Page 103 of Naive in Love

“You aren’t asking. We’re insisting,” he says plainly. Mike is nodding his head, still standing at my door.

“No worries, Sof. There are worse things in life than spending time with a beautiful, chill girl,” Mike says, smiling.

“What the hell, dude?” Ethan exclaims jokingly.

“Am I lying?” Mike smirks at Ethan. “We’re on campus anyways. Everything’s good.” He says that last bit to me.

I hate they have to do this for me but know there is no way to dissuade them.

27

The excitementof visiting a city I’ve never been to continues to brew as we touch down in New Orleans and catch a cab. The cab driver taking us to our hotel in the French Quarter talks animatedly about the city and the attractions. Ethan and Mike ask him about hidden gems within the that city tourists may not find without the help of a local. He gives us several places to visit that specialize in po’ boys or barbequed shrimp or delicious cocktails.

We are staying in an older hotel that holds the classic charm of New Orleans but is restored with modern conveniences and tastefully decorated. Our room is amazing, large with a sitting room, bedroom, and a huge bathroom.

After settling in and freshening up, we meet everyone in the lobby.

“Where are we heading?” I ask to anyone willing to answer in the group.

“Home of the Hurricanes, of course,” Lena answers with a grin that is spread from ear to ear.

We walk out of the hotel, everyone participating in different conversations. I am in awe of everything around me. It’s as if I was transported to another country. The buildings are old, but all hold a certain mystical charm. We pass talented locals on the streets performing for everyone walking by—music, dancing, performance art, and even a marching band keep people entertained. People from all walks of life converge around the sights and sounds.

“You are absolutely adorable, baby,” Ethan says with a gleam in his eye. I raise an eyebrow in question. “The way you are taking everything in.”

“Thanks.” I roll my eyes, a little embarrassed I was caught wide-eyed.

We cut through a side street and walk to the entrance. A brick hallway leads to a beautiful patio filled with people enjoying themselves. We scan the area, searching for a table of our own.

“Is everyone in?” Lena asks after we find a table.

“In?” Paige responds.

“For Hurricanes.” Lena responds with eyes wide, shaking her head.

Everyone at the table approves of the order.

“How many times have you been here?” Preston asks her.

“Once, but I didn’t get to do all this.” She waves her hands around her. “Family vacay, and when my parents went out, I got to babysit my brother at the hotel.” She exaggerates a pout for sympathy. “I was so excited to come, I did a little research of things to do.” The pout fades into a devilish smile.

“What do we have to do?” Mike jumps in.

“Well…I would like to do the haunted walking tour. Bar hop down Bourbon. There are a couple of famous restaurants, maybe? I don’t want to shove what I want down everyone’s throat, just suggestions. This was the only place that was a must for me.”

“Haunted tour?” Bree asks.

“Yep, they take you to different places around the Quarter that are supposedly haunted.” The gleam in her eyes tells us she really wants to go.

“I’m in!” I exclaim, excited.

Ethan comes in close to me and whispers in my ear, “Really?”

I turn to look at him. “Scared?” Now I am the one smirking.

He closes the small gap between us and kisses me firmly. “Not a chance,” he says when he pulls away with a cocky grin plastered on his face.

Our waitress returns with the drinks. We all raise our glasses and clink, exclaiming, “Happy Spring Break.” It is just as refreshing and delicious as it looks. We enjoy ourselves, sipping on the fruity drink in the sunny, nice, yet humid, afternoon. The conversation continues to flow as does another round.

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