Page 20 of Beach Bodies

Serena leans on the bar and signals for another drink for herself. ‘Lily… anything for you?’

‘No, thanks.’

‘No, really, you should get something…’ urges Serena, already signalling the bartender again.

‘I’m not really a huge drinker,’ I say.

‘She likes to be in control,’ Daniel explains to Serena, his eyes daring me to contradict his annoyingly correct assumption.

What happened to no assumptions?I want to tease, because something about this man makes flirting easy, but… a Riovan higher-up is sitting right there who could get me fired quicker than she’s knocking back those drinks.

‘How did you know my last name?’ I say instead.

Daniel gives a satisfied smile, like he’s pleased I caught this detail.

‘To be completely honest, Vic was talking about his high standards for the staff, and mentioned you by name. He couldn’t sing your praises highly enough.’

‘Well… Vic is an enthusiastic communicator,’ I say.

‘Lovely man,’ says Daniel, taking a sip of what looks like a piña colada, complete with a little umbrella and a cherry. For some reason, I find his choice of drink fascinating.

‘Oh, Vic,’ laughs Serena, slapping the bar top. ‘We love him.’

‘I’m guessing you’re interviewing Vic for the article?’ I say.

‘Absolutely. He’s a veritable fount of information about the hotel, its values, its history, all the famous people who’ve stayed here…’ Daniel begins, as I try not to panic. Surely Vic wouldn’t bring up what happened last year if he’s looking for good publicity with three exclamation points.Or was it five…

‘We were talking yesterday after the amazing kick-off seminar by that author,’ continues Daniel, ‘with the book, what was his name—’ He snaps his fingers. ‘White hair. Earring. Hippie vibes—’

‘Pat Burton,’ Serena fills in. ‘Welovehim.’

Daniel looks at me. ‘Did you catch his seminar, by the way?’

‘Unfortunately, no. Was it good?’

‘Mesmerizing,’ says Daniel with a half-grin, and it drives me a little crazy that I can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic or just plain old flirtatious.

‘I booked him,’ volunteers Serena, her words mushed since she’s drinking from her fresh beverage at the same time. She sets her glass down. ‘He’s a…’ She swipes her lips with the back of her hand. ‘Friend of a friend.’

‘Must be nice to have those kinds of connections,’ says Daniel, raising his piña colada half an inch off the bar top before setting it back down, without drinking. ‘Cheers to that.’

‘Oh, networking is…everything. Believe me.’

Damn, she’s sloshed. I don’t want to be a killjoy, but she really should be focusing on hydrating right now, not imbibing more gin. Even with Daniel sitting between us, the smell is rolling off her, as strong as car fumes. I move to breathing through my mouth.

‘Can I get you some water, Serena?’ I say.

‘Sure,’ she slurs.

Now it’s my turn to flag the bartender, who understands immediately and gives me a thumbs up. I make a discreet throat-cutting sign– I’m pretty sure it’s time for the VP of Branding to be done for tonight. The bartender gives me a subtle nod, with a concerned look back at Serena, who’s slumping down further on the bar, now trailing a single finger in a lazy circle in the wet ring her glass left on the wood top.

‘Out of curiosity, did you know the previous VP of Branding?’ says Daniel, angling himself a little more towards me. ‘Serena was saying she’s only been in the position for a few months…’

‘Of course. Audrey Lawali.’

‘Wasn’t she VP for under a year?’

‘They turn over often.’

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