Perfectly Unplanned

Chapter Three: Going with the Flow

The afternoon sun blazed in a clear blue sky as Claire and Lila arrived at the beach resort, the salty breeze wrapping around them like a warm hug. Claire stepped out of the car, her breath catching in her throat at the sight before her. The waves crashed against the shore, shimmering under the golden sunlight, and the palm trees swayed gently, creating a postcard-perfect scene.

"Welcome to paradise!" Lila exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She grabbed Claire's arm and tugged her toward the entrance, her enthusiasm infectious. As they walked through the lobby, the sweet scent of coconut and sea air filled Claire's senses, making her feel lighter, like all her worries were being washed away.

After checking in, they headed to their penthouse suite on the top floor. Claire dropped her bags and stepped out onto the balcony. The view was breathtaking-endless blue ocean stretching to the horizon, the sun painting the bright blue sky. For a moment, all thoughts of Alex and her life back home slipped away. This was what she needed: a break, a fresh start, a chance to breathe.

"Are you ready for some fun?" Lila called from inside, pulling Claire from her reverie.

"Absolutely!" Claire replied, her smile widening. "What do you have in mind?"

Lila grinned mischievously. "We're hitting the bar first!"

Claire laughed, shaking her head. "Of course we are."

They changed into their beach attire, and with a last glance in the mirror, Claire tucked her hair behind her ears, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of home. As they stepped into the vibrant life of the resort, the sound of laughter and music enveloped them.

The bar was buzzing, filled with travelers seeking a good time. Claire spotted Lila making her way toward a group of men, her confidence radiating. Claire hung back for a moment, taking in the scene. It felt good to be away from her responsibilities, to be somewhere unfamiliar where no one knew her.

"Hey! Over here!" Lila waved Claire over, her voice cutting through the noise.

Claire joined her, and as she approached, her eyes landed on one of the men at the bar. He had a magnetic presence, with a smile that instantly caught her attention. Their gazes locked for a brief moment, sending an unexpected jolt of excitement through her, but she quickly looked away. She didn't know him, but something about him stirred an unfamiliar feeling inside her.

"Claire, this is Liam and his friend Mark," Lila introduced them.

Liam flashed a charming smile, his green eyes glimmering with mischief as they all began chatting easily. Claire felt a little out of place at first, but Lila's infectious energy helped the conversation flow smoothly. They laughed and joked until suddenly, Lila and Mark stood up.

"We're going to grab more drinks from the bar," Lila said.

Claire's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Don't lea-!" her voice tinged with nervousness. She wasn't exactly thrilled about being left alone with someone she had just met.

"Relax, we'll be right back," Lila winked before heading off.

Claire tried to keep the conversation going with Liam, but the awkwardness crept in as she fumbled for words. Thankfully, Lila and Mark returned shortly, hands full of drinks and grinning like they'd just won the lottery.

"We brought shots!" Lila announced, placing them on the table before pulling Claire aside. "Listen, I need you to be my wing woman tonight. It's perfect! Just flirt a little with Liam. You can take off your wedding ring-"

Claire's eyes widened. "No way! I can't do that."

"Why not? It'll be fun! He's into you, I can tell. Just play a couple heartstrings and let loose!" Lila insisted, her enthusiasm bubbling over.