Page 24 of The Summer Request
She ended the call and looked at her friends. “I’ll go by myself if you two are too cowardly.”
Valerie let out a sigh. “Fine, but if we get arrested, I’m not covering bail.”
“Spoken like a true best friend,” Michelle said with a smile.
“If you can confirm the police aren’t involved,” Lisa announced, “then I will consider joining you two.”
It was a valiant effort, but Val and Michelle ridiculed her so badly that she relented in going downstairs with them.
It wasn’t easy for Lisa. She felt dizzy and sweat had breached her shirt by the time they got down to the hotel lobby.
“I can’t afford to get arrested,” she whispered as they walked through.
Val didn’t seem to have a care in the world. She kept peering at the expensive boutiques they passed. “Are you on parole or something?”
“No.” Lisa hung back, peeking through the glass walls of the café. It was in a quiet corner of the hotel, and she could see everyone inside. The police could be hiding anywhere, though. In the bushes, undercover at the bar, or scuba-suited in the pool.
What kind of strings could Lou pull with the local police? What kind of resources did they have for him? Or maybe he had his own security…
Lisa wasn’t on parole – of course not, she wouldn’t have been able to travel if she were – but things at her job hadn’t ended on the best terms. Her friends didn’t need to know about that, though. It had all been a big misunderstanding. She didn’t want to ruin the fun by explaining it. Except it wouldn’t look good now if she was accused of breaking into a home.
Chloe stood from her seat and waved at them, and Michelle walked in without hesitation.
Lisa took a deep breath. It would all work out. It’d be fine. She could slip through the back door, run onto the beach, and disappear if necessary.
“Thanks for meeting me,” Chloe said.
She didn’t look angry or anything – maybe a bit nervous. Was she looking over her shoulder because she expected someone?
Could be. Lisa checked the exits.
“We’re happy to,” Michelle said, taking the lead. She reached out and shook Chloe’s hand. “I’m Michelle.”
Chloe nodded. “I know. I figured it out after you guys left. I recognized Valerie first. I’ve always been a fan.”
“Thank you.” Val waved a hand, as if to say “oh stop.”
Lisa decided it was best not to introduce herself. Perhaps Chloe didn’t know her name yet. No need to flaunt it.
They took their seats and she studied the girl. She wasn’t a girl, of course, though she looked to be about Sierra’s age. Perhaps a bit older. It was hard for Lisa to tell anymore.
Sometimes she forgot and had to remind herself she wasn’t twenty-one anymore. When would that go away? When would she get used to being closer to Medicare age than to being newly able to drink?
Whatever her age, Chloe was stunning, with her shining chestnut curls and smooth, tanned skin. Her teeth were perfectly straight and shockingly white, likely the result of braces from parents who loved her dearly. How did they feel about their daughter dating a man twice her age?
“How did you find us?” Val asked.
“Oh.” Chloe reached into her purse and pulled out a black-and-white picture of the three of them. “I got this from the doorbell cam.”
Michelle pulled the picture closer. “Doorbell cam, huh?”
“Don’t worry. I erased the footage,” Chloe said. “I looked at it after you’d left. I was just so stunned I didn’t realize who I was talking to at the time.”
“I am sorry about all that,” Val said as she picked up a menu. “At least now you know Lou’s a dog.”
Lisa let out a sigh. “Don’t bring dogs into this. Lou should be so lucky. He has no loyalty.”
Chloe flinched, and Lisa immediately felt bad about what she’d said. She rushed to correct herself. “I’m sorry. It’s too soon, isn’t it? We just – ”
