Filed to story: Young Girls Forbidden Love Series: My Best Friend’s Daddy
“Do you need a towel? You’re dripping on me,” I said with a playful smile. I was enjoying the flirtatious banter.
“Would you share yours? Unless you’d like to join me for one more wave.”
“I have never been surfing,” I admitted.
“I would be happy to teach you, as long as you don’t send us both flying into the water again,” Michael said with a wink and a charming smile.
“I can’t make any promises about that,” I said with a laugh.
“Then it might be best for you to stay on dry land. The engagement party is supposed to start in a few hours.”
I sighed quietly and looked down at my toes; I’d buried them under the sand. I pulled them out and brushed off the sand.
“Well then, I’m going to head back up to shower and get ready.” Michael offered me his hand and helped me off the ground.
“I will see you there.” I handed Michael the towel I had been sitting on.
“In the shower?” Michael asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I’ll see you at the party Michael,” I said with a seductive glance over my shoulder as I walked back toward the mansion, leaving him behind me.
I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away.
***********************************************
*Shelby*
The soft fabric of my chiffon cocktail dress swished against my thighs as I made my way downstairs. I picked this particular dress because the stormy grey color complimented my red hair nicely.
The music was already thumping through the house from the back patio, making the windows rattle slightly. The infinity pool was illuminated, giving the entire party a slight glow.
The first place I headed was to the bartender, I knew it was going to take a lot to get through this night, and I needed all the help I could get.
“Would you like a Lauren Lemon Drop or a Todd Tequila Shot?”
“Are the only two things on the menu?” I asked. I shouldn’t be surprised that they had signature drinks named after themselves.
The bartender gave me a sympathetic smile, “Or we have the Marry Me Margarita.”
This was going to be a very long night.
“A margarita then…”
I walked away with my margarita in hand and joined a small group of people surrounding the life-size ice sculpture of Lauren and Todd.
A woman with dark hair flowing all the way down her back turned to me and asked, “So how do you know the couple?”
“Oh, I went to school with Lauren at NYU.” I figured it was best to leave out how I knew Todd.
“I didn’t realize that Lauren went to college. She never mentioned it at our photo shoot in Greece last year. That’s how we met,” she said with an air of superiority.
“What did you study at NYU?” a blond man said, entering the conversation.
“Oh, I got my Bachelor’s in history and I just graduated with my Master’s in political science. I’m going to Harvard for Law school in the fall.”
“That sounds absolutely terrible. I went for the first week of college and dropped out. They wanted me to show up for classes before, like ten in the morning,” the dark-haired woman said.
“Yeah, some of the classes can be pretty early,” I said, not knowing how to respond.
“So, are your parents making you go to law school or something? Does your dad own a law firm? I have a friend whose dad is making him become a lawyer so he can take over the law firm someday,” the blond-haired man asked me.
“No, I’m not being forced; I just have always wanted to be a lawyer. No one in my family owns a law firm, although I wish they did. That would make finding a job after I graduate a lot easier,” I answered with a nervous laugh.
The two gave me a strange look as though they had never met someone who willingly went to college to pursue a career simply because it was what they wanted.
“So you’re, like, smart,” the woman said in a patronizing tone.
They turned to each other and actually laughed at me while I was still standing next to them.
“Don’t tell me you are putting yourself through school too. Let me guess, you are a waitress or something,” the man said with a mean smile.
“I’m a bartender,” I said quietly.
This answer sent them both over the edge with giggles. They moved forward, effectively cutting me out of the group with their bodies.
I realized that I had nothing in common with these people and turned to leave. Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and I needed to get away from the thumping beat of the DJ’s speakers. I would not cry in front of these people.
I refused to give them the satisfaction.
I walked down the runway to the gazebo that jutted out into the ocean, so the waves crashed against all sides, drowning out the music and laughter from the party. I braced myself on the backrest of an iron bench, wiping away an escaping tear from my face.
I knew I didn’t belong here, and I couldn’t stand staying another day. I pulled my phone out of the clutch I was carrying and sent a quick text to Aubrey and Lin.
Shelby: I just got laughed at for wanting to become a lawyer. I need to get away from these people.
Aubrey: Do you want me to book you that flight?
Shelby: Yes, I’m ready to come home.
Aubrey: Bad news. The flight tomorrow is booked.
Shelby: When is the next flight out of here?
Aubrey: In two days.
Shelby: Book it. I will just find a way to hide out for one more day.
Lin: You can get through this! I will be waiting at the airport to pick you up.
Shelby: I can’t thank you two enough. What would I do without you? I miss you both, and I can’t wait to see you.
Aubrey: Your flight has been changed. We will see you in two days. Hang in there! We love you Shelb!
Lin: What Aubrey said. Just two more days!
Shelby: Love you girls too!
A hand gripped the top of mine on the bench and gave it a small squeeze.
“I have been trying to talk to you all day. Why have you been avoiding me?”
I looked down and was disappointed that it was not Michael’s tanned hand on top of mine. I ripped my hand out from under Todd’s and gave him an icy glare.