Vacation (13 page)

The sound of my mother lamenting over the
loss of a forty-year marriage broke my heart in half. She had to be asking the
same questions I was, searching for the reasons and answers to somehow validate
all that had happened to us.

"Mom... what can I do? You want me to
come home?" I couldn't stop the flow of tears as memories moved past my
vision. There were so many good times that we'd had as a family and they were
suddenly washed away by my father's infidelities.

"Just promise me that you'll be
careful. I wanted to tell you all of this when you called crying about Jackson,
but I couldn't. I just couldn't hurt your hopeful heart, baby. I'm not trying
to hurt you now either, but please... please be careful."

"Okay," I mumbled and sunk down
to a squat as the air rushed from my lungs. "I need to go. I'll call you
later. I love you."

I dropped the call and sat the phone down
as I worked to reign in my emotions. I'd almost gone off the deep end with
Easton only having known him for a day.

Was I that desperate to belong to someone?

Yeah. I guess I was.

Chapter
14

Two
Days Later

Easton

The kisses at the clinic had been too
much. The way she tasted and felt beneath my hands was overwhelming. I had no
doubt that it had more to do with me not being intimate with someone and less
to do with the silly idea that fate had put her in front of me. I hated to pull
back from her, but after helping her with Casey, I realized that I was going to
dive in deep, and in my fear, I pushed back. She'd taken it well.

"Too fucking well," I grumbled
as I lay on the large king-sized bed in one of the nicer single rooms. I'd
moved around the hotel for the last two days in a fog, praying that I would run
into Vivian, and yet not seeing any sign of her.

By Thursday, I was going stir crazy.
Stopping by the front desk, I gave the college-aged girl my best smile and
tapped the marble-top desk between us.

"Hi there. I have a new friend that's
staying with you guys, and I haven't seen her for a few days. Her friend had a
pretty nasty run in with a jellyfish a while back and I helped them out. I
don't need a room number, but just wanted to make sure they were still
here." I slipped my hands in my suit-pants pockets. "Her name is
Vivian."

The girl lifted her eyebrow at me as if
contemplating just what type of creeper I was.

"Please? I think I'm falling in love
with her. Please." I glanced down at my hands and back up. It was a
partial lie, but I was comfortable with it.

"Last name?" She turned her
attention to her computer screen as I internally sighed.

"Last name...shit. I don't know
it." I ran my fingers through my hair. "Can you just search for a
Vivian and Casey in your system? They're staying together."

"I guess, but I could get into
trouble for this." She glanced back up at me as if expecting me to back
off. It wasn't happening.

"I don't need room numbers or last
names. I just need to know if they're still here." I brushed my fingers by
my lips and prayed the girl would just comply with my request.

"Alright." She typed for a few
minutes, her fingers flying across the keys. "I have them here until
Saturday morning. Everything seems fine on the reservations. I could call their
room and hand you the phone if you like."

"No, it's good. Thank you so much for
your help." I tapped the desk top once more and turned, walking toward the
bar where I was sure to find Kevin. He'd been scarce lately, which was a little
unlike him. I was grateful for the reprieve from him, but having spent two days
alone with my bad decisions, I was in search of a conversation with just about
anyone.

"Hey, Kev." I took a seat at the
bar beside him. "How's the job going?"

"It's good. I've done a few write-ups
so far, but I'm really looking forward to the one I get to do tonight." He
pulled out a pamphlet and handed it to me. "Black Beach has a new club
opening. The food is one of the main things they're touting. I'm going to make
sure they’re not involved in false advertising." He gave me a creepy smile
and wagged his eyebrows. "Plus, I already told them who I was. They're
excited to invite me in and give me anything I want."

"Sounds about right." I glanced
down at the pamphlet, thinking back on my conversation with Vivian two days
before. "Can I borrow this for a second?"

"You bet. Keep it. I have another one
in the room." He reached for my arm as I got up. "You going over
there tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking about taking a
girl I met. She's been talking about this all week." I folded it up and
tucked it in my back pocket.

"She got a friend?" He asked in
a hopeful voice.

"Nope." I turned and walked out
of the bar as I pulled my phone from my back pocket. I decided that texting
Vivian might be a little more prudent in case she'd decided that she didn't
want to see me again. Not having texted or called each other over the last two
days, I wasn't sure who was at fault for the lack of communication, but
something told me that it was most likely me.

I hadn't stopped thinking about her for
more than a few minutes. I couldn't count on two hands the number of times I'd
lost my train of thought in the middle of an interview. Too many for my own
comfort. The resort was immaculate and would have a great review from me like
it always did, but that didn't mean that I didn't need to focus and do my job
to the best of my ability.

This damn girl was driving me mad, though.

Me: Hey. Hope you're doing
good
. Sorry about the last few days. It's been a bit crazy.
You still up for the trip to Black's Beach tonight? I'd love to take you and
Casey.

It took her more than ten minutes to answer,
but finally I got a response as I was headed back upstairs.

Vivian: We're going to catch a cab, but
I'm sure we'll see you there. Glad your week has been productive. Case is doing
great. Thanks again for your help.

I growled as I moved off the elevator. She
was diverting. I could tell. Her feelings were hurt by my actions, and she had
every right to be. I needed to know what the hell happened with her and the
last guy she was with. Even if we were deemed to be nothing more than friends,
I wanted to be a good friend.

Me: I'd really like it if you'd share that
cab with me, or let me drive you guys. I won't get in your way if you need a
bit of freedom. I'm just a concerned friend. That place is known for getting
wild. Please don't deny me the chance to see you home safely from the party.

Vivian: Case said if you're buying the
drinks, she's in.

Me: LOL. Tell her that I'll buy everything
tonight. Just let me hitch onto your party line.

Vivian: Alright, but don't expect anything
from me. I'm leaving Saturday, and your only job tonight is to make sure that I
don't drink myself into an oblivion and end up with a strange man.

Me: Got it. Meet you in the lobby at eight
tonight. Thanks.

"Yes," I mumbled and walked into
my hotel room, dropping down onto one of the beds and rolling onto my side. I
could go and play protection detail for the two girls, no problem. The fact
that she felt the need to mention another man left me wanting to choke someone.

The club would be insanely hot, and a
great way to touch Vivian once more before she went back to her own life. I
deserved to not get to see her again at all, but somehow I'd wiggled my way
into her good graces enough to at least have the evening with her.

I most likely had Casey to thank for that.
I'd have to find a way to get close to Vivian's friend to get the story on Viv.
Some part of me knew that I'd have no luck getting the information out of Casey,
seeing that I'd probably been black listed after my actions earlier in the
week, but I was willing to try.

*****

          
I changed into a nice shirt, boots and a pair of dark jeans before
heading down to the lobby. I had no clue as to what the girls would be wearing,
but I was hoping that my attire wasn't too far out of place.

They were already waiting for me in the
lobby when I got there, and I was grateful for the few moments I had before
they discovered my arrival. Casey was in jeans and a tight shirt, but Viv was
in a black dress that hugged her hips and left her breasts center stage for
attention. The black sandals she wore brought her look down to something more
casual. But with the number of eyes on her just in the lobby, I knew it was
going to be a long night.

My body reacted strongly to her as I moved
toward them, catching the subtle hint of her perfume as I touched her lower
back and moved around her.

"Hey, beautiful." I moved my
hands to my pockets, knowing good and damn well that I would touch her every
chance I got if I didn't. "Hey, Casey. You look beautiful too."

"Thank you kindly, Sir. I hear you're
our security detail tonight." Casey gave me a warm smile, but it was Viv's
tight expression that demanded my attention. Hurt sat at the edge of her eyes,
and I hated myself for the possibility of it being my fault.

"I sure am. Let's get over there.
It's supposed to be crazy." I offered each of them an arm and luckily they
both took it. We walked out to the circle drive toward a sleek black Lexus that
the hotel had loaned me. "You girls can both get in the back or one of you
can call–”

"Shotgun!" Casey yelled as she
released me and jogged toward her side of the car.

Vivian pulled out her phone and moved to
the back seat, getting in and not turning to give me a second glance.

"Fuck," I mumbled under my
breath and got into the driver's side, making sure to adjust my rear-view
mirror so that I could see her better. "Did you guys have a good
week?"

"It was good. Lots of food, fun, and
sun. I think miss moody back there is ready for New York again, but I could
honestly stay here forever." Casey pulled her seatbelt on and bounced in
her seat. "Everyone has been talking about this club."

"I like New York, too. It's classy
and homey for those who were raised there." I glanced up to pin Viv with a
stare. She looked up and nodded curtly before turning back to her phone. I'd
lost her. I was almost sure of it.

It's
a good thing, right? Then why the hell does it feel so bad?

I continued. "Yeah, my co-worker,
Kevin is going to be here tonight. He's a food critic." I turned my
attention to the road in front of us and drove slowly, trying hard not to run
into any of the
million
people that
moved along the sidewalk ahead of us.

"Oh nice. Is he hot?" Casey
turned and lifted her eyebrows.

"Not in the slightest, though I might
not be the best judge of what a hot guy looks like." I turned on the radio
and pulled onto the main strip, pointing out a few things to Casey here and
there as she seemed the only one interested in talking with me at all.

"Here we are." I pointed to the
club. "Exposé. Interesting name."

"Right? Seeing that we're on a nude
beach, it's quite fitting." Casey unbuckled as I pulled up to the valet.

"Make sure you have your I.D.s,
girls." I got out of the car and turned to Viv, wanting to say a million
things to her.

"Got it." She lifted it and
waved it in front of her face before walking toward the door. "That's one
hell of a line. We'll never get in."

I moved up beside her and pulled out my
business card. "Sure we will. Follow behind me and hold on tightly to
Casey."

The large bouncer at the door lifted his
eyebrow at me and smirked. "Line's back there, Mr. Big Stuff."

"I'm here to critique the club as
part of Wilmington and Branch." I lifted my card toward him and tilted my
head. "Get your manager if you need to check me in. I'm on your
list."

"And the girls?" He nodded back
to Viv and Casey.

"Both mine." I put my wallet
back into my pocket and moved back before wrapping an arm around each of them.
"Need to double check my credentials?"

"Nope. I know who you are now. Your
food critic is already in the back. Enjoy your time here, Mr. Parks." He
nodded and moved back.

"Wow. That was cool." Casey
turned to face me as I released them just inside the club.

"
Naw
, just
the norm. Part of the gig, I guess." I turned to find Viv gone already.
"Where'd she go?"

"Bathroom, I bet. Let's get some
drinks and then we can find her." Casey took my hand and pulled me toward
the bar.

Now was my time to talk to Casey. I wasn't
sure how receptive she would be to discussing Viv with me, but it didn't
matter. I needed to right the wrong I'd done. Vivian was back to being as
withdrawn with me as she was on Sunday night on the plane.
Actually worse.

I ordered three beers and turned to Viv's petite,
pixie-like friend. "Did I upset her? Is that why she's barely talking to
me?"

"Something like that, but I'm not so
sure she's necessarily mad at you. She's just closed back off. I told you that
she's just gotten out of a really bad relationship." Casey watched me as
she took a long drink of her beer. "She's not ready to move on just
yet."

"Bad relationship as in the guy was
bad to her? Hit her or what?" Anger burned through me at the very thought
of anyone laying his hands on Vivian.

"They were together for ten
years." She sighed softly as if a memory rushed across her vision.
"He finally asked her out in fifth grade, but I had to almost twist his
arm to do it. She was a tomboy back then, and really into sports. There aren't
many sports that she doesn't play, or didn't use to, really."

"Ten years and then what?" I
turned to see Vivian walk out of the ladies room, her eyes moving across the
hordes of people as she searched for us. I lifted up, using one of the
barstools beside me and waved until I caught her attention.