Chapter 18

Their last day of vacation started on the ferry with a beautiful video of the water on the ride to St. John. They spent the morning riding bicycles around the island and stopped at Trunk Bay Beach to swim and snorkel. Kelsey and Isabella had advised Carmen to save the excursion to Honeymoon Beach for one of the summer weeks so they could highlight destination weddings or honeymoons.

"Well, look who's finally here," Liz said as Kelsey and Isabella walked into Peaches.

"We've got to plan better next time," Kelsey said, giving the older woman a hug.

"We have been so busy we've barely had time to sleep," Isabella said, hugging Liz as well.

"Who needs sleep on a vacation? You can do that when you get home," Liz said, laughing.

"Hey," Alex said, bringing them both a beer and showing them to a table on the patio.

"It's so good to see everyone," Kelsey said.

Riley walked up and joined them at the table. "I've been keeping up with your posts. You're doing such a good job."

"Oh, I hope so," Isabella said. "We're learning as we go."

"Are we being authentic to the islands?" Kelsey asked. "We want to show the parts we love, not just the tourist things."

"I think so," Alex said. "I haven't noticed any negative comments."

"Oh, there are a few, but not about our activities," Isabella said.

"There are always a few people that have to be assholes," Liz said.

"The ones I've seen are talking about affordability. We're going to focus on how to do these trips on a budget as well as more expensive dream vacation options," Kelsey said.

"You're doing just fine. Don't let comments influence what you're trying to achieve. You both know your stuff," Liz said with a smile.

"Thanks, Liz. We missed you!" Isabella exclaimed, putting her arm around Liz and squeezing her shoulder.

"Let's video the beach and the bar so we can put the phones away and enjoy our friends," Kelsey suggested.

"Great idea." Isabella turned to Riley and Alex. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"Us?" Alex asked, her eyes widening.

"Yes, you're the owners and Liz makes the history of the bar so interesting," Isabella said.

"Don't worry, Bella has a way of making it easy," Kelsey said.

"Okay, let's do it," Isabella said as Kelsey took her phone out.

Once they'd completed the videos, Kelsey did a quick edit then handed the phone to Isabella. "What do you think?"

Isabella watched each video and smiled. Kelsey had captured Liz, Riley, and Alex perfectly. In the last video she and Kelsey explained that they were spending the afternoon at Peaches and would post later from the resort.

Kelsey watched as Isabella replayed the last video with just the two of them in it.

"Is something wrong with that one?" Kelsey asked. "We can do it again."

Isabella smiled and looked over at Kelsey. "There's nothing wrong with it. You look beautiful, Kels," she said softly.

Kelsey's mouth fell open in surprise and Isabella chuckled. "You do," she said. "You took your sunglasses off and your eyes are a sparkling blue-green."

"Your reply is ‘thank you,' Kelsey," Liz said, teasing her.

"Uh—um," Kelsey stammered. "Thank you," she said as her cheeks reddened.

Isabella smiled and leaned over until their shoulders touched. "You're adorable when you blush."

"I'm just surprised," Kelsey said, reaching for her beer and trying to calm the butterflies that had erupted in her stomach. "We've been riding bikes and playing at the beach all day. How can I look anything but sandy and shaggy?"

"It's not always about the perfect hair or make-up," Isabella said. "You've got a happy glow about you and that makes you beautiful."

Kelsey smiled at Isabella. She wondered if Isabella had any idea she was the reason for Kelsey's happy glow. Just then two large groups walked into the bar.

"We've been busy this week," Liz said, getting up. "There's a wedding at the resort down the road from us and they've been coming in every afternoon. I'll be back once I get them settled."

Kelsey and Isabella sipped their beers as the volume of talking and laughter rose with the new customers. Riley turned the music up and several people stepped onto the dance floor.

"Maybe we should record some of this," Kelsey said to Isabella over the noise.

"Go ahead," Isabella said. "We'll need to get their permission to use it."

Kelsey nodded and began to video how deftly Alex and Liz worked in tandem at the bar mixing drinks for the newcomers.

"Excuse me," a woman said, walking up to their table. "Are you the women doing the vacation every month? I've been watching your posts."

"We are," Isabella said with a smile.

"I knew it!" the woman exclaimed. "I told my friend I thought it was you. We got here the day after you did and have been checking your posts for ideas on what to do in the islands. We took the same boat you did on your first day and loved it!"

Kelsey and Isabella exchanged a pleased look. "I'm so glad. That's why we're doing this. We want you to have the best time while you're here," Kelsey said.

"We are! What are you drinking? My friends and I want to buy you a round," she said.

Several other people came over to talk to them. Some asked questions, others had comments about what they were doing. Kelsey and Isabella explained why they loved Peaches so much. It turned into one big party.

"I can't believe this," Isabella said as she came back from the dance floor. "People really are following our adventures."

"It's certainly brought us business this afternoon," Liz said, sitting back down next to Kelsey.

"Everyone is having a great time," Kelsey said, taking a sip of her beer.

"Isabella!" a woman called to her from the dance floor. "Come back and dance with us."

Isabella looked at Kelsey and shrugged.

"Have fun!" Kelsey exclaimed.

"You should come with me," Isabella said, urging Kelsey to join them.

Kelsey smiled and waved Isabella onto the dance floor.

"She wanted you to dance with her," Liz said.

"I think I need another beer or two," Kelsey said with a chuckle.

"Are you two going to admit your feelings for each other on this trip?" Liz asked.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on, Kelsey. We can all see you and Isabella have feelings for each other," Liz said.

"We do. We're friends," Kelsey said.

Liz gave her a stern look. "You know it's more than that, but I get it. You're afraid."

Kelsey took a deep breath and stared at Liz. Was she afraid? Isabella had become such an important part of her life so quickly. She didn't want to lose her or their friendship.

"I have faith you two will figure it out," Liz said. "But right now, your friend needs you to rescue her."

Kelsey followed Liz's gaze and saw Isabella staring at her. She was pleading with her eyes while trying to keep a smile on her face. The woman she was dancing with was clueless, but Kelsey could read the distress in Isabella's eyes. The song ended and Kelsey hopped up and hurried to the dance floor as a slow song began to play.

She reached for Isabella's hand and said, "You promised me the next dance." Kelsey glanced at the woman Isabella had been dancing with and raised her eyebrows.

The woman smiled and walked away. Isabella put her arms around Kelsey's shoulders and gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks. I was getting a little uncomfortable."

Kelsey smiled and put her hands on Isabella's hips. It felt good to hold Isabella in her arms again. Kelsey was sure Liz was probably watching and would give her a smirk if their eyes met.

"I've missed dancing with you at night on the beach," Isabella said.

"I have, too," Kelsey replied.

"I learned something," Isabella said, running her hands across Kelsey's shoulders.

"What's that?"

"I don't want to dance with anyone but you," Isabella said.

Kelsey pulled her head back so she could see into Isabella's eyes. "Why? You looked like you were having fun."

"It was okay, but the only woman I want to put my arms around is you," Isabella said seriously. "I hope that's not weird, but I think you should know that going forward. You have to save me if I get in this situation again."

Kelsey stared at her. What about me? she wondered. Who was going to save her? Kelsey"s feelings were shifting inside her heart. Yes, Isabella was her friend, but they were becoming more than that.

Kelsey knew Liz could see right through her even though Kelsey kept trying to deny they were more than friends. But she wondered if Isabella knew. Surely not or she wouldn't be dancing with Kelsey, holding her close and telling her things like that. Then Kelsey remembered Isabella said she didn't want to dance with another woman. Of course! Isabella was straight. She'd be fine dancing with a man like this.

"Hey," Isabella said, leaning back and looking into Kelsey's eyes. "Why are you so tense?"

"Oh, I was just thinking," Kelsey said.

"Well, stop and enjoy the music with me," Isabella said, squeezing Kelsey's shoulders.

Kelsey let out a deep breath and sank into Isabella's arms. She'd afford herself this moment and savor the memory. Later tonight she'd think all of this through and get control of her emotions.

They stayed at Peaches longer than they were supposed to and had to adjust their dinner plans once they were back at the resort. It was a good opportunity to show how flexible the islands could be. Instead of continuing the party at the resort, they decided to take a swim in the moonlight and eat a light dinner at the outdoor bar area next to the pool.

"This is so nice," Isabella said, floating on top of the water next to Kelsey. "Good call."

"Thanks," Kelsey said. "I couldn't drink one more beer or dance to one more song. I needed to wind down."

"I didn't want to eat a heavy dinner either," Isabella said.

"I think this will be okay. I guess we'll find out tomorrow when we meet with Carmen before we leave for the airport," Kelsey said.

"This area of the pool is so calming and inviting. It was obvious in the video. I'm sure we'll have comments when we get out of the pool," Isabella said.

"I still can't believe we met people who have been watching the videos!" Kelsey exclaimed.

"I know! I mean, they were already coming to St. Thomas, but we must have done something right because they kept watching."

Kelsey felt Isabella's little finger graze against hers. She was immediately taken back to the dance floor and warmth spread through her body. Oh, God! She moaned to herself. Before, her heart would speed up and Kelsey could control that, but now her body was betraying her as she felt a tug low in her belly.

"I know, isn't this nice," Isabella said softly.

Kelsey pulled herself up as her feet reached for the bottom of the pool. Isabella had no idea what she was doing to Kelsey.

"Where are you going?" Isabella asked. "I thought you liked this."

Isabella had mistaken Kelsey's moan for pleasure when it was meant as a rebuke to her disloyal body. Kelsey sighed. "I'm one big wrinkle," she said, walking up the steps and out of the pool to where their towels were waiting on a nearby chair.

Kelsey began to dry off as Isabella climbed out of the pool.

"Can you believe we did it?" Isabella said, reaching for her towel. "We've made it through the first month. All we have to do is a video or two on the trip home tomorrow."

Kelsey continued to dry off.

"Kels," Isabella said, grabbing Kelsey's hand. "What's wrong? You've been quiet since we left Peaches."

Kelsey sighed. "I've been thinking about the women at Peaches. When we come back on Valentine"s Day, we should do videos from the bar here or maybe a bar in St. Thomas."

"Why?"

"Because those were gay women, Bella. It's great to be gay friendly, but we don't want to give the wrong impression about us."

"The wrong impression?" Isabella said. "We're two friends having a good time and we just happened to be dancing together."

Kelsey stared at her. "How many of your friends do you dance with, Bella?" She didn't want to upset Isabella, but she needed to be honest with her.