Surrender 01 - Surrender

right?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Good; let’s play.” Rachel dragged her away from the too tanned man, and Ari forgot about him as the game started.
    Half an hour later, Ari was feeling good. She was certainly working up a sweat, and she was laughing so much her stomach hurt. Lia and Rachel were right about the sore legs, though — she could already feel a slight burning in her thighs.
    “We need a break,” Rachel said as she grabbed the ball and jogged over to a water cooler. Ari was right on her heels. She needed a large swallow or three of cold liquid.
    “See? It’s a lot of fun, huh?” Lia said as she handed Ari a water bottle.
    “I have to admit that it is. I haven’t enjoyed an afternoon so much in a long while. I may have to come back next weekend and try this again,” she answered with a bright smile.
    “I’ll meet you here. You’re a lot better than you said you’d be,” Rachel piped in.
    “It’s been so long since I played that I really didn’t think I’d be any good,” Ari admitted.
    “Time out’s over, ladies. Well, unless you want me to massage your sore muscles.”
    Ari turned and was surprised to find one of the other guys gazing directly at her. She was even more stunned when he nodded her way. What was going on? Maybe it was the bright red bikini top that was giving them the wrong impression. Before she could say a word, Lia grabbed her hand.
    “We’re just fine, John. Quit trying to unnerve us by flirting. We’re not that naïve,” she said as she tugged Ari back onto the court. Ari was mortified. What if that’s why they were flirting? It made more sense — she certainly couldn’t see herself as a sex magnet.
    “Oh, that wasn’t game-playing. How about I take you ladies out for a drink after the game?” he offered, soothing her ego.
    “Can’t. We have dinner plans, but thanks anyway,” Rachel said. She then addressed Ari.
    “You should come with us tonight. We’re having a late dinner on my brother’s boat. The thing is absolute heaven to ride on, and there’s even a small spa onboard so you can get a massage. Your legs are going to need it.”
    Ari didn’t know how to respond. These women were strangers. She really should decline the invitation graciously and return to the safety of her friends, but she found herself unable to say no. She’d never been on a boat before and it sounded like a lot of fun.
    One thing she’d discovered since starting her job and getting away from the college campus was that people in general were a lot more friendly than she’d ever thought. She had a cell phone if anything came up. She couldn’t imagine that the two were secret serial killers.
    “I promise we’re not planning on chopping you up and tossing you in the ocean. We just don’t get to San Fran very often, so we try to make friends fast,” Rachel said as she crossed her heart.
    If it was a bad idea to go, Ari would get a feeling deep in her gut, wouldn’t she? Besides, she was sick of always playing it safe.
    “Where are you girls from, if not from here?”
    “We spent our childhood between here and Italy. Our dad’s American, our mom, Italian, so they compromised. Six months in Italy and six months in the U.S. The last few years we’ve been in Italy a lot more, though. I just finished with college over there, so freedom is mine now. I think my parents are going to dump us off on my brother and go travel the world.”
    Ari was puzzled. They looked over twenty-one, certainly over eighteen, so why did they need to have someone take care of them? Was something wrong — like maybe a mental disorder? It would hardly do to pry, however.
    “I see you look confused, Ari. It’s OK. When you meet our father, you’ll understand. I’m twenty-six, and Rachel is twenty-three, but to our dad, we’re still twelve. Our big brother pretty much feels the same way. I’ve moved a few times, but then Dad either has security on my butt or he and my mother decide to vacation where I’m living . Plus, my brother has chased away about every guy I’ve ever even thought about dating. If I didn’t love all my family so much, I think I’d hate them a little. The bottom line is, if I truly wanted to make a change in my life, they’d let me. They may not like it, but I know they love me enough to let me go. They’d just secretly stash a tracking device in my bag,” she said with a laugh.
    “Wow. I thought my mom was overprotective.”
    “Oh, Ari. My family has