Felicity’s mouth went dry. Brittany wore a miniskirt and an expensive-looking top. Her heels were so tall, Felicity wondered how she could stay upright in them. Brittany came up to the table and held out her arms. There was no choice; Felicity had to stand and hug her.

“How are you? Oh, my gosh, it’s been so long. I can’t believe it. You look fabulous. I love your curls.” She bounced a few strands of Felicity’s hair while glancing around the restaurant.

Brittany had always been a stream of consciousness person. You never knew what would come out of her mouth next. Felicity pasted on a smile. “Brittany, what are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d surprise you. You talked the place up so much, it made me want to come.” She eyed Harold. “And who is this?”

“Brittany, this is my date, Harold.”

“A date? Well, you don’t waste any time, do you? I’ll just leave you two alone, then. I don’t want to intrude. Maybe we can catch up later?”

Felicity didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t believe Brittany was standing in front of her. “Um, okay.”

“Great, hon. I’ll stop by. What villa are you in?”

“Twenty-eight.” Wait, why was she telling Brittany where she was staying? Why was her brain not working?

“Perfect. I’ll see you tonight.” Brittany gave her an air kiss and then turned and walked out of the restaurant, her hips swaying.

Harold leaned forward. “What was that all about? You look stunned.”

She blinked. “I guess I am stunned. I barely know Brittany. Why would she come here?”

“Really? You barely know her? She acted like you were best friends.”

Felicity shrugged, not knowing what else to do. “I guess we talked on Facebook a bit. I don’t know. It’s weird.” But it was typical Brittany to worm her way into a situation if she thought she could get something out of it. She probably was on the hunt for rich husband number two.

Harold chuckled and picked up his menu. “Well, good luck with that, then.”

“Right? Maybe if I tell her I have work to do, she’ll leave me alone.”

“Good idea.”

They ordered their food and Harold loosened his tie. “What’s up with the tie anyway? I mean, it’s weird, isn’t it? Let’s knot this fabric around your neck, let it hang down past your belt, and then you’ll look like you’re dressed up. Who was the first sucker to try that?”

Felicity smiled. She liked Harold’s wacky way of thinking. “Good point. I have no idea. Do you think it came from the cravat?”

He pointed at her. “Probably. Yes. That makes sense. But why even tie something around the neck? To make it easier for your enemy to kill you?” Harold pulled the end of his tie up like a noose and made a face. Felicity laughed and he shook his head. “I guess I just don’t understand fashion.”

“You really want to take that tie off, don’t you?”

“Could I?” He laughed. “Look at me. I’m such a loser. I can’t even pretend to be fancy for one night.”

“Take it off. Who cares? There are plenty of men here without ties. This is a vacation spot.”

“You’re right.” He loosened the tie and took it off, laying it on the table. “Wow, that feels so much better.”

“You’re a scream.”

“At least I’m a comfortable scream.” He grinned at her. “You’re a good sport.”

“Why would you say that?”

Harold glanced down at himself. “I’m not delusional enough to think a woman like you would be interested in a man like me. But it was nice of you to agree to go out with me.”

She picked up her drink and took a sip, trying to think of how to respond to him. “You’re a great guy, Harold.”

“But not someone you’d ever pursue.”

He was right, but she didn’t want to admit that. “We’re just two people having dinner, enjoying each other’s company.”

He smiled, his gaze softening. “Thanks for making my vacation something to remember.”

Their food came and Felicity spread her napkin on her lap, sure that her cheeks were turning pink. “Do you have any pets?” she blurted out, trying to think of anything else to take the attention off her.

“No. I’m allergic to cats and I’m not really a dog person.”

“I think Mabel is adorable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cuter dog.” Now words were just coming out for no reason. Why was she talking about her ex’s dog while on a date with another man?

“I had a pet snake when I was a teen.”

Felicity balked. “A snake? Like a little garter one?”

“A ball python.”

Just the thought of a snake that large made her anxious. How could anyone enjoy one as a pet? “Really?”

“Yep. Named him Fluffy.”

Felicity couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Nice.”

Harold’s eyes sparkled. “The best part was feeding him. I’d go to the pet store and buy a live rat—”

“Stop!” She held up her hand, her stomach feeling queasy. “I don’t want to know about that.”

He pressed his lips together. “Sorry. I forget not everyone loves that kind of thing. Maybe I should tell you about my brother’s pet instead.”

“If it eats rats, don’t bother.”

“Nope. A ferret. The little fur ball would climb onto his shoulders and just sit there while he walked around.”

“Yes. Tell me about that one. Ferrets are much cuter than snakes.”

Harold put on a mock hurt look. “Fluffy was cute.”

“I bet.” She bit into a piece of shrimp and tried to think of something else they could talk about. The rest of the conversation centered on his job and aspirations in life.

After they finished their meal, Harold walked her to her villa. As they approached, Felicity grew nervous. Would he expect a kiss? Harold nervously tapped his leg as they slowed. The light from a nearby lamp post cast shadows on his face. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it. “Good night. I’ll see you around.”

“Good night, Harold.”

She watched as his figure disappeared into the shadows. He was a nice guy, but she knew she wouldn’t see him at her villa again. They didn’t have anything in common, and something told her he knew it. She took out her key card and slid it into the slot, opening her door.

Her villa was dark, which was odd. She was sure she’d left a light on in the living room. Had Grams been in her place? She shook that thought off. Why would she sneak in and turn off the light? That was too weird.

Felicity felt along the wall for the light switch. When her fingers found it, she flipped it up. Nothing happened.

She turned it off and back on, then felt stupid. If it didn’t work the first time, why did she think that would work? But, even so, she flicked it off and on again once more in the hopes that, for some odd reason, the lights didn’t work because she hadn’t flicked the switch off and on enough.

Dang. No power. She pulled out her phone and texted Aiden.

Is it just my villa without power?

His answer came back quickly.

What? You have no power? I thought we fixed that.

Maybe the lightbulb was just burned out. She inched her way into the living room area and fumbled for the knob on her lamp. Nope. The knob clicked, but no lights came on.

She messaged him back.

No power. Can you send someone out to check on it?

Sure. Hang on.

Felicity sank down into the chair next to the lamp and sighed. Would this odd day never end? She decided to update Amy on the situation with Brittany.

Guess what? Brittany showed up here tonight.

Her phone dinged almost immediately with Amy’s response.

What? So jealous! Wish I were there too! If I only had money like that, right?

No kidding. She found me at the restaurant. Well, me and my date.

Felicity waited for Amy to react to that news.

You were on a date? With who?? WHY DO YOU NOT TELL ME THINGS?

She laughed and texted her back.

I was just having dinner with a man I met on the beach. Don’t get too excited. He’s a big gamer. We don’t have much in common.

Okay, I feel better. A little. I still want to be there with you and Brittany. So bummed!

Felicity wished Amy were there too. She’d soften things between her and Brittany. Oh, well. It was only a few days. She could handle it. She texted Amy.

Chat later.

Okay, bye.

A knock came and Felicity used her phone light to find her way to the door. When she opened it, disappointment filled her. The street lamp cast a glow on Brittany. She walked toward Felicity, her arms outstretched.

“I wasn’t able to give you a proper hug earlier. How are you? And how was your date?” Before Felicity could answer, Brittany finished her hug and walked into the villa. “Why is it so dark in here? You should turn on some lights.”

“Yeah, well—”

Aiden stepped up to the villa, his eyebrows raised. “Brittany? Is that you?”

“Aiden! Oh, my goodness. Look at you. It’s been ages!” Brittany rushed at him and pulled him to her. The hug was so tight, Felicity worried Aiden couldn’t breathe.

Aiden’s eyes widened, and he seemed like he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. He patted her back awkwardly. “What are you doing here?”

Brittany laughed. “Everyone keeps asking me that. I’m here to see you guys, of course. We haven’t seen each other in so long, and when Felicity talked about how wonderful your resort was, I had to come check it out.” She looped her arm through his. “Come in and we’ll chat. I just need to find the light switch.”

“That’s the thing,” Felicity said. “My villa has no power. Aiden came to fix it.”

Aiden held up a flashlight and clicked it on. “Let me go check your electrical panel.”

“Well, aren’t you handy?” Brittany squeezed his arm tighter.

Aiden gave Felicity a look she knew meant, ‘what the heck?’ but Felicity just shrugged in response. He wiggled out of Brittany’s grasp and walked into the villa, his flashlight sweeping back and forth.

Felicity was left alone with Brittany. An awkward silence fell between them. “So, how was the flight?”

“It was good. There was this hunky flight attendant who I think liked me.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “He gave me an extra package of cookies.”

“Well.” Felicity wasn’t sure what to say. “Cool.”

Brittany stood on her toes to peer into the darkness. Her shirt pulled up, exposing her belly button. Felicity resisted the urge to tug her shirt back down. “You and Aiden...you said you’re not a thing anymore, right?”

An uneasy feeling crept over Felicity. What was Brittany doing? “Right,” she said hesitantly.

“So, you wouldn’t mind if I asked him out, would you?” Brittany bit her lip and smiled, like they were sharing a secret. Felicity wanted to throw up.

There it was. The real reason Brittany flew all the way out to Aiden’s resort became glaringly apparent. She wanted Aiden. Nice. What could she say to that?

Why did it annoy her so much that Brittany was after Aiden? She shouldn’t care. She wasn’t getting back together with him. Who was she to stop them?

No, she wouldn’t stop them, but Grams might. The thought of Grams trying to detain Brittany to get her away from Aiden made her smile. Felicity reached out and took Brittany’s hand, patting it. “You go ahead. I think you and Aiden would make a great couple.”

“You do?” Brittany blinked like she was going to cry. “You are just the sweetest thing.” She pulled Felicity into another hug. What was up with her and hugs?

“Go for it,” Felicity said.

“I’ve always found him attractive, but of course, he was with you in high school so I never acted on it.”

A sour taste grew in Felicity’s mouth. “Really?”

“Yes. But now that you’re not seeing him anymore, and I’m single again, I think I’m going to take a shot at it. I mean, it’s a long shot—I don’t know if he even likes me—but I’m going to go for it.”

Aiden came back into the room, rubbing his temple. “I can’t figure it out. All the breakers are working. I can’t find any problems. Yet, I can’t get the power back on. I’ll have to get someone on it tomorrow morning.”

Felicity frowned. “What am I going to do with no power?”

Aiden looked a little uneasy. “Normally we’d put you in a different villa, but we’re booked solid. You’ll have to come stay at my villa. We have a guest room.”

Felicity closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. This trip was just getting better and better.