Chapter 4
"What the hell are you doing?" Vanessa asked in a sassy voice when she called.
"Right now, I'm serving drinks to ornery regulars," I said as I popped the top off a long neck with a hiss. I slid it across the counter to Harlan. The old Marine was in Diver Down almost every day without fail. He smiled and winked as he took the drink.
"Well, get your bikini, and get ready to have a little fun in the sun."
"Are you in Florida?"
"No. Not yet. But we will be."
"Who is we?”
With a giddy giggle, she said, "Me and Declan.”
She let it hang there.
"Who's Declan?”
Vanessa could barely contain herself. "Let's just say he's very handsome and very rich. And very into me."
I rolled my eyes. Vanessa was an attractive woman. Long silky raven hair, piercing blue eyes, and a figure that could make men do stupid things. And she was very adept at getting a lot of men to do a lot of stupid things.
"Sounds serious," I said.
"Who knows? Could be," she said coyly.
"Well, I'll have to meet him to see if I approve."
"Oh, you'll approve. You’ll get to meet him soon. We’re going to be in the Keys before long, and you're going to hop on board and go for a little cruise with us.”
"Cruise?”
With a voice full of amazement, she said, "You are not going to believe the size of his boat. And I'm not just talking about the one in his pants. But let's just say, he's doing fine in that department.”
"Tell me more about the boat. The one that floats."
"142-feet, twin diesel something or other, three decks of fun. There's a Jacuzzi, stunning VIP guest rooms, a full staff, in-house chef, and all the liquor you can drink. There are jet skis, sailboards, and dive gear. It's a floating oasis on the water. Paradise. I've never been so happy.”
"Sounds like you hit the jackpot."
"Oh, honey, I did. That's why you're coming aboard. He's got plenty of cute rich friends. Who knows, you could meet the man of your dreams.”
"Well, I just met the man of my nightmares, so I don't see how anything could be any worse."
She groaned. "Do tell."
"That's a story for another time.”
"How's it going with your boss? You still have the hots for him? Have you guys done it yet?”
"That is none of your business.”
"Ooh, this sounds juicy.”
"There's nothing to tell. Our relationship is strictly professional.”
She scoffed. "Girl, you're falling down on the job. You could go from working in that bar to owning it in a heartbeat. You’re just one BJ away."
"I manage the bar now, and I'm very happy in my position.”
"I can think of a few positions you might be happier in.”
"When are you planning on being in the Keys?” I asked, changing the subject.
"A couple of weeks. Is that a yes? Are you coming?”
"I don't know. I'll have to check my schedule."
"Oh, please. Stop. You're going. What's there to debate?”
"I have responsibilities here.”
"No, you don't. You work in a bar. If you lose your job, you can get another one."
"I like my job."
"You’ll like this cruise better. I promise." She muttered aside, "How hot is your boss? I mean, you seem pretty loyal."
"Hot. But that's not the issue.”
"I'm not taking no for an answer. Tell Mr. Hotty Pants you're taking a few weeks off. Maybe a month.”
"I can't go for a month.”
"Yes, you can.”
"What am I going to do for a month on a yacht?”
"Did you really just ask me that question? Honey, there is so much to do. And there's a whole lot of nothing to do. Which is just perfect.”
It did sound pretty enticing. Maybe exactly what I needed.
"Look, if at any time you want to get back to your regular life, you can get off at one of the ports and catch a flight back,” Vanessa said. “But I promise you, after a month on Declan's boat, you’re not going to want to go back to your regular life. Who knows? You might have an entirely new one.”