Page 94 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

94 | FRANCESCA PE NN

My humiliation returns, and I cannot force myself to look at him. A party girl is
supposed be sexy, not trashy and sex starved. Okay, some are, but never me. I am
supposed to show him a good time, not stress him out. I vow to rein in my hormones
and keep my legs closed the rest of the weekend.

Henry retreats to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I brush my teeth in the wet
bar sink to save time while he showers. I pull on my patterned bikini and wrap. It is
navy blue and looks like a backless maxi-dress. I step into my gold jeweled flip flops,
then start packing a beach bag with towels, a book, and water.

I am grateful Henry was thoughtful enough to keep me from having a serious
hangover. I pull on my floppy hat and am ready to go.

He emerges a few minutes later looking sexy as hell. His white tank top reads
Billabong, and he’d donned the matching board shorts. He steps into his flip flops and
looks at me. I look away.

“Sanya…”

“We’re running late Henry.” I deflect and head for the door. He grabs my hand
and spins me to him.

“I don’t care. They can wait or leave without us. I need to make sure we’re good
first.” I look at our joined hands then slowly up to him. His amber eyes are warm, and
his smile is tender.
“I’m sorry,” I begin, but he shakes his head not accepting my apology. “There is
nothing to apologize about. We had a lot to drink last night.

But today, we’re still us, and we are going to the beach.” He grabs my shoulders.
“And we’re going to have so much fun, it’s going to be obnoxious.”

I laugh despite the lingering embarrassment. “I think someone else has the
obnoxious part covered.”

“That person is going to be looking for weirdness between us. He will try to find
every reason to believe he’s won and he hasn’t.”

My nod is fortified. “You’re right. Let’s do this.” “That’s my girl.” I only wish he
truly means it.