AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No luck?”
Eloise shook her head and frowned.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Oh, just some friends,” she told him. “Tidal Carter.”
The man laughed. “Tidal would never come in here. Try Diego's.”
“Diego's. Right.” Eloise thanked the bouncer and darted across the cobblestone road to cross the street and waited with a small group of people. She eyed the wharf and saw how busy it was. The wharf had always been a key spot for visitors, with shops, restaurants, and outside bars as attractions. Outside bars were a huge hit in any seaside town. There was nothing like taking your Aperol Spritz to the end of the wharf to watch the sunset and get the perfect photo for Instagram.
Eloise made her way to Diego's, and once again found herself on her tiptoes looking through the crowd for someone she knew. It was times like this when she hated being short. Unable to spot anyone, she went up to the bar and stood in the first open spot she could find. Unlucky for her, she didn't know the bartender and felt uncomfortable asking if they knew Tidal Carter.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, without making eye contact with Eloise. She was busy and Eloise understood.
“This is my first time here. What do you recommend?” She would normally order an Aperol Spritz, but also loved finding new drinks as long as they weren’t beer.
“The Rock Lobster,” the bartender said as she put a freshly drafted pint on the bar in front of a patron.
“What’s that?”
“Do you like fruity drinks?”
Eloise nodded.
“You’ll love this. I promise.”
Eloise nodded again, and the bartender went to work on her drink. When she finished, she set the frozen pink concoction with its paper umbrella, cherry, and slice of pineapple on top of the bar, in front of Eloise. “It’s coconut rum, banana liqueur, and grenadine, to name but a few. It’s my fave and perfect for the summer.”
Eloise took it and handed a twenty over to pay. Her eyes widened as she sipped her drink. She pulled the straw away and covered her mouth. “Oh my, this is delicious.”
The bartender set Eloise’s change on the counter. “Enjoy.” With that, she went to the next customer. Eloise left some cash for a tip and then turned toward the growing crowd. She stood there for a few minutes, sipping on her drink while looking at the people, feeling almost dejected and out of place. Although she liked the idea of hanging by the bar because it had an easier escape and she could bolt at any given moment, she was there to reconnect with friends. And to find Kiel, who had a starring role in her mind since their first encounter.
Would Kiel be at Diego’s, though?
“No, probably not,” she said aloud. Not that anyone could hear her or paid attention to her.
As if someone knew what she needed, the crowd parted, and it was like a beacon of light shined on Tidal and his table of friends. He stood when they made eye contact and smiled. One by one, former classmates all glanced at her, smiles bright.
“Well, look who the cat dragged in,” Tidal said as he came over to give her a hug. “Glad to see you left your hidey hole.”
“I don’t hide,” she said to him. He reintroduced her to everyone at the table, and she was relieved she remembered everyone.
Jordan, one of their classmates, offered his seat and ran off to get another. Eloise sat down next to Tidal and set her drink down. “So, what have you all been up to?”
The guys at the table laughed. The question was a good ice breaker, especially coming from her. After she caught up with each of them, they started peppering her with questions. Mostly about what it’s like to live in London and whether or not she ever met the Queen.
“Sadly, no. But I did see Princess Catherine arriving at Fortnum and Mason for an event once.”
“Did you get a selfie?” Cliff asked.
Eloise shook her head slightly. “No, that would’ve been rude.”
The topic of conversation quickly switched to their jobs, how boring work was when all they wanted to do was go sailing or jet skiing, and how none of them were looking forward to going back to school.
“Are you still painting?” Cliff asked.
“I am,” she told him. “What about your mom? Does she still have the pottery store in town?”
