029

"At Strawberry Island, I met a guy named Jake," Cherry said, stepping away from the window. She joined Ixora on the bed.

"I saw him at the beach one evening when I was bored. He was quite good-looking, muscular, and well-built. I notice him. Then, three women ruined my moment by splashing water on me."

Ixora started, "Oh no, Cher, did you..."

""Gosh, I beat the devil's advocate outta them." Cherry interrupted.

Ixora shook her head, reminding herself not to encourage Cherry's trouble-seeking tendencies.

"I know what you're thinking, about the promise I made not to look for trouble," Cherry continued, as if reading Ixora's thoughts. "I kept my promise, though. Trouble seemed to find me."

"Anyway, Jake was watching me the whole time. After I handled those women, he came over, we talked, and then we left the beach for his hotel."

Ixora sighed. "So, that's where things got intimate, right?"

Cherry shook her head. "No, it was strange. Instead of getting romantic, he took out a medical kit