“A title fight? Mo hasn’t stepped in the ring for a title fight in two years. The only person he could go toe-to toe with and have a bankable fight is Ramón Rodriguez. And Ramón’s people aren’t going to go for that. They’ll say Mo’s washed-up. Jackie, I know you can do a lot of things, but that may be damn near impossible.”
Ye of little faith, Jackie wrote.
“You’re right. If you canalmostget Paco Jimenez out from under my nose, then you can get Mo a title fight.”
SO YOU ADMIT YOU STOLE PACO FROM ME?
Antonio chuckled. “I swear, I didn’t. Just know, I respect your hustle. A lot more than you realize.”
Thanks, Jackie typed.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the quiet lapping of the waves against the shore. A light wind blew the curtains of the cabana, and the air smelled like salt and Jackie’s hair oil, plus the faint hint of Antonio’s cologne. Jackie couldn’t remember the last time she actually, purposefully, sat still and did absolutely nothing.
“When’s the last time you did something like this? Just… chilled?” asked Antonio.
Jackie blinked. How’d he get in her thoughts like that? She shrugged.
“I’m not sure what else Graciela has up her sleeve for us today, but I think you should take advantage of this. I know you, Jackie. You push yourself to the brink. It’s probably why you lost your voice.”
Jackie gave Antonio a stern look for attempting to psychoanalyze her.And yet, she thought,he might be right.
“We are in paradise right now. Well, semi-paradise, cause ain’t no bar. Why don’t you go to this overpriced spa they told us about? Get a massage. Dip those pretty toes in the ocean.” She watched as his eyes dipped to her bare feet. His breath hitched, then recovered. “Thoseverypretty toes. You’re a French pedicure girl, huh?” Antonio bit the corners of his lip. “Classic pink and white. Very nice.”
Hmm…a foot fetish, huh?Jackie didn’t recall him focusing on her feet last time they were together. Then again, Antonio’s focus that weekend had been on literallyeverypart of her body.
Antonio jumped up from the cabana as if it were on fire. “Uhm, yeah. Go get that massage, Lucky. I’ll find something to get into.”
Jackie watched him nearly trip past the beach chairs as he headed back to the villas. She looked down at her toes, wiggled them in the sand, and smiled.
ALTHOUGHALMA YTERRA LACKED PROPERMEXICAN FOOD ANDtequila, Jackie had to admit that the spa was top-tier. One of the best she’d ever been to. The agave sugar scrub, vanilla bean and hibiscus oil massage, and Mexican chocolate mud bath were heavenly. By the time she returned to the suite, she’d never felt so smooth or smelled so delicious in all her life.
I wonder if Ant would want to see how good I taste…especially my toes.
Jackie dismissed the thought, turning her focus to room service. It was nearing dinnertime, and she was starving—though the only thing on the menu that was remotely appetizing was a salad. Her phone buzzed.
TANIKA:So…how’s it going? You sign Mo yet?
BRONWYN:Are you feeling Zen?
Jackie rolled her eyes. These two weren’t slick.
JACKIE:Struck out with Mo. And if you all are texting to see if I got some, the answer is no.
TANIKA:Damn. Well, Bron, you owe me $50
BRONWYN:Dang, I guess I do!
JACKIE:I know you all weren’t taking bets on my sex life! Tanika, I’d expect that from you. But you, Bron? I’m appalled.
TANIKA:I honestly was hoping I’d lose. But you still have a couple more days there…
BRONWYN:Nik is right. Let’s extend the bet until the end of the trip!
JACKIE:Hello! Are you all serious right now?
TANIKA:A lot could change in 48 hrs.
BRONWYN:Exactly. Paradise hasn’t had time to work its magic.
