A Lost Bikini and Dinner

Two gals on a beach join in the bikini day celebrations

The Sanddollar bar and grill was alive with anticipation. The annual Bikini Day relay race, sponsored by the bar, promised a $400 prize for the winning team. Three teams of four lined up—twelve runners total—each ready to battle it out on the sand. Rainey stood at the finish line, her stomach in knots. She was the anchor for her hastily assembled team, with two fellows they had just met: Jake running the first leg, followed by Mia and Tom. Unlike the other teams, they'd chosen a boy-girl-boy-girl rotation.

Mia had roped her into this. "Come on, Rainey! That $400 could be our gas home—or at least a start to a killer weekend."

"I don't know about this top, racing in a bikini, you know my luck and track record of clothing disasters." Why can't I wear my normal one-piece? I never wear bikinis.

"It's the rules, focus on the cash. Nobody here has seen you run. Remember that time in our sophomore year when we wanted to try out for track and everybody laughed… well, now's the time to prove them wrong."

The whistle blew, and Tom took off, weaving through cones with grit. He handed the beach ball to Mia, who kept the pace, then to Jake, who held their slight lead. When the ball hit Rainey's hands, she bolted.

The sand was flying from her toes as they kicked behind her. As she passed the halfway point, the straps of her bikini top reached their limit; the fabric flaps slid to hang down over her belly. Mortified but stubborn, Rainey hugged the beach ball to her chest, covering up as she ran. The crowd's cheers mixed with laughter, but she pushed on. Not quitting this time.

Near the finish, Joey from the other team closed in, fast and focused. Rainey's heart raced. In a flash, the finish line was approaching, as Joey was even with her. She thrust the beach ball out, arms extended, praying that the ball would cross first and lock in the win. Joey couldn't stop his gaze from refocusing on Rainey's chest—exposed once more—and he faltered, stombling on the rough ground, crashing into the sand.

Rainey crossed, ball first, victorious. Mia and the others tackled her with a group hug. "We won! You're insane!" screamed Mia, jumping as though they had won gold at the Olympics.

Turning from the crowd, Rainey did her best to retie her top. "Yeah, and I'm done with bikinis." She said to Mia, who was now helping Rainey refit her top.

Joey, dusting off, grinned at her. "Impressive move. I'm Joey."

She smirked back. "Rainey. Nice faceplant."

Rainey, brushing sand from her hair, said. "Let's get our cash and get back to the hotel. I have sand in places it should never be."

Joey trudged closer, not wanting to yell over the din of the crowd. His hair stuck out in wild tufts, but his grin was sheepish and warm. "Hey, Rainey, that beach ball move? Genius."

Rainey adjusted her top as best she could, smirking. "Thanks. Had to improvise. You okay after that wipeout?"

Joey chuckled, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, I'll live. I got a little… distracted."

Rainey raised an eyebrow, teasing. "By what? The sand? It's pretty sneaky."

His eyes crinkled. "Nah, by you. You're fast and creative. I didn't stand a chance."

Her stomach fluttered. Is he flirting? She played it cool. "Well, you gave us a good show. That fall? Olympic-level comedy."

Joey shrugged, stepping even closer. "Anything to make you look good.

Rainey's heart skipped. The air between them crackled, warm and playful. Mia, watching from a few feet away, wiggled her eyebrows at Rainey, who shot her a shut-up look.

Joey lingered. "So, uh, you sticking around? They're doing a bonfire later."

Rainey tilted her head, considering. "Maybe." She laughed, the sound light and free. She faced the bar and said, "It depends."

"On what?" said Joey."

"On whether you can tell me what color my eyes are?" said Rainey, keeping her face turned away from him.

Mia heard Rainey's test; she instantly focused on Joey's face when his blank glare confirmed Mia's suspicions. Without saying a word, her finger pointed toward Rainey's butt. Joey didn't understand at first until Mia pointed again with a sharp jab in the air.

Joey said, "Aqua-green like your swimsuit, only three shades lighter."

Rainey faced him, a bright smile rising up, her eyes drilling into him.

"So you're going to stay for the bonfire?"

"Okay, but not before I get a shower and change, you can buy me some dinner too."

"Deal. said Joey, pick you up at the bar, say seven?" and he trotted off before she could change her mind.

Rainey turned to Mia, who was practically bursting. "What?" Rainey asked.

Mia smirked. "Oh, nothing, you've got a fan. Joey's cute, huh?"

Rainey rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Maybe. We'll see, at least he saw me once."

"That was a hard question for a guy." Said Mia, her head tilting with a quick shake.

"Oh, I could have asked him something hard, like how many freckles I had."

Mia whispered in Rainey's ear. "Girl, half the guys on the beach could answer that one, especially if it were the number of freckles on this left titty."

"Shit you told him didn't you?" said Rainey pulling away abruptly.

"Do you like him?"

"He is easy on the eyes… but that doesn't mean he's not an asshole. Guess I'll find out later," said Rainey, restarting her trek to their hotel.

"You mean we, do you really think I am going to let you go out alone with 500 horny guys on a moonlit beach."

From over her shoulder, Rainey said. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

Mia made a quick jumping skip to catch up with Rainey before taking her arm, "What part didn't you hear? Five hundred horny men, I’m defintly in too.”