My butt sinks into the dark blue thickly woven blanket covering us from the sand and I slip off my flip-flops before I lift my feet onto the blanket. The blanket is similar to the one I used last night. The one that's sprawled across my bed back in the room. The one I'll be discreetly packing with the rest of my stuff unless Trey asks for it back outright. Even then there's a chance he'll have to rip it from my fingers. Apparently vacation Simone is sentimental. Who knew?"Order anything you want." Trey passes a long thin laminated menu to me from his place on the blanket while he looks over his own.The selections are for lunch at one of the resort restaurants. There aren't prices on the sheet, but I remember the name, The Sea Shell, as one of the higher end options from the brochure.It fits with what I learned about Trey earlier. I fell into bed after Elena busted us in the hallway, too tired to research him at the time. With my new blanket wrapped around me under the sheets,
Not even the bright airy living room of our suite chases away the darkness in my heart. The creamy yellow color of our walls paired with the open windows fill our suite with light, but it does nothing for me. Past the wall of windows our view of the ocean is unfettered. A cloudless sky promises a beautiful day past these four walls, but while everyone below us laps up the sunshine, my skin remains cold — the whole suite a sun-filled dungeon.My eyes follow a couple as they walk on the beach. The woman with long brown hair bends down to grab something from the shore, probably a shell the morning scavengers missed. She shows it to her companion and he tucks it in his pocket. My eyes leave the couple and track a seagull's flight across the water. I've propped a shoulder against the window. The sun's rays warm the glass, but my skin can't soak it up.Today is the day Trey leaves."Why do you look like Grandma died?" Elena stands next to me. Her eyes sweep the area outside our fourth-
The fact my thoughts have taken this route is scary. I mean if feelings had color... what has gotten into me? I don't think shit like that. No normal person considers their feelings to be yellow. Trey will go back to San Francisco and play his video games. I will return to New York and resume Thursday night cocktail evening with the girls and help the right and humorless in the city buy fancy toys. It's as simple as that. Sweetest day is in a few months so I have a whole slew of flowers to order for wives."If it wasn't special, why did you look like someone killed your cat earlier?" she questions from between our beds.I roll my eyes in her direction, but her head is stuck under the bed looking for misplaced items and she doesn't see. "I don't have a cat."One day I'll meet a cute guy, we'll get married, have lots of babies (okay two) and move out to the suburbs where we'll spend the rest of our days. My life is simple and doesn't involve the West Coast and some video game execu
The stench of warm hotdogs and sweat follows me from the New York City street into the building lobby. Are we all too busy running around from one location to another to notice the smell New York carries on her back? Maybe things are more pungent for me today after my week with ocean breezes and Trey's spicy cologne. New York looks the same, but it doesn't feel the same. Some of the city's glow, the spark, the presence that keeps the city alive seems to have fizzled out while I was gone. Or it could be Monday, and who doesn't hate a Monday? Especially a Monday after a vacation.The elevator stops on the sixth floor and the walk to my yellow-walled office is quick so I don't have to greet anyone or give out the details of my vacation. The whole communication thing is too daunting a task this morning. I plan to sink into my computer chair and answer the hundred and fifty emails I didn't get to from my apartment last night.New York City might not make my veins sing as it did a week a
One Month Later"Your dress is a little stuffy for the west coast. You need to work on updating your wardrobe. You aren't in New York City anymore, Simone."There's nothing wrong with my wardrobe or tonight's little black dress, and my new Rossi red pumps are to die for. The only problem in the room would by my new boss, Roger Walters. At forty-five he's one of the youngest branch managers in the company, but it's his need to control his employees like we're incapable of the smallest decisions that sets him apart. I understand why he's known as the company asshole on both coasts."Of course, sir." I brush him off and finish the walk into the hotel ballroom a few steps in front of him.I'm eager to get away from my 5'5" tall manager with the face of a bull terrier. With his elongated head and beady little eyes, he'd win one of those "People who look like their pets" contests. If he doesn't already have a bull terrier, I'm sure the office would all chip in and get him one for Chr
Before his grandmother finishes our introductions, Grant has my hand in his and places a small kiss on the top. I don't know if I've ever been hand kissed before and I tense as his lips land on me."You work with that snake Walters? It can't be."Over time our small group moves to the side as the Moores continue to greet guests and the room fills up with invitees. The noise level is higher, but Grant's comment is heard by that exact snake of a boss who goes rigid at my back, knocking me forward a bit. By the increase of his smirk, Grant is more than happy his insult made it to his intended target. Does no one like the bull terrier?"I moved to the area earlier this week from our New York branch.""So soon I can start directing my questions to you?" Grant looks hopeful at the prospect, but before I shoot him down on that unlikelihood, he's tapped on the back by another guest. "Ah, Finn. Come meet Simone from Lowry, Lowry, and Fink."My heart skips on the name. It's not a commo
The dark brown chairs in my building's lobby have to be real leather. They're steps above my New York apartment. The whole building is a higher class than I've ever lived before. From the marble floor to the crown molding ceilings, I love every inch. The pay increase with my promotion allowed me to upgrade my living arrangements, and so far it's worth every extra penny I pay to live here."Would you like me to call you a cab, Ms. Stevens?"Did I mention the doorman? I swear I've fallen into apartment heaven. Who cares if the four-thousand-dollar rent is more than half my monthly take home pay. I have a doorman."No. I'm waiting for someone, but thank you."The greying man in his cute dark suit returns to his place by the door after a quick head nod in acknowledgment. The last time I saw Trey was the anniversary party Thursday night, but through a few quick texts, he's invited me to hang out with him and Finn at their friend Cosmo's place. I didn't peg him as the early Sunday mo
His voice brokers no argument and I realize these two were not aware I'd be joining the group this morning. I start to worry, but the woman smiles in our direction, taking both Trey and me in with a memorizing gaze."That's great. I'm Aspen." She unlatches herself from Finn's grasp and he grunts his disproval, but she ignores him and leans over to shake my hand. "This is Finn.""Yes, we met briefly Thursday night." I lean back into the couch immediately liking her."I miss all the good stuff, but I couldn't pass up the chance to spend the day with my brother and new baby niece. She's so cute. I just want to pinch her cheeks the whole time I'm around her." Her fingers make little pinching motions like a crab and I laugh."You should worry, Finn, soon she'll be asking for one of her own." Trey points between the other couple and both of them look shocked at the idea."Um, no. I mean... yeah sure... but... not now." Aspen barely recovers first. "Have you made Simone play with yo