by Joan Rylen
“Uh, not no, but hell no,” Vivian said, inspecting the contents of the cooler. “That round of margaritas cost me 75 smackers.”
“Holy crap,” Wendy said. “You didn’t say anything.”
“I said I’d pay, but I thought y’all should know. I was going to load up the cooler but let’s just take a bottle of wine.”
All wearing robes and cotton Ridge slippers, the girls stepped on the elevator. Lucy carried the ice bucket with a bottle of sauvignon blanc sticking out of it.
“We’re so classy,” Wendy said, holding up three plastic cups.
Kate hit the B button. “You can take the girl out of the Get Down, but…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Vivian said and looked down at her slippers. “These may accidentally end up in my suitcase.”
Lucy bent over a bit to look at hers. Her rear stuck out, hitting the emergency call button. The girls jumped as a shrill bell sounded.
A voice sounded over the PA system.
“What’s your emergency?”
No one could speak. They were laughing too hard.
“What’s your emergency, please?”
“Lucy has a bubble butt!” Vivian yelled.
“Hey!”
Wendy composed herself. “Sorry, sir. Lucy bent over and hit the button with her very muscular gluteus maximus. Everything is fine.”
“Not a problem, Enjoy your stay.”
“I can’t believe you told him I have a big butt!” Lucy butt-bumped Vivian.
“I didn’t say big, I called it bubble-licious.”
The doors opened and Kate said, “We better take it down a notch or they aren’t gonna let us in.”
Suri greeted them and asked if they’d like to book a service during their stay. All services were 35 percent off due to mud season.
“Score,” Vivian said, “What are my options?”
Suri handed them a list — massages, facials, seaweed wraps, manicures, pedicures, mud baths.
“I’d like to have a 60-minute massage tomorrow, please,” Vivian said.
“Wonderful. I have 10 a.m. available with Mindy or Stefan. Do you have a preference?”
“Oh, I’ll take Stefan. I like strong hands.”
“Great. Please be here 20 minutes prior to the appointment, and Stefan will meet you in the ladies lounge.”
“Yay!”
Kate and Lucy also booked massages and Wendy a facial for around the same time.
“Thank you, ladies,” Suri said. “Enjoy your time in the spa today.”
“Thank you,” they chimed as Lucy pulled open the door to happiness.
The girls had the coed grotto to themselves, so each claimed a lounger by tossing her robe on it and kicking her slippers underneath.
“Ahhh,” Vivian said, dipping down to her shoulders. The green hue of the water brought out the green sparkles in Vivian’s black, low-cut one-piece.
“You’re going to have to drag me out of here,” Kate said, sitting on the edge, legs dangling in the warm water, light from the sconces shimmering off her blue iridescent bikini top. “This feels fantastic.”
Air filled Lucy’s black and silver tankini as she floated over to Kate and the wine bucket. She popped the cork and poured three plastic cups. Wendy got Kate a glass of orange-infused water from the beverage station before stepping in.
“Gracias,” Kate said.
“De nada and happy Cinco de Mayo!” Wendy said.
“You mean happy Drinko de Mayo,” Vivian laughed.
“Aye ya yai ya yai!” the girls cheered.
“We should go out for Mexican food tonight,” Wendy suggested. “I could use a giant, big-as-yo’-face burrito.”
“Oh yeah, definitely,” Vivian said.
“Okay, but I’m warning you,” Lucy said, shaking her head. “It’s not going to be the Tex-Mex y’all are used to. There’s no Chuy’s here.”
“That’s all right, it’ll be fine,” Kate said.
“Maybe they’ll have good drink specials,” Wendy said. “Better than the $75 margaritas at The Ridge.”
They clinked their plastic cups together again.
Lucy took a sip of wine and eyed the beverage station. She got out of the water and came back with cucumber slices for everyone.
“We can finally relax now and I think we need a picture of us doing it. Kate, get your camera ready and girls, prepare to relax!”
Lucy, Wendy and Vivian got into place, cucumbers over their eyes while Kate hopped out of the hot tub and got the camera situated just right on one of the loungers. She set the timer, then splashed into the pool and swam up next to Lucy just in time for the flash.*
The girls then grabbed their cups of wine and had another toast. “To relaxing at The Ridge!” Vivian said and had a sip of wine, then set her cup on the ledge.
She floated over to the waterfall that cascaded from the rock wall and stood underneath. She tilted her head back, letting the water splash over her.
“You know, with the right lack of attire that’d make a naughty picture,” Kate smirked. “Should I get out my camera?”
“Use ’em to reel in the next Mr. Right,” Lucy said.
“Or Mr. Right Now,” Vivian said. “I’m in!”
21
YOU are not going to take topless photos in here, are you?” Wendy asked.
“Sure,” Vivian said. “Why not?”
Kate fished the camera out of her bag. “Lucy, why don’t you stand by the men’s entrance and kinda block their view if the door opens?”
“I’m on it, but I want mine taken, too. I haven’t told y’all, but I went to a plastic surgeon a few weeks ago and I’m getting a reduction.”
“I want one,” Vivian said, “or at least a lift. Two for one. Two for one!”
They laughed.
“I need before-and-after shots. We’ll have to come back to take the afters.”
“You got it,” Kate said.
Lucy stood guard at the men’s door and Wendy at the ladies’ while Vivian untied the neck of her swimsuit and lowered it to her waist. She posed under the waterfall. Kate snapped away. The camera flash was blinding in the dim light, but exhilarating.
“Why do I get the feeling this isn’t the first time you’ve done this?” Wendy joked.
Vivian grinned and switched poses.
“Yes, give us a dramatic Playboy look,” Kate said, laughing and clicking away.
She switched again.
“Damn, girl, you’re a natural!” Kate shifted the camera and moved to one knee. Click. She stood back up and stepped into the water to her knees. “This one’s pretty close. Work it, sister!”
Vivian was cracking up, as were they all. Their cackles echoed off the walls.
Vivian tried to quiet them. “Shhhhh, someone’s going to come in.”
They couldn’t stop.
A few shots later, Vivian retied her top. “This is probably the trashiest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Umm, hello,” Wendy said. “What do you consider last night?”
“I don’t want to ever think about that. In fact, if we never talk about it again, I’ll be very, very happy. Now get your boobs in here.”
“Unh uh. No way. Not gonna happen,” Wendy said, shaking her head.
“Come on, Wendy, I promise they will only be seen by you,” Kate said. “Well, and us.”
“Jake might like it,” Lucy teased.
“Any man would like it,” Wendy said, “but I don’t know. It is pretty trashy.”
“Live a little,” Vivian urged.
“Don’t be a wuss,” Lucy teased.
Wendy hung her head a little and sighed. “Okay, fine. But only a few, and before I expose myself, you both have to look down the halls and make sure no one is coming.”
“Okay,” Vivian said. “Now get naked!”
Wendy grabbed her wine and gulped it down. “Liquid courage,” she said and stepped back into the hot tub.
Vivian and Lucy each peeked down the halls and gav
e the all clear.
Wendy dipped down below the water and unhooked her bikini top.
“Check again, just in case,” she said before removing it.
They did.
“CLEAR,” Vivian yelled and took a sip of wine.
“Clear,” Lucy said, giving a thumbs up.
Wendy flung her top toward Kate. “Make it snappy!”
“Give me sexy,” Kate said and started clicking.
Wendy kept her arms over her chest and managed a tentative smile.
“Run your hands through your hair,” Kate said. “Head back, close your eyes, arch your back. That’s it! Just pretend you’re taking a shower.”
“I don’t do this in the shower,” Wendy said but did as Kate instructed. “Especially in front of three people.”
“Make love to the camera,” Vivian squealed.
“Work it, baby,” Lucy said.
Wendy turned to the side and gazed over her right shoulder, giving a sexy look. In that instant the men’s locker room door flung open, shoving Lucy aside, and Agent Nelson barged in.
Wendy gasped and stood frozen.
Nelson locked eyes with Wendy and stared. After a few too many seconds, he turned and went back through the door.
The girls really started to laugh, except for Wendy, who looked horrified.
“Oh my god, you were supposed to be on guard, Lucy,” Wendy said, lunging for her top floating in the water. “He just saw my boobs!”
“I’m sorry, I was mesmerized by the sex you were exuding! I’m impressed, by the way. I didn’t know you had that in you!”
“I should have known better. Vivian called it and someone did come in.”
“Technically, he just saw the side of your boobs,” Vivian said.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Kate turned to Lucy. “Do you still want your before? But we gotta make this quick. I have a feeling we’re about to get busted. No pun intended.”
“And we need to find out what Agent Nelson wanted,” Vivian said.
“Oh yeah, it’s my turn!” Lucy walked toward the hot tub. “And then I’m ready for some Mexican.”
Lucy got in place and promptly showed the ladies her ladies. Kate snapped away as Wendy and Vivian kept laughing and poured themselves another glass of wine.
Vivian held up her glass. “Shake ’em, hooker!”
“My, what large breasts you have,” Wendy said.
“Not for long,” Lucy said and smiled into the camera. Click click!
Kate wrapped it up and Lucy put the girls back in place right before Suri walked in with fresh towels. “You girls sound like you’re having a good time.”
“That we are,” Vivian said and got back into the hot tub.
“Can I get you anything? A menu perhaps?”
“No, thank you,” Kate said. “We’re going out for Mexican food tonight.”
Suri smiled, tidied up the beverage station and left.
“I think it’s officially time to get ready for dinner,” Wendy said. “Kate’s hungry.”
“Maybe she’s feeding two,” Vivian said and gave Kate an inquisitive glance.
“We’ll know soon enough, compliments of Trey!” Lucy said.
Vivian’s phone chimed and she got out to check it. “I have a voicemail. I didn’t even hear it ring.”
“We’re in the basement, so I doubt you get service down here,” Kate said.
“It was probably Agent Nelson. Let’s go up and get ready for dinner,” Vivian said.
They went up the elevator, without incident this time, to their room. Vivian checked her voicemail.
“It was him. He said to call him back.”
Wendy looked at her, worried and wide eyed. “Oh shit.”
22
VIVIAN called Agent Nelson back, taking care to hit the right buttons, which wasn’t the easiest after the margaritas and wine.
He answered on the first ring. “Nelson.”
“Hey, it’s Vivian. I got your message.”
“We’ve completed the inspection on Mrs. McGuire’s car.” He paused for a moment. “I’m afraid we did not obtain any evidence. There were no fingerprints or any other forensic evidence we could find.”
Vivian wanted to scream but contained herself. “Well, thanks for checking.” She started to lower the phone.
“Ms. Taylor, what are your plans for the evening? Are you leaving the premises?”
“We were talking about getting some Mexican food to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.”
Nelson cleared his throat. “Where are you going and when?”
“Don’t know exactly, but probably in about an hour. You and Agent Cervantes heading back?”
“Soon, but let me know where you go. You can text me.”
Click.
Vivian threw the phone on the bed.
“What’d he say?” Wendy asked.
“They didn’t find anything on the car that tied to Craig.”
“Not a big shocker there,” Lucy said.
The girls took turns getting ready, then headed down to the concierge for a Mexican food recommendation. He suggested El Sombrero, in the town of Avon.
The valet brought Lucy’s SUV around, they piled in and Lucy drove down the mountain, through the security post, past the colorful row of flags and the roundabout and to the other side of I-70.
Vivian texted Nelson.
El Sombrero for dinner. On our way.
Lucy came to a stop in front of a tacky, pink and teal stucco restaurant. “Are y’all sure you want to do this?”
Kate opened her door. “Absolutely.”
“This is gonna be bad,” Wendy said, sniffing the air. “No hint of greasy chip aroma. Not good. I hope the salsa doesn’t suck. That’s always the telltale sign.”
The girls walked in and were greeted by a guy wearing an enormous sombrero. Vivian elbowed Lucy in the ribs. “Bring back any memories?”
Lucy narrowed her eyes at Vivian and shook her head. “Zip it.”
They were seated at a table by the front windows, overlooking the parking lot. The host put down their menus and whipped maracas out of his back pocket. He shook them as he sang the specials to the tune of happy birthday.
“Hot tamales for you. And a chimichanga, too. Chili con queso, fried ice cream, shrimp fajitas for two. Ole!”
The girls clapped at the performance.
“That was fun!” Vivian said after he walked away, still shaking his maracas.
A server approached carrying chips and salsa.
“Do y’all have any Cinco de Mayo drink specials?” Wendy asked.
“Cinco de what?” he asked.
She sighed. “Never mind, we’ll have a pitcher of margaritas.”
He ran off to get the goods, delivered them and the girls toasted to “Cinco de Drinko.”
Kate dug into the chips and salsa. “Oh, this is good.”
Vivian took a bite and made a face.
Wendy looked at her. “No bueno?”
“Too tomato-y.”
Wendy dipped a chip and tasted, then shook her head. “No spice. I need about half a bottle of Cholula to make this edible.”
“I feel like I’m eating ketchup,” Vivian said.
“I told you,” Lucy said. “This is not Tex-Mex.”
Wendy tried another bite. “I could use some of Casa Ole’s green sauce right about now, and some of the Don’Key’s red sauce.”
“Mmmm, that would be good,” Kate said, munching on chip number seven or eight.
“Let’s just roll with it,” Vivian said. “It’s Cinco de Mayo, for god’s sake, and as Texans, what other options do we have?”
“Not any good ones,” Lucy said.
The waiter arrived and they ordered a variety of food, none too complex. They stuck with Mexican basics, hoping for the best.
The food arrived two pitchers in, which helped to mask the blandness.
“I need some fresh jalapeño,” Wendy said, peeking inside a
triangle of quesadilla. “That’s the only thing that’s going to save this meal.”
“Holy crap, you’re going to fry your taste buds,” Kate said.
“I can take it.”
Mid-burrito, Vivian looked up and saw Agent Nelson at the bar. “Look who’s here.”
“Who?” Kate asked, finishing off her chimichanga special.
Vivian indicated to the bar with her fork. “Him.”
Wendy, who was mid-sip, spewed margarita across the table and coughed.
Nelson looked over at them and nodded.
“Jesus, when is he going back to Denver?” Wendy asked. “I can’t handle seeing him after my indecent exposure.”
“Flasher,” Lucy teased.
“You were supposed to be my lookout!”
Lucy picked at her plate. “I failed. If it’s any consolation, the door did knock me out of the way.”
“No consolation.”
Lucy shrugged and pushed her half-eaten tacos away.
The girls finished their half-ass Co-Mex dinner and pitcher and paid the tab.
On the way out, Vivian stopped in the bar to talk to Nelson. Wendy steered off to the front door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Grabbing dinner while Cervantes wraps up at the hotel.”
Vivian glanced at his to go order sitting in front of him — three Styrofoam containers and a bag of chips. “So we’re keeping you informed, we need to stop at a liquor or grocery store before heading back to The Ridge.”
Lucy stood next to Vivian. “We can’t afford the drinks at The Ridge.”
The bartender overheard the conversation and offered, “There’s a liquor store a couple of blocks down on the left.”
“Thanks,” Vivian replied, then said to Nelson, “We’ll hit that before going back.”
Nelson pushed his barstool back. “You have my number if you need it.”
Nelson looked past them at Wendy and adjusted his shirt collar.
Vivian smiled. He’s got a crush. How cute.
“Bye,” Kate said and walked toward the door to meet Wendy.
They piled into the car and Lucy pulled onto the street. “Women on a mission. We need refreshments.”
A few blocks later, Wendy, in the back seat, leaned forward and pointed across Lucy. “There’s Beaver Liquors.”