Chapter 6
Key West, Florida
“Cock-a-doodle-dooooooo!” came the arrogant cry from across the street.
Charli groaned and pulled the comforter over her head. The movement made her head pound and stomach lurch, and she hugged her pillow until the nausea passed.
George crowed again, expecting everyone else to be as equally enthusiastic about the morning. She flopped onto her back and glared toward the window, mentally sending a torrent of curses at the obnoxious fowl.
She laid there for another moment wondering whether she could handle getting up, then smacked her lips and looked around for a water glass. She spotted one on her bedside table and smiled gratefully at the two ibuprofen tablets that lay next to the glass. Jack was so thoughtful.
Charli grimaced as she leaned up on an elbow and reached for the glass. She swallowed the pills down, taking in huge gulps of water that sloshed around in her empty stomach.
She jumped at the sound of an enraged squawk outside and glanced toward the window. This was followed by the commotion of wings flapping and another outraged shriek from the rooster.
Several voices shouted and were accompanied by Jack’s aggravated curse. “God dammit, George. Knock your shit off!”
She chuckled softly, then moaned as she laid back against her pillow and closed her eyes, laying an arm over her head. Based on the sounds from below, Jack’s crew must be relocating the chickens.
She rolled to her side and waited until she was certain she wouldn’t vomit, then carefully stood, moaning as her stomach lurched again.
Memo to me...no more sangria...
Charli lurched toward the balcony doors, fumbled to open them, and stumbled out. She braced her arms on the railing and squinted her eyes at the brilliant light, trying to see the activity across the street.
Several workers were clustered around the compound wall, and as she searched for Jack, a long low whistle caught her attention.
“Damn, would you look at that?” one worker called out. “Hey there, sexy. Want some help up there? I can take care of anything you need.”
“Peters!” Jack snapped as he stepped into view. “What did I tell you about harassing women on the job? Especially the ones who pay your salary?”
“Sorry, boss.” Peters appeared appropriately chastised as he ducked his head and turned back to watch the progress over the wall.
Jack glanced up at her and did a double take. He walked over to the sidewalk, concern on his face. “Uh...Charli? You okay?”
“Other than feeling like I’m about to throw up on you, yeah. Why?”
One side of his mouth tilted up as he gestured toward her. “Uh...you’re standing on the balcony in your underwear.” He held his hands up. “Not that I’m complaining, but everyone down here can see you.”
Charli gasped and jumped back, her hands coming up to cover herself.
“Shit,” she yelped and whirled for the balcony door with Jack’s deep chuckle following her into the room. She slammed the doors behind her and leaned back on them, the glass a cool contrast against the hot flush of the skin on her nearly bare backside.
“Oh, no.” Charli groaned and closed her eyes, mortification sweeping through her. How could she possibly look Jack in the eyes again? Much less his crew that she would no doubt be working with for the foreseeable future.
Her stomach twisted at the thought and suddenly her nausea turned into an urgent need to vomit. She covered her mouth and raced for the bathroom, getting there just in time. Her body cramped as she heaved over and over into the toilet, purging the toxins from the night before.
After what felt like an eternity, her stomach finally calmed. She flushed the toilet and rested her clammy forehead on the cold porcelain for a moment, panting lightly from the exertion. Shaking and doused in a cold sweat, she was completely wrung out.
Never, ever, ever again with the sangria!
After several minutes, Charli carefully stood up , wobbling slightly. Holding on to the counter for help, she walked over to sink and gasped when she saw herself in the mirror. “Oh, no...no, no, no...”
With dawning horror at the image she must have presented to the men below, she noted that her hair, which was still technically in a french braid, was matted and standing up on one side.
A lovely shade of midnight circled both of her eyes, giving her the perfect racoon look, and Jack was right—she was in her favorite matching blue underwear.
She cringed at her ‘crazy lady’ image. With dismay, she realized she had gone out on the balcony—in front of the entire neighborhood—like this.
Oh. My. God. I’m the complete definition of ‘hot mess’...ugh! Please just let me die right here.
She moaned again, closing her eyes to hide the spectacle in the mirror.
There was another loud flutter of wings and more outraged squawks, followed by curses and more shouting from Jack and his workers. Charli grinned despite herself. It sounded like George was really putting up a fight down there.
She sighed and shook her head, then winced, instantly regretting that small movement when her head threatened to explode.
Slowly breathing out, she washed out her mouth and brushed her teeth.
What she needed now was a scalding hot shower followed by a hot cup of coffee.
After that, she promised herself she’d work up the nerve to go outside.
* * * *
Nearly an hour later, Charli emerged from the house with her shredded dignity somewhat restored, a mug of coffee clutched tightly in her hands, and her sunglasses on against the bright morning sun.
The hot shower and coffee had both worked their magic, and after chugging two bottles of water, she felt nearly human again.
Heat rushed through her body when a handful of workers turned to stare at her. It felt like a walk of shame for the ages. Mortified, yet undeterred, she took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and continued her progress across the street to the compound.
Jack, who was standing at the wall, glanced over his shoulder, and smiled when he saw her. He turned a bit and motioned her his way.
“I was starting to wonder if I’d have to go check for signs of life over there.” His smile turned teasing. “You look like you feel better.”
Charli grunted. “I was hugging the porcelain god for a while.” She waved her hand at his look of concern, then added, “Don’t worry about it. The shower and a couple cups of coffee worked wonders. And thanks for the ibuprofen.”
He grinned. “Don’t mention it.”
She sighed and stared up at him, noticing how his dimples deepened into full grooves as his grin grew bigger as he stared down at her. “Um, Jack. How much did I drink last night?”
Jack chuckled and scratched his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure.
Generally, once the ladies start drinking, their glasses are never empty.
And last night was no exception.” He shrugged.
“Plus, it was your initiation into the society, so they made sure you had plenty of sangria. I can safely say your glass was never empty but there’s no telling exactly how much you consumed. ”
Charli groaned as flashbacks from the previous evening began shooting through her brain. She covered her mouth as the urge to vomit again began to build.
“But if I were to guess,” he continued, “I’d say you had at least six, maybe seven, glasses of sangria after we got back to the house—that’s on top of the mojito you had at The Spent Pickle.
” His eyes softened and his hand came up to lightly touch her chin.
“Don’t sweat it. That sangria goes down so smooth that it’s easy to overdo it, especially since none of you had anything to eat after the drinking started.
Just promise me you won’t drink that stuff again unless I’m around, and certainly not on an empty stomach.
The ladies have been known to get a little wild when they really get going and I’d rather not have to bail you out of jail for streaking down Duval Street. ”
After meeting the group last night, she could easily picture the amount of havoc they could create. Charli laughed and nodded, the movement making her head pound. She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath, her fingers massaging between her eyes as she willed the pain away.
Jack’s hands closed around her elbows. “Are you okay?”
She swallowed and mumbled, “Mmmhmmm. Just give me a sec.” She drew in another deep breath, clutching the mug to her chest. Opening her eyes a moment later, she started to find Jack’s concerned face only a few inches away from hers, his chocolate brown eyes intense as he stared at her.
She felt her heart flutter... he was so gorgeous. Almost too gorgeous...
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked. “You don’t have to be over here today if you’re not feeling well. My guys have everything under control.”
“I’m okay, Jack. I promise.” She pasted a smile on her face, trying to put him at ease. “I shouldn’t have nodded, that’s all.” She gestured toward the work going on just over the wall, desperate to change the subject. “How’s everything looking?”
Charli squirmed as he stared down at her with narrowed eyes for several moments, clearly evaluating for himself whether she was really okay.
Eventually he appeared satisfied, and relaxed, leaning his tall frame against the compound wall.
As Jack opened his mouth to reply, a tall, dark-haired man with a deeply tanned face framed by a shortly cropped beard stepped up behind him and peered at her over Jack’s shoulder.
“Progress is good so far,” the man answered. He grinned and stepped around Jack with his hand outstretched to Charli in greeting. “And since this guy forgot his manners, I’ll introduce myself.” He gave her a dazzling smile as he shook her hand. “I’m Gustavo, Jack’s partner. My friends call me Gus.”
Charli’s brows rose. “It’s nice to meet you.” She glanced between the two men. “I didn’t know Jack had a partner.”
Jack snorted. “Yes, Jack has a partner. Jack also has a voice and can speak for himself.”