Page 5 of Next Time We'll Fall

She stares back at me, and she smiles. “I am slightly embarrassed to tell you why.”

She looks over at her sister, and they both start laughing hysterically, like they have some sort of inside joke. It leaves me even more intrigued and curious.

“Why are you embarrassed to tell me? I’m your cousin. I love you. I don’t judge.”

Okay, sometimes, I judge, but I’m not going to tell them that. I do want to know what’s going on after all. Plus, I’m trying to be better about not judging people, as I think it’s one of my worst qualities. The Lord knows I’m no saint myself.

“She heard men are interested in women who like to fish,” Sage says, giggling like she’s not in on the plan, but I know them both well enough to know that she’s definitely in on it as well. “In particular, rich men.”

“What?” I stare at them as I smile in amusement. They never cease to amaze me with their antics. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a thing,” Rosie says. “Rich men like self-sufficient women. Rich men like women who are up for an adventure, and I am up for an adventure.”

“Is this your way of telling me that you’re looking for a rich man?”

“What gave it away?” They both start laughing before Rosie continues, “I mean, obviously, we’re not gold diggers. We’re not going to be like prostitutes or escorts or anything, but if we just happen to fall in love with a rich man who wants to spoil us silly, who are we to say no?”

I stare at both of them. “This is for real?”

“I mean, it’s not for fake.” Rosie giggles. “But never let it be said that we won’t also give broke guys a chance.”

“Yeah”—Sage lets out a long-suffering sigh that can be heard around the island—“I think our history shows that we’ve given many broke men a chance.”

“I feel you.” I laugh. “Hate to say it, but we won’t be going fishing right now. I am not much of a fisher myself, and I have no equipment, and I don’t think any one of us wants to buy some right now either.” I do not have the money to waste on rods and bait.

“It’s fine. Let’s go to Cocktails & Chaos. I’d love to see Preston again. He’s such a cutie.” Rosie’s eyes light up as she thinks of the handsome bartender who works at the bar.

I seem to recall him flirting with her the last time they were in town, and I’m sure she’s remembering that as well.

“He’s cute, he’s single, but he’s certainly not rich. Especially after his ex took him for as much money as she could get her grubby hands on.”

“Ooh?” Rosie and Sage both look at me with curious eyes, and I know I shouldn’t gossip, but I can’t help myself.

“He was dating this lady from New York. She was even friends with me and Mia for a bit, but she ended up being a con artist and a user. She had issues because her ex cheated on her, but it turned out, she had slept with his best friend and stolen money from him as well. None of us realized she was looking for another man to take advantage of, and, well, let’s just say, she fooled all of us, until the truth came out.”

“Oh shit.” Sage looks shocked. “Poor Preston. What about you and Mia? Did she steal from you as well?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it. However, Mia and I are glad she left Coconut Beach and moved on. She was a bad egg. But, yeah, Preston was really burned by her.”

“Does that mean he’s single and ready to mingle? Or he’s still crying into his pillow?” Rosie licks her lips slowly. “I can help make him all better.”

“Rosie, Preston is not only my bartender, but he is also my friend. I think the world of him, and I don’t think he needs another woman playing games and breaking his heart.”

“Would I ever break anyone’s heart?” Rosie says as she spins around, her hands in the air before she clutches her heart dramatically.

We all start laughing and head out of the airport toward my car. I’m so excited my cousins are in town, but I have a feeling the upcoming weeks will be filled with drama.

“Welcome to Cocktails & Chaos,”Preston shouts out as soon as we enter the bar, but then he looks up, and a wide smile crosses his face. “Juniper. So good to see you and your friends.”

“These are my cousins, Rosie and Sage. You met them before, but not sure if you remember them.”

“Oh, yes, I remember them. How are you girls doing?” He offers them a wide smile and ushers us toward the bar.

I can already see him grabbing three glasses to make us some specialty cocktails. That’s why I love Preston.

“Hey there, Preston.” Rosie sashays up to the front. “How are you tonight?”

“Well, but maybe not as well as you appear to be doing.” He cocks his head to the side. “You’re looking even more beautiful than I remember.”