“A lot of networking. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be a model for Revelay. One of the other MUAs will do my face, using only their products. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll do a demo on a model for Nectar Mahogany. I had dinner with a few cool MUAs at a restaurant right down the street. Right now, I’m at a little soiree thrown by Amuse Luxe.” She took a breath. “Okay, you’re caughtup on my day. Tell me about yours with all the muscular, tight-bodied athletes.”
I chuckled before telling her about my experience with Preston Wilcox.
“Well, boo, he has a well-known reputation as an asshole. Everybody accepts it except you.”
“I just wanted him to be different.” I pouted.
“I know you did. You always wanna see the best in everybody. Unfortunately, some people honestly don’t have abest.”
“No lie.” I went on to tell her about my time on the island.
“So, Spencer Charles,” she said slowly. “I’m doing a Google search on him right now.” I started to protest, but then I didn’t really see the point. Bryanna was going to do it anyway. “Ooh, he’s cute. Tall. Muscular. What position does he play? Strong Safety? Uhm, well, he definitely looks strong.”
I cracked up.
“And he took up for you when bum-ass Wilcox tried to humiliate and humble you?”
“He just told him not to do that.”
“No, you said he told him, ‘don’t do that to her.’ He told him not to do that to you, specifically. Like, I’ll beat your ass over this one.”
I laughed again. “It wasn’t like that.”
“You sure? Because that’s how I’m picturing it in my head.”
“You’re insane. He said it calmly but like he meant it. He has to be on the team with Preston Wilcox. I think he’s probably just sick of dude’s shit.”
“I love how you always call him by his whole name, Preston Wilcox.” We both laughed. “You’re meeting Spencer for breakfast?”
“Yeah, I agreed to meet him for breakfast.”
“Okay. Okay.” I could tell she was smiling. “Keep an open mind, Sol.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you that he calls me Sun. His family’s from Martinique, so he speaks French. He knew the meaning of my name as soon as I told it to him. Says I bring the sunshine.”
“Ooh, I like him. He done gave you a little nickname already.”
“Don’t be impressed. Preston Wilcox gave me a nickname, too.”
“Thigh Meatis not a nickname. It’s an objectification. And disrespectfully, fuck Preston Wilcox. We’re talking about Spencer . . . what’s his last name again?”
“Charles. And he seems nice,” I admitted.
“So, like I said, keep an open mind on this date tomorrow.”
“It’s not a date.”
“That’s a lie. Enjoy the date.” We both laughed again.
4
SPENCER
Day Two
I watched her walk toward the table—not even being cool about it. Not bothering to try to play it off. Soleil had my full attention as she breezed past tables and chairs filled with laughing and talking patrons. The knit tank top she wore hugged the fullness of her breasts, while the linen shorts skirted the curve of her hips. I could see the pink of her toes peeking out from her sandals, and the sway of her hair as she moved. The thing that really kept me stuck on her was the smile she wore. She was beautiful when she wasn’t smiling, but when she smiled? Her eyes lit up, and her dimples became even more prominent on her face. Not gonna lie, I could’ve stared at her all damn day.
I stood up when she reached the table. That was some old-fashioned-ass shit to do, but for some reason, it was what I did. It was like my mind told my body that, when the baddest woman in the entire resort walked into the room, you should stand. “Good morning,” I said to her.
