by Jamey Moody
Live This Love
Jamey Moody
Contents
Connect
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
About the Author
Live This Love
© 2020 by Jamey Moody. All Rights Reserved.
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Edited: Jessica Hatch
Proofread: Monna Herring
Cover: Magnolia Robbins
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
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ebooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away as it is an infringement of the copyright of this work.
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Thank you for purchasing my ebook! I hope you enjoy the story.
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One
Something was coming. Something that gives an eerie feeling, that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck, that gives you butterflies in your stomach, a tingling in your arms and legs. That’s what Alex Adams knew the minute she woke up that morning in June: something was coming and it was coming for her.
She knew something was coming just as sure as she knew there would be a beautiful sunset this evening. The sunset was beautiful nearly every evening on St. John. The sunsets, the beaches, and the laidback island vibe brought tourists to this remote part of the United States year round.
The weather forecast was for sunny skies and a light breeze, so Peaches would be hopping that night. Peaches was the bar that Alex co-owned and one of the best spots for locals and tourists to watch the sunset. It was an open-air bar with a patio and small area for a band and dancing. It was on the main street of town, but the beach was just out the back door and across the patio. It was rustic but brightly painted and welcoming. Alex lived in a small apartment above the bar, so she was always nearby if her employees needed help. Alex loved the bar, the locals, the tourists, and especially Liz Medina, her co-owner.
“What are you doing here before noon? I thought you were helping me this evening so Beverly could leave early,” Alex said as Liz walked into the bar.
“Oh, I am. I was out and about and thought I’d take my favorite manager to lunch. What do you say? Fish tacos with pineapple salsa are calling my name,” Liz said as she smacked her lips.
At sixty-four years old Liz had seen the ebb and flow of island life and how people fall in love with it. Too many times Liz had seen people move to the islands to get away from something or start over just to learn they weren’t cut out for the full-time island life. Alex had walked into Liz’s bar one sunny afternoon sixteen years ago and felt an immediate connection. It had been the first time in a long time she felt like she could breathe.
Everyone was welcome in Peaches, but Liz had a reputation for loving the ladies, so the crowd was often filled with lesbians. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for Alex to be invited back to someone’s hotel. Sometimes she accepted, but she never took anyone home with her. Above the bar was her safe haven, and she refused to share it with anyone.
“Well, I had a late breakfast this morning because I was out riding my bike and let time get away from me,” said Alex. She usually biked, ran, or paddle-boarded every morning. Exercise had always been her drug of choice, and it relaxed her. It also gave her a toned, tanned body that belied her forty-six years. She looked ten years younger, with sun-lightened brown hair whose streaks of gold stopped at her shoulders. Her brown eyes were the color of a fine whiskey and held a secret no one knew but Liz.
“Hmm, now what were you thinking on to make you lose track of time, Miss-I’m-Never-Late-for-Anything-and-Stick-to-My-Schedule?”
Alex didn’t say anything.
Liz raised her eyebrows, creasing her forehead, and said, “Come on, out with it. What’s going on, Alex?”
“Oh nothing.”
“Really? You expect me to believe nothing is going on when I could set my watch by your morning routine. What’s up?” Liz demanded.
“I don’t know, Liz. I have this feeling something is coming. I can’t explain it, just a feeling,” Alex confessed.
“Well, let’s see. The best I remember, when you have one of these feelings”—she used her hands to form air quotes around the word—"good things usually happen. Like the time Hurricane Irma was supposed to miss the island and you had us prepare and take shelter anyway. You saved a lot of people that day if you’ll remember. So don’t let it bother you.”
“I’m not letting it bother me. It’s just kind of nagging at me, you know,” said Alex.
“Look, kiddo, that’s one reason I wanted us to have lunch. Your whole world is this bar, and that nagging feeling you’ve got is going to be me if you don’t stop and look at where you’re living!”
“Huh? What do you mean where I’m living? I know where I am, and I happen to love my job,” Alex said with a perplexed look on her face.
“I know you do. But honey, you’re living in a paradise most people only dream about. Take some time and enjoy it,” Liz said. “You open up most days and are here to close every night. You rarely take a night off. You should ask one of the beautiful girls that come in here looking for an island fling to go out. And I don’t mean to this bar!”
“Come on, Liz. Not this again. You know these girls are here for a few days and gone,” replied Alex.
“I’m not saying fall in love. I’m saying have a little fun, share a meal, do a little dancing, walk on the beach, and have hot sex!” Liz said as she twirled in a circle and did a hip thrust.
Alex’s jaw fell open and eyes went wide. “Oh my god, you just can’t stop yourself sometimes, can you?”
“I’m serious. I see how these girls look at you. Hell, they used to look at me the same way. And I don’t mind telling you I had some good times along the way especially when I was your age.”
“I know. And it wasn’t that long ago I saw you leave with one of those ‘girls,’” said Alex.
“This isn’t about me. All I’m saying is don’t sell yourself short. Just because you see me alone and occasionally leaving with someone doesn’t mean that’s how it will be for you too.” Liz took a breath. “I don’t want to see you pass something or someone up because you are chained to this bar. You can have both and be happy.”
“Okay. But do you mind telling me where all this is coming from?” Alex asked.
“Honestly, I came across this picture and it got me thinking,” Liz admitted as she showed the photo to Alex.
In the photograph, they were on the bar patio. Liz was sitting at a table with her arm around a beautiful woman. Alex stood behind the two with her arms around both of them. Strings of lights twinkled overhead and reflected in their eyes as their smiles brighten
ed the night.
“You were just a baby. I think you’d just gotten here,” Liz said.
“Yeah, I remember this. I’d been here about a month. That’s the lovely Lorna. She tried so hard to get you to leave with her. I recall tears when she left.”
“Yep. Tears from us both.” Liz sighed.
“I often wondered if she’d have come here a year later if you would have gone with her. By then you knew I was staying and would take care of the bar for you, so you could have at least given it a chance,” Alex said quietly.
“Maybe. I thought about contacting her from time to time over the years but didn’t,” Liz said with a wistful look on her face. She shook her head. “But this picture made me think that I don’t want you to miss a similar opportunity. As I look back now I do wonder, ‘What if?’ I don’t want you to look back in ten or twenty years and wonder ‘what if’, Alex.”
Alex’s eyebrows raised, but she didn’t say anything.
“All I’m asking is for you to keep an open mind and remember where you are. Love is all around this paradise because that’s what people come here for. It wouldn’t hurt you to grab a little for yourself,” Liz explained.
“Okay. I see what you’re saying. But you know a long-term love isn’t in the cards for me. There’s no way anyone would want to be with me if they knew the reason I stayed here. And I don’t know how I’d even try to tell someone. They’d run before I finished the story.”
“Don’t be so sure, Alex. People will surprise you, especially if the right one just so happens to walk into our bar. I know you don’t believe that right now, but keep an open mind. And take a walk on the beach with a beautiful woman for goodness sake! Okay?” Liz demanded.
“Okay, Liz. Can we talk about this liquor order now?” Alex asked, successfully putting an end to the discussion.
Alex was right: tables were filling up at Peaches as the sun went down. It’d be a busy night. She didn’t mind, though; she loved to watch the people. They came from all over, ready to play on the beach, walk along and stop in the little shops, and enjoy their time at the bar.
Liz and Alex were tending bar while Max and Danny waited tables. It wouldn’t be long until Max’s shift ended; then the remaining three would handle the rest of the night. They had all worked together for a few years and were a smoothly running team. On weekend nights the bar could get crowded, and it looked like this Friday night wouldn’t be any different. They kept everyone happy, with the drinks flowing and music playing. Occasionally there would be the impatient tourist that had too much to drink and wanted more, but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle.
When a group of eight women walked in, the bar’s volume rose noticeably. Danny leaned against the bar and said, “I think it’s a birthday party.” Then he greeted the group and showed them to a table.
“Sorority sisters,” Max guessed.
“Old college friends having a reunion,” Liz added.
Alex shook her head. “Nah, that’s a wedding party.”
When Danny brought their drink order back to the bar, he laughed and said, “Surprise, surprise, it’s a lesbian wedding. That’s the third one this week.”
“I win,” Alex said. “Pay up.”
“Who said anything about betting this time?” complained Max.
“We’re always betting, you know that,” said Liz. “We’ll take it out of the tips tonight.”
“Works for me. Now let’s get these ladies their drinks. First round is on the house, best wishes to the brides!” Alex said as she and Liz started filling glasses with ice.
As their server led them to the table, Riley James made sure she wasn’t sitting by Lee. Since they landed on St. John this morning Lee had made it obvious she was interested in a wedding party hook-up with Riley, but that wasn’t happening. Lee was a friend of a friend and had tried this before with Riley at the last party they both attended. She remembered Lee left with someone else after Riley repeatedly dodged her. Lee thought she was God’s gift to women but Riley wanted nothing to do with her. All Riley wanted to do was celebrate her friends Kim and Kerry’s wedding. After fifteen years together they’d finally decided to tie the knot.
She managed to sit next to Kim, while Kara, Riley’s best friend, was on her other side. Next to Kara were Julie and Sara, who had been married for ten years. Lee sat next to them, and Lisa, Kerry’s sister, rounded out the group. The eight friends all knew Kim and Kerry well but couldn’t necessarily say the same about each other. Still, it was a good group with varied backgrounds that all loved the brides-to-be.
Riley was looking forward to the next two weeks since she and Kara had decided to turn this into a vacation. Her plan was the wedding and then sun and fun. She was open to anything at this point. As of last week she was now a retired teacher and not sure what comes next. Maybe she would island hop all summer or have a torrid summer fling with a younger woman.
When the waiter brought the first round of drinks, he declared that it was on the house. That got a cheer from the group. Kerry immediately ordered a round of shots for everyone and gave a toast. “I know it’s taken us too long to finally tie the knot, but we’re certainly not too old to party, so let’s pretend we’re still dirty, thirty, and silly!”
The group laughed and cheered as the party started.
“Come on, let’s dance!” Kerry got up and led Kim to the dance floor.
“Would you like to dance?” Lee asked Riley.
“Sorry, Lee, I haven’t had near enough to drink to dance. Thanks, though,” Riley replied with a shake of her curly dark red hair.
“Come on, Lee, I’ll dance with you,” Lisa said. She grabbed Lee’s hand and headed to the dance floor.
“I think Lee is definitely interested in you being her wedding fling,” Kara observed.
“Well, she needs to get uninterested real quick because that ain’t happening. No way,” Riley said emphatically.
“I’d help you out with Lee, but she’s not really my type. Besides she couldn’t keep up with me,” Kara said as she looked around the bar.
“I don’t even want to know what you mean by that,” Riley said.
Kara chuckled as she nudged Riley with her shoulder. “Now there’s someone more your type. Check out the bartender. Maybe she’d show us around since we’re staying after the wedding.”
Riley followed Kara’s gaze. A sexy, toned bartender with light brown hair pulled into a messy pony tail was lining up the glasses for their shots. “Are you kidding me? I’m sure she could have her pick any night.”
“She could show us around, tell us the good places to go, take you for a long walk on the beach,” Kara said, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
“Oh my god.” Riley rolled her eyes.
Kara pulled her face into a pout. “Come on, Riley, you haven’t dated anyone in forever. How long has it been since you had—wait, don’t answer that. Besides, I’ve seen her looking over here checking you out. You should go talk to her.”
“How do you know she was checking me out? There were eight people sitting here. Besides, what makes you think she bats for our team?” Riley said.
“We’re about to find out,” Kara said as Danny walked back to their table with the shots. “Hey, Danny, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Danny said as he set the drinks on the table.
“I have a question for you. We were just wondering if the bartender was ‘Family’, you know what I mean?” Kara asked, raising her eyebrows.
Danny laughed. “Yeah, I hear you, and yes, Alex is into women.”
“Alex, huh? Does she have a girlfriend, Danny?” Kara continued.
“Nope.”
“Leave Danny alone, Kara. That’s enough questions,” Riley interrupted, saving Danny and herself from further embarrassment.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” Danny said, smiling as he walked away.
As the evening continued so did the drinking and the dancing. Alex kept a watchful eye over
the bar. It was her job to make sure everyone had a good time but was also respectful of others. There were several tables now interacting with one another, and it looked like a huge party. Everyone was having a good time, especially the brides and their group. Alex loved to see women having a good time and wondered to herself how old they were, where they came from, and what they did for a living. It was a game she played nearly every night, though tonight she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off the woman with short red hair. There was something about her.
Alex had made eye contact with her a couple of times when she took drinks to the table. The woman had blue-green eyes and a really nice smile. At least, it certainly was nice when she smiled at Alex. It didn’t appear like she was with anyone in particular. She had danced with one of the other women from her table, but looked to be actively trying to avoid another. Alex didn’t really have time to think about it, though, because she was busy tending the bar. The next thing she knew, she looked up and there the redhead was at the end of her bar.
“Can I get you something?” Alex said.
“Could you make me a glass of water and make it look like a drink?” the redhead asked. “I don’t want my friends teasing me about not keeping up.”
Alex chuckled. “Sure, we’ll fix up sparkling water with a little lemon, a sword with pineapple and cherry, and a tiny umbrella.” She fiddled around behind the bar before plopping a rocks glass in front of the woman. “How’s that?”