This story is currently in early access and was a voted for story on my Patreon.  You can find it here on DA on Feb 18th.

Carien stretched her arms and laid down onto her beach blanket, her blue bikini shining in the sunlight. “What a beautiful day. So glad I decided to treat myself to a vacation.” She closed her eyes and put her hands behind her head. “Only thing that would make it better is if Sarah could be here. Alas, she is spending the week house hunting. I will have to send her a postcard along with something else nice. She must be freezing back home in Michigan.”

              Carien crossed her legs. “I still can’t believe that I won that sweepstakes competition to come out here, though. I am usually never so lucky.” She laughed. “Though Sarah is going to kill me if she finds out that the competition was sponsored by Fredricks Fancy. I know she hates them and all, but I don’t know. They aren’t all that bad.”

              “Hey, miss, look out.”

              Carien opened her eyes to see a giant blue beach ball. She threw up her arms, but it was too late. “Oww.” The ball bounced off of her face and landed on her cooler. Carien sat up as she rubbed her forehead. “Who threw that at me?”

              A young lady with long red hair and a red swimsuit to match ran up. “Oh, I am sorry.” She turned her head at a tan-skinned man in blazing red shorts. “Patrick, I told you to be careful.”

              He sighed. “Sorry, Karen.” He turned his head. “Carien? Is that you?”

              Carien raised an eyebrow. “Umm, yes?”

              He walked over. “Don’t you remember me? I was at Sarah’s birthday party?”

              Carien crossed her arms. “Umm ya. That. . .” She shook her head at the memory that was Sarah’s failed surprise party. “I didn’t get much chance to know you there.”

              “Ya.” He pulled at his arm. “Anyways, it is nice to see another familiar face around here. Have you met Karen?”

              “Not really.”

              “Oh, she is great.” He pulled Carien to her feet. “I just met her when I got here, but she is great. You just have to get to know her.”

              Carien gulped.  I just hardly met this guy once, and he is acting like my long-lost brother.

              “Karen.” She turned around with the giant beach ball in her hand. “I would like you to meet my friend Carien.”

              She dropped the toy and extended out her hand.

“Hello. It is nice to meet you.”

              Carien took her hand. “Hello.”

              “Are you another contest winner?”

              Carien slowly nodded her head. “Umm, yes.” She crossed her arms. “Yes, I am.”

              Karen clasped her hands together. “Great. Then I hope to see you later today. All contest winners are invited to an outing on the company boat.”

              Patrick pulled at Karen’s arm. “Hey, why are you telling me this now?” He wrapped his arms around her. “Think I can join you out there?”

              Karen laughed. “Sorry. Only people who won the contest can take the boat ride.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “But we can see each other after. Don’t worry.”

              “Fine. Fine. Well, let’s spend what time we have together, shall we?”

              “Sounds good.” She pulled him away down the beach and waved at Carien. “So you later tonight.”

              “Umm ya. Later.” She sighed and sat back down. “I wish they had told me ahead of time about this boat ride but ok.” Carien closed her eyes and dozed off.