Free Belize: Bad Boys on the Beach Book Two by Kimberly Fox Page B

taste. They’re so beautiful and colorful.
    “It’s crazy how nature can come up with such bright colors,” I say as Chase hands me another tortilla. “It makes us look so boring…peach and brown.”
    Chase looks at me like I’m crazy. “You’re not boring to look at. At all.”
    “No,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat up at the compliment. “But I mean imagine if we were bright pink or electric blue. Well, I guess that would be like Avatar.”
    “Ava-what?” he asks, looking at me funny.
    This guy has a lot to learn. And I’d be happy to teach him.
    Megan, Tanya, Julia and Ethan walk into the ocean and I’m secretly upset to have my alone time with Chase cut short. We swim back to meet them where they’re hanging out in the shallow warm water.
    Ethan and Chase nod at each other but keep a fair distance between them. That’s strange . It looks like they’re not too comfortable around each other. What’s going on there?
    “Looks like Price is Right is over,” Tanya says, looking back onto the beach. Matt is wandering around like a lost child.
    “Shit,” Julia curses when she sees him. “He won’t leave me alone!”
    “What did you expect?” I ask, rubbing it in a little. “You’re the only one that he knows.”
    She ducks down into the water up to her chin. “He’s driving me nuts. I caught him drinking the shower water this morning.”
    We all have a laugh at poor Matt’s expense. “It’s only your second day,” Ethan says.
    “I guess the honeymoon is over,” Megan says. She shoots an evil smile at Julia and then stands up and waves. “MATT!” she calls out, waving her hand over her head. “MATT! Over here!”
    Julia splashes her. “Stop it!”
    But it’s too late. Matt sees us and starts walking over.
    “He didn’t see me,” Julia says, hiding behind Ethan’s large frame. “I can’t take him anymore. Tell him I got swept away in the tide, no wait…I got eaten by a shark. No, a whale. What’s more believable?” She’s biting her bottom lip, looking panicked. I know that she’s my best friend but I’m loving this. I can’t help it.
    “He’s almost here,” Tanya warns.
    “Shit!” Julia curses. She dives under the water and swims away like her life depends on it. I watch in shock as she speeds away. I didn’t know that she could swim that fast. Or hold her breath for that long.
    “Hi Matt,” I say as he approaches.
    “Hi,” he says in a flat voice. This guy has as much personality as a coconut. “I’m looking for Julia.”
    “She got eaten by a whale,” Chase says and we all try to stifle our laughs.
    “She went to the bathroom,” I lie. “Can we help you with something?”
    He scratches his large head as he stares at me blankly. “Should I eat a corn dog or a hot dog for lunch? I can’t decide.”
    Megan is about to spit out a comment but Tanya flashes her a warning look that shuts her up.
    “It’s all-inclusive,” Chase says. “Why don’t you have one of each?”
    Matt’s face lights up like a dull light bulb. “Thanks, Ethan,” he says nodding. He walks away without saying bye.
    “I’m Chase, but whatever,” Chase says with a shrug.
    Tanya floats on her back and Ethan takes her feet in his hands and pulls her gently through the water. My stomach flutters at having to tell them the news that will ruin their wedding week. And no, I’m not being dramatic. Stephanie will definitely ruin a week. That’s her specialty.
    I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “Tanya, I have something to tell you guys.”
    Her face drops. “What?”
    It’s harder to spit out than I thought it would be.
    “Our cousin is here,” Chase says to Ethan.
    Ethan’s eyes widen in panic. “Please tell me you mean Lucas.”
    “Try again,” Chase says, shaking his head.
    Tanya flies to her feet. “NO!”
    Ethan looks like he saw a ghost. “You can’t be serious.”
    Tanya looks at me with desperation in her eyes. “Cynthia? Is it true?” Her eyes are begging me