“We need to get her out of this room,” Willow said to Amy.
“Come on,” Amy said. “Let’s clean up, Claire.”
Claire stood and followed Amy into the bathroom like she was being led by a collar. Her skin was red from the salt that had been absorbed into it, and the water stung her as it hit her parched body. After her shower, she reluctantly put on a flirty dress with matching sandals Amy had selected for her.
“Better,” her mother said. “That’s the daughter I know!”
Breakfast and a fifteen minute drive later, they were at Rodney Bay, where Willow had booked a boat tour along the coast.
“You’ll enjoy this, girls,” she said. “I have a full day planned for us.”
They spent the entire day coasting spots close to the hotel. The boat ride was easy for Claire, and by the time she reached the end of the coast, where there was a farmer’s market, she was in better spirits. She laughed and talked as she was introduced to strange fruits and foods she’d never had before, and she delighted in the tastes of the papayas, mangos, and watermelons. They visited the gift shops that boasted local handicrafts, and she picked out two as keepsakes: a colorful coconut tree with a parrot carved onto the bark, and the other an abstract design of a man and woman kissing.
Willow had insisted they act like the locals and not take a cab around the island, so when they were done shopping, they hopped on a local bus. Claire was drained by the time they got back to the hotel that evening, but the long and enjoyable day was worth the exhaustion.
“I really need to eat now,” Claire declared as she stepped into the lobby.
“That makes two of us,” Amy agreed.
“Three,” Willow quickly added. “Do you want to freshen up first, or…”
“What is it?” Claire asked as she turned to look at what had caught her mother’s attention and frozen her speech. Bryan was in the lobby, looking so handsome and smiling at her mother.
“Excuse me, girls,” Willow said as she walked over to him.
“I think we are on our own for dinner,” Claire murmured as she watched her mother walk away. “Great. Mom gets a man who comes searching for her after one date. She must have given him one hell of a blow job.”
“Claire! Stop talking trash about your mom!”
“Well, why else would he be here? He probably wants something from her,” Claire said, annoyed at herself more than anything. She couldn’t keep a man for more than a second and her mom had a man chasing after her.
“Well, speak for yourself. I know what I want,” Amy said, looking around for someone.
“What are you looking for?” Claire asked.
“Chance,” she said. “If Bryan is here, maybe Chance is here, too.”
“Chance? What does he have to do with Bryan?” she asked.
Amy looked at her as if she were stupid. “Bryan is Chance’s father, or did that escape you?”
“Oh.” Claire’s heart suddenly beat faster as she thought about Chance, but she quickly turned her mind away from him. “I think I’ll go freshen up while you two catch up with your men.”
“Come on, Claire,” Amy said as her eyes roamed. “Come with me.”
“No chance,” Claire mumbled as she started walking away from Amy. “Have fun. I don’t want to distract you.”
“Hold on, Claire,” Amy ran after her and wrapped her hand around her wrist. “I’m sorry. It must seem selfish of me to consider myself when you just had a crappy night. I’ll find him later.”
“No,” Claire said and removed her hand. “Go out and have some fun; don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Amy asked. “I mean, I don’t want you to say that just because…”
“Amy, just go,” Claire urged. Her mother was across the room waving, and she waved at her too.
“Okay,” she grinned and kissed Claire on the cheeks. “I will check in on you later.”
Claire shook her head and headed for the elevator. They could have all the fun they wanted; she was content in her world now. The elevator bell dinged, and she walked ahead and ran straight into the hard chest of a man as he was exiting. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she fell back and strong arms reached out and caught her. She looked up once she regained her balance. Chance and his blue eyes were burning holes thorough her.
“Hello again,” he said with smile. “You could have told me you like aggression.”
Claire stepped back, the elevator all but forgotten now, and folded her arms across her chest. “Fancy seeing you here,” she said, eyebrow arched.
“Don’t get it twisted,” he said, winking at her. “My father had to make a stop.”
“Your father had to make a stop? That’s the best you can do?”