Free Sunkissed by Traci Hohenstein Page B

time.
    “Seven-thirty.” Trista took a bite of her bagel. She was getting excited about the prospect of going to the Bahamas for a long weekend. Quinn Miller was flying in town today from LA. Trista was looking forward to spending some quality time with her best friend.
    “We should take Quinn out to dinner tonight. Maybe hit up that new club that just opened in Destin,” Nicolette suggested. She was stuffing files into her briefcase, getting ready to leave for work. After a few nights of crying, three pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and several bottles of wine, Nicolette seemed to have Riker out of her system. And if not, a trip to the Bahamas would definitely help.
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We have an early flight. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like flying when I’m hung over,” Trista responded. She finished her breakfast and put her plate in the sink. She was glad that Lupe, their housekeeper, was coming in today to clean and restock the refrigerator. Not only was the house a complete wreck, but Nicolette had ransacked the refrigerator. After her breakup with Blake, Trista had done the complete opposite. She couldn’t eat for days.
    “Don’t be such a wuss. It will be a great kick-off to our girl’s weekend trip. Besides, Wednesday night is Ladies Night, and this club is supposed to be crawling with cute guys. Who knows, maybe you’ll finally meet someone too!”
    “I’ll think about it.” Trista looked at the clock on the microwave. “Don’t you have a closing this morning?”
    “Shit,” Nicolette grabbed her coffee mug and briefcase off the counter. “I didn’t realize it had gotten so late. I have to be in Panama City in twenty minutes.”
    “Then you better hurry.” It was the first of March, and spring break had already started in full force, with MTV setting up in their usual spot: Panama City Beach. Traffic would be hellish by ten o’clock.
    “What are you doing today?” Nicolette asked, heading for the garage door.
    “Laundry. Packing.” Trista thought about calling her agent too. Checking in to see if she had lined up any auditions for her. “Then I’m off to the studio to finish the voice-over work before I have to pick up Quinn from the airport.”
    “Have fun! I’ll see ya tonight!” Nicolette slammed the door shut behind her. Trista heard the garage door go up and Nicolette’s car rev to life. The garage door eased down a couple minutes later. Now she was all alone in the beach house. Thank goodness. She loved her sister, but sometimes Nicolette could grate on her last nerve.
    Trista had a couple hours before she had to be in the studio. She glanced at her phone. For once it was silent. Ever since the night Nicolette came home from her dinner with Riker, Trista had managed to stay away from him. He’d called and texted her for a week straight, but Trista ignored all his texts and deleted his voicemails without listening to them. It didn’t matter that it was over between him and Nicolette. She was never going to see him again. She hoped that eventually he would get the hint.
    Trista started cleaning up the kitchen, putting the rest of the breakfast plates and mugs in the kitchen sink. The housekeeper would be here soon. Nicolette always chided Trista for cleaning up every morning before Lupe came to clean. “Why do you always clean before Lupe gets here? You do know that it is her job to do that?” she asked her one morning while Trista was sweeping. She’d answered, “I don’t know. I just like to tidy up.” But she guessed she was just used to picking up after Blake. Old habits are hard to break. She headed upstairs to get ready for work. In less than ten hours, Quinn would be here, and she could leave her thoughts of Blake and Riker behind her.
     
    Quinn was waiting in the baggage terminal area when Trista got to the airport. Trista spotted her friend immediately. She was the only five-foot-ten, brunette woman wearing a black jumpsuit