Page 3 of Paradise Pride

3

Meghan

“It’s good,” Meghan said as she sipped her margarita. She studied the attractive bartender, who was a little younger than her.

“Thanks.” Florence was petite, but she seemed to have a big personality. Her wild, dark, curly hair was loosely pinned up, framing her heart-shaped face. She had a deep tan from working in the sun and big, hazel eyes that sparkled in the dim light of the bar. Wearing nothing but a slinky, grey vest top, a pair of tiny jersey shorts and flip-flops, she looked like she’d jumped straight out of bed onto the job, and as the hotel was closed, Meghan suspected that might have been the case.

“It could be a lot better. Our tequila is not of the best quality, but it does the job.” Florence smiled widely and clinked her glass against Meghan’s. “So, you’re third-wheeling? Is that what’s happening this week?”

Meghan laughed. “Yeah, something like that. I don’t mind, though. I can entertain myself, and Kim will be here during the day while Andres, her boyfriend, is working.”

“Well, you have me tonight.” Florence pulled a chair behind the bar, propped her feet on the edge of the sink and sat back. “And tomorrow, you’ll have two hundred women fighting over you, so you won’t be short of company then either.”

“I don’t mind making new friends, but as I said I’m not—”

“I know, you’re not into women. I was only joking. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No, I’m single. What about you?”

“Me too. Single and ready to mingle. I’m excited for the festival.”

“Oh, you like women?” Meghan blushed and felt silly for it. She often ended up in gay clubs on Saturday nights, and she’d even kissed a girl on a drunken occasion when she was younger, so her reaction made no sense.

“I’ve dated men too, but I prefer women.” Florence locked her eyes with Meghan’s as she sipped her cocktail. “Physically, I mean.”

Meghan nodded, a little uncomfortable under her intense stare. “Are you allowed to personally engage with guests?”

“No. I’m not allowed to drink on the job either.” Florence suppressed a smirk as she held up her glass. “What can I say? I’m easily tempted.”

“Then you must get in trouble a lot,” Meghan joked. Florence had a permanently mischievous look on her face, and that amused her.

“Not really. I keep myself entertained, but I know my limits, so I tend to get away with a lot. Where are you from?”

“London. It’s good to get out of the city for a bit, and we haven’t had much of a summer. It’s rained non-stop for weeks.” Meghan looked at her arms, which, like the rest of her, were terribly pale compared to Florence. “What about you? Do you live in Benidorm?”

“For now. I’m a seasonal employee. I’m here in the summer. In the winter, I work for a hospitality employment agency in London. It’s restaurant bar work, mainly, but they occasionally put me on events and weddings too.”

“That sounds fun.”

“It can be. What do you do, Meghan?”

“I manage a casino. A small one in Southwest London.”

“Cool.” Florence looked her over and frowned. “I find it hard to imagine you as a casino boss. You look so innocent.”

Meghan threw her head back and laughed. “You’ve been watching too many movies. I’m not a gangster. I just manage the day-to-day and the staff.”

“But you wear a black suit?” Florence asked with a chuckle.

“At work, yes.”

“Do you smoke cigars and drink whisky in your office?”

Meghan laughed even harder now. “No, I don’t smoke, and like you, I’m not allowed to drink on the job.” She shrugged. “But unlike you,Iplay by the rules.”

“Hey, that’s not fair! You were the one who insisted I have a drink with you.” Florence’s eyes widened in amusement. “So, you never get up to anything naughty at work?”

“Never. I’m not involved with money laundering or blackmail, I’m afraid, and I don’t go around breaking people’s legs. Sorry to disappoint you.”

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