CHAPTER 23
Jackie woke up with a slight headache. She wasn’t normally a tequila drinker, but last night had been an exception. She’d made a lot of exceptions, actually. Like contemplating spinning the block on a man she said she’d never be alone in a room with—let alone sleep with—again. That wasn’t like her at all. Spending time with Antonio, watching true crime documentaries, and eventually throwing back shots had been some of the most fun she’d had in a while.
She was so comfortable with him. So comfortable, in fact, that she’d snuggled into him, fallen asleep, and had her voice return? Only for it to vanish again. That part didn’t make any sense. Jackie’s mind wandered to what the redheaded lady in the patchwork skirt had said to her about quieting her tongue and speaking with heart. Was it her heart that had been speaking or her perfidious pussy? It hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours in Mexico, and she’d slipped and fell into Antonio’s arms again. And it’d been amazing.
So maybe they hadn’t gone rounds like they had in Vegas. In fact, all they did was kiss a little and then sleep, wrapped up in each other. It was still extremely satisfying. As soon as her head rested on his chest, Jackie felt something. Something that immediately scared her. It felt too close. Too real. Those tingles she felt during breathwork came rushing back all at once, pulsing through her, short-circuiting her brain without warning. And she wanted it to happen again. And again.
One thing was for certain: Jackie damn sure wasn’t going to tell Tanika or Bronwyn about this. Bronwyn wasn’t about to make $50 off her succumbing to her horniness and then get all worked up about fate and soul ties. She flashed back to last night again. Had she actually grinded on that man’s lap like a stripper? How embarrassing.
Jackie silently groaned into the pillow, cursing herself. Once satisfied that she’d berated herself enough, she rolled over to look at the time on her phone. It was still pretty early, only about 8:00 a.m. Graciela would be there soon to give them the rundown about their schedule. Jackie was so focused on her phone that she almost missed the travel-sized bottle of ibuprofen and small glass of water next to it. There was a note underneath the glass that read:Drink all of it, Lucky. Though she tried her hardest not to, Jackie smiled as she took two pills, drinking the entire glass of water as instructed.
Sore and in need of a pick-me-up, Jackie grabbed her toiletries bag and headed to the outdoor shower. She turned the water to nearly scalding, just the way she liked it. She threw on a disposable shower cap, grabbed her travel loofah and popped open her favorite luxury body wash. She’d never showered exposed to nature like this, but it was beautiful and serene. She closed her eyes, enjoying the rain-like spray of the showerhead and trying her best not to think about last night. She couldn’t help it. While she scrubbed her feet, Jackie chuckled to herself. Antonio hadn’t even had the chance to appreciate her freshly done pedicure. Maybe some other time.
When she turned to let the water run down her back, opening her eyes, Jackie let out a scream. A shirtless Antonio was sitting in a chair in the living room, a bowl of grapes in his lap, slowly eating as he watched. Jackie quickly turned back around, but it was no use.
Antonio called, “Don’t mind me, mama. Just enjoying the show.”
Jackie tried to cower in a corner, to little effect. The shower wall was nothing but glass, and there was a view of her from every angle.
Antonio peered around a little to see more of her, then called out again. “I don’t know why you’re trying to hide. It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. I’ll say, you look even better wet, though. You need me to help? I think you missed a spot.”
Jackie hissed as she tried—and failed—to cover herself. Her arms flailed, motioning for him to go away.
“Aww, c’mon, Jack.” He popped a grape into his mouth. “You’re no fun. I didn’t complain when you were staring at me yesterday.”
Jackie’s eye twitched in annoyance.
Antonio stood up, cradling the bowl of grapes. “Fine!” he yelled. “I ordered breakfast. Lupe just brought it up. Hurry up before it gets cold.”
Don’t tell me what to do, Jackie thought. She was tempted to stay in the shower another half hour just to get on his nerves. But her rumbling stomach said otherwise. She quickly finished and headed in to do the rest of her morning routine, including skincare and a light beat. After fixing her hair, she slipped on another athleisurewear set in yellow and orange. When she rounded the corner into the dining room area, Jackie was surprised to see such a bountiful spread on the table. There were pancakes, fruit, muffins, tea, coffee, and juices. And was that…bacon? Hallelujah! Maybe the meat gods had heard her cries!
“You look good in yellow, Jackie,” Antonio complimented, before taking a sip of juice.
Jackie nodded a thank-you, then poured herself a cup of coffee, stabbed a couple pancakes, and put three strips of bacon on her plate.
“Before you get too excited,” Antonio warned, “the bacon isn’t real meat. And uhm…that ain’t real coffee.”
Jackie stared down at her plate, then up at Antonio, confused.
“Well, it’s totally vegan. The bacon is made out of carrots. The coffee is decaffeinated, made from mushrooms, and well, the pancakes and muffins are egg- and milk-free. I think Lupe said that was oat milk in your coffee.”
Jackie frowned in utter disgust. She could deal with everything else. But “bacon” made of carrots needed to be tried as a crime against humanity.For real? What about the eggs?she thought, pointing to the bowl of fluffy yellow goodness in front of her.
