Free Clara Meets The Parents (Clara Andrews #2) by Lacey London Page A

spoken about babies before. Apart from criticising the name choices on Jeremy Kyle, it has been a rather taboo subject for us. I once made a joke about how cute our babies would be and I’ve never seen someone look so uncomfortable. He actually turned a funny shade of green, but he swore it was the prawns. Not wanting another awkward discussion, I decide to breeze straight past it. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I give him a tight squeeze as music floats into the room from the bar below.
    ‘I love this song! Why don’t we get dressed and go down to the bar? What do you say?’ Planting a big kiss on his sunburnt nose, I dash to the wardrobe in search of something to wear.
    ‘Have you seen my blue maxi dress?’
    ‘Actually, I thought I could bring the bar to us.’ He flashes me his usual Hollywood smile that makes my knees go weak, but this time it doesn’t quite match his eyes. ‘Fire up that jacuzzi. I’ll go down for the fizz.’
    The door is closed before I have chance to respond. Hearing his footsteps disappear down the lobby, I try to work out why he is so caught up in this baby bubble. You can’t be upset about losing something that you never had in the first place, can you? Shaking my head, I pad into the bathroom and pour an entire bottle of bubbles into the tub and turn on the taps.
    Watching the bubbling water, I look around the beautiful hotel suite. Luxury furnishings, champagne on tap, the world’s biggest jacuzzi tub. Why on Earth would anyone want to swap this for sticky fingers, dirty nappies and sleepless nights? Running my hands along the marble sink, I can’t help but think that you would be crazy to want that lifestyle, crazy or drunk. And by the end of tonight, I plan to be at least one of those.

Chapter 19
     
    Straightening out my beach towel, I take a big slug of water. The two paracetamol and hefty dose of Pepto Bismol I forced down this morning have not been much help in making me feel better. Our glass of bubbles in the jacuzzi soon turned into two and then the entire bottle. Even the mere thought of champagne is making my stomach churn right now.
    Turning over to get some colour on my back, I take a moment to appreciate the peace and quiet. When he finally managed to drag himself out of bed this morning, Oliver declared today pool day. After chucking the essentials and half a pharmacy into the beach bag, we took our groggy heads down to the pool. Thankfully, Janie and Randy haven’t made it down yet, so we have had a good couple of hours to ourselves.
    ‘Do you feel up to a drink yet?’ Oliver asks from the pool.
    Shaking my head in response, I reach under the lounger for my book.
    ‘How about a dip then?’ He splashes me playfully as he takes a sip of Corona.
    Knowing that he won’t give up without a fight, I kick off my Havaianas. It’s not even noon yet and the sun is already burning down on us. After twisting my hair up into a messy bun, I run across the hot tiles and hop into the shimmering blue water. Watching Oliver do a few quick lengths, I enjoy the cooling sensation on my toasty skin. As he comes up for air, I try desperately not to catch the attention of the enthusiastic animation team, who are relentlessly dragging people up for a ping-pong tournament on the beach.
    ‘Did she just say ping-pong?’ He spins around and smiles at me hopefully.
    ‘Yes she did and no, I won’t. You go. I’ll stay round the pool.’ I stick out my tongue playfully and watch him scramble up the steps before swimming off towards the bar.
    The pool is starting to fill up and the gentle music that has been playing all morning has been turned up considerably. Hopping onto a bar stool, I wait for the barman to drag himself away from the busty brunette long enough to take my order.
    ‘Si, senorita?’ Flashing me a cheeky wink, he leans forwards with a huge smile.
    Trying hard not to blush, I order the first thing that comes to mind. ‘Can I just get a sparkling water, please?’
    ‘Oh