Mid Life Love: At Last (Mid Life Love #2)(44)
“Thank you.”
“If I was having sex with a billionaire every day I’d probably be glowing too...” Helen picked up a bottle of vodka and filled our glasses. “Speaking of which, is his friend Corey single?”
I rolled my eyes and tossed back both shots. I had the sudden feeling I was going to need to be drunk all weekend.
Helen quickly refilled my glasses before holding her own drinks up high. “To men with huge dicks, never-ending sex, and to Claire’s last days as a single woman!”
We all laughed and tossed back the drinks seconds before the flight attendant asked us to take our seats.
I sat down and sent Jonathan one last text—“Going to Costa Rica for the week, Love you,” and swallowed two of the pills he’d given me. Before I knew it, I was staring at the back of my eyelids.
“How do you pronounce the name of this place again?” Kim sighed.
“Peninsula Papagayo.” Bobbie Jo enunciated each syllable. “The Gayo rhymes with I-yo.”
“I’ll just keep saying Costa Rica...”
I rolled over on my beach blanket and looked off into the distance. Peninsula Papagayo was one of the most beautiful places I’d ever explored: The waters that surrounded its coast were as blue as its sky, the lush greenery that stood behind the resort stretched for miles and miles, and pure, white sand covered all of its beaches.
We’d only been here for three days, but it’d been way more relaxed and laid-back than I thought it would be.
When we’d first arrived and checked into our private estate—an opulent six bedroom, four bathroom villa that sat right on the waters, Helen had given me a travel brochure and told me to choose whatever I wanted to do.
I was shocked that she’d even asked for my suggestions, but per my request we’d gone sailing, bungee jumping, and taken a five mile hike on a wildlife trail. In between snorkeling, kayaking, and sight-seeing, we’d relaxed on the beach and downed countless umbrella drinks to pass the time; I honestly hoped the rest of the week would be the same.
Bobbie Jo tapped my shoulder. “Are you relaxed enough to finally have some fun now? Or do we need to do another recreational activity? More tropical bird watching perhaps?”
“It was a wildlife hike. Those birds were beautiful.”
“They were also boring!” She rolled her eyes. “We’re going out every night for the rest of the week because I refuse to do anymore touristy-bullshit. Starting tonight, you’re going to dress like you’re single, dance like you’re single, and since you aren’t married yet—you’re going to act like you’re single.”
“Agreed.” Kim stood up and covered me with her shadow. “No more lame outdoor shit, no more beach-napping, and no more late night calls to Jonathan.”
“I haven’t called Jonathan...”
They both crossed their arms and gave me blank stares.
“I only call him once a day.”
“He’s in Vegas right now!” Kim practically screamed. “Vegas! He’s enjoying himself to the max and you should be too!”
“I am having fun...”
The two of them pulled me up and walked me towards the shoreline, slipping their arms around me like they were holding me up. Then they pushed me into an oncoming wave.
“We’re going to keep doing that until you wake up and realize where the f**k you are.” Kim laughed. “No more calling Jonathan. Okay? Helen has been planning this trip for weeks and she really wants you to have a good, sexy time. That’s why she went back to the room for the afternoon—she’s planning what we’re going to do tonight.”
“She went back to the room with a half-naked bartender...”
They both burst into laughter and joined me in the water.
“Okay, so maybe she got bored from doing outdoor activities for three days straight.” Bobbie Jo shrugged. “But tonight, all of that changes. Got it?”
Later that night, Helen slipped into a sundress and smiled. “I am now an official member of the thoroughly well-f*cked club! Today’s romp goes down in my top ten f**ks of all time.”
“I thought you didn’t keep count.”
“I don’t keep count. I do rank though.” She laughed and handed me a huge strawberry margarita. “Are you ready to finally start your bachelorette party?”
“It’s not going to be anything crazy, right?”
“Of course it is.” She rolled her eyes. “Hurry up and drink that so I can get you to the first surprise.”
“Wait...Are Bobbie Jo and Kim coming with us? Why did they ditch me after the beach?”
“Drink the damn drink, Claire.”
I sighed and downed the drink in three huge gulps—wincing at the incredible amount of alcohol that was mixed in.
“Okay now, here...” She pulled me up and secured a blindfold around my eyes. “Step forward...Watch your step...Step up a little bit...Okay now keep moving forward...”
I didn’t know where the hell she was taking me, but half an hour later she was still leading me around.
“Thank you sir,” she said to someone as she pushed me forward.
A cool blast of air hit my face and I could feel the smooth floors of an indoor building. I kept following her directions until she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and held me still.