Page 4 of Paradise Pride

“Bummer.” Florence slapped her thigh with a comical grin. “What about office affairs? A bit of fun on your desk after hours?”

“Nope. I share an office with the head of payroll and the head of HR, and they’re both old enough to be my parents.” Meghan held up her hands in defeat. “I’m basically super boring.”

“We’ll see about that.” Florence pointed to her glass. “How about another margarita?”

Finishing her cocktail, Meghan already felt it going to her head. She hadn’t eaten anything yet, but she was enjoying having a drink with Florence and didn’t feel like venturing out in search of food. “I’d love another, but I need to eat. Do you know a good place that delivers?” She opened one of the international delivery apps on her phone and handed it to Florence. “Are you hungry? Please order whatever you like.”

“I do know of a place, but I don’t want you to buy me dinner. Let’s split it.”

“Please. It’s the least I can do when you’re keeping me company,” Meghan insisted. “And I’m a big casino boss, remember? You’re just going to have to do as I say.”

Florence arched a brow and chuckled. “Okay, big shot. How about tapas?”

4

Florence

As they unpacked the food together, Florence felt pleasantly surprised with how her evening had turned out. Meghan was fun to talk to, although she was a little different than their regular guests, and Florence couldn’t quite figure out why.

“I feel like we need candles,” Meghan joked, carrying the food over to the poolside table Florence had laid out with plates and cutlery from the hotel kitchen.

“Good point. I can arrange that.” Florence grabbed three candle holders from behind the bar, put in fresh candles and lit them. “Here you go,” she said, placing them in the middle of the table. “It doesn’t get any more romantic than this.”

Meghan laughed. “I know. The sea breeze, the candlelight, the food…” She looked skyward. “And the full moon. Let’s not forget about that.”

“Yes, and you look dazzling in the moonlight, darling.” Florence made a show of pulling out a chair for Meghan and then sat opposite her. “Honestly, this is so weird. I’ve never dined in my own workplace, and I’ve never been here while the hotel was deserted. I was planning on a few drinks with colleagues, but this is so much better.”

“I’m glad you’re not bored with me.”

“Not at all. Have you heard from your friend?”

“Oh…Kim! I’d totally forgotten about her.” Megan checked her messages and nodded. “She’s fine. She’s telling me not to wait up for her.”

“That’s good. For her, I mean,” Florence said. “For me too. I’m having a really great time.”

“Same here.” Meghan plated her food. “It smells amazing. Is this one of your local takeaway places?”

“Yes. It’s a small restaurant where we often meet up after work. It belongs to one of my colleague’s cousins. He appreciates our business, and we get discount on drinks.” Florence tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in the albondigas tomato sauce. “So, how does a big casino boss end up in Paradise? Isn’t it a bit…” She thought long and hard about how to phrase the question, as she didn’t want Meghan to feel judged. “I mean, there are a lot nicer hotels along this strip.”

“As I said, I’m not a big boss.” Meghan looked up with a humorous twinkle in her eyes. “And as far as the accommodation is concerned, Kim picked it. Not that I care where I stay. As long as there’s a bed, I’m happy, and besides, there’s something comforting about cheap package holidays.

“Really? How so?”

“My parents used to take me to a hotel nearby. They had me very young, and we lived on a council estate. They were always struggling with money, but they still managed to save up enough for a ten-day holiday every year. I looked forward to those trips for months.”

“How sweet. How old were they when they had you?”

“Seventeen.” Meghan chuckled when Florence gasped and almost choked on her food. “I know, it’s crazy. But guess what? They’re still together and very happy.”

“Now that’s a unique story. I take it you didn’t follow in their footsteps, as you didn’t mention having kids?”

“No, no kids. You?”

“God, no. I’m barely an adult myself.” Florence laughed. “I’m twenty-five. But because I’m petite and look younger than my age, I still get ID’d. One of my friends is thirty-five, and people often mistake him for my dad. I hate it when that happens.”

“Ouch.” Meghan grimaced. “Well, all I can say is, it might be annoying at times, but enjoy it while it lasts. I’m turning thirty-five soon, and I feel like everything has started drooping.”

“How can you say that? You’re so not drooping.” Florence didn’t mean to stare, but she did. Meghan’s cleavage was enticing in the low-cut white top she was wearing, and she had a great figure. “You’re hot, girl. You’re—” She bit her lip, stopping herself. Although she was enjoying Meghan’s startled expression and flushed cheeks, she was worried she’d gone too far. Meghan was a hotel guest, after all, and she didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Luckily, Meghan’s face broke into a smile as she sat back, creating some distance between them.

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