Page 105 of What Happens in Paradise

‘Hottie-Andro?’

‘Alejandro! Thought he deserved a nickname. Chief Orgasm Giver was also a contender. So was Orgasm Oracle, but then I remembered Max already held those titles so I settled on Hottie-Andro. You’re welcome!’ She laughed and my gut twisted.

‘It’s over,’ I sighed.

‘Oh no!’

I filled her in on what happened and she seemed genuinely sad.

‘So that’s that. Back to reality.’

‘I’m so sorry. You sure you can’t work it out?’

‘No.’ I shook my head, now my stomach was churning so much, I felt sick. I didn’t understand why I was still finding it so hard. I’d been at work for days. I should be feeling better. ‘It was great whilst it lasted.’ I could feel the tears building again. I needed to change the subject. ‘My love life isn’t great but things are looking up professionally!’

‘Oh yeah? What’s happened?’

‘I sent Hazel my report and she seemed enthusiastic. Said she should have some good news for me soon.’

‘Sounds like you’re getting that promotion!’

‘I hope so!’

‘That means you’re in the clear! You’re so lucky you two got to enjoy yourselves in Jamaica without it causing any issues at work.’

‘Yes. It was a combination of luck and being careful. The staff that got caught made the mistake of hooking up on the hotel grounds. But Alejandro never slept in my room or vice versa. And we didn’t kiss at the resort either.’

‘Smart. Maybe you should offer a course on how to get away with fucking your co-worker without your boss finding out!’

‘I think I’ll pass.’ I smiled.

‘Hi!’ I heard Stella call out to someone. ‘It’s Sammie. We’re just about to go for afternoon tea.’

‘Very fancy!’ I said.

‘It’s for work. I’ve got a new client that wants me to design some marketing materials for their new themed afternoon-tea menu, so obviously I said it was important that I try it out. Purely for market research, of course!’

‘Of course!’

‘Hey, Jasmine!’ Sammie called out. ‘How was Jamaica?’

‘Amazing, thanks.’

‘When’s the resort opening? Do you think you could hook me up? I’m fed up with the dating apps and watching Stella and Max suck each other’s faces whenever we go out. I’m happy for them, but I need to find my own face sucker!’

‘Face sucker?’ I laughed. ‘That’s an interesting name for your future soulmate!’

‘So what d’you reckon? Can you pull some strings? Get me a spot in the Love Hotel Jamaica ASAP? Pretty please?’

‘I wish I could,’ I replied. ‘But the Jamaican resort will be predominately targeted at the North American market. You’ll have better luck with our Spanish resort or the new one in Italy. And they only contact applicants when they find a perfect match, so I have no influence over that, I’m afraid. But the fact they’re opening more hotels means there’s more chance of getting selected.’

‘I’m not fussed about the location! They all sound amazing, so I’ll go wherever my dream man is!’

‘You should definitely apply. Like the saying goes,you have to be in it to win it!’

Just as I was about to ask how Max was, my phone buzzed with a message. When I looked at the screen, I saw a text from Hazel asking me to come to her office.

‘Sorry but I’ve got to go! Hazel’s just messaged! I think this is it!’

---