Page 20

Isabella grinned. “Okay. I was wondering if you knew just how beautiful you are because, Kelsey, there’s more to you than those curly locks and mesmerizing eyes.”

Kelsey couldn’t hide the shock on her face, then she laughed. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Don’t do that,” Isabella said.

“Do what?”

“Laugh and make light of yourself. You are an interesting woman, and I can’t wait to find out more about my new friend.”

Kelsey smiled and sighed. “I laughed because a statement like that coming from such a beautiful woman made me want to tell you to look in the mirror, Bella. But…”

“But what?”

“I have to be careful because if I tell you you’re beautiful, you might take it the wrong way,” Kelsey explained.

Isabella tilted her head. “Why?” Kelsey saw realization dawn on her face. “Oh, because you're gay?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm, so how could I take it the wrong way? Surely you have better moves than just telling me I’m beautiful. Don’t you think I’d know if you were coming on to me?”

“Oh, God,” Kelsey muttered. “I need that drink now.” She started walking out of the water as the red tint on her cheeks deepened.

“Hold it,” Isabella said, grabbing Kelsey’s hand. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Kelsey kept walking because she couldn’t imagine looking in Isabella’s eyes at that moment.

“Stop walking, Kels,” Isabella said, pulling her hand.

Kelsey winced and slowly looked at Isabella.

“I would take it as the compliment you meant it to be. You don’t have to choose your words carefully around me. I thought we were becoming friends. I want you to be able to be honest and open with me.”

Kelsey smiled and nodded. “When we were in the water, I gazed around this beautiful setting and then my eyes stopped on you. I thought to myself how lucky I am to be here with you. Wait… I take that back. I thought how lucky I am to be here with a gorgeous woman and it might be a merry Christmas after all.”

The smile that spread across Isabella’s face rid Kelsey of any of the remaining embarrassment from earlier.

“Thank you. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Kelsey chuckled.

“I’m lucky to be here with you, too. We are going to have a merry Christmas, Kelsey. You’ll see,” Isabella said as they began to walk back to their chairs.

They sat down and both reached for their new drinks.

Kelsey took a big slurp through the straw and immediately groaned. “Brain freeze!”

Isabella laughed. “Oh, I hate that.”

“I’m going to try one of those fruity drinks from last night next,” Kelsey said.

After finishing their drinks they took another quick dip in the water then plopped down on their chairs.

“Luis just keeps bringing drinks,” Isabella said. “We have to put that in our notes. Beware of the efficient bar staff.”

Kelsey chuckled and took a sip of her fruity cocktail. “This is even better than last night’s drink.” She lounged back on her chair. “Oh, Bella, this has been the perfect way to spend our first afternoon, don’t you think?”

Isabella glanced over at Kelsey and grinned. “It has, but I’ll be ready for dinner after this drink.”