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anythin� �����t a ���� ho���y skirt ,” the girl replied . “ I can pick your brain and learn how to �oor�inat� an o�t�t� �o� �an t�a�h me how to accessorize and which �ty��� �att�r my �ha���� ��o�r �ha�� i� �o���y�� ��r�na �ai�� and smiled , glancing at her rounded arms and small waist . �� ha�� a �on�n��� �or ��h an� chips and Cadbury chocolate .” The girl ate another handful of �i�ta�hio�� ��o� �an t�a�h m� to like spinach |
salads with tofu .” “ I hate tofu ,” Serena said , grinning . Suddenly the jet lag washed over her like a wave and she longed to rest her head on a feathery pillow . “ Okay , I accept . I ’ m Serena Woods .” “ Zoe ,” the girl replied , glancing at the marble bar . “ Zoe Pistachio .” “ Pistachio ?” Serena raised her eyebrow . “ It ’ s an old family name ,” the girl said , and she strode toward the concierge . “ Let ’ s get you a key .” Serena opened her eyes and gazed at the scalloped light |
��t�r� a�o�� th� ���� �h� t�rn�� her head and saw beige silk drapes pulled back to reveal white sailboats on a pale blue ocean . Serena sat against the ivory satin headboard , trying to remember where she was . She recalled taking the private elevator to the seventh �oor an� �nt�rin� �o���� �hit� doors . She remembered Zoe ushering her into the second bedroom , showing her towels , robes , and an array of lotions . She vaguely remembered hanging up her jumpsuit , turning back the covers , and climbing under Egyptian cotton sheets . Now Serena glanced at the canopied bed , at the gold velvet love seat , at the crystal vase of birds of paradise , and thought she was crazy . How could she have accepted the invitation to stay in a suite with a complete stranger ? Serena pulled on a white velour Carlton robe and padded into the living room . She was going to tell Zoe she appreciated her kindness but she couldn ’ t accept h�r off�r any longer . She ’ d go down to reception and demand the manager call Chelsea ’ s assistant and sort out her room . The living room had beige marble �oor� an� i�ory sofas and a round glass table resting on a stone pedestal . French doors opened onto a marble balcony with chaise lounges and wicker chairs . Serena smelled freshly cut pineapple and dark roa�t�� �off�� an� �a� a sideboard heaped with platters of watermelon , grapes , |
minicroissants , and pots of raspberry jam . Serena suddenly realized she was starving . She piled a plate with �n��i�h m�ffin�� �tri�� o� �a�on� an� ��ffy ��ram���� ����� Th�n �h� poured a demitasse of rich black �off�� an� �at in a �o�i� ��� �hair� “ Jet lag is a killer ,” Zoe said as she entered the living room . She wore a navy one- piece bathing suit and a large straw hat . Her cheeks were smeared with suntan lotion and a pair of sunglasses were propped on h�r �or�h�a�� �Th� �r�t ��� �ay� I was here I wanted porridge and toast and marmalade for dinner .” “ I didn ’ t mean to eat your food ,” Serena said , wiping her mouth with a napkin . “ It smelled so good and I was starving .” �Th�y r���� th� �i���oar� ���ry four hours .” Zoe shrugged . ���r� om���t�� �o����� mini� ���air�� an� �h�����a���� � ���� telling them I ’ m on a diet and they keep bringing crustless sandwiches and creamy desserts .” ��o� �on�t n��� to �� on a �i�t�� Serena shook her head . “ According to fashion magazines ninety percent of women are on a diet their whole lives .” Zoe spread a piece of toast with strawberry jam . “ I ’ d stay and eat but I ’ m late for a waterskiing lesson .” “ What time is it ?” Serena gazed outside , suddenly noticing that the beach was full of sunbathers lying on white lounges . “ Two p . m .,” Zoe replied . “ I have a waterskiing lesson followed by a bicycle tour of Cannes and a trip to the outdoor markets . Maybe we can go to a nightclub to night , and you can teach me to say sexy things in French ?” �T�o o���o���� ��r�na ��m��� ��� ��y a��ointm�nt �ith ���tt� i� at three and my hair looks like it ’ s been attacked by hornets .” “ If you need to borrow any clothes or makeup it ’ s all in my closet ,” Zoe said , grabbing her room key and walking to the door . “ I really can ’ t stay here ,” Serena replied . “ We don ’ t know each other and this suite must cost a fortune .” ��o� ha�� to �tay� yo��r� �oin� to turn me into Katie Holmes . Think of all the delicious fruit and pastries going to waste if you don ’ t .” Zoe surveyed the sideboard . “ We ’ ll trade our personal information tonight , by morning we ’ ll be BFFs .”
French coast . Copyright © 2015 by Anita Hughes
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