“I’ll go get some.” Jazz squeezed Imani’s shoulder and walked up to the small shop near the hotel.
I set the bag down, poured more margarita into Imani’s glass, and handed it to her. “You okay?”
She pursed her lips and tilted her head. “I overheard Jazz and her mom talking about me. Apparently, I’m just the kind of woman she should marry because I’m so boring.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Jazz called you boring?”
Imani downed half her drink. “I think the exact word was safe. And you know what Jazz said?” We all shook our heads. “Nothing!”
“Uh, Imani?”
She sunk down onto her lounger with a sigh. “What?”
“Is it so bad to be safe?”
The cringe that twisted Imani’s pretty face was all the answer I needed.
“I was the safe option, too.” Adriana sat up, putting her floppy hat back on her head. “And believe me, it’s a compliment.”
“You think?” Imani’s voice was soft, like she wanted to believe her.
“Oh yeah. Any mother would want their child to be with someone that would keep their child’s heart safe.”
Imani’s bottom lip trembled, and she set down her glass.
“Michael is safe,” Sarah added. “I’ve never doubted his love, and he’s never given me a reason to.”
Miranda smirked. “Nothing about Oscar is safe.”
Imani laughed, her shoulders finally relaxing.
“What’s so funny?” Jazz handed me the papers and sat at the end of Imani’s chair.
“I’m sorry.” Imani threw herself at Jazz, nearly knocking them both into the sand.
“It’s okay?” Jazz patted her back as she looked at me, bewildered. I shook my head.
Imani looked up at Jazz with a pained expression. “I don’t want to smoke weed I bought from a stranger on the beach.”
“I don’t either.”
* * *
Luca sighed into the phone. “I’m dreading tonight.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m not.”
“It’ll be fun!” I plucked a piece of pineapple from the fruit salad. “A few strippers never hurt anybody.” Luca groaned, and I barked out a laugh. “Why own strip clubs if you’re not going to partake?”
“The only woman I want to see take her clothes off is you.”
“That’s all very sweet, but I know I’m looking forward to seeing a little skin tonight.”
A door closed on his side, and my phone beeped, letting me know he was trying to video call me. Frowning, I accepted.
“What are you doing?”