“I wanted to stop in and make sure you got your gift bags for the weekend,” Mara hands each of us a bag. “I know you already received an itinerary for the weekend, but in the gift bags are some trinkets you might need. You know, sunscreen, lip balm, a bottle of water.”
Mara’s voice trails off when she looks into the fully-stocked kitchen.
“I think we’re all set,” Carolina motions toward the front door. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re preparing for a couple’s massage.”
Mara hops up and down. “Oh, that’s so exciting. I hope I can get my boyfriend to do that with me while we’re here.”
“Best of luck with that, Mara,” Carolina maneuvers our interloper closer to the door.
“I guess I’ll see you both tonight at the cocktail reception and dinner,” Mara sighs. “That’s where we’ll be picking teams for the competition.”
Carolina stops short of the door.
I run into her. “Competition?”
Mara’s eyes light up. “Oh, yes. No boring reunion stuff for this group. I put together a series of challenges. There’s a trivia and scavenger hunt tomorrow. Then on Friday, we all go to the Rays game, where there’s a spirit competition. And on Saturday is the karaoke sing-off. The overall winner gets a weekend getaway to the Don CeSar; you know when we’re all not here.”
“Karaoke?” Carolina’s voice goes up an octave.
“Oh, yes!” Mara claps. “Each team must prepare a song and choreography to impress the judges.”
“Judges?” I frown. I promised Carolina some dancing. I didn’t think it would involve being judged for it.
“Local celebrities will be on hand to judge the karaoke contest,” Mara smiles brightly. “Well,ta-ta for now! I’ll see y’all tonight!”
And with that, Mara swishes out of the room and into the hallway. Carolina stands stock-still in front of the door.
“Carolina? Are you okay?”
She turns to me with a gleam in her eye. “We’re winning that fucking trophy, or prize, or what-the-fuck-ever, Rand. Do you understand me?”
Not only did I understand her, but she also got the attention of Dick, who tried to wave around like a blow-up sock man outside a used car lot.
Game. Fucking. On.
Chapter 22
“Congratulations! You get a Carolina Decoder Ring with your penthouse stay.”
-Carolina
The couple’s massage loosened up all of my muscles. But it was the dip in the jacuzzi tub inside the primary bedroom suite that made me a whole lot less mad at Rand. It turns out the Gulfside Penthouse not only has a killer view, a fully-stocked kitchen, and two floors, but it also has two bedrooms. The primary - mine - with king-sized bed and en suite amenities. And the other one with two double beds and a bathroom in the hallway.
Yes. He did pay for it with his Amex Black card.
No. I don’t feel guilty about taking the largest bed and bedroom after he announced our imaginary engagement.
We haven’t been fake engaged for an entire day, and he’s already sleeping in the other room.
I snort-laugh as I finish my hair.
I walk downstairs, where Rand is standing in front of the open sliding doors to the balcony. The scents of ocean and spicy man wash over me, and my knees go weak, just for a second.
Heavens to Murgatroyd!
Rand spins toward me. His eyes slowly rake over me from head to toe. “You look beautiful!”
My knees falter again. Damn massage.
