you are!” Bree shouted, waving her hand as she made her way through already intoxicated patrons to where her girlfriends were gathered around a wicker table under the palm trees, coconut-shell cocktails with straws and paper umbrellas in their hands. Bree tilted her head at Roxie. “Why did you disappear? Didn’t you see me nearly fall on my butt?”
They all chortled and spoke at once.
“It’s not funny,” Bree said, but she couldn’t keep a straight face. “Listen, I didn’t bring you all down here just so I could give a bunch of drunks an eyeful!”
Again they laughed. Bree knew when she was outnumbered, so she plopped into the single empty chair, crossed her bare legs and pretended to sulk.
“I’m sorry, Bree,” Roxie said, appearing anything but remorseful. “I found a server to come over here so we could order our drinks, and then I got distracted. When I came back to find you, you were gone.” She handed Bree a cocktail and pointed to the plate of food they were sharing. Their hotel offered free appetizers during happy hour and the girls had taken advantage.
“What happened anyway, Bree?” Showing her usual empathy, Hannah’s voice was filled with concern. “Are you okay?”
Bree shook her head and reached for a cheese cube. “Yes, I’m fine. I just tripped and fell into some guy’s waiting arms. Typical macho guy who thinks every woman is a damsel in distress.”
Hannah’s mouth formed an O and her dark brown doe eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Wow! Was he cute?”
“Invite him over!” Amber said, and then lowered her voice. “Unless he was a troll. Was he a troll?” Amber was nothing if not a straight shooter.
“Not even close.” Bree pursed her lips as she remembered the heat that had suffused her before she’d brushed him off. Or had he been the one to brush her off? Either way, he was in the rearview mirror.
Hannah interrupted Bree’s musings. “Where is he? Do you see him anywhere?” Hannah craned her neck, searching for the guy she’d never even seen.
“Was he hot?” Amber wanted to know. “I bet he was hot. You never follow up when a good-looking guy shows interest.”
“Give her a break,” Roxie said. “Just because the two of you are looking to hook up doesn’t mean everyone is.” Roxie’s longtime boyfriend had recently moved to California for his job, and they were still working out the long-distance romance thing.
Bree looked around, telling herself it didn’t really matter if the guy who’d caught her had disappeared. “I don’t see him. He must have found someone else to annoy.” She shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, but she’d bet the women who’d known her since freshman year of college weren’t fooled.
Truthfully, the man had made her heart accelerate wildly. His dark hair was full and thick, and just long enough to be sexy. He had a strong jaw under that closely trimmed beard. He was a little above average in height, with lean musculature, and way above average in sex appeal in his khaki shorts, faded Dave Matthews T-shirt and boat shoes. Then again, she’d always been a sucker for guys with intense brown eyes. Too bad those eyes came with such a macho attitude.
“We could walk around and maybe accidentally run into him,” Roxie suggested, using finger quotes.
The others started to get up, but Bree raised a hand to stop them and changed the subject. “Not so fast. First of all, I’m not interested. Second, I want to get your opinion on something—work related.”
There was a collective moan as the women dropped back down into their chairs.
“I want to offer a bartending class,” she told them. “Watching the bartender over there gave me the idea.”
“Bree! We worked all week on our five-year goals,” Roxie whined. “You promised we’d have the evenings to actually vacation, and now you’re back on the subject of work.”
“Yeah!” Amber and Hannah chorused.
“And you also promised to hang out with us tonight!” Amber added.
“I know, I know. And I will.” Bree held up one finger. “But I really want your opinion. We could offer mixology training for women, especially for moms who would benefit from working nights while their husbands can be home with their kids.”
The other three women bobbed their heads. “I like that,” Amber said. “And it would be a faster turnaround than some other training we’ve considered.”
“Also a relatively well-paid position if you consider tips and location of the bar, like at a high-end-hotel lounge compared to a local bar or a chain restaurant,” Hannah added.
Bree’s private company, BeeTee, Incorporated—based on her initials—had been born during her junior year of college when she’d discovered her talent for composing résumés and guiding women into the right jobs. Her business degree, as well as her absorption by osmosis of her excessively rich and powerful father’s phenomenal business savvy, had given Bree the knowledge to grow her female-based employment-and-retraining business. Two years ago, they’d branched into investing in women-owned businesses. Several years before that she’d brought her three best friends from college along for the incredible ride, knowing full well that they came with their own unique talents.
Last year the company had grossed over four million dollars, and they were well on their way to doing better this year. Bree had used her private financial resources to start up the company, but Roxie, Hannah and Amber received yearly stock options on top of their salaries as compensation for their dedication and hard work. Bree still owned the majority of BeeTee, but she ran it pretty much as if the women were full partners.
They discussed Bree’s idea for a few more minutes, until Amber held up her hand and said, “Enough! We agree it’s a great idea, but now it’s time to play.” She straightened her back and peered out at the people around them. “Let’s find us some new friends.” She waggled her eyebrows and fluffed her dark hair with her airbrushed fake nails. “Ooh!” Amber crowed, pointing to something behind Bree. “And here comes a splendid specimen, indeed!”
Bree took a sip of her drink, enjoying how smoothly the liquid went down her throat, and didn’t bother looking up until she heard a familiar deep voice.
“Good evening, ladies,” her sexy rescuer said smoothly, then tapped Bree on the shoulder from behind. “I believe this is yours.”
She gasped and her drink went down the wrong way, sending her into a coughing fit.
* * *
THE WOMAN FINALLY stopped coughing and angled her head around until their eyes met. Nick Harmon dangled the earring where she could see it. He’d discovered it when he’d gone back to the bar to get a fresh drink and felt obligated to find her.
The woman narrowed her dark blue eyes and uncrossed her incredibly long legs. He’d noticed her back at the bar before she’d fallen into his arms. How could he miss her?
“Not mine.” She unstuck a strand of hair from her lip gloss and pulled back her long, golden-brown hair to show him her earrings. Not even close to what she wore.
“Oh, sorry,” he said, feeling like a fool. “I found it back at
