"Relax, Larra, she is just kidding," Stacy said to the sweating woman.
"Oh my God, are you really sweating? I was just teasing you. Wait, are you really?" Winnie asked suggesting, Larra shook her head abruptly.
"Of course, she is. She is a bi" Riley said in a duh tone. Larra glared at her warning.
"Come on. Leave her already. She is already confused," Stacy said, serving the drinks to them.
"Thank you, Stacy," Larra said raising her glass. Stacy nodded in return with a blink.
"Mm, this sex on the beach is awesome," Shirley said, taking after a sip. Riley chuckled hearing her.
"Who named the drinks, by the way? Isn't it a little bit weird?" Riley asked Stacy.
"My mom," Stacy said, shrugging her shoulders and causing laughter around the counter.
"I feel appreciated. But, Miami screams erotic bitches! " Stacy placed her one hand on her chest, making the laughter longer.
"How long are you staying here? We can meet sometimes, my friends will be here too" Winnie said to the trio.
"Seven more days," Larra said, finally feeling at ease.
"Cool. Then let's meet here tomorrow, what do you say? There will be a DJ party here," Winnie said, pointing to the area beside the restaurant.
"Sure," Riley said after looking at her cousins. They already planned to spend some days on the beach.
"Can I have your contact? You know, in case-" Winnie hesitated to ask, but Larra passed her phone to Winnie with an assuring smile.
"Winona?" Larra asked, confused, seeing the name she fed.
"That's me," Winnie said.
"Fine then. We will get going now. I am hella tired." Shirley said yawning.
"Where are you guys staying by the way?" Winnie asked them.
"We have a campervan"
"Woah. I always wanted to stay in a campervan." Winnie said dreamily.
"And you?" Shirley asked her.
"Um, when I come to Miami, I stay with Stacy," she said with a sheepish smile. The trio nodded in understanding.
"Okay. Will see you tomorrow, guys." Stacy moved to attend to another customer. The cousins bid their goodbyes and walked towards their van. That's when Larra's phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Larra?"
Larra took away her phone from her ear and looked at the screen, shocked.
"What?" Riley asked to see her confused face. Larra put the call on the loudspeaker and gestured to her cousins.
"Hello?"
"Hey Larra"
Shirley's eyes widened and she mouthed to the other two, Davis.
"Speaking?" Larra continued.
"Hey, hottie, it's Davis." Larra made a gawking face while Riley covered her mouth to suppress her laughter.
"Oh, Davis. Tell me"
"Why do you sound so disappointed, sweetie?" Larra rolled her eyes hearing him.
"I was busy, is there anything urgent?" Larra sounded impatient.
"Yeah yeah. It's urgent. Actually, the campervan is my brother's"
"So?" The trio narrowed their eyes in confusion.
"Look, I know you guys planned your trip in a campervan. But, I need that back"
"What??" The trio asked in unison forgetting they were in speaker.
"Oh, hi, Shirley and Riley"
"Hi, Davis. So what were you saying?" Shirley asked in a serious tone.
"Look Shirley, I am so sorry to say, but I need that van back"
"But what about us?" Riley was annoyed.
"Uh, don't worry, actually, I arranged a stay for you. And they will commute you guys, whenever you ask them. So, yeah,"
"But we need a campervan," Larra said, irritated.
"I am so sorry dear, but I can't. My brother demanded his car back and had no other choice. Your stay and meals are on me. Don't worry about the payment. You guys are my friends "
The trio sighed in defeat.
"Fine. What should we do now?" Larra asked.
"I have sent the location of your hotel. Please go there and hand over the key to my driver. He is waiting for you there"
"Okay, bye" Larra was going to end the call.
"Wait wait"
"What?"
"Save my number, darling," he said seductively. Larra made a face and cut the call.
"Fucker" she murmured under her breath.
"How did he get my number?" Larra was annoyed beyond her limit.
"Actually, I entered your number when I booked the car, you know, your US number," Shirley said super cautiously.
"What's happening on our trip? This is not how we planned it. And why the hell is the whole thing with my sexuality? What's wrong with me?" Larra pulled her hair frustrated.
"There is nothing wrong with you, okay? The only problem here is she" Shirley said sternly, looking at Riley.
"Me? What did I do?" Riley asked offended.
"Why are you mentioning her sexuality unnecessarily? You are confusing her" Shirley accused.
"That's because -" Riley tried to offend her but Shirley raised her hands, indicating to stop talking.
"Did you kiss some lady?" Shirley asked Larra, whose eyes widened in shock.
"What? No!"
"Then what's the problem here? We all admire men and women. That's a common thing. Larra Maclaren is straight as a ruler. End of discussion " Shirley said with finality, giving a warning to Riley.
"Fine" Riley rolled her eyes, disappointed. It was fun to tease Larra duh!
"Now, let's go. We have to find the hotel" Shirley gestured to walk ahead.
"Great. That joker Jake is joking with us" Larra said with gritted teeth and stomped away.
"Nice first fuck" Riley also said with an annoyed face and followed Larra to the van, leaving a dumbfounded Shirley.
What have I done now?
Larra followed the map and reached the hotel he had booked for them. Fortunately, it was on the beachside, not too far from the restaurant. As he said, the driver was waiting for them. He helped to unload their stuff and took the campervan. The trio waved at the van with a gloomy face.
"This way, please," a guy in uniform said, waiting for them to lead inside. It was an old building, in a closely packed street, painted white and blue, reminding Santorini, with so many indoor plants.
"Not bad," Shirley said looking around.
"This way, please. You are our VIP guests, Sir Davis asked for the suite for you." He led them to the first floor, where only a few rooms with Doors and windows were painted in blue.
"This is your room" The man opened a huge room with a balcony facing the beach.
"Wow," Riley exclaimed, looking around the room.
"Your breakfast will be served at 8 am. This is your card, please use that telephone to call reception if you need anything"
"Okay. Thank you," Larra said, taking the card.
"Thank you, ma'am. Have a good night"
"Care to explain?" Shirley asked in a stern tone to Riley when Larra went for a bath.
"I just wanted her to move on," Riley said with a sympathetic face. Shirley sighed heavily. She knew it.
"She will Riley"
"When? It's been five years Shirl. Still, I can see the pain." A gasp escaped from her when Riley said that.
"There was another five years before that, Riley, don't you remember?" Shirley sat on the couch.
"I know, but-"
"I can see what you are doing. But, not like this. You are just confusing her. Just give her some time. I think she is trying her own," Shirley tried to explain.
"I just wanted to distract her" Riley sat beside Shirley.
"I know. But, this is not about gender, you know that"
"Yeah. I am sorry. I just wanted to see her happy. I thought she had a thing for girls, too. She always checks them out. " Riley looked at her lap guiltily.
"Oh Jenner, come here. It's ok. We all want to see her happy, like old days, always smiling. But we have to give her enough time to heal. She will be ok. Trust me" Shirley side hugged her cousin. Riley nodded and hugged her back, hoping the day would come soon.
"And by the way, she checks out everyone; it's like her hobby from birth," Shirley said, chuckling.
"I agree." Both cousins laughed at their own joke. Shirley was like that, she could be the most mature one as well as the most idiotic one.
The sleep was peaceful for the cousins in that huge bed. They kept open the balcony door for good air circulation.
Riley was the first one to wake up. After freshening up, she made herself a cup of coffee and headed to the balcony. Even though their plans went vale, she mentally thanked Davis for that amazing stay.
When she sat on that hanging chair on the balcony, she saw someone on the next balcony to theirs and soon went inside their room. She peeked to see the face but shrugged later.
"Morning" Shirley came out, eyes half open.
"Morning. You want some coffee?" Riley raised her cup, and Shirley nodded while sitting on the cushioned bench on the balcony. Riley went inside to fetch another cup for her cousin. Both sat in silence and enjoyed the morning sun and sea peacefully.
As usual, Larra woke up last and went straight to the balcony to get some sunlight. She stood near the railing, closed her eyes, and spread her arms.
"Damn, that fucker did a good job," Larra said, tieing her hair into a high bun.
"Good morning to you, too," Shirley said with an extra cheesy smile. Maybe due to settling in India, she rarely cursed. But the other two cursed more than they talked!
"Morning, mommy" Larra winked at her.
"Did you read our chat?" Shirley gasped loudly; Larra and Riley looked at each other surprised, so Shirley thought Larra read her chat with Rayan, smirking together, and they decided to play along.
"Oh, come on, Mommy, it's fine.." Larra waved her hand like it wasn't a big deal, and slowly escaped from the balcony. She can see Shirley standing from the bench and coming behind her.
"You, brat, I, will kill you" Shirley ran after her, while Larra had already started running inside the room. Riley came laughing inside to see the Tom and Jerry chase.
"Catch me if you can, Mommy." Larra stuck out her tongue to tease Shirley, opened the room door, and ran outside.
"Stop there, how dare you-"
"Ouch"
Larra was running looking behind to check if Shirley reached her or not, but stopped running when she collided with someone.
"Shit! I am so sorry. Are you okay?" Larra asked the man worried. He nodded clenching his stomach in pain. Larra flinched when Shirley came and stood behind her.
"We are so sorry. Are you hurt?" Shirley also asked to see the man.
"I, I am fine. It's ok," the man said, looking at them. Then only Larra noticed the guy.
Fuck!
He was wearing trousers that reached his knee and a tank top, exposing his well-fitted body. His dark brown eyes with disheveled dark brown hair gave him a ramp-walking model look.
"You dork, where the hell-" The two ladies turned around hearing a new voice behind them, only to see another man in black shorts and a t-shirt coming from the next door, exactly like walking out of a television. His chiseled jaw looked like it could cut a diamond.
But, it wasn't what Larra noticed. His eyes. It looks familiar! For a second, she thought she was looking at those same eyes!
The man finished his words in mid-sentence and looked at his friend with questioning eyes.
"I'm Tyler" the first man Larra hit, forwarded his hand.
"And, my best friend, Ron" Ron gave them an excited nod.
"Larra, this is Shirley, my cousin" Larra shook his hand, erasing all her inner thoughts.
"Oh, so, cousin's trip?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah. It's a ritual," Larra said, chuckling.
"Are you okay, by the way?" Shirley asked looking at his stomach.
"Yeah. I'm totally fine. It was just unexpected. I think you were playing the mouse and cat" he said playfully.
"Yeah," Larra scratched her nape, embarrassed.
"Anyways, we are staying next door. Will see you later," Tyler said to both, and they nodded in return, stepping aside to give him a way to go.
"Why are you taking -" Riley came out to check on her cousins, still in position.
No. No. No. This can't be true.
She prayed to God to make it a dream. But no,
"Señorita?" Tyler called, more like whispered. Larra and Shirley looked at each other confused.
Who?!
"What a pleasant surprise?" Tyler scoffed in surprise.
Only for you!
"H, hey," Riley said with a nervous smile. Larra raised one eyebrow amazed. So, they know each other.
"So, your cousins?" He pointed towards Larra and Shirley. Riley looked at her cousins like, 'You just said it all already?'
"Yup. My cousins. Larra and Shirley"
"Yeah. We talked. And, this is my best friend, Ron"
"Yeah, I know" Riley recognized the man from the mall, who was looking at Larra with dreamy eyes.
"Huh? You know him?" Tyler looked confused at her and Ron. Ron shook his head vigorously like,' I swear, bro, I didn't do anything. '
"I mean, I can see that. He must be your best friend " Riley blabbered. By then Larra could say that something is interesting between them. Riley was super nervous. She mentally noted to question Riley later.
"Uh, yeah. Anyways, we will see you guys around" Tyler said to the trio, and doesn't forget to wink at Riley before walking away. And Larra saw that sneaky moment!
Gotcha!
After assuring the two men went inside, Larra pushed Riley inside, followed by Shirley, and locked the door.
"Spill," Larra said with crossed arms.
"What?" Riley tried to be offended. She took her phone and started scrolling as if nothing happened. Larra snatched her phone and placed it on the dressing table.
"What the"
"Jenner, you know what I am talking about" She gave Riley a suggestive look. Riley paused for a moment and sighed in defeat. There is no way she could escape from her Sherlock Holmes cousin.
"Fine" Riley muttered and sat on the edge of the coat. Larra sat beside her excitedly while Shirley looked at them, confused.
"You remember, I went to my colleague's wedding last year? In Spain?" Larra and Riley nodded after thinking for a second. But, suddenly, Larra's eyes widened.
"Wait..." Larra raised her hands like something clicked in her mind.
"Don't tell me that he was the one that you?" Larra raised her eyebrows. Riley sighed in defeat while Shirley looked at both, confused, not getting where this was going.
"Unfortunately" Riley fell back into the bed.
"Fuck! He is hot, girl!" Larra exclaimed amused. Riley stood up at an equal speed she went down and gave her an unbelievable face.
"Seriously McLaren? After hearing what I just said, all you got was 'he is hot'?"
"Sorry, bad timing" Larra gave her a sheepish smile.
"As always" Riley rolled her eyes.
"Sorry. But you are doomed, girl," Larra gasped, grasping the depth of the situation.
"I know, right" Riley huffed in annoyance.
"Woah woah. You two ghosted me more than enough. Now, care to enlighten me with all these 'drawing patterns in water'" When Shirley asked, Riley and Larra gave her a 'what does that even mean' look.
"Okay. First of all, I missed a part when I told you about the trip, knowing you would freak out," Riley said, already her hands in a defensive mode.
"What?" Shirley asked suspiciously.
"So, this Tyler was my colleague's husband's friend. At night, we all had a party, and we, you know, we two." Riley hesitated to speak. Shirley put her hands on her head.
"God, Jenner, will you stop being fucking around?" Shirley asked in disbelief.
"Come on, he was hot" Riley offended.
"He is still," Larra said dreamily, earning an ' excuse me' look from both.
"Sorry, continue"
"But that's not the worst part." Riley rubbed her forehead.
"What's there to worsen more?" Shirley asked with a done face.
"I ran away in the morning, like, he was sleeping, and I took the first flight." Riley pulled her hair frustrated.
"Uhh, you idiot. You coward. Why did you do that?" Shirley asked in disbelief.
"I didn't mean to do that with him. Okay. Like, he was so nice. Then we got drunk, and we.. uh. I fucked up," Riley said, embarrassed.
"It's okay. You have your best chance to apologize." Shirley patted her shoulders, encouraging. Riley slowly looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Are you kidding me?" She asked with gritted teeth. Shirley stood there like she was talking seriously, then looked at Larra, and both burst into laughter.
"Damn!" Larra clenched her stomach, laughing harder, and high-fived her cousin.
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