When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

hands.

 

The nice smell of food filled the air, as I turned to the breakfast bar and laid out trays.

 

I lick my lips in desperation.

 

 

I was super hungry this morning.

 

 

''I'm gonna get breakfast, save me a seat.'' I said to Jacob, running to get in line.

 

 

I wait patiently and take up a bunch of bagels and blueberry muffins. I was eager, I was hopping in place to get something in my mouth.

 

 

Finally, I get a plate full of food enough to feed 2 stomachs. I rush to our table as I spot Rikki and her plus 1, Chris.

 

I was surprised to see that he's still here.

 

 

''Hi everyone.'' I said.

 

I sat down next to Marybella on my left and Jacob on my right.

 

I dig in not letting anyone talk to me first.

 

 

''So where were you guys before and after the party? We didn't see you come in. You missed Lauren singing and licking the trophy.'' Rikki asks.

 

She sips her orange juice, her right hand caressing Chris' shoulder.

 

I notice something shiny on her finger.

 

 

An unexpected engagement I should have noticed earlier.

 

I tried not to seem surprised and act non-chalant.

 

''So where did you and Chris go after the party, I didn't see an invitation to the wedding?'' I reply.

 

 

I took a small bite of my breakfast, waiting for her reaction.

 

Marybella drops her silverware, she acts as if she didn't notice it at first too.

 

I think she knew this whole time.

 

 

''Marybella?'' I said, turning to her as I set down my spoon.

 

 

She gives me a reassuring look. I finally turn to Rikki.

 

Rikki turns her attention from Bella to me.

 

She sighs then gives Marybella a look.

 

 

''Damn it Marybella.'' she says.

 

Rikki finally turns her head to me.

 

 

''So why do you have a ring on your finger?'' I ask.

 

 

She stutters on her words. Confused, I lean in with my elbows on the table.

 

''Rikki why didn't you tell me, I would have planned a girls night.'' I asked.

 

 

''Before you get exctied, it's a promise ring.'' she finally says.

 

I nod my head for her to continue.

 

She smiles to turn her head to Chris.

 

 

''We promised to keep in touch after we go back to New York. He's going up to the hamptons for the summer, so we'll make it work over summer break.'' Rikki says.

 

 

I was happy to see her with someone. A big smile on my face wavers.

 

To recover from her ex-husband, it was a relief.

 

I could tell she even felt more comfortable around Chris.

 

 

''He's working over the summer and I promise to visit once I have time. And he dedicated last night, to that. He'll always call me, even from far away. That's why he gave me this ring.'' Rikki finished.

 

 

Rikki stretches her hand out for me to see the ring clearly.

 

 

''Wow that's really sweet.'' I replied.

 

Rikki's smile widens as her eyes turn back to Chris.

 

''I really wanted to make up the time we haven't spent since we're going to part from Brazil for a few days.'' Chris says.

  

 

I turn back to my still warm maple pancakes. Suddenly silence fills out table, when all eyes were on me.

 

But it wasn't just me, it was Jacob too.

 

I partially open my eyes widely as I look to him. I wipe my mouth with a nearby napkin.

 

 

''What?'' I ask.

 

''Explain yourselves.'' Rikki insists.

 

''Yeah,..what did happen last night while the party was going on here?'' Marybella asks, turning to me.

 

 

There's no way i'm going to be able to listen to to them flaunt on about it.

 

Mark and Chris were here, especially with Jacob sitting next to me.

 

 

It was embarassing to talk about it with our friends, and besides I promised not to.

 

I can't break that promise.

 

 

''..Well, we went back to our hotel room and slept for the night.'' I said.

 

 

Rikki nods for me to continue.

 

''Um, we-'' I started.

 

 

Suddenly, I was intuerppted.

 

''We stayed up all night talking about engagement rings and thinking about a summer wedding. It was a hard desicion to make with our friends considering the idea. So we slept on it and thought some more about it this morning.'' Jacob says.

 

 

Before I even realized, his hands was on mine to calm my nerves.

 

He was even caressing the back side of my hand.

 

 

I turn to him for the saving reply.

 

Thank god. If I spoke one more word, I would have revealed every detail.

 

 

''Really, you guys talk about getting married. And a summer wedding? Why wasn't I invited to have an opinion it.'' Rikki says.

 

Marybella scoffs at me loudly.

 

The sound was shrill, her expression in utter shock and then happiness.

 

 

''Well, we wanted our descion to be exclusive unil we decide to tell you guys.'' I said.

 

''And why the hell not, we're your best friends. We deserve to know what's going on in your relationship.'' Rikki suggests.

 

 

I ease a look, to seem comfortable and pass the awkward reply.

 

''Well, not everything.'' I finally replied.

 

 

I take a sip of my drink to simmer in the ease of not telling anyone about last night.

 

Rikki gives me a nasty sly look. She exchanges expressions with Marybella.

 

They both stare at me as I finish my plate full of breakfast.

 

 

''What?'' I reply again, looking up.

 

''Nothing, it's just. It's been 3 years into your relationship and you don't tell us much about it.'' Rikki says.

 

''Well some things are meant to be kept secret, not all of it is suppose to be shared. Right?'' I say.

 

 

Rikki nods her head putting her elbows on the table. The nervous air between us begins to rise.

 

Lauren interuppts, just in time.

 

 

''Good news and bad news.'' Lauren says. Vanessa joins Lauren's side.

 

''Good news is we won the competition!!'' Lauren shouts.

 

 

Everyone cheers, still in kahoots with yesterday's celebration. I'm stil not over the fact that we won the big trophy.

 

The crowd of cheers die down as Lauren speaks again.

 

 

''Bad news is, we'll have to stay in Brazil for one more day. Unfortunately we had a problem with the score on competition and the judges need a day to recalculate it for each magazine company.'' Lauren says.

 

 

A wave of unsatisfied sighs come in as everyone looks to each other,

 

That sucks. I really wanted to go back home today.

 

 

''But in the mean while, we don't have to worry. You are free to vacation today and half of tomorrow, before we leave. You deserve this, guys.'' Lauren says.

 

 

She grabs a glass of champagne. She takes a gulp before continuing to talk.

 

''Let the real vacation begin. Everyone feel free to go to the beach!!'' Lauren says.

 

 

Co-workers yell in cheer.

 

"It is way to early for her to being speaking this loud," I try to whisper.

 

 

Most of the co-workers left breakfast early, as me and the gang are left in the partially empty breakfast hall.

 

 

''Well i'm going to the pool, anyone want to join?'' I said getting up.

 

''Yeah, I want to.'' Rikki says cheerfully.

 

 

She gives Chris a kiss, and Marybella exits the table alongside us.

 

 

We all exited the breakfast hall into the the lobby as we make our way to the elevators.

 

I'm suddenly called by Jacob in the distance.

 

''Elle!'' he says

 

 

My head turns to him from the open doors of the elevator, Marybella and Rikki nod for me to go.

 

They hold the doors as I run over to Jacob.

 

 

''I wanted to tell you, that me and the guys are going on a tiki tour. Something Chris mentioned. I figured i'd tell you were I was instead of making you find me.'' Jacob says.

 

''Well go on, have fun!'' I replied.

 

 

I smiled as he returns the grin, he leans in to rest his left hand nearing my neck.

 

His face close to mine.

 

His lips touch mine as we savor a moment to kiss.

 

 

That's weird. We've never done that before.

 

I guess it's something new.

 

 

We pull back as he relays a smile on his face.

 

 

I've never seen him smile this much before. It made me happy to see him like this.

 

He hurries towards the breakfast hall.

 

Then I head for the elevator, Marybella and Rikki wait for me with smirks on their faces.

 

 

I tried my best not to smile back, but as soon as the elevator doors closed I couldn't contain it any longer.

 

 

I smiled a little and gave it away. Rikki opens her mouth and gasps. The reflectiive walls in the elevator showed my expression.

 

 

Rikki grabs me and slightly pushes me against the wall. She has her hands above my shoulder.

 

Clear anger in her eyes.

 

 

''Tell me everything, I want to know everything.'' she finally says.

 

''About what?'' I asked, trying to be innocent.

 

''We know what you've been trying to hide, so spill.'' Rikki says.

 

"Yeah." Marybella buds in.

 

 

She crosses her arms over her chest, I stand back a little more nervous now.

 

I can't tell them now.

 

 

''I don't know what you're talking about.'' I reply.

 

''Oh, don't play innocent, we know. You're glowing and smiling.'' Rikki protests.

 

"That's sweat, and a little bit of tiki water." I reply.

 

''Besides, I saw you and Jacob hand in hand before you came to our table during breakfast.'' she says afterwards.

 

 

She gives me a look with her eyes. "Nobody holds hands this early in the morning, unless their feeling something. Or perhaps hiding it."

 

''What really happened last night?'' Marybella said.

 

 

The elevator doors finally open, I was saved. I sighed as I exited the elevator quickly.

 

 

I ran for my hotel room with Rikki and Marybella following closely behind.

 

When I get in, I lock myself in the bathroom.

 

 

There's no way i'm going to avoid talking about that subject. If they can't see me.

 

 

''Elle come out, tell us something. We know what you're hiding.'' Rikki yells.

 

She bangs on the bathroom door.

 

 

I however, quickly change into my bikini top and jean shorts.

 

As I undress, I could hear Marybella and Rikki chat over my situation.

 

 

It was the most annoying thing ever to have them constantly yell down my door and beg for me to tell them the truth.

 

I had to come up with a lie.

 

And quick.

 

 

Finally I open the door, they both stare at me calmly. I exit without a peep or sound.

 

They awkwardly approach me as I set my clothes from this morning on the bed.

 

I turn my head to look at them.

 

 

They both stare in confusion. I turn my head from them as I make an exit for the door.

 

They gasp and run behind me.

 

I wanted to play nice, but Rikki wasn't going to. And with Marybella, I won't be able to keep my mouth shut.

 

 

They both run through the hallways as I look back to see them. I turn to the front as they run side by side.

 

 

I stop myself as I catch my breath.

 

Boy they were fast.

 

 

''Tell us everything.'' Rikki demands.

 

I look down to the floor then back up to her. They were serious.

  

-- 

 

As I look to the beach view, I look to the corner of my eye to see Rikki with a bucket of ice.

 

Marybella, with a cup full of hot tea.

 

 

They were both torturing me.

 

 

''Spill the beans or get frozen by ice cubes.'' Rikki says.

 

Marybella smiles brightly, as she raises her cup so I can see the simmering steam.

 

 

I breath silently as I continue to close my eyes.

 

I can't not even now.

 

Not in public.

 

 

I feel a slight cold graze run over my bare thigh. My eyes widen in shock.

 

I gasp.

 

Rikki started the fight and I had to end it.

 

 

A slight drop of hot tea runs over my right forearm. I flinch as I try to close my eyes.

 

 

''You have one more second.'' Rikki stated.

 

''Never.'' I whisper back.

 

''Fine, have it your way.'' Rikki says.

 

 

They both drench me in liquid, forms of hot and cold.

 

I couldn't take it anymore.

 

It burned and stinged my skin to pretend any longer.

 

 

''Okay fine, fine!!'' I finally yell.

 

 

They both stop.

 

Rikki puts down the small bucket of ice and Marybella sets down the cup on a nearby stand.

 

They both give me reassuring looks, as if they were innocent.

 

 

''Fine, i'll tell you. But you have to keep it a secret. Nobody has to know. Even Mark, Marybella.'' I said.

 

''Or your new boyfriend.'' Marybella said to Rikki, with a smile.

 

 

''It's between you guys, and me.... and Jacob.'' I said.

 

They both sit up, ready for my confession. I breath in and out slowly.

 

 

I open my eyes again. to see the, both staring at me. Waiting for my last bit of words.

 

I knew I couldn't blurb the whole thing, so I had to ease their minds.

 

 

''Okay last night, we went back to our hotel room.''