Page 6 of Here & Now

“Hot!” Gina said.

“But exhilarating,” Callie added.

Marco turned to the mini-fridge on the counter behind him and pulled out two bottled waters. He slid them across to the women and said, “On the house.”

“Thank you so much!” Gina said. She immediately uncapped hers and took a long drink.

Callie twisted the bottle around in her hands. “We were wondering…”

“Yes?” Marco said.

Zane knew what was coming but feigned innocence.

“Would you two like to have dinner with us tomorrow night?”

“Unless you’re busy,” Gina said, clearly the less confident of the two.

“I’m not busy. Are you busy?” Marco said to Zane.

Zane wanted to laugh. He and Marco kept their Friday nights free for this very reason. Today the women had come to them instead of the other way around.

“I’m available,” he’d said.

Now, as he pulled into the parking lot of Turtle Cove Resort, he saw Callie and Gina waiting outside. They were both dressed to kill in snug, strappy dresses and high heels, and their hair and makeup were perfectly in place. He and Marco hopped out of the Jeep and greeted them.

“Wow, you two look great!” Marco exclaimed.

“Thanks,” the women answered in unison.

Of the two men, Marco was more expressive, but Zane smiled appreciatively.

“Ready to go?” he said.

The four went to the Jeep, and Marco opened the front passenger door. “Who wants to sit up front?”

“I will,” Callie said, exchanging a knowing look with Gina.

The women had obviously made their choices beforehand, which didn’t surprise Zane in the least. Marco gave Callie a hand in, and then he opened the back door for Gina.

“Top up or down?” Zane asked.

Callie burst out laughing. “We haven’t even had dinner yet!”

They all laughed, and then Zane said, “I meant the car.” He expected the women to want the top on so the wind wouldn’t mess up their hair, but to his surprise, they chose the opposite.

“Where are you taking us?” Gina asked.

“The Mucky Duck Restaurant on Captiva,” Zane replied.

“It’s one of our favorites,” Marco added.

“Funny name,” Callie said.

“They have great seafood and an ocean view.”

“Sounds good to me,” Gina said.

On the way there, Marco asked the usual questions. “Where are you ladies from?”