Acapulco Nights Read Online Free PDF Page A

back upstairs, if we want to make our reservation.”
    She jumped up from her lounge chair, leaving half a margarita sitting on the table. Besides being an exercise fiend, she also adored eating. Considering all the running, biking, hiking, and swimming she did on a regular basis, she could probably consume five thousand calories a day and still lose weight. Sickening.
    “What are we waiting for?” She tightened the knot on her sarong.
    I set down my glass, grabbed my bag full of beach supplies, and took up the rear. When that girl wanted to eat, she could really get a move on.
    *
    Precisely five minutes before our dinner reservation, we were both freshly showered and comfortably dressed. I, in a flowered sundress with spaghetti straps, and Janice in a flirty, short one with a scoop neckline. I called it ‘tourist chic.’ We were obviously American with our strappy sandals, sunglasses, and digital cameras dangling from our wrists, but at least we weren’t wearing oversized t-shirts and spandex shorts. Not on the first day of our vacation, anyway.
    Passing through the lobby on our way to Antonio’s Cafe, which claimed to serve the “Best Taquitos in Acapulco,” we crossed in front of a picture display that caught my eye.
    The placard read: “Playa Del Mexico Working For You.” Beneath it were Polaroid pictures of various employees, their titles and names inscribed beneath. In the top row of pictures, under the heading ‘General Manager,’ I saw a face that made my heart race, my palms sweat, and my eyesight blur.
    “ Querida ,” a rumbling male voice, almost as familiar as my own, spoke softly right behind me.
    I jumped.
    He touched my bare shoulder with a warm hand, and a shiver ran through me.
    Janice and I both turned at the same time, but she spoke the words that filled my mind. “Joaquin! Oh, my God! I can’t believe it’s you!”  Her thin face flushed red with excitement, and she grabbed me tightly by the arm. “Isn’t this a good surprise, Suzie?”
    Words gathered in my mouth, but I couldn’t open my lips to release them.
    “Yes, isn’t this a good surprise?” Joaquin said, an odd smirk on his face.
    “A surprise?” I managed to say. My stomach heaved.
    “When I planned the trip and searched for a hotel, I ran across this news article online, and there was Joaquin’s picture, right on the screen! I thought it would be so much fun to stay here, catch up on old times.” She gave him an assessing look and touched his arm, “You haven’t changed a bit, Joaquin. Not one bit.”
    Joaquin’s effect on women had not diminished even after twelve years. He was a very attractive man and in great physical shape. The only change to his face was the well-trimmed goatee, which only deepened his handsomeness. His eyes glowed, and his beautiful white teeth flashed at us both. He gave Janice a quick hug.
    I grew speechless. Janice planned all of this? God, if she only knew what really happened between Joaquin and me back then, she would have made plans to visit Cancún instead. I rubbed my clammy hands on my dress.
    “Hello, Joaquin. Well, isn’t this a surprise.” My voice came out a bit breathless. “Janice is quite the little planner, isn’t she?” I felt a touch dizzy. I wished I could sit down, but I saw no empty chair in sight.
    The years between us melted away. San Antonio had all been a dream, a nice, but distant dream. I was supposed to be here, standing next to this gorgeous man. My body inched closer to his, and it seemed natural when he pulled me into his body for an embrace. His chest felt hard and warm against mine. I’d forgotten why I’d come here.
    Janice stepped back a half-step, looking oddly at us both. It only lasted a moment. If I didn’t know her so well, I probably never would have noticed that look at all. I pulled away from Joaquin, knowing this closeness, this attraction was not right.
    James waited at home for me. He trusted me. Besides, I flew all the way to Mexico to