It had been raining almost nonstop for the past three days. It had started almost as soon as the group arrived in California. They had decided it was time for a vacation and Yury agreed, albeit a bit reluctantly, to shut down the club for a couple of weeks to allow for his employees to enjoy some time off. A few of them managed to find the funds to afford a stay at the exclusive Oasis Resort and Spa but the unrelenting rain had put a damper on their plans.
“If it rains any longer I fear we will be swept away.” Beverly practically whined as she looked forlornly out the large bay window from her spot on the chaise.
“Don’t be so dramatic.” The coyote shook her head as she stepped out of the bathroom in a plush robe.
“Tanya, This was supposed to be a week of fun in the sun and here we are cooped up in this dingy room.” Beverly had turned away from the window to face her companions.
“Well chick-a-dee, I can’t control de weather. Ain’t got no spells for dat.” Evelyn chuckled as she finished stitching together a lavender colored chemise. Beverly shot her an annoyed look as she watched her friend hold up the repaired garment.
“That’s the second time I’ve seen you patch up that slip.” A curious look materialized across Tanya’s face as she watched Evelyn promptly put the nightgown back into her suitcase.
“Oh, don’t you know? That’s Davin’s favorite negligee.” Beverly waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“My my, rips it off ya every night does he?” The shoe that came sailing towards Tanya almost made its mark as the coyote barely had time to duck out of the way.
“The scoundrel!” The mock horror in Beverly’s voice had Tanya bursting into a fit of laughter.
“Who’s the scoundrel?” A deep voice interjected and the three occupants in the room turned toward the doorway.
“Oh, no one.” Beverly said dismissively to Ike as she watched the boys file in.
“I’m no expert but I have a feeling that this won’t be clearing up anytime soon.” Shark flopped down on the large couch, motioning for Tanya to sit beside him. She complied.
“What gives you that idea.” Yury muttered sarcastically as he stood in front of the window, puffing away at a cigar, the sickly sweet smoke filling the large room.
“History.” Shark sighed as he wrapped an arm around Tanya’s shoulders. “Whaddya say we find a way to pass the time, Yaya?”
“Sure.” Tanya shrugged after a short pause. The pair stood and left the room with a wave, leaving the others with varying looks of amusement and mortification.
“Rain or no rain I’ve got to go pick Rameka up from the docks.” With another look out of the window Yury gathered his jacket and left.
Davin leaned over the back of the couch and whispered something into Evelyn’s ear. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to gather the gist of it as the pair said their goodbyes and slipped into the bedroom Evelyn shared with Beverly. The clouded leopard let out a small groan as she was effectively kicked out of her room for the foreseeable future.
She leaned her head against the back of the couch and gazed at the ceiling. Ike took a seat across from Beverly, a thoughtful look flickered across his face. “You got a swimsuit on under that thing?”
“Yeah, why?” She answered absentmindedly. Ike didn’t respond, instead he got up from the couch and ambled over to the door, motioning for Beverly to follow him. The leopard thought through her options and ultimately her curiosity got the better of her. She complied, trailing after Ike as he wandered through the hotel. Ike stopped short of the entrance to the pool, he reached out and carefully opened one of the glass doors, slipping out onto the patio area.
“Ike, what are you doing?” Beverly hissed and glanced around, worried that one of the waitstaff would scold them.
“Aw, come on Bevvy. Have a little fun.” The encouraging words were met with a look of skepticism from the clouded leopard. She glanced out of the now open doorway, drops of rain pelted the wood deck and disrupted the chlorinated water in the pristine pool. “A little rain never hurt nobody. And you’re already in your suit.”
“But-”
“What’s the point of living if you can’t swim in the rain?” Ike had already unbuttoned his polo and was pulling it over his head. He managed to get his pants halfway down before a flustered-looking bellboy shuffled over.
“Uh-sir? Miss? It’s advised that you stay indoors today.” The timid suggestion did nothing to sway Ike and he fixed the nervous mouse with a firm stare.
“Look pal, my best gal and I came all the way to Palm Springs to swim and relax. I don’t care if it’s the storm of the century, we’re going for a swim.” Ike set his jaw, silently daring the mouse to say anything to the contrary.
“Of course, sir! S-sorry sir! ” With a fervent bow he scurried off. Beverly shook her head at Ike’s antics.
“So, ‘best gal’, huh? When did I get this promotion?” The smile that played at her lips let Ike know this was in jest. Now in nothing but his swimming shorts he threw an arm across Beverly’s shoulders.
“Bevvy. Baby. You’ve always been my best gal.” The cheesy response was accompanied by an even cheesier wink and it sent the leopard into a fit of giggles. Though the laughter soon turned to screeches as Ike swept Beverly up and carried her bridal style towards the pool.
“Isaac Alessandro Martinelli if you throw me into that pool so help me I’ll-” The threat remained unfinished as Ike jumped into the pool, Beverly in tow. The dancer surfaced screaming, thrashing around in an attempt to slap Ike.
“Stop bein’ so dramatic.” Ike chuckled as he watched his frazzled friend swim to the edge of the pool and haul herself up.
“I can’t believe you did that!” She exclaimed as she removed the sopping wet robe that was still wrapped around her and tossed it into an empty chair. Standing under one of the oversized umbrellas to stay out of the rain she wrung out her tail with a frown. Ike swallowed thickly as his eyes roamed over Beverly’s form. The polka-dotted singlet was form fitting, had they been at a more crowded location, it would probably garner some attention from the ‘beach police’. There was no way that skirt length was regulation, it barely covered what it was supposed to. Ike managed to snap himself out of his daze to reassure the livid ecdysiast.
“Oh you’re alright. No need to throw a conniption fit.” Isaac dove underwater as a large candle was hurled his way.
“My hair is ruined you nitwit!” Locks of her honey brown hair clung to her face, the fancy half up-do she had put it in awash.
“You still look beautiful to me!” Ike shouted out in a sing-song voice. Beverly gave him the finger and the uncharacteristic act caught the elk off guard. He guffawed loudly and swam to the edge of the pool. “That’s not very polite.”
“Go suck a lemon.” Beverly muttered, unperturbed by the mock hurt in his voice. The faint smile that played at her lips hinted to Ike that Beverly forgave him and he pulled himself out of the water. The rain had let up some, it was now something akin to a light drizzle.
“Well Bev, I don’t know about you but I could use a bite.”
“We should probably wait until Yury and Rameka get back.” Beverly said absently as she tried to put on her still wet robe.
“I suppose you’re right. How about some coffee then?” Ike smiled at Bev pretended to think over the suggestion.
“Only if you’re buying.”
“It’s the least I could do for my best gal.” Ike flashed her a smile and the one he got in return made his breath hitch. It amazed Ike how poised Bev could be soaking wet, in the rain, on the tail end of a murder plot. No matter how many times she took the stage, shook, shimmied, or stripped, she still looked like a proper lady. Ike had no doubt that if she stepped back onto Park Avenue right this instant she’d blend right in. It tugged at his heartstrings a bit to know that he would never come close to her orbit but he was grateful that he got to know Beverly as well as he did in the few years they had known each other. He hoped that all the horrors that had transpired these last few months weren’t indicative of a larger trend. Though he had suffered plenty, it hurt him even more to watch Beverly cope with all of this as well. Ike was never one to have friends outside of family before but he had enjoyed navigating this somewhat unfamiliar territory, forming bonds that weren’t already set at birth, but just as strong all the same.