Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(5)

“We have an itinerary. I spent a lot of time making that so we could have the most fun.”

“Seriously? You only had us going out one night.”

Addison bristled. “I thought you wanted to do everything the island had to offer.”

“I do, and thank you for putting that plan together. But we need to get out a bit more. We’d never be able to go out five nights a week back home. We’re adults now with real jobs. This is the kind of fun we can only have on vacation.”

Addison didn’t remind Lily that she had never been a party five-nights-a-week kind of girl. Thirsty Thursdays and Schwasted Saturdays were enough for her. “Fine. I think we can fit a few more club days in. We’re still going to Safari Park, though. I want to ride the Anaconda.”

“Don’t we all?” Lily laughed and slid her sunglass back over her eyes. “You have to wear that backless red dress tonight. And let me do your makeup.”

“I can do my own makeup.”

“No. You need to look like major sex tonight. No pink lip gloss and nude eye shadow. You have that sexy little haircut and you are going to rock it.”

“I can do my makeup.”

“Fine, but if I want to approve your choices first. And you have to use bronzer too.”

“I don’t think I even own bronzer.”

Lily snorted. “And you think you can do your own makeup. You can borrow mine. We can both get ready in my bathroom. It’s flipping huge.”

“Sure.” Lily was right. She was already failing at her carefree and fun resolution. It wouldn’t hurt to wear sexier makeup and go out a few more nights. This was Safari Island, after all. And who knew, maybe she’d be the one taking a hunky shifter home for the night.





Three


There was a knock at Chet’s door. He opened it with his towel around his hips. He was running late. Someone had left a purse on his last tour of the day. The woman was staying in a different part of the island and he had just missed the bus to catch her. He had to take the bag over to the Sunrise Resort. He liked making the trip to that side of the island and didn’t mind too much.

By the time he started his trip back, he knew he wasn’t going to be ready in time. He’d grabbed a quick meal at a convenience store and ate while he was bus ride home. As soon as he got in the door at home, he jumped right in the shower. It still wasn’t enough to be ready by the time Finn and Branch came to pick him up.

“Late again,” Finn Nunez said. “My brother is going to get all the hot ladies if you don’t hurry up.”

“I didn’t know Max was meeting us there.” Chet went back to the bathroom to dry off and run some product through his hair. He needed a haircut but that would have to wait for next week.

“He isn’t,” Finn said. “He’s going with Shane. I’m sure we’ll see them there.”

Chet hoped not. Max was Finn’s twin brother, but they couldn’t be more different. Finn was a nice guy and was one of the best animal handlers on the island. Max worked at the airport and did the bare minimum needed to stay on Safari Island. The brothers were good friends and lived together, but they didn’t have the same friends. Max hung out with Shane, a hyena shifter who worked security at the amusement park and in Safari Town. They were both nice guys but total douchebags around women, in Chet’s opinion.

He could never tell Finn that, but Branch didn’t care for Max either. Chet didn’t feel bad that he preferred spending time away from Finn’s brother, but Max and Shane didn’t push the issue. Even when they went to the same events or clubs, they didn’t hang out together longer than five minutes.

“Wear something nice. No khaki!” Branch yelled to Chet in the bathroom.

“I’m not wearing khaki,” Chet said.

He was going to have to find a pair of jeans quickly. Most of his wardrobe was khakis. It was part of the uniform and they were comfortable even when it was extremely hot and humid out. Chet wasn’t a jeans man. He did have a few pairs, but he had no idea where they were. He went to his walk-in closet and started searching. It took a full ten minutes for him to find an old pair of Levi’s.

He was starting to doubt his choice to go out that night. If it was this hard to get ready on time, it didn’t give him high hopes for the night.

“Hurry up, man.” Branch was standing in the door. He looked Chet up and down. “You look fine. Let’s go.”

“I’m not even wearing a shirt,” Chet protested. He was still deciding between a button-down or a white t-shirt.

“You don’t need a shirt. It’s Club Safari.”

“I’m drinking one of your beers,” Finn informed him. “Anyone else want one?”

“No, thanks,” Branch told him before turning back to Chet. “Wear the t-shirt, okay? You’re taking forever. I’m starting to think you’re going to flake on us.”

“Well…”

Branch sighed. “Just put on the stupid shirt and let’s go. If you hate it, you can leave right away.”

“He’s not going to leave.” Finn came in with his beer. “Max told me there are tons of hot girls out this weekend. He said he’s never seen so many single ladies. I think the contest winners are starting to show up.”