Taste (H.S. / A.U.)

Chapter 10

ELOISE DUPONT

It wasn't a bad flight, it was just the screaming child three rows back giving me a tension headache that really made today one that I wished was over sooner rather than later. Once we finally made it to the hotel Ricky had the concierge bring up a fruit tray, some waters, some fresh squeezed lemonades, and a bottle of Tylenol. I sat on the edge of Jade's bed patiently waiting for the tapping on the door to let me know they arrived, but Ricky was the first to jump up and get it.

My bags were delivered to my own room next door, but I knew Ricky would just call me back into his and Jade's to discuss the upcoming event anyway. I detoured and made my way in here to listen as Jade told me about the last time she was in Mexico at a resort, and just how liberating it was because you could be topless at the beach to get a true good tan in.

"The other thing, no one oogles you. It's as if everyone grew respect for one another, and didn't see anyone as a sexual being. It's so nice and absolutely not like the city. Hell, in the city I can be in a parka and sweat suit and a man can still find a way to say something horrendous about my body to make me feel like I need to add another layer." I nod along while sipping the lemonade Ricky handed me, outstretching a palm to receive two Tylenol. "But, enough about it. We will make some new memories while here. We have four days here, so we get to stretch our legs a little and make the most of it."

Ricky takes the bait from Jade, explaining to us that we technically have an itinerary, the one he set up. "Since today we flew in, I figured we should relax for most of our time. That can include a walk around downtown, or through the shopping districts. Then tonight a nice dinner I have booked for us all at Los Muertos. A chance for us all to dress up for the evening and spend some quality time in the city."

I didn't want to be a party pooper so I agreed to dinner, despite the fact I was ready to just lounge in pajamas around my room, or take a dip in the pool, followed by a very long rest. After waking up before four am to rush over to JFK Airport, make it through TSA, and then endure a nearly six and a half hour flight of pure shrieks and cries, I want to be surrounded by a fortress of blankets and pillows.

Despite this want, I instead end up a few hours later roaming the streets downtown with Jade. Ricky parted ways with us to go check the venue, check the food order, and really just put together all the finishing details before tomorrow's class. It felt nice that Ricky was with us now, giving myself and Jade a little bit of weight lifted off of our shoulders from the entirety of planning and preparing.

Jade slid a pair of oversized Gucci shades over her eyes, a light breeze blew the scent of her coconut conditioner my way. All around us were street vendors shouting, selling knick knacks or food, children ran through the streets unaccompanied, and somewhere in the distance a band was playing live music. I rather liked the cityscape, so much different than NYC, but still bustling in its own way. Jade notices my eyes squinting from the sunlight, forgetting my own sunglasses back in the hotel suite. She quickly grabs my wrist to steer me towards a vendor she eyeballed about three stalls down.

Jade doesn't warn before plopping a summery oversized straw hat on my head. The hat itself was a pale tan with blue and teal painted designs across the brim. Since my outfit was lackluster in any color it matched, because I opted for loose cream linen pants and an oversized white shirt. "Here you go, no more squinting. It causes wrinkles."

Jade dug into her faux leather anthropologie clutch, extracting a handful of pesos to turn over to the vendor. "Mi español está oxidado, pero aquí tienes amigo. ¡Muchas gracias! ¡Que tenga un buen día!" The man gave her a wide smile in return and spoke quickly while getting her change. Jade didn't take it though, pushing it back towards the man while pulling me along after her down the street.

By the time we returned to the hotel, I still was mentally begging for some R&R time, but that wouldn't be granted. Instead Ricky was ready for dinner, telling us to hurry and change before we had to go.

I opted for a simple all black strapless dress that had a sweetheart neckline and only came to knees. It wasn't too sexy or too simple I figured, but it was put to shame when Jade stepped out of her own room. A dress practically made for her as her curves spilled into the dress that looked like it was poured onto her body. Jade had a champagne colored silk dress that was rouched all over, plunging neckline, thin straps, and not an ounce left of imagination because her entire body was so tightly packed into the material. She looked incredible, going for a dark maroon lip and pinning up her black hair to keep things elegant, I felt completely low class next to her.

I didn't even fuss with my own hair, still leaving it down with loose waves from the quick shower I took when we returned. Only adding mascara and a thin winged eyeliner to my face, begging the flush tones in my cheeks go down and it wasn't the beginning of a sunburn.

Dinner was nothing short of too many discussions, too many tequila based drinks, and more tacos than I could stomach. I felt like I would pop out of my dress at any point while waiting out front for the uber to come and take us back to the hotel. I hadn't drank enough to be drunk, just tipsy, along with Jade. Ricky went into dad mode making sure all of our drinks were never too strong, thank goodness.

I pull out my phone to aimlessly scroll the internet. Apparently I was lucky to get out of the city, because all night there has been gridlock traffic from another Madison Square Garden sold out concert. Mixing that with the annual "Fashion Forward" showcase that is ongoing is causing total pandemonium in the city.

Fashion Forward was created only about two years ago, with the help of tiktok really, as a way for the New York Fashion students to really hit the ground running. They host their own mini NYC Fashion Week, but it is all underground artists that are still in school. The whole thing is a big deal and gets plastered all over the internet and streamed a million times all over titkok, and voila, you have new fashion designers in the making.

I message Olivia to ask her how she and Pickle are doing before swiping back to my endless scroll. From the restaurant to the hotel is a shuffle, my mind reminding my feet just how close we are to the sleep zone. I am so tired it feels like I could just sleep right here. "Hey, let's go inside. I'll walk you to your room before we crash in ours, and I'll grab us all breakfast tomorrow. That okay? I'm going to keep the spare room key so I can bring you breakfast in the morning."

I hear Ricky and nod along while he tosses a caring arm around both of his girls, allowing us to lean for support. It's not Ricky that I'm imagining though. I don't know who I am really, but someone else, someone new. I haven't felt the affection of another male that is interested in just taking care of me or actually wanting more than two or three dates and quick fuck since Chase. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to get that back.

Ricky smells warm with nutmeg scents wrapped into a silky amber scent. There's a hint of something musky too, it's what he has always worn but I've never asked what it is. Maybe this year I should get him some for Christmas, he likes it enough.

I was sleepy and tipsy, allowing my thoughts to trail off, trailing from the smells and accompaniment of Ricky towards the dangerous. The memories of Chase. I wish I could turn my brain off and remind it of the bad moments, to no longer cling to any sort of good ones and banish them entirely. But that's the trouble with memories, they pop up when you are least ready for them.

Finally I collapse only my own bed, waiting for the faint click of my door to close. Ricky and Jade have left me for their own room, and now it is just me, my thoughts, and the flood of memories that dare ruin a good evening. I slide off my dress and into a pair of silk pajamas, my favorite ones.

I wash my face and start to make my way to the plush orange toned queen bed in the middle of my room. A vibration of my phone alerted me and I was greeted with a series of photos that included Pickle, Pickle and Olivia together, and Olivia baking cookies. I loved them all and they did the trick of turning my brain off.