Free Much More than Friends by Norah C. Peters

 
    Much More than Friends
     
    "I think I'm pregnant," Lisa gasped as she smashed the empty shot glass down on the bar counter, "Uno mas," she swept her blonde hair back from her tanned forehead and looked at Victor to see his reaction. What would her favorite Cancun barman say to that?
    Victor raised an eyebrow as he refilled her lunchtime tequila. Tall, handsome and well built he was used to attention from the ladies and he'd seen this play out thousands of times before in the bar. Girl on vacation, a little party, a little more party, and next thing you know a little baby. He tidied up behind the bar as the beautiful girl with the great body transformed into the latest train wreck in the bar. If only she wasn't a wild tourist, he thought, what a waste, she was stunning.
    Lisa burped and continued, "It was a mad night, three of us ended up in bed. Me, Jack Daniels and some guy. That's about all I remember. But today I feel a bit weird. I should have known better."
    Victor wiped down the bar in front of her. "Don't worry. In a few days you'll be back in Boston and this will all fade away with your tan. Everyone needs to let their hair down now and again. That's what Cancun is for. That's why we all love it here so much. Relax. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. It'll be alright. Trust me chica."
    Lisa's red eyes watered and she sighed as she slumped further into her seat. "It's not just last night. Your life is good here. You work at the beach, everyone is so friendly here and you're always smiling. I hate my life in Boston. I'm 32 years old, single and I don't want to go back to work next week. It sucks. Really, it does.
    "And today I woke up, hungover again and alone and I made a decision. A big decision. From now on I'm making my happiness my top priority. I'm not living the rest of my life bending over backwards trying to make everyone else happy. I've been doing that long enough and it doesn't work. Look at the state I'm in today. I'm walking proof that being a people pleaser doesn't work."
    "It's not so bad Lisa. You're just having a bad day. Go work on that tan and enjoy a good siesta. You'll feel much better. The sea is beautiful today. Go take a swim." Victor pointed to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean gently lapping the shore line.
    "Maybe you're right. I love talking to you Victor . You're always so kind and decent. I always feel so much better after talking to you. I don't know what it is about you. All week I've been popping in here and I've hardly been to any of the other bars. I just keep coming back here to see you. Crazy eh?" Lisa looked Victor up and down and enjoyed the now familiar sight of his bulging muscles under his tight white linen shirt. He looked fantastic with that brilliant white against his dark tan and his short black hair and his stylish white linen trousers flowing down to his bare feet in the sand. If only...
    "We are good friends now Lisa. Maybe next year you come visit again or maybe two years from now and we'll talk like it was yesterday. We've talked about a lot of different things, you and I, and it's always interesting. Always. I look forward to seeing you when you call in. This town is full of party girls but you're not like the rest of them. For me, you are a friend, a friend for life. And I hope we can stay in touch after you leave."
    "Oh, we will, don't worry, I'll send you photos of dull and dreary Boston. You don't know what you're missing," Lisa laughed.
    "Okay Lisa, I need to get going now that Maria has finally turned up. Only 20 minutes late for her 1p.m. start. She's getting better. See you later guapa."
    Lisa watched as Victor made his way barefoot from the bar across the sand and past the other beach bars. He stopped again and again to greet people and after a round of handshakes and hugs he stepped up onto the pavement and disappeared down the street and out of sight.
    Lisa wondered where her gay friend was going and when he would be back. What a lovely guy. A true