A cool breeze blew over South Beach and it patrons that evening. Serena was more than happy to be out with the woman who had become her closest friend in the city. While everyone else somehow found something more important to do on a Friday night, Katy was more than willing to go out for drinks with her only girl friend in the world.
While both women were born and raised in Miami, they hadn't met until their adulthood. Katy was a party girl and she was very open about her sex life. Serena was a virgin, but she enjoyed hearing about Katy's exploits.
The two sat across from each other at a high table of their favorite bar nursing Long Islands and reminiscing about their first meeting at that very spot.
Katy had shown up in a strapless little black dress that hugged every curve of her hourglass frame. She wore red lipstick making her round lips stand out. Her heart shaped face was framed by her wavy black hair that hung just below her breasts. Her tanned skin glistened in the sun as her black high heels clicked on the concrete. She was also proudly wearing her Puerto Rican flag necklace that she never took off. She wanted her heritage on display at all times. That and she got tired of people asking if she was Cuban.
"You looked like you were on a date" Serena laughed at her friend.
"That was the point" Katy replied unashamed "I wanted to be sure you were really only after a friendship."
"And what about you miss I'm too casual to be cute'? Black skinny jeans and a tank top? At least you wore heels." Katy said, rolling her eyes. She and Serena were almost complete opposites. Her caramel colored skin was close to Katy's complexion but that's were the similarities ended. At 5'10" she towered over Katy, who barely stood 5'5". She had a small frame with long, slender legs. Her face was oval shaped and she had chocolate-colored eyes, bordered by long lashes. She had her hair parted down the middle and styled into a shoulder length bob. The only part of her that was fuller than Katy was her lips.
"But seriously though Katy, we have been through some crazy stuff at this table. Like Sir Spits-A-Lot and crew." They both burst into a cackling laughter unaware of the strange looks they were receiving.
Serena looked out onto the strip eyeing the men who were walking by. All types came to this part of the world. For her and Katy it was like a candy store that delivered a new flavor every week. They made sure they got the same table every time they visited their spot.
Since the bar had no windows, they could enjoy the breeze coming from the sea. She loved that their city had places like this. She took another sip from her drink and continued watching the candy strangers.
She nearly choked mid-sip as she caught a glimpse of the tall fair haired man walking with his buddy laughing heartily. He turned his head towards her and she quickly looked to Katy, her mouth dropping open.
Katy was instantly concerned for her friend. She looked at the two men; who had stopped on the sidewalk and were looking in their direction. Her hazel eyes burned with curiosity.
"Serena..." She began. Her friend was looking at her with wide eyes. "Do you know them?" Katy asked beginning to understand. Serena nodded slowly, not daring to look to her side. She could feel their eyes on her, and her ears began to burn.
She took a large gulp from her straw and said "Remember when I went to visit my friend Lizzie in Chicago?"
"Holy shit!" Katy blurted out nearly jumping out of her seat. Serena's eyes widened and Katy immediately realized her error. She coolly sat back in her seat and took a long sip of her drink. She smirked at her friend, reminiscing on the stories about the soldier who almost stole her away. She studied him with newfound curiosity, toying with her pendant. He was indeed tall, at least 6'5" with short, wavy blonde hair. He had a slim face with cornflower blue eyes. His pink lips were thin but enticing. He was wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and blue jeans, looking very much like an Abercrombie model. Katy nodded her approval before turning to her silent friend. "Wow" she mouthed.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Serena asked still frozen.
"Well you can ask him" Katy stated flatly. "They're coming in." Serena's heart fluttered and she suddenly felt the need to run. Before her brain could relay the message to her legs, she felt his presence next to her.
"Hello, Serena" he bellowed looking down at her. His closeness made her uneasy and she stifled her breath trying to avoid his intoxicating aroma.
"Hello, Mitchell" Serena responded looking up slowly, her face stern. She could have kicked herself for not wearing jeans that night. Instead she was sitting there in white lace shorts, and an off the shoulder crop top.
Mitchell kept his eyes locked on hers as he spoke his next words. "You remember Jake right?" he stated motioning to his partner. "Yes I do. Hi Jake" She smiled, giving his friend a noticeably warmer greeting.
"Hey" Jake blushed slightly as he smiled back at her.
Katy stared at the trio for a while. She found herself smiling as Serena stared down the tall man with an icy glare, while he stared back with desire burning deep in his eyes. No doubt Serena could hold her own against Army boy in the bedroom. She had to hold back a laugh from her wicked thought.
Then she looked to Jake. He was a few inches shorter than Mitchell with short black hair and a handsome face. He had a strong jaw that was lightly covered in stubble. His eyes were a glacial blue and his pouty lips just begged to be kissed. He turned to meet her gaze and she felt something stir deep within her stomach. "I'm Jake" He said with a warm smile, extending his hand to her.
"So I hear" Katy replied with a purr, lightly placing her hand in his. His firm grip sent chills throughout her body.
Serena finally broke her gaze from her target and looked to the pair. "I'm sorry. Jake this is my friend Katy."
"You can call me Kitty if you like." She said with a wink. "So what brings you guys to our beautiful city? The beach? The women?" She directed the last of her statement towards Mitchell. Serena shot Katy a murderous look. She shrugged it off and waited for a response.
"We've been planning to come here for a while" Mitchell replied, still eyeing his prey. "I've heard good things." He was smiling broadly at her.
Serena wanted nothing more than to slap that stupid grin off his face.
****
Mitch though he'd never see Serena again. His life in the Army made it hard to maintain relationships. Although, he had to admit, it was his own fault that he lost out on her.
During his last leave he was visiting Jake's family in Chicago. Jake had been hesitant, since he wasn't really close to any of them but his mother had talked him into it. Mitch decided to tag along knowing this would be uncomfortable for Jake. His mother gave her reluctant consent since they visited her every other time they were stateside.
Not long after they arrived, things got a little tense with Jake's uncle, so they decided to head to Navy Pier to cool off. Once there, they walked around admiring the different booths. They walked past the Ferris wheel and Mitch stopped at the sight of a pretty black girl standing near the ride. She was pouting towards a short, pale girl. "Pleeeeaase!" she begged her friend.
She was wearing jeans but that didn't stop him from admiring her long legs and small round bottom. He watched as she tried to no avail to pull her friend towards the Ferris wheel. "No!" her friend shouted "I am not getting on that giant metal death trap with you! Let me go!"
The girl huffed, let go of her friend, and walked solemnly to the ride. There was no line, so she walked directly to the operator, who looked around to see who would be accompanying the young lady. "Me" Mitch whispered to himself.
"I'll ride with her" he stated loudly, strolling towards the pair. "If that's okay with you?" he looked to her questioningly. She smiled brightly at him and said "Sure!"
