Page 25 of Downfall

“Wow. I think it’s pretty rare that someone loves their job, so you are definitely lucky. Or maybe just smart to have chosen the right career for you.”

“I like to think so. Do you work right now, or are you focusing on school?”

“I have a part-time job, and I also volunteer, teaching dance to under-privileged kids. I enjoy it, and I also get credits for it, so win-win.”

Rett is easy to talk to, and once we’re back home, even if we don’t end up together, he would be an amazing friend. I could see us just hanging out at Samsara for brunch with Viv or going to the beach. I’ll have to remember to talk to Viv about him and get them in the same room for a while to get her opinion.

“I like you, Abby. I’d like to take you to a dinner I actually pay for when we’re back home. There’s an Italian place in Downtown I’ve been wanting to try, and it seems like a great place for a date.” He pauses, his eyebrow raised as he waits to see if I agree. Putting his heart on his sleeve like this is sudden, but I like him, too, so I give him a small smile and nod.

“I’d like that. Unfortunately, my regular hours at the Fox Hole are Friday and Saturday nights, so I’m not really available on ‘normal’ date nights,” I tell him. “Let me put my number in your phone, and you can text me next week once we’re settled back at home.” It’s also a nice change to go out with someone who already knows I’m a dancer. Before, when I could actually go out on dates, I would keep that bit of information to myself for as long as possible.

“Perfect.” He digs his phone out of his pocket, punching in the code before handing it to me.

After dinner, Rett grabs my hands and pulls me to a secluded area around the corner from the courtyard where many of the restaurant entrances are located. Viv and his friends are still inside the Mexican place; we could see them chatting and drinking through the front windows. Turning me so my back is against the rough stucco wall, he wraps an arm around my waist and tips my head up with his hand on my jaw. Our eyes meet, him silently asking for permission to take this further, and I nod subtly. It’s all he needs to bring his mouth to mine in a sweet kiss. His lips are soft, exploring gently, and it’s nice, but not enough.

My need for more takes over, and I part my lips, my tongue coming out to press against the seam of his lips. He groans, opening easily, and his tongue delves into my mouth, dancing with mine with a confidence I wouldn’t have expected a moment ago. I moan into his mouth as his hand snakes into my hair, gripping tightly and angling my head to deepen the kiss.

After a few minutes, we come up for air, breathing hard, his erection evident against my stomach. I’m sure Viv will be done with dinner any minute, and I should go meet her. We had planned to get an early night so we aren’t hungover for our spa day tomorrow.

“I should go meet my friends,” he pants, obviously wanting to do anything but that right now. He hasn’t let go of my waist, and he’s staring at my mouth, his thumb moving to caress my swollen bottom lip.

“Yeah, me too. See you tomorrow?” I ask.

“Definitely.”

He steps back and adjusts himself, making me smirk. He grins back, and we laugh as we go back to the courtyard to find our friends.

Chapter 19

Abby

Wednesdayisourspaday. Right away, we are handed cucumber waters and whisked away to have our bodies scrubbed and massaged, followed by facials, and we don’t see each other for three hours.

On a special deck reserved for spa guests, we are served lunch and champagne before spending a few more hours making use of the private pool and sauna.

Settling into the sauna, Viv lets out a long sigh. “This is the life. Let’s quit our jobs and school and live here forever. Think we can get a discount on the suite if we never leave?”

I laugh. “The suite, maybe, but coming to the spa every day may become expensive. Not to mention our muscles will become jelly and our skin will be so plump and youthful, they might stop serving us drinks.”

“We definitely can’t have that.” I nod vehemently. “So, how was your date last night? You guys looked pretty cozy when you strolled out from that hidden corner.”

“Can you blame me for getting a little taste? You’ve seen him, right? And it was great. He’s easy-going, fun, and I guess I’m kind of hopeful, which is probably really stupid.”

“Hopeful thathewon’t find out?”

“Exactly. We’re in another country, so there’s no way, right? But I think I want to keep seeing him back home. He just lives in OB. I just don’t want to cause trouble for him.”

“You’re safe here. You have to be. But back in San Diego will be tricky,” she says with a grimace.

“If we see him tonight, can you try to talk to him? Maybe use those Spidey senses to get a read on him?”

“I'll do what I can, but you know I'm not always right. And you also know how I am when I drink around people.”

We both laugh. Viv does not shut up once she’s had a few, and if she feels an energy from across a crowded room, she has no qualms marching up to that person to let them know exactly what she thinks about it. It's a damn good thing our energies meshed well from the moment we met.

“All I ask is that you try. We know what happened last time, so I'll take your reading with a grain of salt.” I give her my best side-eyed glare, remembering her telling me that Kolson would never let me go just hours before he did just that.

“Hey! I still fully stand by what I said. Mark my words: he will be back.” She glares right back, knowing I'm not actually mad at her. Even if I were, it would never last.

---