Chapter 14

The next few days were filled with excursions and adventures. Kelsey and Isabella went snorkeling, kayaking, bar hopping, and they tasted the local food. Sylvie set them up on Jeep tours and ATV tours. They even took a tour on a yacht to several of the surrounding islands.

"I can't believe we have the afternoon to ourselves," Kelsey said, holding the door to Peaches open for Isabella.

"Don't forget we're supposed to go on a sunset cruise tonight," Isabella said.

"I feel like all we've done since Christmas is go, go, go. What happened to hanging out at the resort?" Kelsey said.

"Hey there, we thought you two forgot about us," Liz said.

"Carmen has had us on the go every day," Isabella said, sliding onto a bar stool.

"We've had so much fun, but sometimes it's nice to sit and drink a beer with friends," Kelsey said.

Riley chuckled from behind the bar. "She wants you to experience as much as you can before you go back."

"We know that, but we are coming back. Let us do something new for our next visit in January," Isabella said.

"Don't you leave tomorrow?" Alex asked.

"Yes. We couldn't leave without seeing all of you one more time," Kelsey said.

"Do you have plans for tonight?"

"Of course we do," Isabella said.

"It's a sunset cruise," Kelsey added.

"You can do that in February for Valentine's Day," Riley said. "I'll explain it to Carmen. We have some ideas for your trips going forward."

Kelsey looked over at Isabella and raised her brows. "I wonder how receptive she'll be."

"We've known Carmen for a long time. She'll need everyone's help to make this work," Liz said. "Now, tell us what all you've been doing."

Kelsey and Isabella took turns giving them highlights from the last few days.

"We like to walk along the beach before we go to bed, but we've been so tired the last two nights we barely made it through dinner," Kelsey said.

"Yeah, we've learned a thing or two," Isabella said. "You don't have to be doing something all the time for it to be a vacation."

Liz chuckled. "Are you craving your everyday life back home?"

Kelsey and Isabella exchanged a look. "In two days I will be sitting in my own living room and I'm quite sure I'll be wondering what all of you are doing here at Peaches. It may be my everyday life, but I'll still remember my escape," Kelsey explained.

"We'll miss you, but it won't be that long until you're here again," Liz said.

A group of people walked into the bar and Liz seated them while Riley and Alex waited on the other tables.

"Will you really be thinking about Peaches next week?" Isabella asked.

"Won't you?"

"Yeah, I will. You know, I kind of feel bad for complaining to them. We have gotten to experience things that other people don't get to, but…" Isabella trailed off.

"But?"

"You know what I really missed the last few days?"

Kelsey smiled and waited.

"I missed sitting on your back deck and talking," Isabella said.

"I missed watching the sunset on the beach with you and taking selfies," Kelsey admitted. She chuckled when Isabella gave her a surprised look. "You take great pictures, Bella. My girls have loved receiving them every day."

"We have to document these memories," Isabella said. "Plus we may need to use them in posts throughout the year."

"I'm going to insist Carmen work in a lazy day for each trip," Kelsey said. "We can enjoy the resort or, if it's you and me, we'd come here."

"That's a great idea," Isabella said. "We have learned this week as well as played."

Kelsey thought back over the last few days. She and Isabella had been so busy they hadn't shared any intimate moments like when they first arrived on St. Thomas. It was probably a good thing because there were times when Kelsey wondered if they were developing feelings past friendship.

She smiled as she watched Isabella gaze at the crowd and drink her beer. Kelsey wondered what next week would look like without Isabella. Would they call each other? Text? No need to think about that right now when she had the opportunity for one more dance.

Kelsey got up and went over to where Riley was looking at her phone. She knew they controlled the music at Peaches from their phones. After a quick conversation, Kelsey walked back over to Isabella.

"One more dance?" Kelsey asked Isabella, holding out her hand.

The delight on Isabella's face went right to Kelsey's heart. "I'd love to," she replied.

Once they were on the dance floor Isabella smiled. "That's our song."

Kelsey nodded. "Yep. I hope if you hear it before we come back next month you'll think about us, right here at Peaches."

"Nope," Isabella said.

Kelsey furrowed her brow, not understanding Isabella's reaction.

"When I hear this at home, I'll be thinking of your Christmas gift to me, Kels."

Kelsey smiled with relief. "Our picture will be on my desk."

"We already have sweet memories of our time here. Just imagine what's to come," Isabella said.

Kelsey smiled and looked into Isabella's eyes. That little part of her simply asked what if?

Isabella and Kelsey settled into their seats and got ready for the plane to take them to Charlotte.

"I think you got your point across to Carmen." Isabella chuckled.

"I was ready for her to tell me she'd get someone else to do this with you," Kelsey said.

"I had your back, Kels. We're a couple. You keep forgetting that," Isabella said with a grin.

"Oh, I haven't forgotten. It's just that I'm not sure anyone else knows our secret."

Isabella laughed. "It's no secret we have become friends and we are the perfect people to pull off this grand adventure for Carmen, Sylvie, and our new friends in the Virgin Islands."

"Do you have a busy month ahead before our next trip?" Kelsey asked.

"I don't think so, but you never know what opportunities will come up." Isabella raised her brows. "If you would've told me when I landed here a week ago that we would be coming back every month…"

"Or that I would make a new friend whom I can't imagine not seeing tomorrow," Kelsey said.

"I know. Won't it be strange?" Isabella said. "What do we do this month while we're at home? I mean, are you going to call me or text me? Email, maybe?"

Kelsey chuckled. "You're asking me? I've never done anything like this either, Bella. We get to make the rules."

Isabella giggled. "I like that idea. Okay, texts, calls, emails—all forms of communication are open and accepted."

Kelsey smiled. "Look, Bella, you call or text me anytime. We're friends. There's no reason not to."

Isabella sighed with relief. "We'll need to talk about our next trip. We have to plan."

"I agree. When I fly into Charlotte next month and pick you up, I want us to know what we're doing each day," Kelsey said.

"That sounded so funny." Isabella laughed. "When I pick you up next month," she said, mimicking Kelsey.

Kelsey laughed as well. "We'll be flying together just like we did last week. Only this time we'll know it."

"I had a great time, but I'm ready to see my kids," Isabella said.

"Me, too," Kelsey replied. "I'm looking forward to when we'll have them all here together."

"That will be fun, but we get Dana and Emma with their friends first," Isabella said.

"They are going to love you," Kelsey said. "You're the impromptu kind of fun they wish I was at times."

"Oh, I doubt that. If they're anything like you, we'll be fast friends, just like you and me," Isabella said.

Kelsey smiled and looked out the window.

"You look happy," Isabella said. "When I saw you looking out the window of the bus that day we met, you looked sad. Not anymore."

"I wonder why." Kelsey winked at her.

Isabella chuckled. "Hey, I just realized that I never saw you repeat outfits."

"Were you paying attention?"

"Yes I was!"

"We did so many things in our swimsuits that I was able to mix and match without you noticing," Kelsey explained.

Isabella narrowed her eyes. "I may have to try bringing one bag on our next trip."

"Bella," Kelsey said, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "You bring as many bags as you want. I will help you with your luggage. You have to be comfortable."

"Thanks, Kels," Isabella said. "That's sweet of you, but believe me, I'll bring what I need."

"I know you will." Kelsey grinned.

They talked, gazed out the window, and planned their next trip during the flight. Once they'd landed, Isabella helped Kelsey get her bag from the overhead bin and they deplaned.

"I'm glad our flight was on time. You shouldn't have to wait long to board your plane to Denver," Isabella said.

"Okay, I have to go this way," Kelsey said, reading the sign indicating her gate. "Baggage claim is through there."

"I feel like a bad host. You've flown into my city and I'm leaving you at the airport. I can wait until you get on your plane," Isabella said.

"You're not being a bad host. By the time you get your luggage my flight will be boarding."

"I'm walking with you to your gate." Isabella put her arm through Kelsey's. She had a strange feeling in her stomach. She knew Kelsey had to leave, but she hated to see her go.

They slowly walked to Kelsey's gate as other people hurried around them. "Here we are," Kelsey said. "Look, they're already pre-boarding."

"Take a picture and send it to me when you're in your seat," Isabella said.

"What?" Kelsey chuckled.

"Promise!" Isabella demanded.

"Okay. I promise."

"And don't forget to send me a pic of you and the girls in your T-shirts." Isabella was talking rapidly and couldn't seem to stop the anxiousness taking over her body.

"I will, Bella. I'll call you tonight when I get home," Kelsey said.

They heard the attendant over the loudspeaker announce that it was time for Kelsey's group to board.

Isabella threw her arms around Kelsey and hugged her tight. She kissed Kelsey on the cheek as her heart began to flutter in her chest. Then Isabella did something she'd never done before. She pulled her head back and stared into Kelsey's eyes. They were golden brown and looked at her so sweetly. That's when Isabella leaned in and quickly kissed Kelsey on the lips.

"Uh—are you sure you can get your bags," Kelsey stammered.

Isabella could see the shock on Kelsey's face and Isabella was just as surprised, but she also felt a kind of relief. She would sort that out on her way home.

"You're not carrying my baggage, Kels," she said. She smiled at Kelsey and let her go. "See you next month."

"See you next month," Kelsey replied with a smile.

Isabella watched her walk toward the entrance to the plane. At the last moment Kelsey looked over her shoulder and grinned.

What am I doing?Isabella thought with a little wave. Once Kelsey was out of sight, Isabella walked to baggage claim. She took her phone out of her purse to text Kelsey, but didn't know what to say.

As she walked up to the rotating table, her first bag made its way to her. Isabella easily reached down and pulled her bag off the table. She chuckled to herself, remembering how Kelsey had helped her in the Virgin Islands. Her other bag was just as easy to lift and she set it next to the other bag. She put her purse over one handle and her satchel over the other.

Before she began to roll them to exit the airport, she took a picture and sent it to Kelsey.

See you next month, she wrote under the picture.

A moment later Kelsey replied with a picture of her grinning into the phone, sitting in her seat on the plane. See you next month.

Isabella sighed. She didn't know what was happening. A sense of dread had settled over her as they got off the plane. Maybe it was the idea of going back to her everyday life, but she was excited to see her sons. Still, when she hugged Kelsey then looked into her eyes, she couldn't stop herself. The quick kiss was heartfelt and Isabella had immediately felt the dread leave her body. She would miss Kelsey; how could she not?

But then a thought came to her: Her heart was telling Kelsey's heart goodbye. Maybe that's why she had felt so unsettled, then after the brief kiss, it was as if she could breathe again. "How strange," she mumbled as she waited for her ride share.

Isabella wondered if Kelsey felt the same way. She saw the surprise on her face, but she didn't seem upset or angry. Kelsey was supposed to call her when she got to Denver. Should Isabella bring it up? She had to figure this out before it wrecked this year's travel plans.