AllFreeNovel
Share Us
1
Kate stretched her arms over her head on the lounger, the sounds of laughter mixing with the beat of the music and water splashing in the pool just a few feet away. The warmth of the sun’s rays soaked into her skin, chasing away any memories of her last few days in New York, dreary and full of rain. Her eyes fluttered open, and from behind her sunglasses, she surveyed the pool area and the balconies of the hotel rooms overlooking it. There were beautiful, bikini-clad women everywhere, of all shapes and sizes dancing or mingling with other guests, their skin glistening in the afternoon sunshine. The scent of sunscreen filled the air, and Kate was pretty sure she was in paradise.
Her eyes landed on her best friend, Lexi. She was on her way back from the bar, carrying two brightly colored cocktails, her long black curly hair tied up in a messy bun.
Lexi grinned as she sat down, kicking off her flip-flops as she handed Kate her drink. “Sorry that took so long, but that bartender is dreamy.”
“Thanks,” Kate said, giving the drink a stir before taking a sip. “Which one?”
“Guess.”
Kate glanced over at Lexi before returning her gaze to the bar on the far side of the pool. Three women were behind it, and she instantly knew which one Lexi was talking about. “The blond with all the tattoos?”
“Yep. See, this is why you’re still my best friend.”
Kate had only seen Lexi a handful of times in the last few years. When Kate moved to New York, she’d been so busy, caught up in a whirlwind romance and working three different jobs, that it was just about impossible to get back to California to see Lexi. Thankfully, Lexi came to her a few times for a long weekend.
Now, Kate was sleeping on Lexi’s couch after packing up all her things and leaving New York behind just over a week ago. She was twenty-six years old. She needed to get her life together, but it could wait for another few days. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy her newfound freedom.
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?” Kate asked as she leaned back, leaving her cocktail on the little table between them. “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.” Kate’s gaze lingered on an older woman with dark hair that didn’t quite reach her shoulders. Her shades were on top of her head, and Kate looked away when she’d been caught staring.
“Because, we were both in dead-end unhealthy relationships for the better part of the last five years. But yes, I agree. This is a little surreal. You can tell me I’m right now, by the way,” Lexi said, dropping her shades down to look at Kate directly.
“I can. You were right.” Kate wet her lips. “You were right to get away for a long weekend. We both needed it.”
“Surrounded by beautiful gay women,” Lexi added.
“That does help.”
“Please tell me you’re going to do more than look this weekend.”
Kate inhaled a deep breath. “I want to, but I’ve never really been a one-night stand kind of person, so…”
“Yeah, but after the last five years, you need like a… A cleanse.” Lexi took a sip of her drink. “What about her? The woman in the navy and white striped bikini. She’s been looking this way.”
“I think she was looking at you,” Kate said, rolling her head to the side to watch her friend continue to window shop. “I’m assuming you don’t need a pep talk.”
“Oh, definitely not.” Lexi flashed her a smile.
“See the woman to our left, sitting on the edge of the pool with the short black hair? Red bikini?”
“Kate.” Lexi’s voice held a hint of warning.
“What?”
“She looks just like her. From the side anyway. Probably early forties. The same hair. The same body shape. Come on.”
“Oh.” Kate’s stomach dropped a little.
“You didn’t realize?”
“No.” Kate hadn’t.
“You know you did the right thing.”
“No. I know. I wasn’t happy. And I don’t miss her, in case that’s what you’re thinking.” Kate honestly hadn’t felt a twinge of sadness since that night she’d finally had it out with her now ex. They’d been good together for maybe a year, and Kate still had no idea how it had taken her so long to end things.
“And that’s why you need to put yourself out there this weekend. Just have some fun. You’ve been miserable for too long.”
