Cat on the Beach

Catrina Malley dug her toes deep into the powdery white sand of the Mexican beach. After everything that had happened to her in the last few months, a get away to a tropical paradise seemed like the perfect way to unwind, and find a way back to some sort of normalcy. Looking out at the tide, Catrina reflected that no one could blame her for wanting to get away for a while. Earlier in the year, Cat’s mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her whole family had been terrified that she might not make it. Luckily the chemotherapy had done its’ job, and the cancer was solidly in remission. As if that hadn’t been stressful enough, Cat had returned home one night after taking her mother to a chemo session to find her apartment trashed. Thieves had broken in and taken many of her valuables, including a diamond necklace that had been in the family for three generations. Then she had found out her ex boyfriend, the man she had thought was the love of her life, had eloped with his secretary.
When her friend Sarah had suggested a girl’s week in Mexico, Catrina had jumped at the chance to bury her troubles. She had thought the combination of sand, surf, and half naked men would do the trick to lift her spirits. So far in the last two days, all she had accomplished was sun burning her nose while watching all the happy honeymooners at her resort. Sarah had neglected to mention that the all inclusive hotel she had booked was a romantic couple’s resort. Not exactly the perfect setting to forget about your heartache.
A masculine voice interrupted her thoughts. A few beach chairs to her right, a handsome blonde man in swim trunks was ordering a margarita from the cabana waiter. To her surprise, he seemed to be alone. Cat snuck a peek at his le...

... middle of paper ...

...e gift shop.” Cat rolled her eyes as her friend walked back out of the bathroom. “I’m surprised you didn’t get a complimentary stay out of them” she called after Sarah. “The day’s not over!” Sarah replied in a sing song voice.
After bathing and taking a nap, Sarah helped Cat get ready for her dinner date. Although Catrina was limping, her leg felt better a bit. When she asked Sarah what she planned to do with her evening, her friend told Cat not to worry. “You remember that handsome Italian businessman we met when we checked in?”Cat did remember him- Antonio Barbieri was probably the only other single man in hotel besides Patrick. “He is taking me out on the town. So if I don’t come back till the morning, well, you will know I had a really good night”. After warning her friend to be careful, and to keep her cell phone with her, Cat headed downstairs to meet Patrick.