Page 62

Riley walked up and joined them at the table. “I’ve been keeping up with your posts. You’re doing such a good job.”

“Oh, I hope so,” Isabella said. “We’re learning as we go.”

“Are we being authentic to the islands?” Kelsey asked. “We want to show the parts we love, not just the tourist things.”

“I think so,” Alex said. “I haven’t noticed any negative comments.”

“Oh, there are a few, but not about our activities,” Isabella said.

“There are always a few people that have to be assholes,” Liz said.

“The ones I’ve seen are talking about affordability. We’re going to focus on how to do these trips on a budget as well as more expensive dream vacation options,” Kelsey said.

“You’re doing just fine. Don’t let comments influence what you’re trying to achieve. You both know your stuff,” Liz said with a smile.

“Thanks, Liz. We missed you!” Isabella exclaimed, putting her arm around Liz and squeezing her shoulder.

“Let’s video the beach and the bar so we can put the phones away and enjoy our friends,” Kelsey suggested.

“Great idea.” Isabella turned to Riley and Alex. “Are you ready?” she asked.

“Us?” Alex asked, her eyes widening.

“Yes, you’re the owners and Liz makes the history of the bar so interesting,” Isabella said.

“Don’t worry, Bella has a way of making it easy,” Kelsey said.

“Okay, let’s do it,” Isabella said as Kelsey took her phone out.

Once they’d completed the videos, Kelsey did a quick edit then handed the phone to Isabella. “What do you think?”

Isabella watched each video and smiled. Kelsey had captured Liz, Riley, and Alex perfectly. In the last video she and Kelsey explained that they were spending the afternoon at Peaches and would post later from the resort.

Kelsey watched as Isabella replayed the last video with just the two of them in it.

“Is something wrong with that one?” Kelsey asked. “We can do it again.”

Isabella smiled and looked over at Kelsey. “There’s nothing wrong with it. You look beautiful, Kels,” she said softly.

Kelsey’s mouth fell open in surprise and Isabella chuckled. “You do,” she said. “You took your sunglasses off and your eyes are a sparkling blue-green.”

“Your reply is ‘thank you,’ Kelsey,” Liz said, teasing her.

“Uh—um,” Kelsey stammered. “Thank you,” she said as her cheeks reddened.

Isabella smiled and leaned over until their shoulders touched. “You’re adorable when you blush.”

“I’m just surprised,” Kelsey said, reaching for her beer and trying to calm the butterflies that had erupted in her stomach. “We’ve been riding bikes and playing at the beach all day. How can I look anything but sandy and shaggy?”

“It’s not always about the perfect hair or make-up,” Isabella said. “You’ve got a happy glow about you and that makes you beautiful.”

Kelsey smiled at Isabella. She wondered if Isabella had any idea she was the reason for Kelsey’s happy glow. Just then two large groups walked into the bar.

“We’ve been busy this week,” Liz said, getting up. “There’s a wedding at the resort down the road from us and they’ve been coming in every afternoon. I’ll be back once I get them settled.”

Kelsey and Isabella sipped their beers as the volume of talking and laughter rose with the new customers. Riley turned the music up and several people stepped onto the dance floor.

“Maybe we should record some of this,” Kelsey said to Isabella over the noise.