Suitcase check.
Passport check.
Undercover liquor stash, check check.
I lifted the Listerine bottle to my lips and took a sip. "Tastes like heaven." I smiled to myself and packed it with the rest of my items. Our plane was leaving in an hour, so I had to rush to get everything packed up before then. That's why I should've had all of this done a day before but I was busy filling in for someone at work.
"We're already at the airport waiting for you and you're playing around like we won't get on the plane without you," Leah spoke over the phone.
"And show up to my dad's wedding tomorrow, without me? Good luck getting in." I dragged my suitcase behind me to the front door and did a double sweep of my apartment to make sure everything was off before I left to catch a taxi. The whole ride to the airport I got scolded like a child over the phone as if I had anything to do with the traffic. I quickly grabbed my things and got through everything as fast as I can and just in time to board the plane.
I slipped through the aisle and took my seat next to Zane who just glared at me before turning away and getting comfortable with his body pillow. "I'm sorry, ok? But I'm here you can calm down now."
"I haven't been calm since I had to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to catch a plane. Sleep is what I need and I can't get that if you start yapping away."
I widened my eyes and turned away. "Ok, rude."
"It's all love you know that, goodnight." He spoke through a yawn. I actually needed another hour of sleep too, so I used him as my personal pillow and got comfortable before drifting off.
We got to the hotel and it was exactly how I pictured it; a large ashy stone building surrounded by bright green palm trees and crystal clear blue water. This place was straight out of a postcard. The lobby was full of happy families and loving couples and I was just grateful to be in such a beautiful place. "Honey, I'm glad you made it here safely." My dad sauntered over to me with a tall blonde by his side. She was beautiful with her plump red lips, high cheekbones, and killer smile.
I went in to hug him. "I didn't think you got my text when I got off the plane. The wifi was horrible," I spoke and then turned to the woman, giving her a once over for the second time. "You must be-"
"Kleo." She spoke with a smile. "And you're the great Violet, it's nice to finally meet you. Although it is awkward to be meeting after such a long time and a day before my wedding nonetheless."
I chuckled and shook my head, agreeing with her. "Yeah, we skipped a few important things, but I do not doubt that he chose a wonderful woman."
We had a small chat before my dad handed everyone their hotel keys for the rooms he got on his dime and then we went off to get changed for the day. There was a dinner I needed to get to at 7 to spend more time with my father and his bride-to-be, so I was free right now to do whatever I pleased until then and I knew exactly where I wanted to spend it.
"Last one in the water pays for lunch!" I screamed and ran off down the beach. The sounds of them chasing behind me echoed louder than my heartbeat.
"I thought you couldn't swim," Ryan yelled just as I jumped into the water. I dove under to soak my entire body and then came back up, smiling at him.
"That was a little white lie I told you because I didn't want to get my hair wet, but it didn't work now did it?"
I played around, seeing just how far I can swim out before I chickened out and swam back where it was safe. There were these voices in the distance chanting and then loud splashes that caught my attention. I looked around and noticed a large cliff full of people jumping off and quickly swam back to Ryan. "Do you want to do something totally stupid, but dangerously fun with me?"
"Like what?" He swam closer and the look he gave me told me we weren't thinking about the same thing. I looked over at the cliff and he followed my line of sight before yelling, "Hell no!"
"Come on, it'll be fun," I whined. "And Leah and Zane are most likely asleep again." I looked over to where they were both laid out on the beach towels, glasses on, and pretending they were watching us have fun. They really should've stayed in the hotel if they were that tired.
Ryan groaned and swam for the sand while I followed with a wide grin. "I promise you'll be ok as long as I'm by your side," I yelled after him to which he just groaned even louder. We climbed the rocks to the top and then I went to the edge and looked down. It was a pretty high drop, but nothing we would die from and I've always wanted to do something crazy like this. I turned to Ryan and held out my hand. He looked at it and then shook his head and stayed silent. I knew he was going through all the possible ways we can die in that head of his, but he had nothing to worry about.
"You haven't lived if you don't have the scars to prove it, come on," I held out my hand again. He was hesitant to take it, but he soon gave in and gripped my hand tight.
"Fuck it, there's no one else I'd rather die with."
"Such a romantic," I smiled his way as we mentally prepared ourselves before running to the edge of the cliff and jumping. At that moment as we floated through the air it felt as if all of my problems seemed to drift away with the wind. I felt free.
I scanned over the new ginger sundress clung to my body in the mirror and spun around to Leah who sat on my bed. "How does it look?" I felt up the soft material and held my hips.
"You look great, but how are you feeling about all of this? I know it's weird for you, but you seem to be taking it fine which is....scary?" She furrowed her brows.
"My mom moved on and so did he. I'm just happy he's happy." I turned back to the mirror. "That's all that matters."
"She's white."
My mouth dropped open and I glared at her over my shoulder. "And? What's wrong with that?"
She shrugged her shoulders and tried to hide her smile. "If I remember anything about how your mother was she's gonna hate that. Her ex got with a white woman of all people? Why doesn't he just spit in her—"
"Stop! She's not like that anymore." I hope.
I pulled my little white purse on my shoulder and slipped on my sandals. "I know you're probably gonna be asleep by the time I get back, but at least try to stay up for me. Sleeping isn't on my agenda while we're here."
"We have a wedding to get to early tomorrow, I'll need all the sleep I can get." She climbed to her feet, stretching out her limbs. "In the meantime, I'll be at the pool fawning over the hot guys." She winked and left the room.
A few minutes later I joined my dad downstairs. We had a table outside on the sand with the perfect view. "So I didn't ask before but is anyone else coming to the wedding? Out of our family, I mean." I took a seat at the table across from them.
"Some of your uncles and cousins will be here later on and the rest will try to make it tomorrow early." He took a sip of his water before scanning the menu over and reading things off that he never tried.
Dinner lasted at least an hour but was cut short once it started to drizzle outside. I'd say that was enough time spent getting to know Kleo. She's a lawyer and has a kid of her own back in Connecticut, but wants another one or two. She's been dating my dad for only five months before they decided to get married which was crazy if you ask me. That's not enough time to get to know someone on a deep enough level, but like I said if he's happy, so am I.
I got back to my room and Ryan sat outside on the floor, scrolling his phone. "What are you doing out here?" I walked up to him and leaned against the wall. He looked up at me and immediately a smile took over his face.
"Can I stay with you tonight? I just don't want to be alone tonight."
I opened the door, letting him inside before shutting it. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing I want to talk about right now." He sat on the bed and unclasped the chain from around his neck and set it on the nightstand before climbing under the covers. I let him lay there while I went to take a long hot shower before joining him in bed. I expected him to be asleep when I got back, but his arm wrapped around my waist as he snuggled in behind me.
We agreed to stop fooling around because we were always better as friends, but that didn't mean the thoughts about him stopped. His presence alone still made me feel things. The way he looked at me, the way a simple touch of his skin set my body aflame. Even the way his smile was enough to light up a whole room, including my heart.
"You know this could've been a romantic moment for us? Kissing in the rain in the fucking Bahamas, it doesn't get better than that." His deep voice muttered behind me.
I snickered and rolled my eyes, " Yeah, ok. Go to sleep."
"Good night," He pressed a kiss to my back.