Page 52 of Forever Endeavor

CHAPTER 17

Billie

“Is that the sound of an outboard motor? Ah, you must be on the beach,” Carmen chirped. “Wait, wait. Let me guess where you are from the tropical drink in your hand. A Caipirinha? Blue Curaçao? Coco Loco? Ooh, maybe a Cuba Libre?”

“Nope, uh-uh, no, and nada,” Billie answered. “None of the above. You should know that it’s not good to mix day drinking and writing. Makes for less gibberish to edit when sober.”

“You’re writing again? That’s wonderful.”

Billie smiled. “You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve been doing a great deal of writing. In fact, I’m about two-thirds through my first draft.”

“See? I knew the salty sea air would tickle your creative muse. So, which exotic oasis did you choose? Turks and Caicos? Saint Lucia?”

“Punta Cana,” she said. “I thought I’d get a little snorkeling in on Catalina Island between writing sprints.”

“Fabulous! And how is it?”

“I wish I could tell you. Unfortunately, I never made it down there.”

“But I distinctly heard a boat in the background. Where in the world are you?”

“I’m in a teeny-tiny town called Janus Lake. It’s a Mayberryesque speck on the map known for its fishing and a two-headed statue of a Roman god.”

Carmen coughed. “A two-head…? Beg your pardon?”

“Long story short, my car broke down on my way to the airport and I missed my flight to the Dominican.”

“And here I was, picturing you surrounded by waves and palm trees, drinking from a coconut, soaking up the culture and having a fling with a sexy local.”

“Believe it or not, Carmen, except for the coconut, I’m doing all those things. And even if this is not where I originally planned to write it, my new book is still coming along fine.”

“Whoa, whoa, back it up. Did you just try to slip in the mention of a man and think I wouldn’t notice? Spill the tea.”

Billie smiled, toying with Carmen like a kitten with a laser pointer. “But don’t you want to hear about the new book?”

“First the man, then the manuscript. Go.”

“Okay, his name is Sonny. At first, I thought he was just this big grumpy grease monkey. He’s beefy, bullish and blue collar, and maybe worst of all, he has this full-grown Fu Manchu mustache. A real bromerang.”

Carmen interrupted. “Sam Elliott has the most beautiful lip bonsai and he’s an international sex symbol.”

“I have definitely come to appreciate its appeal, believe me.” Billie smiled to herself. “Turns out, he’s not only a successful business man, but a pretty terrific musician and he’s amazing with his hands. In two days, he transformed an old fishing shack into a writing cabana for me, complete with beachy décor and a four-poster canopy bed. Carmen, he built me a freakin’ canopy bed.”

“Wow, you sound smitten. I certainly like that this fellow is supportive of your craft.”

She sighed dreamily. “He is, he really is. And get this, his adorable aunt is a massive Amethyst Jayde fan. She was beside herself when Sonny brought me over for dinner.”

“You’ve met his family? That sounds more serious than a holiday hookup.”

“Sonny is divorced too, so we first connected on that level and then, well, things turned physical, and we most definitely connect on that level too.” She lowered her voice to a giddy hush. “Honestly, it isthebest sex I’ve ever had in my life.”

“I’m happy for you, my dear, and you certainly deserve a little fun in the sheets. Is it safe to say Mister Mustache has revived your romance mojo?”

“Let’s just say he’s put a spring in my step that wasn’t there when I arrived.”

“And what about your belief in happy endings? Has his sparkle dick restored that too?”

Billie laughed. “I don’t know, maybe. I really like him, but I still can’t figure out if this is only a fling or if it’s the real thing. I have to admit, I’m intrigued to find out.”

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