Day Twenty-Two: A Newfound Travel Buddy

I am spending the afternoon with Inez from the front desk.  It is her day off.  I picked her up at the beach and brought her back to the Standard, where she works. 

She is in the bathroom trying on my dresses. 

Me, Inez and Lyla at the StandardShe plans to go to Rio next week and then travel around South America, so we are going to travel together for some of the trip.  “For the first time, I am living,” she tells me on our drive to the Standard.  She also plans to start a blog about her travels. 

She comes out of the bathroom in my purple Alice and Olivia dress and she looks great.

She is very nervous while hanging out with me where she works.  I tell her its fine and that she can order a drink and sit by the pool.  Apparently the staff is not supposed to be at the pool or drink.  “Today, you are not staff, you are my guest,” I tell her. 

This is how we leave Lyla before heading to dinner

After a dip, we plan to meet Jay and Chris for sushi at Bond Street.  It takes twenty minutes for the cab to come.  A young gentleman is about to take our cab.  “Where are you going?” I ask.

“South beach.  How about you?” He says.

“Same, Bond Street,” I reply. 

We all get in and he tells us that he is going to Bond Street too.  His name is Morgan and he is from Montreal.  He is in the leather testing business.  He tests the quality of leather for large stores, such as Saks, Sears and Wal-Mart.  He is here by himself and going to Bond Street on a recommendation from a friend. 

"I really am planning to go to Bond Street," he says.  I am a little confused why he is telling me as if I wouldn't believe him.  I ask him to explain.  "I didn't want you to think that I just said that I was going to Bond Street because you pretty girls said you were going there.  I really was planning to go there," he says.   He plans to eat at the bar by himself so we invite him to join us.   

Inez, Chris and Jay at Bond StreetJay and Chris are sitting at the table when we arrive.  Chris is eyeing the table of men behind us, a man in a black polo shirt in particular.  "Are they gay," I ask.

"Totally," Chris replies.

Jay turns to Chris.  "She is the best thing I've found in Miami," he says pointing to me.   My heart warms. 

Me and Inez on the swings in front of Bond StreetChris orders for everyone.   Inez and Chris get to know each other and so do Morgan and Jay.  We all laugh and have a great time.  I feel good about bringing this group of people together.

As we get up to leave, Chris decides to give the man in the black polo his number.  “I’m so nervous, I can't do it” he tells me.

“Give it to me.  I’ll take care of it,” I say.  He goes upstairs with Jay, Inez and Morgan and I stay behind and introduce myself to the men at the table behind us.   I say to Todd, the man in the black polo, “my friend thinks that you are very handsome.”  I explain that Chris is a little shy.

 “Which one?” He asks.

“One moment,” I say.  I go upstairs to find Chris and bring him back for an introduction.  Chris and Todd chat for a while and exchange information.  Chris is glowing as we leave.  He has a crush.

Jay, Chris, me and Inez at the Shore ClubWe stop in the Shore Club, which is pretty dead.  Sammy texts me and asks what’s going on.  I tell him to meet us at the Raleigh.  He scoots up the drive in his classic white Vespa.  He is dressed to the nines; shoes polished, jacket crisp and tie colorful.  Sammy always looks sharp.    Jay hops on the back of the Vespa and rides off with Sammy to the Standard.  Inez, Chris and I follow them in a cab.

Chris gets us a bottle of Champaign and we go for a swim.  Lyla joins us.

Inez is staying with her grandmother, who lives twenty minutes away, until she leaves for Rio next week.   I tell her that she should just crash with me tonight. 

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