The sun was behind them, so they needed no suntan lotion as they lay sprawled on the beach chairs. The water was clear as crystal and stretched as far as their eyes could see. Claire felt like she could stay in that spot forever, but she was painfully aware that she shouldn’t get too attached.
At dusk they decided to leave because they were starving. It had only occurred to them that they hadn’t eaten a proper meal since the day before. When Claire got back to her room, a food cart was waiting for her. She raised her brows and lifted the stainless steel covers to reveal chicken parmigiana, mashed potatoes, shrimp in coconut sauce, fresh, stir fried vegetables and garlic bread. Dinner served for two. She removed the champagne chilling in the ice bucket and looked at it like she didn’t know what it was. And all the memories flooded her once more. She replaced the bottle and tossed herself face down on the sheets. Everything hurt more when she tried to escape, and in that moment she hated Trent for ruining her.
CHAPTER 7
A loud knock woke Claire the next morning. She walked slowly to the door, still clad in her swimsuit from the day before.
“Claire,” her mother sighed as she hugged her and pushed into the room. Claire went back to bed and observed the anguish on her mother’s face as she saw the meal for two and the congratulatory accessories and wines. So, even her mother could feel her pain! Willow walked to the phone and yanked the receiver from the cradle.
“I am calling from room one twenty-seven,” she said. “It was supposed to be a honeymoon, but that isn’t happening, so could you get someone up here ASAP to clean up the congratulations crap?” There was a pause before she shook her head and hung up. “Okay, get up, young lady. You need to wash up and get something in your stomach. You didn’t come all this way to die.”
At that moment, Amy entered the room and gasped. “What is going on in here?”
“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.”