Time to head to the beach.

Shoving the question aside, Marigold quickly changed back into her casual wear: a flowing yellow sundress with nice, big shoulder straps to conceal the bust-minimizing compression vest underneath. She could hang out at the beach in just her sundress. Plenty of people did that. She could have just as much fun without actually wearing the swimsuit. Right?

Marigold emerged from her hotel room and stepped into a sea of chaos.

"Uber sucks!" Lynn shouted. "Lyft 4 Lyfe!"

"Lyft's rate sucks!" Joy shot back. "I don't care if you need the miles, Lynn. I'm not paying more than I have to just so you can get platinum!"

"I thought we were hiking..." Kiona scratched her head. "It's not that far of a walk through the hills... just a little forest, maybe some hiking over the cliffs?"

"Not everyone's a park ranger, Kiona," Terri giggled. "I'd love to race you there, but I think those two would rather take the comfortable, if longer, way around and drive. It's a pretty hidden beach, anyway. We might get lost."

That was as good an opening as any, Marigold supposed. She slid awkwardly beside Kiona. "We'd never get lost with Kiki leading us."

Marigold moved to grab Kiona's arm, but stopped herself before she did. That would have been too forward... wouldn't it?

"Hey there!" Kiona glanced down at her friend. "Glad to see you're coming. Nice dress!"

"T-thanks..." Marigold shuffled her feet. Kiona didn't seem to mind how close Marigold was. Maybe she should have taken her hand...?

"Might not have been the best choice for hiking, though," Kiona said. "Then again, neither is Lynn's outfit."

It was true: while Kiona, Terri and Joy had planned for a hike to the secluded cove, Marigold and Lynn weren't dressed for it. Kiona sported a tank top and tight-fitting hiking shorts, while Terri had her loose-fitting running gear and Joy was set up with cargo shorts and t-shirt. Both girls had big backpacks for beach gear and to carry the BB Brigade's swimsuits.

Lynn's capris and spaghetti-strap top, while stylish, didn't look like they'd let her move freely. A tight outfit on a hike (or a climb!) would definitely lead to a few popped seams or worse, and her straps were thin enough for a breeze to snap them. Marigold's dress was sturdier, but would definitely get dirty (and flap and flutter everywhere) if she took it hiking.

"I-I can change if you want me to," Marigold stuttered.

"You'll be fine," Kiona smiled. "We can take it easy, or wait for those two to settle on a ride."