Page 17 of Best Frenemies

The woman is so worked up over this whole mix-up that she didn’t even finish her fucking shower.

If only Katy Cat would let me be the one to help her relax…

“No, that’s not acceptable.” She shakes her head. “That’s not what either of us booked. We thought we were getting a place to ourselves, and we paid a price tag that suggested the same. This isn’t an episode ofMarried at First Sight,and I’m too young to be a cast member onThree’s Company.”

She glances over her shoulder at me briefly and then turns back to the window, her voice lowering to a murmur. “Listen, we’re not technically strangers because we work together, but I don’t think you’re understanding how much I do not want to be here with this person. The two of us are like oil and water. We don’t mix.”

Ouch.I mean, listen, I know the woman isn’t fond of me, but hearing her say it aloud hurts a little more than expected. She whispered at least, clearly trying to spare my feelings, but I heard her, nonetheless. And it’s surprisingly wounding. I’ve never really had anyone truly not like me before. Maybe I need to tone it down just a little…give her a chance to see another side of me.

“Yes, I’d say a refund is warranted.” She pauses and turns, and the corners of her mouth flex down. “Okay. Yeah. Thanks. You too. Bye.” She sighs again, pulls her phone away from her ear, and touches the screen to end the call. She looks downright despondent and doesn’t take her eyes off the view out the window. I give her a moment to gather herself—it’s abundantly clear I’m not her favorite person, but as much as it might seem like it to her, I’m not out here trying to shit all over people—and then do my best to breach the awkward silence.

“So…”

Good job, Mack. Smooth delivery.

Her back straightens suddenly, and my eyebrows draw together. Something is happening; I’m just not entirely sure what. And evidently, she’s not ready to give me a clue yet either. Instead, she turns to face me, crosses her arms over her chest, and a sassy attitude emanates from her stance.

“They’re refunding us?” I ask, hoping innocent questions don’t incite her inner beast.

“Yes. RentBNB is going to take the loss for the huge inconvenience their system caused.”

“And, what? We’re both supposed to leave?”

She shakes her head. “They said it was up to us to figure it out, as with this short notice, they wouldn’t be booking it again anyway.”

“That’s great,” I say with a smile, perking up. “Free vacation for both of us.”

“Uh,no.” Her eyes go so wide they consume her pretty face. “No way. Not for both of us. One of us,maybe. But not both.”

My eyebrows draw together.Jeez. Does she really dislike me so much that she’d give up a free vacation?“So, what? You’re leaving, then?”

“What?” She narrows her eyes. “I never said I was leaving. And considering I was here first, you should leave. Not me. Plus, my flight isn’t until Saturday.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think vacation rentals follow ‘shotgun’ rules. You can’t ‘call it’ or race me to the front seat of a beachfront condo. And my flight isn’t until Saturday either.”

“I’ve already showered here, Mack. I’ve been on the bed. I’ve put my stuff away. The place is basically broken-in for me. Therefore, I should be the one to stay.”

“Having showered here is the criteria we’re basing this on?” I ask with a scoff, thoughts of a truce and toning it down long forgotten.

“Yes.” She doubles down.

“Fine.”

Her head jerks back. “Fine?”

“Fine,” I repeat, guzzling down the rest of my wine, setting the glass on the table, and then heading straight for the hallway bathroom. With a hand between both my shoulders, I strip off my shirt before I reach the door, and the air conditioning pebbles goose bumps on my freshly exposed skin.

Immediately, Katy comes unstuck from her place in the living room and starts chasing after me.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Her voice is a screech. “What are you doing?”

“I’m showering.”

“Oh no, you’re not!”

“Yes. I am,” I disagree, unbuttoning my shorts and shoving them to the floor so I can step out of them as I walk.

“Oh my God!” she yells behind me. “You just took off your pants!”

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