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The neighbors put up with them until about midnight when they called the cops. Mikelina showed up shortly after the squad cars did.
She looked sun kissed and annoyed. She had thrown on a pale green wraparound dress that matched her eyes and the same flip-flops she had worn on the boat. Her hair was pulled back into a rough ponytail. He wanted to go over to her, but since Bastien was the only sober person, he had been delegated to talk with the police officers.
After turning off the music, most of the partygoers faded off before the police looked too closely at them. A few girls were looking for their bikini tops. Bastien pretended not to see the side-eye that Mikelina shot him.
“Just keep it down for the rest of the night,” one of the cops said. “I get it’s a bachelor party, but this is a residential area of older folks.”
“Yeah,” his partner said, with a hard stare at Mikelina.
Mikelina pretended not to notice and righted a vase that had tipped over.
Bastien hoped they weren’t blaming her for this. “I apologize, officers. We’ll be more considerate of our neighbors.”
“Thanks.” The first cop tapped his partner on the arm, who reluctantly turned away from Mikelina and then they left together.
“What was that about? You know that guy?”
Mikelina shrugged. “It’s a small community here. I’m sure we’ve run into each other.”
“He didn’t seem to like you. Are you in trouble?”
“Me?” She laughed. “No. I don’t even have a parking ticket.”
Bastien couldn’t help but wonder what roused the cop’s suspicion. Maybe the owner of the beach house had reported her using it when it wasn’t rented.
“I know we’ve only known each other a few days,” he said, taking a deep breath. He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject without embarrassing her. “But we have been conversing for a couple of months. And we’ve recently become more intimate friends.”
“Friends?” A ghost of a smile traced over her face.
He rubbed his hand up her arm. “If you need something, I’d like to help.”
“See, you are kind.”
Bastien snorted. “I’m a prick. Just ask my sister.”
“Thanks for offering, but I’ve got it covered.”
“Okay, just keep it in the back of your mind that I’m here if you need me.”
“I will.” Mikelina hugged herself and looked out into the pool area. “I see you found them,” she said, gesturing to Jace and his friends who hadn’t left the pool to see their guests out. “Where were they?”
“You were right. They were still at Flow partying. I’m glad I missed it. Sorry you had to come all the way out here tonight,” Bastien said, not sorry at all.
“The alarm company informed me of a dispatch call to the house and I was worried.” Mikelina was walking around the house, frowning at the mess.
“Don’t worry, we’ll tip the maids extra.”
Her smile looked forced. “I’m glad no one was hurt.”
“They’ll be hurting tomorrow. I wouldn’t want their hangover.”
She stepped over a pile of soaked towels. He saw her look at the closed bedroom door and caught a flash of relief that flickered in her eyes. Did she think he was sleeping with the girls at the party?
He caught a hold of her arm until she looked at him. “As crazy as it sounds, I wish you had come back here with me after fishing. Tonight would have been much more enjoyable if you were with me.”
“It’s not my place to be here,” she said sadly.
“It is if I say so.” He brushed a quick kiss on her lips and then moved away before anyone noticed. He could spend all night kissing her, but he didn’t want Jace to know about Mikelina and him. Not yet. Bastien didn’t trust the punk not to treat her like a sex worker instead of their concierge and Kitty would never forgive him if Bastien punched Jace out at his bachelor party.
