The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 10

Izzy

I'm on the treadmill, walking at a brisk pace and staring out at the skyline, my mind drifting in a million directions as usual. My apartment has this perfect view of the city, and it's become my favorite place to reflect while I get some cardio in. It's not a bad way to start the day, especially with the morning light spilling across the buildings, making everything seem brighter than it probably is. I can see the traffic below, people hustling to work, and I'm here, moving but going nowhere. Somehow, it feels appropriate.

"Girl, you did not just tell me that!" I exclaim into my AirPods, practically cackling as Martina's voice fills my ears. "Ricardo brought you where?"

She sighs dramatically on the other end, but I can hear the smile in her voice. "I told you! The beach! And not just any beach—he had a damn red carpet, Izzy! Like, I'm walking down this thing like I'm at the Met Gala."

I laugh, almost tripping over my own feet on the treadmill. "Stop. You're lying."

"I swear! There were even these fancy lanterns and a whole setup right by the water. It was like something out of a movie, and you know I'm not one for all that cheesy romance stuff."

I shake my head, grinning to myself as I increase the incline. "Yeah, but you ate it up, didn't you?"

She pauses, probably trying to maintain her cool, but I know Martina too well. "Okay, fine. It was... sweet. But it was also hot. Ricardo is—"

"—a total hunk. Yeah, you've made that clear," I interrupt with a teasing tone, but I'm genuinely happy for her. "Did you at least keep it professional? Or did things get... spicy?"

"Oh, things got spicy, alright," she replies, and the way she says it has me howling with laughter. "But you'll get those details over cocktails. I can't spill all the tea at once!"

"Ugh, you're killing me!" I whine, pressing the button to lower the speed on the treadmill. "I need every detail, and I need it now."

Martina laughs, the sound warm and carefree, and I can picture her lounging somewhere fabulous, probably still glowing from whatever wild adventure she had last night. It's moments like these where I appreciate the hell out of our friendship. We can be blunt, open, and messy with each other, no judgment. Well, minimal judgment.

"But seriously, I'm proud of you," I say, meaning it. "You deserve some fun. Hell, we all do."

"Thanks, babe. But enough about me. What's going on with you? And more importantly, when can I meet Conrad?"

I roll my eyes even though she can't see me. "Soon, soon. Everyone else has, it's your turn!"

"Uh-huh. I've been waiting to meet the guy who's finally tamed Izzy Lopez."

"'Tamed' is a strong word," I shoot back, smiling. "He's great though. You'll meet him soon, I promise."

Before I can dive into more about Conrad, my phone buzzes with an incoming call. I glance at the screen and see Lukas' name. My stomach flips. I haven't talked with him seriously since the rooftop incident, and judging by the timing, I have a feeling this isn't going to be a casual catch-up.

"Hey, Martina, I've gotta go. Lukas is calling me."

"Ooh, alright. Keep me posted! And don't forget—we need to get drinks soon."

"Absolutely. Talk later," I say quickly before switching over to Lukas' call.

I brace myself for whatever's coming next, feeling the shift in energy as I press the answer button. Something tells me this conversation isn't going to be as lighthearted as the one I just had with Martina.