Page 80 of The Fast Lane

“Yeah.”

Laughter bubbled to the surface. “I mean, I was just going to say they looked like, you know, melons.”

“Ali.”

“Or coconuts? Is there a fruit theme I don’t know about?” I collapsed on the bed in a fit of giggles.

“Really helpful, Alicia. Thank you.”

“Oh, oh, I’ve got it. Cantaloupes.” I’m not sure he could even understand me though. Because laughing.

“I’m going now.” He sounded resigned to his fate. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I tried to pull myself together. Really, I did. “Ta-ta for now. Or rather, ta-tas.”

That’s when he hung up.

THIRTY-FOUR

Note to self:

Think about getting a tattoo.

Maybe a pirate?

After the phone call, I dug out my trusty two-piece bathing suit with the high-waisted bottoms and tank-style top and headed for the pool to hang out with Hallie and Abe, who had headed there about four seconds after we checked into the hotel. Mack was camped out in a corner, lounging on a chair with his shirt off and sunglasses hiding his eyes.

“There you are.” Mack held up a drink with an umbrella in it. “Look, I made a friend.”

The woman stretched out in the chair next to him looked about his age. She was short and round and wore a cheetah-print one-piece bathing suit along with a gauzy black cover-up that covered up nothing. Her toes were painted fire engine red, which matched her lipstick.

“Hi, honey. Mack here was just telling me about you.” The smile she beamed at me hinted she could be sweet and a whole lot sassy. I liked her immediately. “I’m Mona, but most everyone calls me Mimi.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I plopped down in the chair next to Mack.

“I was just telling Mack here that I came all the way from Texas for a little me time and look at this, I meet a handsome man,” she winked at Mack, “from Texas.”

With a grin, Mack preened under her attention. “It was meant to be.”

“I am tickled pinker than a redhead’s skin after a day at the beach.” She poked him coyly in the arm.

“Are you here with family?” Mack leaned a bit closer.

“Oh, no, honey. I don’t travel with them. My daughter is a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. What she doesn’t see, she doesn’t need to know about.” Mimi laughed, low and sultry, and took a sip of whatever fruity cocktail she had.

“Well, I for one am glad to meet you.” He held up his drink. “Cheers to new friends.”

Giggling, Mimi tapped her glass to his.

I watched, fascinated. This was like a masterclass on flirting. Leave it to Mack to take this whole change thing by the horns and go for it.

After adjusting my chair, I slapped on sunscreen, tied my hair on the top of my head, and got comfortable. The pool was more crowded than I expected, mostly kids and parents and some loners over in the hot tub.

I scanned the area for familiar faces. “Where’s Abe?”

“He took the car to be detailed,” Mack said. “I don’t think we can handle that smell any longer.”

“Wise.” The smell of regurgitated Goldfish crackers had lingered. “Did he take Hallie?”