nectar this morning? She was all over you, and from what I’ve seen so far, she’s not the only one wanting a ‘kiss’.” He made quote marks in the air.

“I can’t help it that women like me,” Florence shot back at him with a grin. She was never cocky, apart from with Manuel, who considered himself the hunk of Paradise. “It must be tough for you, not getting any female attention for once.”

“Trust me, it’s painfully frustrating. They don’t even look at me. It’s like I don’t exist,” he said with a huff. “And you?” He looked her over. “I don’t get it. You’re not all that.”

“Thanks, Manuel,” Florence said in a sarcastic tone. “Always the gentleman.” She gestured to their customers and grinned. “Well, we’re already out of beer again, so they’re all yours. I’ll go and get a new keg.”

“I can do it,” Manuel said, staring at Meghan, whose sun lounger was on the route to the outdoor drinks’ storage.

“It’s fine. I promised to bring the DJ a drink anyway.” Florence patted his shoulder and slipped out from behind the bar with a large margarita. The party was in full swing now, with women dancing in and along the pool and in front of the DJ booth. She could feel eyes on her as she handed the drink to the DJ and wondered what it would be like to be here as a guest. If she were, she’d probably be in someone’s hotel room by now.

“Thanks, babe,” the DJ said, then turned on her microphone. “Everyone, give it up for Florence, our lovely bartender!”

The overenthusiastic cheering made Florence grin sheepishly as she crossed the poolside. Meghan’s oiled-up skin was shimmering in the sun. She and Kim were talking to two other women on the beds next to them, and she seemed entirely at ease. Meghan spotted Florence on her way over.

“Hey!”

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