Page 26 of Downfall

“Whatever you say. Ready to go get dinner and hit the bar? It’s hot as fuck in here.”

We head back to the locker room and leave our robes behind, putting our coverups on over the bathing suits we came in. The receptionist at the front desk is waiting for us with fresh glasses of cucumber water when we walk up. I told Viv I would treat her to the spa, much to her consternation after the suite, so I pull my credit card out of my bag.

Looking confused, the woman says, “Your services have already been paid for.”

I look at Viv, questioning her with my eyes.

“Don't look at me. I didn't do it.” She puts her hands up, palms out, in surrender.

I look back at the receptionist and ask, “Can I ask who paid?”

“I'm sorry, ma'am. I wasn't at the desk, and the system says it was paid in cash. You must have a secret admirer.” She winks at me and smiles as she shrugs.

I smile back, but I don't feel it. Our bill was definitely over a thousand dollars with how the resorts here jack up prices, and the only person I know at the resort is Rett.

“Thank you,” I tell her, turning to Viv and pulling her out the door with me.

For dinner, we try the resort’s Italian food. It’s good, but the tequila shots are better. I’m still a bit put off by our spa day benefactor, and as much as I hope it wasn’t Rett who paid for it, I shudder to think who else it could be. I only receive expensive gifts from one person, and if he’s here—no. It’s impossible.

After we eat, we go to the resort’s oval-shaped outdoor bar that overlooks the main pool and private stretch of beach. Flagging down one of the many bartenders in the center of the large balcony bar, we each order another shot of tequila, knocking them back before heading to the dance floor where the live band is playing covers of pop hits and oldies.

Exhilaration floods me as I dance, the alcohol in my system allowing me to just move and enjoy my night with my best friend. A few songs pass before I feel muscular arms wrap around me from behind and a pair of warm lips lay a kiss on my neck. I hadn’t noticed that my eyes were closed as I swayed to the music, but they fly open, finding Viv smiling at me. Her smile calms my suddenly racing heart; she wouldn’t let someone we didn’t know hold me like this.

I turn my head, looking up at Rett’s smiling face, his ocean eyes sparkling. He leans down to kiss me, and I let him, enjoying the warmth of his lips on mine. I spin in his arms, reaching my arms around his neck as he pulls me tight against him, moving us to the music. We dance like that for a few songs, his hands on my lower back, but never moving lower.

Eventually, I pull back, grabbing his hand as I catch Viv’s eye across the dance floor where she’s dancing with one of Rett’s friends, gesturing to the bar. She nods and whispers in his ear, then follows us. Viv and I order another round of shots—our fifth tonight—and Rett orders a beer. We grab our drinks from the bartender and join Rett’s friends at a table at the end of the balcony, a glass barrier providing a brilliant view of the pool below and the ocean beyond.

I sit on one side of Rett, and Viv sits on the other. She can get a better read on someone if she can touch them, and that would never happen if I were between them.

Rett puts his arm over the back of my chair, rubbing circles on my arm as he listens to his friends joke and bicker.

Turning toward him, Viv says, “So, Rett. That’s an interesting name. Your mom obsessed with Gone With the Wind?”

He laughs. “No, my name is actually Everett. And they aren’t mountain climbers, either. What’s Viv short for? Vivian?”

“Everyone thinks that, but it’s Evangeline. I hated Eve and Angel, as my parents called me growing up, so in high school, I became Viv, and it stuck.”

As they talk, I can see her eyes assessing, reading something that no one else can see. She looks completely sober now. And when she catches my eye over his shoulder, she gives me a small smile.

“Come get another drink with me, Abbs,” she says, then to the table, “We’ll be right back, boys.” They all nod and smile at her, completely taken by her, as I knew they would be.

I follow her to the bar. Neither of us call the bartender over—we’ve had plenty already—and Viv gets straight to the point.

“Look, I don’t really know what you were hoping for, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you and Rett—it’s no love match. His energy is all wrong for you. He’s adorable, obviously, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t have some fun with him—you need some fucking fun, Abby—but don’t expect to be anything more than friends, or friends with benefits, with him.” She wears a look of regret, but I actually feel better. Relieved, almost.

I wrap her in a hug and squeeze tight. “Thank you so much, Viv. I don’t know what I was hoping for either or if this is the reaction I should be having right now, but I’m glad. If he was supposed to be the love of my life, how could I bring him into the mess I’m in? Now I don’t have to worry about that. I can leave this in Mexico, and—

“What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico!” we cheer in unison, laughing.

“I’m going to hang out down here for a while with the guys,” she says with a wink. “Take that man upstairs.

Marching back to the table, I lean over Rett’s shoulder and whisper in his ear. “Want to head upstairs?”

He stands up so fast that I stumble back, laughing, as his chair pushes backward.

“Goodnight, everyone!” he yells back at the table, grabbing my hand and speed walking us through the bar and courtyard to the elevator.

I’m still laughing about our abrupt exit as we rush past a couple exiting the elevator and he pushes the button for his floor. As soon as the doors slide closed, Rett pins me against the wall of the elevator with his hips. His hands in my hair and lips on my neck turn my laughter to moans. The ride is quick, and by the time we are stumbling our way down the hall toward his room, kissing and touching the entire way, my panties are soaked.

---