“Hey, what’s up?” I ask.
“Just checking in before I head out. Rick Dawson’s parents will be in the city all night, so he’s having a party. Too bad you’ll miss it. Of course, I’d be jealous of your vacation if you weren’t stuck there with Dave Campbell.” Jill snickers.
The Campbell family met mine at our country club. Their son, Dave, is my age. Dave’s plain—average height and build, mousy-brown hair and eyes—but he’s a nice, mellow guy. I don’t mind that he’s not considered cool back home. He likes hanging out with me, which is an ego boost, and he’s always polite without being a kiss-ass. I know a few of Jill’s male friends who’d be worse to vacation with, but I don’t mention it to her.
“I guess being nicer isn’t your New Year’s resolution, is it?” Jill can be a bit bitchy, but she’s a loyal friend and I kind of like living vicariously through her boldness. “Anyhow, there is a totally hot bartender here. Of course, he’s a few years older.”
“Really?” Jill’s tone conveys heightened interest. “Have you talked to him?”
“Unfortunately.” I grimace. “I stuck my foot in my mouth. Now he thinks I’m an annoying kid.”
Jill dissolves into laughter on the other end of the line.
“Yeah, Linds, you’ve got to stop spewing your thoughts the second they occur!”
“Go ahead, laugh at me,” I say halfheartedly while shuddering at the memory of the bartender’s drawl thickening with sarcasm when I tried to encourage him to go to school.
“Sorry.” Jill stops giggling. “So, big plans for tonight?”
“There’s a party tonight around the pool.” I don’t share my lack of genuine enthusiasm. “It could get interesting with all the college kids around.”
“More time to change the bartender’s mind.” Jill chuckles at her own joke.
“You’re hilarious, really,” I say dryly.
“You love me and you know it,” she chides.
It’s true, but sometimes I envy her, too. The things I like about myself—my thoughtfulness, generosity, and compassion—aren’t all that valued by my peer group, so I’m not as popular as her. Maybe in college it will change.
“Sorry you aren’t here, but try to have fun,” Jill says. “Talk to you next year!”
“Bye.” I hang up, roll over on my side, and think about the bartender again.
Even if he hadn’t rejected me, it wouldn’t have changed anything. In fact, I probably would’ve chickened out if he’d actually propositioned me. And if I had somehow managed to hook up with him, that one exploit wouldn’t have magically freed me. At the end of this trip, I’ll still be saddled with meeting the expectations of my parents, teachers, and friends.
I don’t know exactly what I’d do differently if I could ignore them all, but I hate to let anyone down. Especially when they only want the best for me. Besides, following their advice is definitely wise. After all, my dad’s a successful banker and my mom’s an ex-litigator turned socialite. I could do worse. Then again, what do I know? As the hottie pointed out, I’m pretty clueless about the world outside my sheltered experience.
The effects of the sun and my embarrassing run-in this afternoon have tanked my mood. I roll over and close my eyes to escape.
Hours later, I wake up in the dark. Crap. I’m going to be late. I rush to shower and apply makeup. With little time to primp, I pull my soaking hair into a wet knot at the base of my neck and slip into a new, gold-sequined dress.
The backless minidress forces me to wear it braless. Even with the built-in liner, it’s sexy. It makes me look more mature than my Lilly Pulitzer stuff. Although I’ll need to figure out how to get out the door without being ordered to change, I smile at my image in the mirror. Maybe that bartender will give me another chance once he sees me in this outfit.
I’m fastening my strappy heels when my mother knocks on my door.
“Coming!” I hop on one foot, wrestling to buckle my sandal strap.
Checking myself in the mirror one last time before opening the door, I grab a wrap to hide my bare back from my dad.
At ten o’clock, Dave’s and my parents finally give us the green light to leave the dinner table, but mine issue a one o’clock curfew. Dave and I head straight to the pool party.
“Rocking that dress, Lindsey.” He smiles with a wiggle of his brows.
“Thanks.” I hope the bartender shares Dave’s sentiment.
Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” is blaring, colorful lights are swirling, and some people are already swimming.