Read Online 1 Sunshine Hunter by Maddie Cochere - Free Book Online Page B

laughing. “It was a party and the adult beverages were flowing. Truth be told, I think I almost won the whole darn thing because I kept adlibbing words to songs and making them about the people at the party. It was fun.”
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see it,” I said laughing. I tried to picture the scene. “But I would bet you almost won the whole darn thing because you smiled that big smile of yours at everybody.”
    He turned his smile on me and asked. “What did you do last night? Did you feel good enough to get out for a bite to eat?”
    “Oh my gosh! I almost forgot to tell you. Skinny Guy knocked on your door. I swear, I was totally freaked out.”
    “You’re kidding ?” he asked puzzled. “What did he want?”
    “How would I know?” I asked him incredulously. “I didn’t answer the door. I was scared out of my mind.” I lowered my voice. “But, Darby, he wasn’t creepy looking like I imagined he would be. He was actually kind of good looking, like a young Marlon Brando. Did you ever know or date someone like that? Maybe he had shorter hair when you knew him? Why would he be knocking at your door?”
    “No,” he said. “I’m sure I don’t know him. I don’t know why he would have knocked on my door.”
    “Think for a minute” I continued to push him. “Could he have ever been at your apartment back home? There was something familiar about him.”
    “Absolutely not,” he said adamantly. “I have very few visitors at my apartment, so I’m positive he’s never been there. Susan, I don’t know him,” he insisted. “You probably saw his face here, or on the beach, or at the races, and you didn’t realize you were looking at him”
    “You’re probably right,” I said backing off. I didn’t want to push this too far and upset Darby. “But that does n’t take away from the fact I still think he was the one who ran us off the road. And then to see him at your door …” my statement trailed off. “Something’s up with him.”
    “I’ll keep an eye out for him, I promise,” he said without conviction. “Now, what do you want to do today?”
    I knew he was placating me, but I dropped the subject. “I think I’ll take a break from the sun. If you don’t mind, I’d like to do some shopping this morning, and then I think I’ll check out a racquetball club I found in the phone book. It’s just north of here a couple of miles. Do you have plans for the car? Should I take a cab?”
    “You can take the car,” he said as he finished off his stack of pancakes. “I’m going to spend most of my time at the hotel pool today. I want to check out the cabana boys.”
    I shot him a look as if to say, “ really? ”
    “I’m just kidding!” he said laughing as he pulled the car keys from his pocket. “I’ll work on my tan, swim, drink pina coladas, and then maybe take advantage of some of the spa facilities.”
    “Well, you can check out the cabana boys if you want,” I said putting the keys in my purse, “but save some of those big smiles for your date tomorrow night. What’s his screen name anyway?”
    “You know how cheesy screen names can be,” he said as he smiled and looked down at his watch.
    “Tell me!” I insisted as I punched him lightly on the arm.
    “Ok , but promise you won’t laugh,” he said.
    I half nodded my head.
    “It’s purpleflamingo,” he said.
    I laughed out loud, “And you wanted to talk to a guy who thinks he’s a purple flamingo because … ?” I let the question hang ing.
    “No,” he scoffed at me. “I wanted to talk to a guy who was discussing chicken marsala recipes on a food forum. He’s actually an acco mplished chef, but decided it wasn’t the career for him. As it turns out, he loves Florida nightlife and enjoys performing at the restaurant. I guess it’s really quite a gig.”
    We were done eating, and Darby signed the bill. We had agreed when we first arrived that everything would be charg ed to his room, and we’d work