Before he could, Tiffany Kingston-Whorehouse, I mean Whitehouse, emerged from the center of the small remaining group of people chatting with her on the dock.
The last light of the sunset tinted Tiffany’s skin that perfect golden brown you only see on supermodels or swimsuit magazine covers. I’m pretty sure Tiffany had hired a rock video crew to choose just that moment to blow a gust of wind into her shimmering, silken hair. She looked spectacular, and I hated her for it.
Was she what Christos had been hiding?
“Hey, Christos!” she squealed, “You came!” She flung her arms around him in total disregard for my existence, nearly slicing my eyeball open with her nails. She kissed Christos’ cheek affectionately.
Hello, did she not see me? I glared bullets at Queen Bee-otch.
Christos broke away from Tiffany’s embrace before either of them went down in the fully-automatic hail of my jealousy.
I could tell Christos was uncomfortable with Tiffany’s flirty come-on, but he played it cool and draped his arm casually around my shoulders, marking a clear boundary between himself and Tiffany.
I smiled triumphantly and reminded myself this was Christos Manos, after all. Not some jerk like Damian Wolfram. I didn’t need to worry about Christos having a wandering eye. I trusted him, even if a woman like Tiffany made me nervous.
I took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to let Tiffany get in the way of my happiness. I was a changed woman. All that crazy jealousy and self-doubt was behind me.
I hoped.
“Who’re your friends, Christos?” Tiffany yawned absently.
Holy Memory Loss, did she not even remember? I sighed. Probably not. All she ever thought about was herself, I’d bet.
Two long-legged hobots walked up behind Tiffany and gave me dirty looks. They were probably Delta Pi Delta worker bees in service to Her Snideness, but I wasn’t sure without their bulging sorority sweaters.
“You remember Samantha,” Christos offered.
Tiffany narrowed one eye like a nervous ferret before turning her nose up at me. “I didn’t recognize her all dressed up.”
Her worker bees giggled.
As usual, Tiffany projected the air of having everything you wished you had but didn’t. And yet, for once it was the other way around. I knew how badly Tiffany wanted Christos, but he was with me, not her.
I wanted to spin in circles while doing the happy dance, but I wasn’t a bitch like Tiffany. So I did the happy dance in my head, and made a mental note to do the real thing later in the privacy of my apartment, with Christos.
We could happy dance together.
Ignoring the fact that Tiffany was such a Queen Bee-otch that she still wouldn’t acknowledge me like a polite human being, I offered my hand for her to shake. “Good to see you, Tiffany,” I smiled. I wouldn’t stoop like she had.
Tiffany shook my hand absently, not even looking me in the eye. Her hand slid free from mine after barely a shake.
Whatever.
Resting her hands on her hips, Tiffany surveyed the boat behind her. “Well, I did say to bring whoever you wanted.” She turned back to Christos and smiled. “We can always use more help in the kitchen.”
Tiffany’s hobot henchwomen giggled.
I really needed to carry a bigger handbag on outings like this. I couldn’t fit a bazooka in my little clutch, and you never knew when you needed to blow some bitch’s head off on short notice.
“Welcome aboard, Christos,” Tiffany said. “Good to see you again, Jake. Make yourselves at home.” She smiled at Christos and Jake in turn, but ignored Romeo, Kamiko, Madison, and myself.
How did Tiffany manage to spoil everything with the greatest of ease? It would take an act of heroism for me to enjoy New Year’s Eve at this rate.
For a second, I considered asking Christos to take us elsewhere. The six of us could have fun wherever we went. I glanced at Madison, not sure what to do.
Mads lifted a compassionate eyebrow and nodded toward the parking lot with a questioning look. She knew from experience how annoying Tiffany could be.
Sadly, I realized if we left, it would be giving in to Tiffany’s aloof bullying. I had done enough of that in my life already.
Emo. Goth. Sorceress. Suicide Watch…
I noticed Romeo and Kamiko marveling at the boat.
“Wow, this thing is huge,” Romeo gawked. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”
“It looks like a frickin’ spaceship!” Kamiko whispered enviously.
Neither of them knew how consistently annoying Tiffany could be. They were ready to have fun tonight. No need to disappoint them. I could make this work, if I put my mind to it. Maybe Tiffany would play nice the whole trip and I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
Bitch. Slut. Whore…
I took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to let my demons get to me. Screw them!
“Come on, you guys,” I said confidently to the gang. This was a New Year’s Eve yacht trip after all, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about what awaited us.
The six of us walked up the ramp together, Jake and Christos trailing at the rear.
When we were out of Tiffany’s earshot, Madison leaned into me and whispered in my ear, “Is it just me, or does the perfume Tiff the Quiff is wearing tonight make her smell like mouse farts?”
I belted out laughter so hard, I would’ve fallen off the ramp and into the water, if not for the handrailing. I grabbed it for support.
I saw Tiffany whip around and give the group of us a dirty look.
Romeo, ever perceptive, had overheard Madison’s remark, and leaned against me while he quietly cackled, “I thought Tiffany smelled a bit musty.”
I exchanged a smile with Romeo.
Romeo’s eyes twinkled with good humor. “You know Tiffany has a poochy cooch.”
I was confused. “What, like a pouch?”
“Yes,” he said. “It’s where she hides the mice. Down below. I bet it’s a regular mouse sanctuary in there.”
I broke into fresh laughter.
Kamiko had overheard too, and stifled her own giggles.
“Sam, ignore Tiffany,” Madison encouraged. “Maybe we can knock her over the side when we’re in international waters. No one will ever know.” She grinned archly.
Kamiko pretended to frown. “Wouldn’t that be polluting the environment?”
“I won’t tell, if you won’t,” Romeo winked.
“Thanks, guys,” I said. “I needed that.” I straightened up and climbed the rest of the ramp, surrounded by the bestest friends a girl could have.
I’d been on rowboats and maybe a few canoes. But nothing like this. There were probably another thirty people on board. The cabin on the main deck literally had a living room, dining room, and kitchen with a full-size stainless-steel refrigerator. A narrow flight of steps led to a second story above and a spiral staircase led to another level below. I’d never been on a three-story boat before. Tiffany hadn’t been exaggerating.
“This place is nicer than my parents’ house,” Madison marveled.
“I know, right?” Romeo said. “I think it’s bigger than my parents’ house.”
SAMANTHA
When everyone was on board, two crewmen dressed in fancy black slacks and vests over their white long-sleeve button-down shirts threw some ropes onto the dock. I felt engines rumbling softly beneath my feet as the yacht pulled away from the pier and motored out of the marina.
Christos and Jake knew quite a few of Tiffany’s friends and seemed totally in their element. They were sucked into the center of the crowd in the main cabin.
Within seconds, every woman in the room had turned to focus on Christos. His undeniable beauty drew their attention like a magnet. They couldn’t look away from his mesmerizing presence. Christos seemed oblivious as he chatted with Jake and the other guys. He’d probably grown numb to this kind of attention after years of it.
From afar, I watched this process unfold for several minu
tes. The women all primped and preened unconsciously, fluffing their hair, adjusting their dresses to maximum effect, shifting their body language to point their pelvises at Christos, and shoving out their chests.
When Christos chuckled at a random joke, flashing his perfect teeth and panty-dropping smile, several women’s eyes goggled and their jaws went slack. When Christos ran his hand through his perfectly mussed hair, other women literally clutched their chests, ready to swoon.
Did they even know they were doing it? Somehow I doubted it. Who wanted to admit that a mere human male, no matter how perfect a specimen he was, could turn them from young women into drooling idiots in heat?
I was torn between embarrassment for all of womankind, and sympathy. Heck, even the men were fawning. Everyone was susceptible. With the exception of Jake, who was almost as handsome as Christos, the other men were smitten, all of them crushing on Christos, in the throes of blatant bromances.
To be fair, I was no more able to resist Christos’ physical allure than anyone else. I was hooked. Addicted. Jealousy swam up my throat and threatened to choke me.
Suddenly, Christos glanced at me and cocked his head, throwing his dimpled smile directly at me. He blew me an air kiss.
“That was for me,” Romeo joked.
I smirked at Romeo. “Keep your air lips off my man, you horny bitch,” I joked, then blew a kiss back to Christos.
He mimed leaning up to catch it before returning to conversation with Jake and some other bitches, I mean, ladies.
I reminded myself that Christos was with me. Not them. Looking at him, at my man, I suddenly felt greedy and desperate and horny and proud, all at the same time. Every woman in the room wanted what I had, but Christos was mine, all mine.
I think I was about to swoon. I shook my head and took a deep breath, trying to clear my head.
“Come on you guys,” Madison said excitedly. “Let’s watch from the bow!” She grabbed my hand while Romeo and Kamiko followed.
“Check it out,” Madison pointed, “that’s the naval base on Coronado island.”
“Can someone tell the captain to drop me off there?” Romeo asked. “I’m thirsty for seamen.”
“Gag!” I said.
“I never gag,” Romeo said confidently.
Me, Madison, and Kamiko exchanged a grimace.
A few minutes later, Tiffany’s yacht had cleared the San Diego Bay and entered open water. It sure was fast for such a big boat. Wind whipped through our hair as we stood on the front of the boat. Romeo and Kamiko had huge grins on their faces.
Romeo raised his arms and pumped his fists. “I’m the queen of the world! Woo hoo!”
“It’s king, Romeo,” Kamiko giggled. “King of the world.”
“Don’t ruin my moment,” Romeo grinned while basking in the sea breeze, arms wide.
The city lights of San Diego shrank into the distance until they were but twinkling pinpricks against the purple velvet sky. To the west, the last light of the sun faded to pink on the horizon. I traded a smile with Madison.
Eventually, the yacht slowed to a stop in calm waters.
“Dinner is served!” Tiffany called from the dining room while someone clanged a hand bell.
The dining room table on the yacht only seated eight, so dinner was served buffet style. Stainless-steel food warmers covered the surface of the table. One of the crewmen in black and white, now wearing an ankle-length white apron, was pulling the lids off.
We all got in line and grabbed plates. While we waited at the back of the crowd, the other crewman, also in an apron, approached us with a platter brimming with gourmet finger-food.
“What is it?” I asked the crewman.
“Seared sea scallops in a tarragon butter sauce,” he said pleasantly.
We all took one while we waited for the buffet. Everyone agreed the scallops were totally yummy. Eventually, Christos and Jake joined us in line. The six of us loaded our plates and climbed up to the top deck together to sit down and eat.
“Wow, this is great food,” Jake said.
“Totally,” Madison said.
Even if Tiffany was an Olympic bitch, she knew how to pick out a great menu. I doubted she cooked any of it herself, but at least she had good taste, and the food was free.
Was it possible that I could enjoy this evening without Tiffany ruining it? I believed it was. I crossed my fingers.
While I chewed on a mouthful of crab cake, Kamiko leaned into me and whispered, “Don’t look now, but here comes the snake charmer.”
I looked up, straight into the eyes of Brandon Charboneau. He climbed the ladder onto the top deck, holding a plate of food and glass of wine.
“Greetings, everyone,” Brandon said smoothly, holding up his wine glass to toast us.
“What up, Brandon,” Christos said with a smile, raising his own glass. “I didn’t realize you were on board.”
“I was down in the boiler room shoveling coal into the furnaces,” Brandon joked.
Romeo smiled hopefully. “Did you have your shirt off and were you all sweaty from the exertion?”
Everyone chuckled.
“I’m afraid not,” Brandon said suavely.
Brandon’s father owned the gallery that had sold Christos’ latest paintings. Brandon was tan, tall, debonair, and very handsome, but there was something slithery about him that always bothered me.
Brandon slid into the end of the booth next to me and set his plate of food on the table. His knee brushed against mine and I jumped.
“Good evening, Samantha,” he said charmingly.
I felt trapped. But Christos was sitting on my right, in case of emergency. I glanced at him, worried he’d be irritated by Brandon’s proximity, but he merely chewed on a bite of lobster and smiled at Brandon.
I loved that about Christos. He never seemed to get jealous, unlike lame Damian, who always had.
Christos was an inspiration. I leaned into him affectionately and he reached over to caress my forearm. After smiling at me, he wiped his lips with his napkin, and gave me a smoochy kiss.
I was always tickled by how Christos worked the bad boy thing and the gentlemen thing in equal measures.
Brandon smoothed his own napkin on his lap and looked at everyone. “If I remember correctly, you’re Kamiko Nishimura, and you’re Romeo Fabiano? Did I get that right?” He flashed a warm smile at them.
“Wow, you remembered!” Kamiko smiled.
“Running the gallery requires that I remember a lot of names.” Brandon grinned and leaned over the table to shake her hand, then Romeo’s. I think Romeo swooned.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Brandon said to Jake and Madison.
“Jake Stratton.” He and Brandon shook hands firmly.
“Madison Lockhart.”
Brandon shook her hand gently. “Charmed,” he smiled. Smooth as always.
“How’s the gallery, Mr. Charboneau?” Kamiko asked politely. I think Kamiko still wanted to make a good impression on Brandon, in case she ever wanted to sell her own amazing art through his gallery. And because Brandon was hot, even if he was a serpent in an expensive suit. Plus, I’m pretty sure Kamiko had a crush on him.
“Fabulous,” Brandon answered, “Ever since Christos’ sold-out show last year, new customers have been pouring through the doors on a daily basis.”
“That’s awesome!” Kamiko said.
“Christos tells me that you’re an artist?” Brandon asked Kamiko.
She blushed. “Sort of.”
“Kamiko’s amazing,” I said. “Don’t let her bashfulness fool you. Maybe you could sell her work at your gallery, Brandon. She’s totally good enough.”
“Sam!” Kamiko protested. “I don’t even paint in oils!” She blushed crimson, and I half-expected exclamation points to pop out over her head while her face turned cartoony like in one of her Japanese anime shows.
“Sam’s right,” Romeo said in a normal tone of voice, perhaps for the first time that night. “Kamiko reall
y is hyper-talented.”
“Aww, thank you, Romeo,” Kamiko said.
“Perhaps you should stop by the gallery, Kamiko,” Brandon suggested. “Bring your portfolio. I’d love to see your work.”
“Really?” Kamiko beamed. “But all I have is watercolors.”
“We have an annual contemporary artists’ show that features all types of artistic media.”
Kamiko glowed hopefully. “Really?”
“Certainly. Call and make an appointment, anytime.”
“Wow! I’ll do that!” Kamiko smiled.
I was excited for her. Her art was amazing, and I still thought it would be a shame if she never did anything with it. I suspected that she didn’t love the idea of becoming a doctor with the same passion as her parents.
I was in a similar predicament with mine. They wanted me to be Sam Smith, CPA. But the last thing I’d dreamed of as a girl was becoming an accountant. At least Kamiko would help people and save lives. I would just end up pushing numbers around.
“Why don’t you submit a piece to the show, Samantha?” Christos encouraged.
“What?” I blushed. “I couldn’t! I don’t have any paintings!”
“Any type of media is acceptable,” Brandon said. “Whenever you’re ready, bring something down to the gallery for me to look at. The show is still a few months out.”
I looked at Christos, uncertain. I felt like I was getting in over my head.
“Don’t worry, Samantha. You can totally whip something up in time.” Christos flashed a first-place smile at me like we were both total winners.
He was so confident in me, it was almost impossible for me to doubt myself. My love for him grew every single day. Sometimes, it seemed to get bigger by the hour.
“Okay. I’ll do it!” I smiled.
“That’s my girl,” he said while rubbing my shoulder. “I totally know you’ll nail it.”
Maybe my New Year’s resolution needed to be finally going down to the Registrar’s Office in a couple of days to change my major to Art, no matter what my parents said, World War Smith be damned.
Reckless Page 4
