A grumpy receptionist leads us up to our room and explains where the gym and spa are. She emphasizes the hours of the spa, and I can tell she’s pissed we checked in this late. I’m sure she’d rather be scrolling on her phone right now.
We make our way into the room, and I plop down on the bed furthest from the door. I’m not sure why, but I always take that one. It’s not even a conversation anymore after how many times we’ve shared a room.
Riley still seems wired. She’s taking off her makeup and talking to me about what we’re going to watch. I hate to break it to her, but I’m in no mood for reality trash right now. I’m exhausted.
We’ve only been on the road for one day, but still, ten hours of driving is inherently tiring. Especially when you’re driving through no man’s land, and there’s nothing to pique your interest. All you have is you and your thoughts, and man, I’m sick of my thoughts.
I desperately want to fall asleep and dream about a life where I’m not so fucking anxious.
A pillow covers my face, and I can barely hear Riley rambling on in the bathroom. She finally notices I haven’t replied. I smell her sweet perfume before I hear her. Riley tugs the pillow off my face, and I don’t have the energy to fight her.
“You loser. I thought we were gonna watch reality shows and do face masks.”
“We can do that tomorrow.”
She huffs, but apparently realizes I’m a lost cause and throws the pillow back at my head. “Fine, but you have to do your skincare.”
“Do I,really? What’s one night?”
“Yes, Addie, you must.”
I’m sure I’ll thank her for this in the morning, but right now I kind of want to slap her. Anxiety is draining. I’ve lived ten lives today just imagining different disaster scenarios in my head.
Dragging myself to the bathroom, I notice I still have Reid’s flannel. It looks kind of cute wrapped around my sundress. I’ve finally achieved that effortless Pinterest vibe, and it’s all thanks to Reid. I still can’t believe he brought my boots for me. Reid has never been much of a planner. I tuck that shred of hope away in my heart to savor later.
And I fall asleep faster than I have in months.
10
Riley is awake and bouncing through the hotel room before I even open my eyes. Apparently, she already got ready and went to pick us up breakfast bagels and coffee. I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated my best friend more, because this shit is delicious. My head is throbbing as if I had thirteen beers instead of two.
We have the whole day free today. Riley already insisted we have a picnic in a meadow, and Reid wants to hike.
It sounds like the perfect day.
Staring at myself in the smudged mirror, I try my best to make my hair presentable, but the added humidity here isn’t agreeing with me. It resembles cotton candy, while Riley’s falls in perfect shiny ringlets. I can tame it down in Colorado, but as soon as it gets a taste of moisture, it has a tendency to puff up. It must have rained overnight, because it’s especially unruly today.
I realize that I left my vans in Reid’s van and my Uggs in mine. The only shoes I have to wear are these cheesy boots. They looked cute last night in the dim neon, but now they look a little ridiculous. They don’t exactly go with my baggy hiking pants either.
Apparently, Reid is meeting us here for the hike. I text him to see if he can bring me some other shoes. He has an extra key to Willa and I have one to his van, for logistical purposes of course.
He shows up half an hour later holding my dirty hiking boots in one hand and a coffee in the other. The coffee says ‘Reid’ on it, but it looks like the type of drink I’d order.
I eagerly grab it out of his hands.
“Good morning to you too, Adelaide.” He motions to me as I gulp down the perfect latte. “You’re welcome by the way,” he adds.
I come up for air and thank him, “I appreciate it. And I appreciate you bringing my shoes.”
He’s unloading a backpack from his shoulders. “Here, I brought your vans too.”
The combined gestures are making my vision cloudy. Who is this thoughtful man and what did he do with Reid?
I mutter, “Thank you.”
Reid holds his hand up to his head. “What was that I couldn’t hear you.”
My voice is louder this time, “I said thank you!”
