Page 58 of Riptide

“Was hopelessly in love with my next-door neighbor until he crushed my heart at seventeen when I saw him making out with one of the girls from my high school. I had a couple of situationships along the way. Met a couple of guys in the military but long-distance relationships suck. Now I’m going to start med school. I don’t have time for love.”

“Sometimes…you need to make time for important things.”

“Maybe no one has made me reconsider my decision, until now.” Kaimana beamed at him.

Seth spotted a woman in a long curly red wig cross the dance floor. Wearing a skintight bright yellow body dress, she made her way to the bar and slid onto a barstool.

“Is that your girl?” Seth nodded toward the bar.

“I almost forgot why we were here…almost.” Kaimana leaned toward the curtain, studying the woman. “Yeah. That’s her all right. Joli.”

“Magic,” Seth corrected.

“Yeah, Magic.” Kaimana released a sigh. “I hope this thing works.” She tapped at a bright pink and yellow daisy camera pin adhered to her dress.

“I’ll be right here. Marcus is listening and watching out. They’ll get us out right away if that Adam dude shows up.”

“I’ve got this. Trust me.”

“Always.” Seth kept his eyes trained on Kaimana as she crossed the room. His gaze darted to the balcony where he spied Marcus, dressed in a royal blue wig and bright neon green suit. Adrenaline shot through his body as his attention immediately returned to Kaimana, who approached Joli.

Three. Two. One. “Showtime.”

Chapter Eight

Kaimana steeled her nerves as she made her way through the crowd toward Joli. Would she remember her? Could she lure her into the booth? Within seconds, the myriad of worries drifting through her mind settled as she pictured Evan. Focus. Find him. Save him.

Kaimana shimmied up next to Joli at the bar. With a flirtatious flip of her pink hair, she batted her eyelids. “Hey, beautiful. Love the outfit.”

“Thank you,” Joli beamed.

“Super sexy.” Kaimana’s eyes lit up through her shimmering silver mask. She licked her bottom lip as her gaze drifted to Joli’s breasts.

“You alone too?”

“Not tonight. I’m with a friend. We’re a couple looking for a party.”

“Well, aren’t I the lucky girl? I’m Magic. Like the mushrooms.”

“Hmm…I bet you’re a fantastic high.” Kaimana giggled. “I’m Paris. We’ve got a private booth. A bottle of champagne. You interested in playing?”

“Public or private?” Joli reached out and brushed her fingers over Kaimana’s arm, lightly stroking her wrist.

“Either is fine with us. You?”

“I love public but there’s something about private that’s sexy. I’ve got a place around the corner. Sick balcony with a view of the city. All the privacy we need.”

“Seriously? Sounds incredible.”

“I have all the toys, of course,” Joli promised.

“Of course,” Kaimana giggled. “Would you like to come over to the booth and meet my partner?”

“I’m sorry, I know this is going to sound strange, but you look so familiar. Where did you say you are from again?”

“I’m from the East Coast. Philadelphia. New York. Miami is home these days but I’m always traveling so home is where the heart is.” Kaimana’s pulse raced as the lie slid off her lips.

“You’ve never been here in LA?” Her eyes narrowed as she studied Kaimana.