CHAPTER 16 #2
Jackie typed fast and then handed the phone back to read.
“I’ll give you $500 for the Wi-Fi password,” the woman read out loud. Her eyes widened as she watched Jackie go to her bag, pull out her wallet, and retrieve five crisp $100 bills.
The attendant looked around as if she were being pranked, or like Graciela might jump out of the shadows at any moment. Reluctantly, she held out her hand, asking for Jackie’s phone. In the Notes, she typed the Wi-Fi name and password. Jackie handed her the bills.
“?Gracias!” the woman said with a smile and quickly left the suite.
Jackie looked at the tray of assorted nuts, fruits, crackers, and what she was sure was non-diary cheese on the tray, along with fresh-squeezed juices.
She picked up a piece of mango and nearly moaned at how sweet and juicy it was.
It was the first bit of solid food she’d had since barfing hours ago.
Jackie brought the tray over to the couch area. She nibbled on a cracker as she pulled out her phone to connect to the Wi-Fi and send a group text to Tanika and Bronwyn. She was sure that the two of them were probably tipsy already at the Homecoming tailgate.
JACKIE: I’m in Mexico and it’s a nightmare. How’s Homecoming?
TANIKA: Oh thank God you answered! I thought I was going to have to call the Playa del Carmen police when we hadn’t heard from you. Oh, and Homecoming is lit as usual! A couple of your sorors were asking where you were. We told them you were busy being a boss and closing deals!
brONWYN: Why is it a nightmare? Is the resort that terrible?
JACKIE: Alma y Tierra is beautiful. Really up your ally, Bron. Fake meat tacos and all.
brONWYN: Oh! I’ve always wanted to go there!
TANIKA: You haven’t explained why it’s a nightmare.
JACKIE: First, I barfed on the plane. Second, I fell asleep in Antonio’s arms, drooling on his shirt. Third, we have to share a seaside villa because they thought we were a married couple. I’m going to kill Calvin!
TANIKA: Wow. Stuck with a fine man in paradise? That’s… horrifying. LOL
brONWYN: Oh my Goddess! This is wonderful!
JACKIE: Bron don’t start your shit!
But it was too late. Jackie could see the bubbles flashing fast and furious on her screen.
brONWYN: This is fate, Jackie! First, he’s at your job. Now, you have to share a room with him. The universe is bringing you two back together.
TANIKA: Now you know Jackie doesn’t believe in fate, B.
Or did she? The words from that wacky woman played over in her head. The universe has a way of putting things in your path. Jackie stared at the phone, then shook her head.
JACKIE: You’re right. I don’t believe in fate.
TANIKA: Can you even talk right now? Like physically?
JACKIE: Still don’t have a voice. Using Honey’s app via Wi-Fi.
brONWYN: And how has Antonio been communicating with you? Assuming you can’t always get WIFI?
Jackie thought about it. It was as if Antonio understood her even when she didn’t say anything. Communicating with him was weirdly easy. But she didn’t feel like telling her girls that.
JACKIE: With old-fashioned pen and paper. Or Notes app.
TANIKA: This is bananas! What the hell is happening with your voice?
brONWYN: Where is Antonio now?
Jackie glanced around the suite, then back toward the bedroom and glass patio.
She nearly choked on a cracker. There was Antonio, using the shower in all of his naked glory.
Jackie’s eyes widened in disbelief, but she couldn’t turn away.
Every drop of water clung to his deep brown skin.
A bit heavier than he’d been ten years ago, Antonio still had rippling muscles in his back and an imposing physique.
And was that a new tattoo on his arm? Another on his torso?
The lines and curves of the tattoos snaked around him like swirling vines.
Seeing Antonio butt-naked, dripping with water, had not been on her bingo card for this trip.
Jackie quickly sipped some juice and returned to her phone.
JACKIE: And now he’s butt naked!
brONWYN: I don’t recall Alma y Tierra being a nudist resort? Kenny would love that!
JACKIE: No, you nut! The shower is visible from here! I can see him in the shower!
TANIKA: Oh snap. Is he as fine as you remember?
brONWYN: He has to be. That’s why she’s freaking out!
Jackie hated to admit it, but the man had gotten finer somehow. How was that possible?
JACKIE: He’s alright. I don’t care! I’m not here for this!
TANIKA: You’re lying. He’s fine as hell. I knew it!
brONWYN: It’s paradise, love. It’s ok to indulge in some adult activities. Maybe it’ll open your senses.
TANIKA: or open something else. ;)
brONWYN: Like that closed throat chakra
TANIKA: I really want to say something inappropriate…
brONWYN: LOL
JACKIE: I hate y’all. Bye.
Jackie took a handful of shelled almonds and threw them in her mouth. She wasn’t sure if she had bad luck, bad timing, or both. It was one thing to be on a business trip with Antonio; it was another thing to be sharing a room all 6’4” of him, wet and naked….
When someone touched her shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
Antonio chuckled. “Girl, it’s just us in here. Why are you jumping?”
Jackie tried her best not to stare at the wet torso in front of her. He had a bath sheet wrapped around his waist that didn’t do much to conceal anything. She shook her head and looked down.
“Oh, so now you want to look away?” he teased.
Busted. Jackie’s eyes widened in horror.
“I saw you looking, Jackie. Don’t front, ma.”
Jackie rolled her eyes and threw back the last of the fresh-squeezed guava juice.
Antonio adjusted the bath sheet around his waist. “The first peep show is free. Next time, I’m charging you, Miles.”
Jackie threw a pillow at his back as he walked away. What an ass. Also…what an ass, literally! It was like he didn’t miss squat day.
Jackie groaned. This was going to be a very long trip. It had better be worth it.