Page 16 of Best Vacation Ever

I stand up, signaling the end of our conversation. “That’s it!

Now go get ’em, tiger!”

Lori scrambles to stand with me, her wide blue eyes giving her a deer-in-the-headlights look. “What? Like, right now?”

“No time like the present,” I reply cheerfully. “And look, he’s getting out of the pool, go get him while he’s alone!”

Both of us watch in fascination as Dean walks up the steps of the pool, looking like he’s in a movie and there’s a slow-motion camera panning down his perfect body.

I turn back to her and give her some tough love. “If you don’t go talk to him right now, I swear I will leave a pack of condoms on his nightstand with a note signed by you, explaining in great detail how much you dream about his thick, hard, huge c—”

“Okay, okay!”She cuts me off with a scowl, setting her drink down. “Geez, Faye, you play dirty.”

I beam at her, satisfied. “Not as dirty as he’ll want to play with you once he reads the note I leave him.”

“Oh my gosh!” She throws her hands up to stop me from talking and quickly turns away from me, hurrying off toward Dean.

Satisfied Lori’s on her way to getting Dean naked, I head to the second bar at the other side of the enormous pool, giving me a chance to check out the boys I’ve got to work with.

As I’m walking, a guy in the pool catches my attention. Even covered in foam and with a girl basically attached to him, I know it’s him. I’d know Kellan anywhere.

My heart is ten times heavier as I try to process all the different emotions battling within me from seeing him standing there in the pool. His hands are on the waist of a half-naked girl for support as he lifts her into one of the tubes floating in the pool.

She laughs as she settles in, touching his shoulder in the way I just instructed Lori to do, then wraps her arms around him in a hug.

I know we’re not exclusive or anything but seeing him with another girl is making me feel things a single girl shouldn’t be feeling. I’ve never actuallyseenhim with someone else before, and I don’t like the way my stomach lurches and heart squeezes, or the way my throat feels tight.

I tear my eyes away and continue toward the bar with a new purpose. I need lots of vodka inside me. Like right now.

I spot a tall, handsome guy at the bar as I get closer, and eye him with interest.

And maybe him too.

FIVE

Night One of Cuba

Lori

As I make my way over to Dean, I replay Faye’s advice in my head.

Smile, laugh, lean in, bite my lip, bat my eyes, touch him, tell him he’s funny, and be confident.

Confidence.

I take a deep breath and try to channel my inner Fayanna.

“Hey, Dean!” I call out, immediately cringing. I hope he doesn’t think I sounded as annoyingly enthusiastic as I think I did.

“Hey,” he answers, his face lighting up as I approach him.

“Haven’t seen you all day. How are you enjoying Cuba so far?”

Okay, good start. Remember Faye’s advice.

He runs his hand through his hair to get the water out, and suddenly I’ve never felt more nervous. He’s so handsome, even with the sunburn on his chest and shoulders. He’ll never givemethe time of day. How did I think this was a good idea?

I force what I hope is a confident smile. “It’s been fun. We stayed at the beach and swam all day. I love swimming; I’ve been a lifeguard for years. I even almost finished a book I brought. I love reading. How about you?”