Chapter Thirty-Six

On Sunday we board a shuttle van that will drive us from the Keys up to Miami. Peter lays down across the seat in the back, and Riel chooses the spot next to me. The looks Abbie shoots me could murder.

“Who’s watching Mar?” I ask.

“She’s staying with one of her swim team friends. They’re going to ‘give each other a mani-pedi,’” he says, and I stifle a laugh.

“Ever been to Miami?” he asks seconds later.

I shake my head.

“Maybe we’ll get a chance to hit South Beach. That’s a crazy place.”

Abbie leans up from behind us, and her perfume nearly makes me choke. “I’m totally down with South Beach.”

Riel gives her a polite smile, and that slight show of attention prompts her to talk nonstop for the couple of hours it takes us to get from our campus to the hotel in Miami.

I tune her out as I stare out the window at the palm trees zinging by, the endless expanse of ocean, and as we enter Miami, the pastel-painted houses and mansions bordered by wrought-iron fencing.

“Coconut Grove’s a beautiful area,” Riel tells me after Abbie finally shuts up. “A lot of movie stars have homes here.” He points past me. “There’s our hotel.”

I count ten floors, each one painted a different pastel shade. “That is cool.”

“You’re going to love this place. We stayed here last year, too.”

The shuttle pulls up under the awning and parks. I follow the three of them off and into the lobby, and I nearly trip over my own two feet. I’ve never seen anything like it. White marble floors, coral-painted walls, tall tropical trees, wicker furniture, a bubbly fountain, and oversized columns stretching two stories up. It’s like I stepped into a fantasy. I mean, I know places like this really exist but to actually see it live and in person. I do a slow circle, taking it all in again, and then I fish my phone out and snap off a few pictures. Momma would love this!

Riel slips past me. “I’ll check us in.”

Abbie and Peter turn away from the check-in counter, all tall and blonde with their expensive clothes. They move across the lobby toward me. She’s smirking, and I know, I just know she’s about to say something insulting.

She comes to a stop right in front of me. “You going to stand here gawking like a hick or go get your key?”

I turn and point my phone at the fountain, making it more than obvious I’m ignoring her. I snap a pic and text it to Momma.

“Leave her alone, Abbie. Why do you always have to be such a bitch?” Peter snaps.

“Shut up, Peter,” Abbie snaps right back.

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. I’m meeting up with some friends.”

With that he’s gone, and Abbie turns on me. “Don’t think he was just standing up for you or anything.”

This girl is unbelievable, and to think of all those times she was so nice to me. Talk about personality swings.

Riel comes back and hands me my card key. “Eighth floor.” He looks around. “Where’s Peter?”

Abbie waves him off. “Already gone to meet up with his friends. We probably won’t see him again until it’s time to leave.”

What a waste. Coming here for this awesome opportunity and then just going off. What is Peter thinking? Then again, this is old news for him and Abbie. They’ve probably been around the world and back again. Miami is nothing to them.

We ride the elevator to the eighth floor, and Abbie rounds the corner and heads off to the left as me and Riel veer right.

To say I’m pleased Abbie and I aren’t sharing a room puts it way too lightly. Elated more accurately describes my feelings on the matter.

I locate my room, let myself in, and come to a surprised stop. “Is this for real?”

Riel follows me in. “I told you.”

I cross through the one-bedroom suite, complete with kitchen, laundry room, and living room. I peek my head inside the bathroom, take in the scented shampoo, body wash, and white robes, and I grin. One day when I make enough money I want to live in a condo just like this. I want to treat my momma to a vacation in a place just like this. She would die. No, she would lounge in the garden tub and never leave.

I sigh. “Ah, to be rich.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, Queen,” Riel teases. “Reality will be back before you know it.”

I make a face at him and cruise on past him toward the balcony French doors. Sailboats bob in the distance, and I open both doors to step out. We peer over the rail where a waterfall falls five stories into a swimming pool and hot tub. Beyond that spans the Atlantic Ocean. Yeah, I would love for my momma to have a vacation here.

“Bring your suit?” Riel asks.

I nod. “You?”

He glances over the railing again. “Maybe we’ll hit the hot tub later.” He looks back at me, his amber eyes taking in my face, and leans in. “Just don’t tell Abbie,” he whispers.

My heart picks up pace as I watch his gaze slowly drop to my mouth. I swallow, and he tracks the movement with his eyes. If he leans in to kiss me, I’ll definitely kiss him back. Or maybe I should be the one who leans in.

No, what I am doing? Didn’t I tell myself this is the last thing that I need?

He clears his throat. “We’re meeting the museum group in the lobby for dinner.” He takes a step back. “See you later, then,” he says and I watch as he strides through my suite and out the door.

I don’t move. Frankly, I don’t think I can if I want to. What the heck just happened? We’d been about to kiss, hadn’t we? He’d had second thoughts, though. Or I had. Or maybe we both had. Who the hell knows?

Bottom line is, no matter what I tell myself, I’m beyond ready for that kiss. Ready for more. After Manny, I honestly didn’t think I’d ever feel that way again. Didn’t want to. Certainly didn’t come to Ponce de Leon Academy with that on my mind.

But Riel is different. Unique. Special. Maybe we can give the Benefit Friend thing a try. No strings. Light. Walk away.

Except I’m not so sure I would want to walk away. I like Riel. I like Mar. At the base of all this sexual zing between us, Riel and I are friends. Is it really possible to do the “benefit” thing and remain friends?

Friends who are both going in the same, yet opposite directions.

I don’t know. But I think I’m willing to give it a try. I deserve this. I can balance academics and a relationship, can’t I?