An Unexpected Paradise by Chelsea Curto

Author:Chelsea Curto [Curto, Chelsea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-FIVE

JO

I’m packing my suitcase after our last day at the conference when a knock on my hotel room door causes me to pause, shoving my unused bathing suit into the side of my bag.

What a scam. Four days in the Keys and I didn’t get to experience the ocean water more than a quick dip of my toes last night. The waves were taunting me during the wrap-up discussion this afternoon, ebbing and flowing on the other side of the window like they were beckoning me to throw my papers in the air, yell “screw it,” and run outside. I stayed in my seat and tried not to glare at the colorful umbrellas fluttering in the breeze while listening to the ways technology is going to shape our future. For someone with a more creative-driven brain, it was almost a snooze-fest, even if it is my area of expertise.

“Oh, hey,” I say, opening the door to see Jack. He’s wearing khaki shorts and my eyes wander to his long legs.

Toned.

Defined calf muscles.

Tan like the rest of his body.

I snap my gaze up quickly.

“See something you like?” he asks curiously, a smile ghosting his lips.

“Yes. No. Maybe. What’s up?” I lean against the door frame, trying not to fall over, surprised by the sight of him. I thought we parted ways until the airport tomorrow morning after the last reception of the conference earlier this evening.

“People have requested our presence on the beach. And by people, I mean Wally. Food was mentioned, as well as a bonfire. Cornhole, too. I was told to bring my better half, and, knowing you like food and to make a mess while you eat, I figured you’d be interested in joining.”

“A bonfire? That’s spontaneous of you! Who all will be there?”

“If you’re asking about the dickbag of the year, I’m not sure, to be honest. He strikes me as the kind of guy who would show up even if he wasn’t invited.”

“That’s fine. We leave tomorrow, and then I won’t have to see him ever again.” I grab my phone and room key sitting on the perch by the door. “Lead the way, Lancaster.”

We find our way to the beach where a raging fire burns bright, the fading sun drenching the sand in orange and pink. There’s a buffet table set up off to the side. Wally waves at us from around the flames and I hurry over to him as Jack heads for a cooler in the sand.

“There’s my favorite couple!” he exclaims.

“Hey, Wally,” I say, grinning as I give him a hug and take the empty chair next to him. “How’s it going?”

“Better, now that you two are here. If this prick doesn’t stop bragging about all his so-called accomplishments, I might scream,” he grumbles, and I follow his finger to find Greg laughing and sitting awfully close to a blonde woman who is not Liz.

Old habits die hard, I guess.

“The only reason I’m glad we’re leaving tomorrow is to get away from him.

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