Chapter 3 Faith #2
We rattle off our drink order and grab the menu.
The only thing we’ve eaten all day were those tiny snack bags on the plane.
I’m starving and want everything on the menu as I browse it.
My mouth waters as I decide to order the margarita pizza.
I glance over to the brick oven filled with pizzas.
The smell surrounds us. It’ll be a perfect afternoon snack.
“This vibe is contagious,” I say as my eyes roam, watching the guests around the tiki bar and the laughter as people drink their cocktails.
Plates with grilled skewers and tropical fruit are scattered on the bar, the smell mingling with the salty breeze.
It’s confirmed—this is the ideal spot to unwind, and the only rule is to keep a smile on our faces and enjoy every moment.
Kendall shifts on her bar stool, her gaze piercing through me. Her lips are tightly pressed together, and one eyebrow is arched in curiosity. "Fill us in. Did Kai text you?" Her voice is tinged with eagerness as she waits for my response.
"We’ve been texting back and forth. He’s really sweet," I reply, feeling the warmth creep up my neck to my cheeks. "Texting seems like a great way to get to know each other before we meet up for our date."
"When is the date?" Kendall inquires, rubbing her hands together with anticipation. "Hmmm?"
"Our first date is planned for the Sunday after we get back," I explain.
"That’s wonderful news!" Lane chimes in with her chin in her hand and leans in closer. Her large breasts and wavy blonde hair move with her. "Kendall, do we know what he looks like? Is he hunky or more on the nerdy side?"
“All I know is he works out, and Dane says he’s a good-looking guy. His words, not mine.”
Addison looks at me and shrugs. “Well, this one already sounds different than the last few dates you’ve had. Maybe this one will be different.”
The bartender finishes making our frozen margaritas and brings them to us. And just like that, we are immersed into paradise.
“Come on! Enough about me. Kendall, give us an update on the wedding planning!” I’m ready for a new topic, and Kendall loves to talk about her wedding.
I can’t blame her. Getting married to the love of her life who treats her like a princess?
That seems like, quite possibly, the best thing in life.
The love she has for Dane is beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed.
Being able to celebrate their love next year will be one hell of a wedding.
“Fine! But I enjoy talking about your love life more,” she says, clasping her hands together.
“But I know it’s your least favorite thing to talk about.
As for the wedding, the resort will provide everything—the photographer, flowers, rooms, food…
literally everything. Once we have the meeting, Dane and I will decide if we will move forward.
Let’s be real, though. We are getting married here next year. He loves to spoil me.”
The bartender places plate after plate of food in front of us. There’s enough food here to feed the whole bar. Pizzas, loaded fries, calamari, chicken wings, and onion rings. It takes a minute for us to process all of the food he set down.
Addison hops off of her stool and reaches over everyone to rearrange all the plates to fit in front of us. Then she hands out the smaller plates so we can dig in.
She slides herself back on her stool and runs her hand through her short hair. “There we go. All nice and organized,” she says to Kendall with a nudge. “Let us know what we can help with. Your bridesmaids know how to do things right.”
As I’m eating, the sky catches my attention. The sun is setting with ribbons of pinks and oranges over the ocean. I want to capture this, so I pick up my phone from the bar and take a few pictures.
“Ok come on, let's all get a picture with this gorgeous background.” I gesture for everyone to squeeze together in the frame of my camera phone.
Our smiles reflect back to us on the screen.
The excitement and gratitude that we are spending this time together sharing, growing, and supporting each other is one for the books.
Snapping a few shots, I swipe to check them all out. They capture our friendship so well.
“We’re going to look back at this and remember some pretty amazing milestones in all of our lives. I love you guys,” I say, and we do a collective group hug.
Life won’t always be like this. Next year, Kendall will be married to the love of her life. Who knows where the rest of us will be. I’m savoring every moment with my friends and my alone time to reflect on my own life while I’m here soaking up the rays.
Kendall breaks me out of my thoughts as she stares out across the bar. “Well, well, look at that beautiful specimen of a man.”
We all follow her gaze to a gorgeous couple.
The guy is positioned so we can only see his profile—and his olive skin and striking tattoos.
The Celtic design starts at his shoulder and winds down his muscular bicep to his defined forearm.
I’m a sucker for tattoos and strong arms. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the bar, and fix my eyes on him.
To ensure I get a clear view, I slide my sunglasses down.
His slightly longer hair, swept to the side, reminds me of… Jude.
“The guy with all those tattoos?” I utter with some hesitation.
“Ah yeah! I’ll be talking to Dane about finishing his sleeve, because that’s hot.” Kendall dramatically fans herself.
“You’re too much, yet you’re not wrong.” Lane slaps Kendall’s shoulder as her eyes linger on the man in front of us.
I glance back at the couple and watch them interact.
They aren’t close enough for me to hear what they are talking about, but the way they have each other’s attention is intriguing.
Someone who listens to what you’re saying, looks at you, and doesn’t break eye contact?
I want that. Again. Like when Jude and I were together before everything went to hell.
The way this guy talks with his hands and puts them through his hair reminds me of him.
Maybe it’s his doppelganger. What are the odds that he and I would vacation here at the same time?
I giggle. What a ridiculous thought. There’s no way that’s Jude.
It reminds me that Kai texted when we arrived at the resort, but there was a lot going on. Breaking away from staring at the couple, I grab my phone and read his text.
Kai:
Checking in to see if you made it there safely.
Grinning, I write him back. He didn’t have to text me, but it’s sweet he did.
Faith:
Hey! Yes, we arrived at the resort and now at the bar enjoying some drinks and food.
I snap a photo and send it to Kai.
He texts back immediately, and my chest flutters at his quick response.
Kai:
All that food. Sign me up! I’ll be there.
Faith:
I think we might have been starving and ordered too much.
Kai:
Well, it all looks delicious. Totally making me jealous. I’m sitting here watching the snow fall. They are saying six to twelve inches, so you aren’t missing much back here.
I decide to send another photo. This time I take a shot of the ocean and text it to him.
Faith:
It’s even better than the pictures. I highly recommend visiting. Ugh, snow?
Kai:
It’s beautiful from inside. If I close my eyes for a minute, I can imagine myself on the beach…except it’s snow. What are you most looking forward to while you are there?
Faith:
Snorkeling!!!!
Kai:
Take lots of pics and send them along. I’m taking you away from your friends, so I’ll let you get back to them.
Faith:
You bet. Enjoy the snow! ;)
Kai:
*snowflake* :(
I lock my phone and set it down on the bar.
I take a big sip of my drink, complete with a salted rim and lime wedges dangling off the side.
A brain freeze hits me. Once it passes, my focus shifts to the couple again.
The way this man runs his fingers through his hair and stands so confidently catches my attention—again.
It seems impossible, but then he turns in our direction.
I have to wipe the drool from my mouth when I see the chest of this guy, more tattoos on his other arm, and one that spreads down his side and continues under his white-and-blue board shorts.
At some point, my mouth falls open, so I close it tightly.
I’m definitely gawking at him. I finally glance up at his face, and my world is rocked off its axis.
"Is that…? No. N-no," I mutter, eyes wide as if I’ve suddenly seen a ghost from my past. I don't realize I've spoken aloud until my friends look at me with puzzled expressions.
"Is that what?" Addison asks, leaning in closer waiting for what’s about to come out of my mouth.
"Not w-what," I stammer, "but who?” I continue to stare at him. Is that seriously Jude?
"What are you talking about?" Kendall questions, following my gaze.
That laugh…it's unmistakable. I haven't heard it in over a decade. Thankfully, I'm seated, because the shock makes me feel faint. I had a suspicion when I first spotted him, but now it's all crashing down on me.
The hair.
The body.
The mannerisms.
The laugh.
“It’s Jude. My Jude from high school,” I say, my voice trembling with certainty as my heart pounds against my ribcage.
I sit frozen on the stool. The sound of the people around me makes it feel like I’m in a tunnel.
A tightness grips my chest, and each breath becomes a struggle.
My mouth opens, but words betray me, lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
Memories flood in—his laughter that used to wrap around me, comfort me, and make me feel loved—but then a sharp sting jolts my heart when I remember how he threw it all away.
The crack in my heart breaks deeper, and I feel it all over again.
I spent so many years healing myself, but now it feels like it happened only yesterday.