Chapter one

Ava

“Hey girl, where are you?”

“Hi babe, take a guess.”

My bestie, Daphne, squints at my phone screen, trying to figure out my surroundings.

“What! You’re at the mall without me? I’ll meet up with you.”

“Girl… that’s not happening— I’m halfway across the ocean.”

“Holy shit! That’s why you weren’t answering—what the hell, Ava? You can’t just get up and leave when you’re stressed.”

“Well, that’s what I’m doing, so-”

“Really, Ava? You’re nuts.”

“Yeah, Really, I’m done. I want to be Happy. Not a friggin marionette.”

“Wow…tell me how you really feel— I don’t know what you think’s gonna happen when you get back— You’re still their only kid, so you’ll be taking over the firm at some point, right?”

“Honestly, I can’t think about that right now. I just need to figure my shit out and enjoy some me time. And, if hopping on the next available flight is the way I can get it, that’s what I’ll do.”

“No…Ava, I hear you—loud and clear. So, spill, where are you?”

“In the Caribbean,” I whisper loudly, “I got here two days ago, but don’t say anything to anyone.”

“What? No way… I won’t — that’s fucking awesome!”

“Yeah, It’s beautiful here.”

“Ava, You’re crazy.”

“Crazy? It’s called living, and once I find my soul mate, I’m coming back,“ I crack up, breaking my soap box speech. “Nothing’s better than sex on the beach at sunset.”

“Hahaha…Girrrl… that’s you in a nutshell, Ava, the hopeless romantic. The only one I know whose head’s further in the clouds than mine … My girl, full of lust, heart and fairytales.”

“Daph, don’t kill my vibe—it’s about enjoying the moment, every moment.”

“Yeah, I get it!

“It’s just who fucking does that? Who hops on a flight to escape adulti-”

I bust out laughing … "I do.”

I saw this ad showing how amazing it is this time of year, and I booked my flight two days later. Let me tell you, they weren’t lying.”

“I think I saw it too. It was... ah...”

“...in Cosmo magazine.” We both chime.

“See, that’s why I love you, Daph.”

“Why, because I support your wild, crazy ass? Love you too, girl.

“Damn, I’m jealous…I wish I could travel whenever.”