“What did she say?” Conner asked.
I shrugged. “I didn’t give her a chance to answer.”
I picked up the drink my brothers ordered and sipped it while I took in the atmosphere. People were buzzing, live music was playing, and a light wind kept us cool. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to our cousins in the group chat.
“Anyone up for Facetime?”
“We’re all together. You can call my phone.” Sam replied.
I dialed his number, and he answered on the first ring.
“How’s Cabo?” Sam smiled.
“Good.” I grinned as I panned the area.
“Damn. Maybe Grace and I should go there for our honeymoon,” Simon spoke.
“You have to set a wedding date first, douchebag.” I chuckled.
“Relax. We’re talking about it.”
“What have the three of you been doing all day?” Sam asked.
“Jackson’s been getting kicked in the balls by some chick who wants nothing to do with him.” Nathan laughed.
“What? Impossible.” Sebastian laughed.
“You losing your charm, cousin?” Stefan laughed.
“Don’t listen to him. This woman is one tough cookie. But mark my words, I will succeed.”
“Of course, you will. You’re a Kind. We always get what we want.” Sam grinned.
We all talked for a while longer, and I ended the call. It was getting late, so Nathan and I headed back to our suites. Conner stayed at the bar to talk to a woman who caught his eye. We warned him he better be up and ready for our early morning scuba diving.
I told Nathan good night and headed around the corner to my suite. That’s when I saw Lonely Girl struggling to get into the suite next to mine.
“I didn’t know you were in the suite next to mine.” I grinned as I walked up from behind.
She turned and looked at me.
“For God's sakes. Seriously?”
I chuckled. “I take it your digital key isn’t working?”
“No. It’s not,” she spoke with irritation. “I’m going to have to go down to the lobby.”
“It’s late. I’ll tell you what. Come to my room, and you can use the phone and have them bring you up a new key.”
Her eye narrowed at me. “You’re loving this, and it couldn’t have worked out better if you planned it yourself.”
“Excuse me?” My brow arched.
“My key not working, and you coming to my rescue to get me to go to your suite with you.”
“You have trust issues.” I pointed at her. “But suit yourself. If you want to walk to the elevator, wait for it, go down to the lobby, get your key, wait for the elevator again, and walk back to your suite, be my guest. I was offering a simple solution.”
Her eye continued narrowing as I watched her contemplate what she should do. Placing my digital key against the keypad to my suite, I opened the door.
“You’re welcome to use the phone to call down to the front desk.”
“Fine.” She pushed past me and stepped inside.
Walking over to the phone sitting at the desk, she called the lobby and explained her situation.
“Thank you,” she spoke as she hung up.
“Well?” I asked.
“They’re sending another key up.”
“See.” I flashed a smile. “Wasn’t that better than going all the way down yourself?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Excuse me?” I cocked my head and brought my hand to my ear.
“Knock it off.” She laughed.
“I’m Jackson.” I extended my hand to her.
She chewed her bottom lip as she placed her hand in mine.
“Nikki.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nikki. Can I offer you a drink while you wait?”
“No, thanks. I think I drank enough today.” A smirk crossed her beautiful lips.
“I think we all have.”
The moment was awkward because if I asked her too many questions, she would ask back, and I wasn’t about to give any information about myself.
“They should be up in a minute. I’m going to wait by my door. Thanks again, Jackson.”
“You’re welcome, Nikki. Goodnight,” I spoke as I opened the door.
“Goodnight.” Her lips gave a small smile before walking out.
I shut the door and let out a sigh. A moment later, I heard her door shut. Walking into the bathroom, I brushed my teeth, stripped out of my clothes, and climbed into bed. Placing my hands behind my head, I thought about her. Why was it that we always wanted what we couldn’t have?
CHAPTER 4
Georgia
After slipping on my nightshirt, I climbed into bed and laid my head on the pillow. When I closed my eyes, the only thing I saw in my head was Jackson. My lips gave way to a smile because I liked that name. He looked like a Jackson. I’d wondered if he went by Jack. I would have assumed he would’ve introduced himself as Jack if he did.
Tomorrow was my last day and night in Cabo. It was a good trip, and I enjoyed the time by myself to reflect on my life. After my parents died and I was sent to New York to live with my grandmother, I promised I’d be back. I loved California, and it took a lot of adjusting to get used to living in New York. But it eventually became my home, and I fell in love with it. Until I didn’t anymore.
When I awoke the following morning at seven a.m., I sat up, grabbed my phone, and Facetimed Nikki.
“Morning.” She smiled as she walked through the hospital with a coffee in her hand.
“Morning. I thought you weren’t starting until eleven today.”
“They called me in early. One of the attendings went home sick. What time is it there? Seven a.m.?”
“Yeah.”
“Why are you up so early? You’re on vacation.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Mojito Man has a real name.”
“Does he now? And what does he call himself?”
“Jackson.”
“Nice.” She smiled. “How did you get his name?”
“Long story. The digital key to my room wasn’t working, and it just so happens that his suite is next to mine. He let me use the phone to call down to the desk and have them send me up another one.”
“That’s it?” Her brows furrowed. “You disappoint me, Georgia.”
“I told him my name was Nikki.”
“Shit. The ER just paged me. We’ll talk about this later. Love you.”
“Love you. Have fun.”
“Always do.” She smiled.
The day went by quickly. I had a relaxing massage, facial, and a fresh pedicure. I spent most of the day at the pool and waited to see if Jackson would show. He didn’t. I felt like I needed to end my vacation with a bang, literally. Nikki was right. Life was too short not to explore. Besides, he caught my attention, and I was curious. I’d never see him again after tonight, so what was the harm? There wasn’t any.
I went back to my suite, grabbed a post-it and pen from the desk, and wrote him a note.
Care to buy a girl a drink? 8:00 pm. Come find me.
Nikki
I stepped into the hallway and firmly stuck the note to the front of his door.