Page 17 of Paradise Pride

“Good morning. Am I hearing voices?” A woman leaned over the balcony railing and stuck her head around the dividing wall.

“Good morning. Sounds like you’re having fun!” Meghan turned and smiled at her. “What’s going on?”

“My friend is just being silly,” the woman said. “She’s trying to make me wear a dress for the first time in my life, and it’s not happening.” Her eyes widened in shock as she looked from Meghan to Florence and back. “Oh my! Soyoumanaged to bag yourself the bartender!” She laughed and turned. “Tamara, come see who’s here. It’s Florence, the bartender.”

Her friend, whose head appeared above hers, gasped. “I knew it when I saw you two dancing yesterday. It was the way you looked at each other that gave you away.” Tamara gave them a thumbs up. “Good for you, girls!”

“No, it’s nothing like that. We’re just friends,” Meghan was quick to say.

Florence shifted away a little when she realised they were sitting really close, both scarcely dressed. “Yes, we’re just friends,” she repeated, wondering how her attraction to Meghan could be that obvious.

“Of course. Staff rules and all that. I understand. Don’t worry. Our lips are sealed.” Tamara winked and shot them a grin. “Well, ladies, enjoy your coffee. We’re going to get one downstairs.”

They disappeared before Florence had the chance to defend the situation, but it was clear they wouldn’t have believed her if she tried. “Sorry about that,” she said after their neighbours had closed the balcony door behind them. “I didn’t think anyone would draw conclusions.”

“It’s fine. They can think whatever they want.” Meghan shrugged. “It’s not like I’m ashamed or anything.”

“You’re not?”

“Of course not, silly. From what I’ve gathered, you’re quite the catch.” The look in Meghan’s eyes was flirty as she spoke. “No, scratch that,” she corrected herself. “Youarea catch.”

“Oh?”

“Yes,” Meghan continued. “If anything, I’m feeling quite smug.” She let out a chuckle, and Florence couldn’t help but laugh too. “I’m going to walk that poolside today with my head held high, and I’m going to smile and let everyone think that Ididbag myself the bartender.”

17

Meghan

Now that Meghan had made some new friends, she was really enjoying herself by the poolside with a dozen or so other early birds, and she felt giddy after her flirtations with Florence. There was definitely chemistry between them—even her neighbours had spotted it—but she wasn’t sure what to do with that. Kim was on her way, and she hoped no one would tell her Florence had slept over again. It would only lead to questions she didn’t feel like answering. Not today, in this sunny spot that would soon be crammed with smiling, dancing women.

Against all odds, she was kind of sad it was the last day of the Pride event, or ‘Paradise Pride’ as people called it, because the overall atmosphere was great. She took care in applying sunscreen and left her back until Kim arrived. Knowing Florence was stealing glances at her, she used deliberate, slow strokes, with one leg stretched out in front of her and one leg pulled up before, alternating. She was wearing her nicest turquoise bikini and a light turquoise sarong, and she’d painted her toenails and put on a silver ankle bracelet. It was more effort than she normally made for a day by the pool, especially in the morning, but although she wasn’t sure what she wanted from Florence, she was sure of one thing: she liked the attention, and she loved that Florence made her feel attractive and safe. She recognised the sensation of giddiness and the butterflies that wouldn’t leave her alone. It had only happened to her one time, and it was a long time ago.After that girl kissed me.

“Want me to do your back?” a woman asked her. Holding out her hand, she waited for Meghan to hand over the bottle.

“Oh, I…” Meghan looked up and hesitated. No woman had ever offered to do that.

“I’m not hitting on you. I thought you could do with some help,” the woman continued with an amused grin. “I know you have a crush on the bartender. It’s not a secret, and I have no intention of coming between whatever is going on with you and her.”

“Florence and I are just friends,” Meghan said for the second time that morning. She smiled and held up the bottle. “And yes, please. I’d love some help.”

“Of course. You’re just friends.” The woman’s tone was mocking as she squirted some lotion into her hand and beckoned Meghan to turn around. “I’m Simi, by the way.”

“Meghan.” Meghan pulled her hair over one shoulder and leaned forward. “Are you having a good weekend?”

“So good. You never know with these first-time events, but if has definitely been worth the trip.” Simi started on her shoulders and worked her way down. “What about you? Someone told me you didn’t know the Pride weekend was on—that you’re here because of an error in the hotel’s system.”

“There seems to be an awful lot of talking going on,” Meghan said, trying not to sound accusatory.

“We’re a tight community. It happens.”

“Right.” Meghan pondered over that and decided she didn’t care what people said about her. She wouldn’t get into trouble, but Florence might. “Well, it’s true. My friend Kim and I just booked a basic holiday. We had no idea the event was on.”

“So…you’re straight?”

“Yes.” Meghan shrugged. “But I’m having a great time, so who cares?”

“Exactly. Who cares?” Simi laughed as she dropped the bottle of sunscreen on the sunbed and wiped her hands on her tank top. “Well, I’ll be at the bar with my friends later, so please join us if you’re on your own. Or with your friend,” she added when Kim trotted towards them.

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