To me, a bikini suggested I was single and ready to mingle. I was single, but the mingling part? Work took most of my time. It didn’t seem fair to date anyone. To be with someone meant they should be a priority. My brain never shuts off when it came to working, and there wasn’t room for much else.
I groaned, throwing both suits into the bag. I’d figure it out when I got there. Who knew packing for a time in a paradise could be so stressful? Me. I knew. Sammy hopped onto my bed, kneading the top part of my suitcase before curling himself on top of it.
I slipped into the bathroom and braided my hair. It was a ritual I’d done nightly as a silent tribute to my mother, who’d shared the same chocolate hair color. Memories of the house engulfed with flames infiltrated my thoughts with each overlapping section of my hair. Holding back tears, I sniffled.
When I returned to my bedroom, Sammy slept on my suitcase. I ran my hand down the length of his spine.
“I really do need a vacation.” I furrowed my brow and fished for the dress I’d worn today from my hamper.
Removing the brochure from my pocket, I stared at it in awe. Not only did Sara pick Greece, but she chose the same resort. Coincidence. It had to be a coincidence.
I drummed my fingers against the mousepad on my desk. The processing was still going, and I wanted to make sure it finished before we left for the airport. My suitcase rested on the floor next to me, and I bounced my knee impatiently. Staring at the screen with dried eyes, I regretted my decision to wear contacts for travel.
“How long have you been here?” Sara asked from the doorway. Her hand was on her hip, the other curled around the handle of her suitcase.
“Only since 5:30. I wanted to make sure the processing finished so I could save the case file.”
“I know what you’re doing.” She looked down at my erratic knee.
I slapped my hand over it. “What am I doing?”
“You feel guilty. You promised Mrs. Conroy you’d take another look at the evidence, and now you’re going on vacation.”
My eyes narrowed. “I’m simply cellophane to you, aren’t I?”
“Mrs. Conroy won’t know you’re going on vacation and even if she did…you’re doing this to clear your head. If anything, it’ll help you, right? You’ll come back, sit down at your desk, and have that big eureka moment.” She grabbed my mouse and pulled up my playlist, using the scrolling button to search through hundreds of songs.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t think about work.” I stared off into space. Imagine everything I could do non-work related.
“Vacation starts now.” Her full lips spread into a grin, and she yanked my earbuds cord from the computer.
The song Push It by Salt n Pepa blared through the speakers. It was our anthem. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d danced to it. Leaping from my chair, I pumped my hands near my chest, bumping hips with her. Our dance wasn’t music video level, but it was ours. She always made exaggerated “ah” sounds before singing the words “push it”, and it never failed to make me laugh uncontrollably.
Taking a moment to simply be, was going to be like a breath of fresh air. I’d have to figure out a way to return the favor. She’d refuse monetary compensation, so it’d need to come from the heart. We were so caught up singing the lyrics at the top of our lungs and bouncing around, we didn’t hear one of the troopers come in.
“Hey! Before you go, can you push these papers? They’re for your case that closed last week.” He threw a stack of papers onto my desk.
We both froze, attempting to hold back our giggles. He shook his head, snickering as he left.
We took a taxi to O’Hare Airport and arrived three hours before departure, as I requested. My theory was, the lines would be shorter, and I could nab a seat facing the windows at our gate.
The runway bustled with workers carting luggage across the tarmac outside. I sipped on my iced coffee, enjoying the aisle seat that Sara graciously allowed me. The straw made slurping sounds as I drained every last drop from my cup.
“How are you with airplane bathrooms?” Sara slouched in her seat to the point where her neck was resting on the back support.
I plucked the straw with my teeth. “Not a big fan. Why?”
“Just wondering. Remember, we nabbed the non-stop flight.” Her gaze dropped to my empty cup.
I made a pfft sound. “I’ll go right before we board, and I’ll be fine.”
“I bet you five dollars you’ll have to go on the plane at least three times.”
As if this woman had a personal relationship with my bladder.
“Fine.” I glared at her and wiped my hand on my shirt to rid it of condensation before jutting it out to shake.
“Oh, my God. Is that who I think it is?” Sara asked, staring wide-eyed.
Women surrounded a man with long blonde hair. He wore a tan leather jacket, ripped jeans, and boots. His bright smile flashed wide.
“Holy crud. Holy crud.” I sunk in my seat like he’d somehow recognize me if he spotted me. “That’s Ace from Apollo’s Suns.”
“Steph. Go talk to him. Get his autograph, a selfie, whatever. You love that band.” She pushed my shoulders, trying to get me to stand, but I dug my heels into the carpet.
“No. He’s in an airport trying to travel. Who in their right mind is ever in a good mood traveling? It’d be rude.” I bit on my thumbnail, watching him drag his hand through his hair, pausing now and again to throw up the rock horns gesture for another selfie.
“All those girls don’t seem to care. Judging by that smile which hasn’t left his face, I’d say he doesn’t either.”
I shook my head, feeling my heartbeat against my chest like a jackhammer. “I can’t, Sara.” The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I’d regret not working up the courage to go and meet him. Mental facepalm.
“Alright, then. I will.” She plucked one of the squared white napkins from my knee and reached into the front pocket of my backpack, grabbing one of seven pens I kept there and then marched over.
“Oh my gosh.” I sunk further in my seat.
She brushed past several women, demanding Ace’s attention. They exchanged a few words before she held up the napkin and pointed in my direction. Ace looked over with a wide grin and waved.
My cheeks flushed, and I slapped my hands over my eyes. Parting my fingers enough to see Sara, she leaned forward and hugged him. She hugged Ace. I wouldn’t have gotten out a coherent sentence, let alone brush my boobs against his chest in an embrace.
As she walked back, Ace dipped his hand behind his back for a fraction of a second. A shimmering orange glow flashed from his palm. He shoved his hand in his pocket and then removed it, showing one woman a guitar pick. What the—I stared at the ice cubes in my empty cup. I shouldn’t have gotten that extra espresso shot.
“Here you go.” She slapped the napkin on my leg. “Apparently, he’s headed to Buffalo, New York, for a special gig.”
I picked it up, and my jaw dropped. “To Stephanie. Never lose your sparkle. Love, Ace,” I read out loud. “You told him I’m—sparkly?”