I’d been wanting to go down to the olive groves and get an up-close sketch and painting of them. So that’s how I spent my day while the ladies enjoyed the day poolside. When I got back to the villa to clean up and get ready for dinner, they were still at it, and I could see Charlotte was feeling good by the grin on her face.
“How are you all doing?” I asked as I approached.
“Damon!” Summer called happily. “Want a margarita?”
“Sure,” I replied, moving to the empty chair at the table Margo and Charlotte were seated at.
Whitney, Summer, and Andi were sunbathing in the lounge chairs, margaritas in hand.
“How’d the painting go?” Char asked me when I was seated.
“Really good,” I replied, taking in the white bikini that had quickly become one of my favorites. She must have read my heated look because her eyes widened a bit and she looked away as Summer handed me a cool glass.
“Have you been getting a lot of painting in since you arrived?” Margo asked, watching me closely.
“Yes, quite a bit. This place is full of inspiration.”
“Mmm,” was her reply, which I thought was weird, but maybe it was just the tequila.
“I hope you are all ready to eat some of the best food of your life tonight,” I said, taking a drink.
Damn, it was strong. Maybe we won’t be going out for dinner after all.
“Oh my gosh, now that you mention food, I’m starving,” Andi said with a laugh. “That olive and cheese tray isn’t cutting it. I’m gonna head up to shower and get ready.”
“Yeah, we probably all should do that. Maybe the shower will help sober me up a bit,” Charlotte agreed.
“I can put on some more coffee if you want,” I offered.
“That would be great. You’re the best, Damon,” Whit said as she stood. “Luca has been lost without you.”
“I can’t wait until he gets here,” I replied, thinking how much I really had missed him.
I started the coffee as promised, then went up to get ready myself. After my shower, I put on my nice jeans, a blue Polo, and sprayed on the cologne that Charlotte said drove her crazy, and I headed back down to meet the women.
Andi was the only one ready.
“Hey,” I called to let her know I was there.
She glanced up from her spot on the sofa where she’d been drinking coffee and looking outside.
“Hey,” she replied. “I can’t believe how beautiful it is here. So peaceful and green.”
“You live on the farm, right?” I asked as I joined her. I’d been to her family’s farm for their annual holiday party and had been impressed by the place. I could imagine it would have been a wonderful place to grow up.
Andi nodded. “I run it with my parents and uncle. It’s hard work, but gratifying.”
“I bet. That barn dance your family threw for Christmas was amazing.”
“Thanks, my mom gets a little more elaborate each year, but it’s one of her favorite things to plan,” she said, then glanced around the room before saying, “How are things between you and Charlotte?”
Char had told me a couple weeks ago that Andi was the only one of her friends that knew about us, and by the way she was making sure we were alone, I guessed that was still the case.
“Great,” I said easily, thinking back to how gorgeous Charlotte had looked that morning with her hair tousled from sleep, even though she’d been trying to hide me from everyone. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen now, but I’m hopeful that we can continue on the way we have been.”
“Really? That’s wonderful,” Andi said, her face beaming. “I’ve never seen Charlotte look so happy. I’ve only known her since her separation from Nigel, and she’s always had this kind of sadness in her eyes. I noticed today that it’s gone.”
“I’ve known her forever and I definitely feel like she is closer to her pre-Nigel self than she has been in years. It’s a relief because I’ve missed her. If that makes sense.”
“It does. And I’m so happy for you both.”
I chuckled at her exuberance and said, “Don’t get too excited, I’m not sure how Charlotte feels about us keeping this up. She was pretty set on our expiration date coming when everyone arrives.”
“Well, you’ll just have to change her mind.”
“Change who’s mind about what?” Margo asked as she sauntered in wearing a floor-length sapphire dress that wrapped around at her waist.
Andi whistled when she saw her. “You look hot.”
“So do you,” Margo replied. Andi was also wearing a dress, but hers was floral and stopped right below her knees.
“I’m starting to think I’m not dressed up enough,” I said, looking down at my Jordans.
“You look perfect. Dude fancy,” Summer said as she glided in wearing a form-fitting yellow mini.
“Holy crap, Summer,” Andi said, walking around her friend and looking her over. “Are you sure you just had a baby? I swear I look at babies and put on baby weight, and you’re over here looking like you’re ready for the runway.”
“Thanks,” Summer said happily. “As soon as the doctor gave me the all clear I started working out again when Noah gets home from work at night. He’s been so sweet about giving Tenny his bath and reading to him so I can have the time.”
“Noah’s one of the good ones,” I said, meaning every word.
“Only Noah would read to an infant,” Andi added with a laugh. “Is he reading children’s books or War and Peace.”
“Usually James Joyce,” Summer admitted with a grin.
“Wow, so this is where all the sexy ladies are,” Whitney said as she walked in and joined us. In wide-leg slacks and a pretty blouse, as the oldest of the group, she was often the most conservatively dressed.
“Looking good, Mama,” Charlotte said as she entered, rounding out the group.
“I want whatever Summer’s taking,” Whit quipped, glancing at Char and saying, “And you look as beautiful as ever.”
And she was right, my girl looked gorgeous in a maxi dress in some sort of mandala print.
I was struck by how stunning, yet different they all were. They were strong, confident women who knew themselves, and each other, and presented a beautiful picture. I suddenly wished for my sketchbook and promised I’d get them down on the page when I got home that night and would paint something with the five of them soon.