Page 15 of Paradise & Vodka

"True, but I hope that's not me. I want the whole thing: love, husband, kids."

"And I just want to fuck and get paid for it."

"Why am I not surprised?" Ashleigh laughed.

I shrugged. "Because I'm abad boy."

"Are you?"

"No." I shook my head, smiling. "My friends say I'm the prick of the group, and everyone else assumes because I'm covered in tats that I'm bad news, but I'm just like any other guy, except my job is to treat a woman to a good time."

"Well, here's to having a good time." She lifted her glass, and so did I.

We cheered, then finished our drinks before walking to our gate to board our first flight.

Fiji was the farthest I'd ever traveled.

Being in an airplane for almost fifteen hours sucked. I tried to sleep, but it was hard, so I watched several movies. I did get to know Ashleigh better, which would help with my job. I told her about my friends who’d gotten out of the game, and all the shit they encountered with the women in their lives.

"Wow, that's crazy,"she'd said.

"I know. And they wonder why I like to travel."

"But some of the stuff with your friend Brad didn't happen in Vegas."

"True, but I also don't have the same background as them."

"Vinny didn't either."

I'd chuckled."And you were worried you wouldn't remember anything and needed to take notes when we first met."

She'd snickered."True. I find all of their stories fascinating, I guess. Maybe that's why I remember details."

"Or because I just told you."

"That too."She laughed.

"Ready, Honey Boo?"

Ashleigh looked up at me as I stood to leave the plane. "Is that what you've settled on?"

"Not sure yet. Testing it out."

We debarked from the plane and made our way to the baggage claim. To play up my role, I grabbed her hand in case anyone was around. She didn't pull away, and honestly, I enjoyed having her on my arm. As I looked out the window, I realized the sun was just now starting to rise.

"Are we staying on the main island?" I asked.

"I think so. We're to take a taxi to the hotel."

"Are we going to be able to check in this early?"

She lifted a shoulder. "I'm not sure."

"Are your parents and the bride and groom here?"

"Yeah. My mom told me they were getting in yesterday."

"Do you want me to meet them this morning?"