Detective Romance

The resplendent beach basked in the sun's fading radiance, its pristine shoreline dissolving into the cerulean horizon as the sun crept away. Yet the sand still shimmered with crystalline sparkle as the gentle waves caressed the shore with a dulcet melody. Verdant palm trees swayed in the salty breeze, their fronds rustling like a lyrical symphony. The breeze from the soaring currents was gladdening; a blissful haven amidst the tumultuous sea, letting me soak momentarily in the water as I sipped on the rum runner hanging loosely between my drenched fingertips. I paddled further on the other bank, holding my martini glass above water by falling to keep the contents from spilling. "Dee, not one of those again" "Kim, you know it does it for me. Literally." "No hun, I want you to try out something supersonic tonight. Get you lips wanting more. I dont know, mybe youll lose your s**t get laid". "We both know that not happening, Kimberly. I have to be in by seven tomorrow", "You know what, just get up." Firstly, she snatches my cocktail, gulp it down and then drags me out of the water brilliant! so much for living on a shore with your best friend. "St Pete beach is for us bitches. I want you to try this thing out, okay. it's a frozen cocktail that combines Pina colada and strawberry Daiquiri. But here's the trick. I love to add a bit of vodka to it. just for control?" "yes Deidre. I dont want to be tipsy. I'm either there or I'm flat sober," "Right," we walked in our matching velvet bikinis to the patio towards where the bar was fixed. From the open space, the beach looked alive, just like it always did. There was just this unique ambiance of a bar at the beach seashells, palm fronds and carved starfish dangling around with the mix of locals and tourists, some dressed in beachwear or vacation attire. some patrons were dining at the bar, while others lounged in chairs and beach towels nearby. The sound of waves crashing and seagulls calling could be heard in the background and bright colorful lights lit up the scene as light jazz music senerated the air. This was indeed a relaxed coastal atmosphere. "frank, what's good? Could we please have one pina colada and strawberry Daiquiri with a can of Vodka please?" "Dee run. This chicks about to mess you up", he giggled. "so just one?" he added. well, yes I've had my dose for the night." "well you pretty ladies give me a solid three minutes and your order will be coming up. we kind of slow tonight, short-staffed and many folks. Frank was old. well the weed he rode on every dusk was probably the reason he had more wrinkles and spider veins than he ought to have had to fifty. But his grip was still firm and his square shaped 70 lenses gave him quite the face to swift a few ladies of the shore. it took him under three minutes, still, to have the cocktail ready. "that will be $15. here, nice and fresh." kim poured a good amount of Vodka and gave the glass a little swirl. The taste was everything and beyond. "Frank, I may have left my purse on the shore or not carried it all. could you put that on my tab?" "This the fourth drink you're taking on credit in two days, kim. I'd suggest you start paying up before the manager calls to see records." "kim, you didnt tell me you had pending Bills?" I whispered trying to pass the message without Frank eavesdropping. I wouldn't have" "it's okay. it's fine and indistinctive male voice uttered. He continued, " I can see you're having a little hiccup on a wonderful friday night. mybe you stepped a little too fast on the pedal and blew your weekly cash I get it. Hey tell you what frank, I'll pay for all the ladies drink tonight, including this one, he winked. "what's the harm in giving women a hand these days when they really need it?" He finally stepped into the light. the tropical shirt, tight pressed on his chest, defined his athletic structure. He has washboard cute stomach a medium butt and straight firm long legs. his dirty dark blonde hair, neatly done in a chap, made him appear effortlessly charming and from my assumptions, he was a six. "how dare you?" I looked him straight in the eye. "Dee, what are you saying? thanks a lot sir. we'd appreciate it." "no, Kim he thinks he can buy us merely paying for our drinks. We dont need your money, mister." "call me luke. Luke Christopher." "I dont give a damn about your name. how dare you objectify us like this? Everything you just said is wrong." "Dee, stop. its okay." "No its not. you cant just use such a catchphrase on women. what do you think we are? Homeless, broke walking that you can prey on? We have a voice to and that matters. So we do not need your money. if you're the one paying for this drink, then I may as well order Another." "Luke, dont mind her, Kimberly said. she turned to the crowd and screamed, alright, free drinks to all the ladies in the house! Free drinks on Luke, the man of the hour!" before I could recover from actually putting myself out there defending a bunch of lunatics who only rolled me over, led by non other then my very own friend, I was encircled by women of all shapes and sizes, flocking Frank with their insane desires for the night. In the maze, I lost both Kimberley and Luke. My eyes were quick to tear up. I needed the restroom. At least things were better now. I mean adulthood. Growing up was hard, not only because I had this ridiculous tongue issue with stuttering. I was a twin. But as I glared in the mirror. my perky average breasts intact under my bikini and my mid length black hair, slightly curled and hanging down, I left beautiful. being single in my thirties wasnt something I'd wanted but at the rate comparison with my sister, it was bound to be. she was married already, two years in, in fact, and there I was trying to stand up for women on a beach in Florida on some lame friday night like some insane advocate. "f**k!I slammed my hand on the mirror. "Dee..." No not again I wasn't ready for this but mirror didnt give me the privacy I needed "Luke, dont even take a step closer." Not my intention at all, Deidre." "I dont want to talk to you"? " I get it. I'm sorry. I'm a fool for what I said, not considering this whole women thing. I was just messing around, really." "that's all you have to say?" "well. atleast it's gotten you talking", he smiled, leaning in the doorway with one foot against the wall. "please step out, and I can properly introduce myself, if you dont mind, Miss Dee." He wouldn't budge. I stood there for an entire minute, and he wouldn't budge, so I rinsed my hands and turned towards him.It was only now that I noticed his olive shorts, his hands, shrouded within the warmth of his pockets. I was just 5'6 and he was way up here. He stretched his arms wide open, blocking the way out and giving me only one choice. I opened my arms too, hoping nothing more than a quick embrace, but he wouldn't let go. He didnt until I cleared my throat, my fingers crossed that had no vile intentions after what he just called an apology.