Page 36 of Doll Face

“Are you sure you can’t just skip this shoot?” I ask Kenzie, even though I already know the answer. I don’t want to go on this vacation without her, but I also don’t want to come between her and her job.

“I’m sure. It wouldn’t look good for me to be skipping shoots this early with a new agency.” Kenzie sighs.

“I know, I know. I just wish you were coming with us.” I huff.

“I know, but I’ll be here when you get back to hear all about it.” She smiles. I nod and lean forward to kiss her. It was meant to be a quick kiss but her tongue enters my mouth, and suddenly, I’m forgetting where we are.

HONK! HONK!

“COME ON, LOVE BIRDS!” Kelly calls from the car, and I pull back, rolling my eyes at my sister.

“Okay! I’m coming!” I say back.

“That’s what she said.” Kenzie winks and I hit her lightly on the shoulder.

“Don’t encourage her with jokes please,” I say, shaking my head.

“I love you!” She laughs.

“I love you, too.” I kiss her one last time and then pick up my pink suitcase and put it in the back of the cab with Kelly’s and hop in the back.

Kenzie’s waving goodbye from the steps of our apartment—well, my apartment—that she moved into a few months ago. It was just easier than trying to find a brand-new place in this economy. Besides, I have my whole pink thing going on, and I don’t want to change it. Thankfully, Kenzie’s happy as long as she’s living with me. The pink doesn’t bother her, and her stuff from London fits in perfectly with mine. It’s like we were made for each other.

“Mom and Dad are meeting us at the hotel. They took an earlier flight and don’t wanna wait in the airport for us,” Kelly says, looking up from her phone.

“Okay.” I nod.

By the time we get to the hotel, I’m exhausted, and all I want is a glass of wine before I head to bed. Kelly and I drop our bags with the bellboy and head to the bar to meet our parents. They’re both waiting with a glass of wine in front of them.

“How was your flight?” my mom asks with a smile.

“Rough,” I grumble.

“We got seated apart for some reason, and there was a grumpy and very burly man between us,” Kelly explains.

“Two glasses of Chardonnay, please,” I tell the bartender. He nods and places two coasters in front of us.

“I’m sorry, loves.” My mom frowns. “You should’ve flown first class like we did.”

“I don’t need to spend extra money on that, but I would like to sit next to my sister on the way home.” I sigh. The bartender places the glass of wine in front of me, and I gulp down a few swigs.

“I’m sure you’ll feel better in the morning.” Kelly smiles.

“Yes, I plan to relax on the beach and soak in some sun. I think it’s the first vacation I’ve been on in since our trip to London. I’m going to enjoy every second of it.” Then I finish my wine and decide it’s time for bed.

“You’re going to bed?” my mom asks.

“Yes, I’m going to call Kenzie and say goodnight,” I explain.

“Okay,” they say in unison, each taking turns to hug me goodnight.

I head to the hotel room and decide to FaceTime Kenzie. Maybe we’ll have FaceTime sex. Mmm, the idea alone just turns me on. But then I think about the time difference and realize she might be working or sleeping. I’m not in the mood to do the math, so when she doesn’t pick up during my first try, I decide to text her and let her know I’m headed to bed. I’ll have the whole week to coordinate talking to her.

* * *

In the morning, I head to the beach—alone—and find one of those lounge chairs claiming it as my own. I scroll on my phone and text Kenzie a few photos of the view. Maybe she’ll see what she’s missing out on and want to come next time. We haven’t talked on the phone yet but she did text me to say good morning and that she hopes I’m having a good time.

I soak in the sun and relax in the kid-free spot of the hotel. There’s no chance of running into anyone under eighteen, and I can relax easily.

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