“Come in for a swim,” Josh said, treading water at the edge of the pool. It was late afternoon and they had been at Irene’s house for a couple of hours.
“In a little while,” Amy replied. She laughed when her six-year-old half-sister, Caitlin, ran up and jumped into the pool.
“Josh!” Caitlin squealed in delight when he grabbed her and tossed her in the air.
Rosie, at four years old, was more hesitant. Wanting to watch, she reached for Amy’s hand, but soon let go when Josh encouraged her into the water.
“Amy,” Maggie called out.
Turning, Amy watched her lanky cousin flop onto a sun lounger. She made her way over and took the one next to her.
Passing with a tray of cold drinks, Irene smiled at Amy.
Smiling back at her mom, Amy acknowledged that Irene really was involved with
all
the wedding arrangements. But, wasn’t that the role of any devoted parent? This new devotion struck a sad note of irony with her. It had been years since she had been close to her mother. They were, in fact, strangers.
“I still think it’s weird you end up settling down in a place where your mum stays,” Maggie said. “What do you think the odds are of that happening?”
“Not great when my own mother gave Josh my number.”
“Yeah,” Maggie replied teasingly. “Like I said, she’s always interfering.”
Amy rolled her eyes.
“Your dad—”
Amy drew in a sharp breath.
“Sorry,” Maggie said as she patted Amy’s leg.
Ten years ago, Irene divorced her father and moved to Sarasota with her new husband. Staying behind in Scotland, Amy hadn’t had much contact with her mother after that. Sheer serendipity brought them together now. Last year her father had died suddenly from an aneurysm. As much as she loved Maggie, Amy still found it too painful to talk about him. She closed her eyes briefly to hide their bleakness. She missed him so much.
“And I’m really sorry about going on about the wedding this morning.” Maggie passed Amy a beer. “It’s just a pity it’s not as low-key as you wanted.”
“You know more than anyone that Irene’s missed a huge part of my life.” Amy sighed. “She just wants to be involved, that’s all.”
“I know,” Maggie said apologetically. “And I’m not helping the situation.”
“This is just her way of making up for lost time,” Amy said. “I don’t have the heart to tell her the wedding is getting out of hand.” She fired a warning look. “And I don’t want you telling her either. We’re lucky she’s doing it.” Taking a mouthful of beer, Amy swirled it around then swallowed. She stared off into the distance. “I keep telling myself it’s only one day.”
Maggie eyed her cousin carefully then frowned. “Yeah…that’s right…it’s just
one
day.”
Deep in thought, Amy peeled the label off her bottle.
“She’s something else isn’t she?” Maggie said.
“Who?”
“Twinnie.”
Amy looked over at Celeste.
“What’s she doing here anyway?”
“
Celeste
,
” Amy said, “is here on a break…I think?” She frowned. “I got the impression she had a bit of a rough time on her last assignment.”
“What happened?”
Amy shrugged. “Not sure. But she was working in Somalia and things hit the proverbial fan.”
Maggie looked at her expectantly.
“I don’t know the details,” Amy said, holding up her hands. “You know Josh, he’s vague at the best of times.”
“I heard that she used to be a swimmer.”
“Yes.”
Maggie sighed. “I might have to move back home after all.”
“Why?”
“Whaddayathink,” Maggie replied, pointing at Celeste. “My pussy will shrivel up and fall off if she’s the type of competition I’m up against.”
“With any luck it’ll shrivel up soon!” Amy said. Maggie’s slut counter had hit stratospheric numbers over the last few months.
“What do you call a blonde with half a brain?”
Entering easily into their blonde and redhead banter, Amy sat up and crossing her eyes, replied playfully, “Uh…dunno?”
“Gifted!” Winking, Maggie put her shades on.
Amy stuck out her tongue.
They lounged in silence for a while
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”
“Who?”
“Celeste!”
Amy shrugged.
“She’s got a great body, hasn’t she?”
Amy didn’t respond.
“You could take her on.”
Amy glanced at Celeste. “I don’t know what parallel universe you’ve been hitching a ride to recently, but my stats in no way match hers.”
“You definitely stack a better rack,” Maggie said. She scooped out some ice from the cooler and tossed it at Amy.
“Hoy!” Amy picked up the piece of ice that landed on her stomach. “Behave,” she said. She sipped some beer.
Maggie laughed. “Okay. So, are we still playing golf tomorrow with Josh and Celeste?”
Amy nodded. “Yes, in the morning.”
Maggie yawned. “I think I’ll have a nap. I’m jiggered. Wake me up in an hour, please.”
Drinking the remainder of her beer, Amy listened as Maggie’s breathing evened out. She eyed Celeste and thought Maggie was right, she was gorgeous.
Suddenly, Celeste turned and looked directly at Amy.
“Shit!”
Blushing furiously, Amy threw herself down and lay flat out. Throwing an arm over her eyes, she bit her bottom lip and groaned, embarrassed that Celeste had caught her openly staring.
†
It was at the tail end of the evening. Josh and Celeste were playing their final set of tennis. Watching them, Amy glanced over at Maggie, who was now stretched out on a lounger, snoring after drinking beer with Sophie, Josh’s younger sister, all afternoon.
Amy watched Sophie stagger toward her. Noticing, not for the first time, how extremely pale-skinned she was for living in such a hot climate.
Sophie nudged Amy up the bench. “Do you want some of my beer?” she asked, waving her bottle and trying to settle her legs under the table.
“I’m fine, thanks,” Amy said, reaching out a hand to steady Sophie.
“How’s the book coming along?” Amy asked. Sophie was in the process of publishing her first book. Amy had read it, and although she appreciated the writing, horror wasn’t really her thing.
“Fine,” Sophie slurred.
Amy looked Sophie over, appreciating her distinct ingénue look—small with jet-black short hair and deep brown eyes. She was pretty…very pretty. Amy remembered when they first met, she’d found Sophie difficult, but recently they clicked. And now she really liked Sophie’s quirky personality.
Leaning close, Sophie said, “Did you know Celeste was married?”
Wondering where that had come from, Amy blinked. “Uhmm...”
“Did you know she was only married for one year?”
Amy resisted rolling her eyes. Sophie had caught Maggie’s ‘
did you know
’
trivia. “I don’t know much about her to be honest.”
“She doesn’t keep in contact with him anymore,” Sophie said, waving her hand.
“Who?”
Sophie hiccupped. “Nick.”
Tired, Amy carefully looked at her watch before asking, “Who’s Nick?”
“Her ex, of course.” Sophie eyed Amy. “Did you know I had a major...
major…
crush on him?”
“Really!”
“In fact,” Sophie slurred, “I would say I was in love with him.” She swallowed. “You should have seen him, Amy.” Her eyes lost focus. “He was absolutely gorgeous. Tall, dark, you know, the usual, but he didn’t take himself too seriously.” Sophie focused on the blonde. “The only thing he took seriously was her.” She pointed a finger in Celeste’s direction. “He was madly in love with her but my darling sister thought she’d made a mistake.” Sophie hiccupped. “A pretty big goddamn friggin’ mistake, if you ask me.”
Sophia pushed a flop of dark hair from her face. “Anyway, he was devastated when they split and tried everything to get the marriage back on track, but it just didn’t happen.”
Intrigued, Amy asked, “Why did they break up?”
“All relationships end, Amy,” Sophie said then shrugged.
Not sure how she should take this information since she would be marrying Josh soon, Amy resisted the urge to open up the conversation. Tonight, she didn’t want to get involved in one of Sophie’s philosophical discussions.
“Ultimately,” Sophie said. “He changed, I guess. I think it all came down to the fact that he struggled at med school and when he flunked, he couldn’t handle her success.”
Just then, the Cameron family’s Labrador, Bud, decided to interrupt. Barking, he padded over. Looking for attention, he gently pawed Sophie’s leg.
“You want something to eat, baby?” Sophie asked. Swaying precariously, she tried to get up from the table. “Don’t worry Buddy boy, I’ll take care of you… Oh…”
Keeling over, Sophie took Amy with her.
“I wish I’d remembered my hat,” Amy said, pulling strands of hair from her mouth. “I think I’ve managed to eat half the hair on my head this morning.” Breathing in deeply, she looked around. “But it’s worth it. What a beautiful morning.”
“It’s a shame Josh had to work,” Maggie said, dropping her golf bag at her feet.
“His boss called looking for information that couldn’t wait until Monday.”
“Too bad we’re out here and he’s cooped up.”
Amy nodded. Since moving to Sarasota, Josh’s work was beginning to seriously encroach on their personal life.
“Do you know we’ve hardly played any golf since we got here?”
“I know.”
“Do you know why that is?”
Amy shook her head.
“Men,” Maggie whispered teasingly. “You’re rolling over too easy for them. Well, one in particular.”
“
Me!
” Amy replied loudly. Aware Maggie had not stopped shagging since she got here, she replied indignantly, “What about you!”
“Shhh,” Maggie said. “Celeste’s trying to play her shot.”
Suddenly aware of Maggie’s ploy, Amy blushed furiously. She looked over at the brunette and smiled apologetically. Maggie was a good golfer, and because Amy had a similar handicap, they often teased each other. It was routine for them to try anything to get an advantage.
Celeste smiled then prepared to take her shot.
“That’s some killer smile she’s got.”
Amy nodded and watched Celeste take the shot.
“She’s good,” Maggie said, watching the ball travel down the fairway. “You sure Joshie was right when he said she hadn’t played in a while?”
“I don’t know.” Amy shrugged. “You asked him.”
“Hmmm, I expected this round to be easy,” Maggie whispered. “I bet Josh a hundred bucks I’d take her.”
“Well, there’s your answer,” Amy whispered back then grinned. “Josh would never look a big fat gift horse in the mouth.”
Maggie glared at her then reached into her bag, removed her driver and strode off.
Amused, Amy watched her cousin take a few practice swings. She smiled at Celeste when she approached and stood next to her. Since Celeste’s return home, Amy hadn’t spent any time with her. If she were honest, she hadn’t gone out of her way to be around her.
Feeling awkward, Amy watched Maggie prepare for her shot while surreptitiously eyeing the brunette.
Aware she hadn’t said anything to Celeste, and knowing she should make some sort of effort, Amy asked, “Are you going to lunch at your folks after this?”
Celeste shook her head. “No, I’ve got plans.”
“Oh,” Amy replied. Not able to think of anything else to say, she watched Maggie tee off.
“Uchhhh,” Maggie cried out when her shot landed in the rough. “Ya bugger!”
Throwing her club down, she stormed past them muttering she needed to pee and was going to find a bush...
somewhere!
Celeste eyed Amy. “Is she always so sweet-natured?”
Relieved she could see the humor in the situation, Amy nodded. “Yes, especially, when losing—”
“Money to Josh,” Celeste interrupted.
“Yes,” Amy said in surprise. “How did you know?”
“I used to play a lot of golf.”
“Did he tell you Maggie expected to win?”
“Yes.” Celeste smiled slowly.
“Oh?” Amy replied. She suddenly realized Josh and Celeste had set her cousin up. “Does he always get a return on his bets?”
“Mostly.”
Surprised at being teased, Amy eyed Celeste.
“Are you settling in okay?”
“Yes,” Amy replied. “I’m still missing home, but I’m getting used to it now.”
“Missing anything in particular?”
“Yeah. Fish and chips.” Amy grinned. “I miss that the most.”
“Really?” Celeste said in surprise then laughed warmly. “Fish and chips, huh…who knew?”
“What do you miss when you’re not in Paris?”
Celeste looked thoughtful. “Lots of things, but mostly movies. The French take their movies very seriously.”
“Really?”
Celeste nodded.
“Sorry folks,” Maggie said, striding toward them.
Knowing she didn’t have the heart to tell Maggie she was being royally swindled, Amy just nodded and tried to hide her amusement behind a comforting smile.
†
After losing badly to Celeste, Amy and Maggie headed to Josh’s parents for lunch as arranged.
After lunch, Maggie left as she had plans for the afternoon.
While Amy was waiting for Josh, Camille, Josh’s mother, insisted she relax by the pool, which she did and promptly fell asleep.
When Amy opened her eyes some time later, Celeste was making her way over to her. Surprised, she sat up.
“Oh, hi,” Amy said. She looked at her watch then raised her hand to shade the sun. “I thought you had a lunch date?”
“A change of plan,” Celeste replied. “Something came up and Alex couldn’t make it.” She removed her sarong. “Have you met Alex?”
Eyes widening, Amy nodded. She watched Celeste reveal a black bikini. She couldn’t help but agree with Maggie that she had an amazing body. Celeste still had the build of a swimmer.
Her dark hair was off her face. Her olive skin offset the clarity of her hazel-green eyes. Amy eyed her appraisingly. Her eyes drifted down and lingered on her tanned chest and full breasts before moving to follow the outline of her defined stomach. She stopped at the small tattoo around her belly button. Intrigued, she studied its detail.
Celeste cleared her throat.
Amy looked up.
Clearly amused, Celeste lifted her brow inquisitively.
“Uhmm…” Amy uttered. Dismayed she was caught staring, her cheeks flared. “Yes,” she said, turning pink. “Yes. I’ve met Alex. He’s…he’s a really nice guy.”
Feeling exposed Amy hurriedly stood. Looking for a distraction, she picked up her T-shirt, and slipped it on before tightening her ponytail.
Moving closer, Celeste whispered in her ear, “Your label’s sticking out.”
Amy almost choked on her tongue when Celeste’s fingers lightly brushed the back of her neck as she tucked the label away. In complete surprise, she looked at Celeste. Tingling coursed through her. Her blush deepened. “Thank you.”
Celeste smiled.
Needing a distraction Amy asked, “Would you like a beer?”
Celeste nodded.
Amy reached into the cooler and opened a beer. She passed it to the brunette. Trying to shake off her sudden nervousness she said, “Your mom insisted I relax with a few beers.” She looked into the cooler. “Camille must think I drink like a fish, there’s a stack in here.”
Laughing, Celeste settled on the lounger next to Amy’s. Lying back, she drank some beer then sighed heavily. She placed the bottle on her tanned stomach then looked up at her. “Join me?”
“Oh…Okay,” Amy replied. Slowly, she sat down on her lounger then stretched out.
Celeste closed her eyes. “This is lovely,” she said almost wearily. “I miss being home.”
Amy nodded. “Yes, I know what you mean.”
Celeste looked at her.
Feeling a sudden twinge of homesickness, Amy peeled the label from her bottle. “You must have found it difficult being away from home.”
“Yes.” Celeste watched Amy’s fingers. “I didn’t intend for it to be so long, but my work makes it…difficult.” She clicked her tongue. “I haven’t really stopped in the last year.”
Aware something had happened in Somalia, Amy wanted to ask her if she was okay, but instinctively knew the question would not be welcomed. “You’ll be glad your home now,” she said lamely.
“I…” Celeste shook her head. Her face darkened.
“What?” Amy asked gently.
“It’s…complicated,” Celeste said then half-smiled.
Aware Celeste’s thoughts weren’t in a good place, Amy changed the subject. “I don’t know if Josh has mentioned to you, but I’m throwing a bachelorette party.” She paused then asked. “Would you like to come?”
“Yeah, Josh mentioned it,” Celeste said. She looked at Amy. “He said you’re having some friends over from Scotland.”
“Yes,” Amy replied, shredding the label. “They’re coming to Sarasota first. So, I thought it would be a good idea to have another one here as well. You know…for the friends I’ve made here.”
“I know the Scots have a bit of a reputation when it comes to those kinds of parties,” Celeste said her eyes sparkling with humor.
“True.”Amy grinned. “But, don’t worry. Generally only the bride-to-be is targeted for complete humiliation.”
Celeste laughed.
Camille called out hurrying toward them.
“Hi, Mom,” Celeste said, shading her eyes.
Leaning down, Camille kissed her daughter on both cheeks and took her hand, tugged on it. “Come, I have something to show you.”
Standing, Celeste smiled at Amy apologetically.
Amy sat up and watched them disappear. She rubbed her neck, surprised it still tingled where Celeste had touched it.