The Luna Choosing Game

“Oh, no! Piper, I'm so sorry!” she exclaimed. She placed her empty glass down on a nearby table then held her hands out to me like she intended to do something. Yet she never actually touched me or my clothes. “What can we do? That will stain right away!” She was right. Red wine stains didn’t come out at all once they were set.

I studied Bridget for a moment, trying to determine if this had truly been an accident. Everything had happened so quickly. Bridget could have lost balance. In the moment, that had been what it looked like.

Bridget was a professional actress. She could make anything look accidental.

But what would her end goal have been

for deception? To ruin my outfit? To get me out of the way? I wasn’t even talking to Nicholas, I had been talking to Julian! And Bridget hadn't really shown any possessive interest in him. At least, not on the same level of Nicholas.

If this hadn’t been an accident, that meant that Bridget had it personally out for me, and that just seemed so... I don’t know. Too much.

It had to be an accident.

Veronica stood from her spot. She had a handkerchief and tried to help me wipe at the various spots. But it didn’t matter. The stain seemed set already and trying to wipe it away only stretched the stain out, making it worse.

The outfit was basically trash now.

Unless I could get it soaking in cold water. That might be the only way to salvage it.

Veronica traded me the handkerchief for the empty bottle. “We'll keep an eye on Elva,” she said. “Go change.” That seemed like the best plan to me.

“Thank you,” I told her.

“Oh, Piper. Forgive me,” Bridget said.

and headed toward the

the wait staff was there. As I gestured to my shirt, I asked, “Do you have any idea where

luggage into the foyer while the room assignments are being made. You should find your bag

They opened the door for me and I slipped inside. The inside of the building was as beautiful as the outside, with bamboo motifs and a tropical theme. Photos of palm leaves and exotic birds covered most of the walls. The furniture was mostly wicker with decorative cushions. I The foyer was much smaller than the one

hang their clothes in the nearby closet. Our luggage was lined up there, just inside the door. I recognized

bag and dragged it back toward the bathroom.

me. Some still didn’t. I was worried a little about what the situation would be here. It was a relief to

me

are ready, Miss. The sooner we get them washed, the more likely we

So I ducked into the bathroom with my bag, changed out of my clothes, and then held them out for

them, and I heard

set it down on the floor, zipped it open, and in a flash, all good

in sticky red paint! It looked like someone had put a paint bomb in here. Cursing, I dug through my clothes,

single one of my clothes seemed damaged. @ For this to have happened, someone must have put in a few different paint bombs, to create the

tucked into the corner of this one. That seemed entirely untouched, except for the outside of the bag. Inside, Elva’s clothes were

that didn’t help

clothes were damaged. And I had already given my stained clothes to

to stay

God, 1 hoped it would be Veronica or Julian, and not Bridget. ws I guess

Unless...

embarrassed to try on. It had seemed too revealing then. But. We were on a beach, right? Would it really be so bad for me to put on my swimsuit? € At least for as long as I could get Veronica’s attention. Maybe she could lend me something else to wear for now. Even though our styles and sizes were different. Something would be