“Zach, while I appreciate your concern, I assure you everything will be just fine. All I need to finish this book is complete privacy, my laptop, and my two hands, all of which I will have.”
“What if you run into trouble with the book and you need me?”
“They’ve got Wi-Fi, so in the unlikely event that I require help, I’ll email. Just a second.” I push a button on the screen, transferring the call to my dressing room. A moment later, the lights turn on automatically as I walk in.
“I hate it when you do that,” Zach says, referring to transferring him to another room. “It’s always so dark before you get here.”
“Well then don’t call me when I’m about to get dressed,” I say, opening my underwear drawer.
“Hey, is that a set of Hermes Orion luggage?” he asks, suddenly distracted by the suitcases my housekeeper packed for me last night.
“Could be. Mrs. Bailey ordered them for me.”
“She did well. If you’re in need of birthday gift ideas for me, look no further.”
“I was thinking of getting you a towel steamer so you don’t scald your face again.”
“Either would be good,” he says with a big smile. “Speaking of my birthday, it presents a very strong argument for you to remain in the country. Kennedy’s hosting a dinner for me next Friday and all our friends are only coming because they think you’ll be there.”
“Then they’re not real friends. I’m sorry I won’t be there to see you blow out your candles, but honestly, Zach, this truly is my last chance and I refuse to fuck it up. In order to immerse myself fully in the realms of Qadeathas, I must separate myself from all things in this lesser world. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should get dressed.”
“That’s a sight I can do without.”
“See you in two months.”
“That is if you don’t get eaten by a crocodile.”
Sighing, I say, “Do you not think I can handle myself in the wilds of the Caribbean?”
“Asks the man whose housekeeper pressed and packed his clothes for him…”
“I’ll have you know I’ve lived in a tent in the Canadian wilderness.”
“And if memory serves, you came home after three days with a scorching case of poison ivy.”
Okay, he’s got me there. That did happen and it was awful. Rolling my eyes, I say, “Two distraction-free months in a tastefully-appointed villa on a remote private island and I’ll give you the best damn ending to the greatest fantasy series this world has ever seen.”
“If you survive, that is.”
“Goodbye, Zach. Enjoy your birthday.”
3
It’s My Not-Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To…
Emma - Santa Valentina Island
I dig around in my purse for a pack of gum while I wait for Harrison to pull up in front of the San Felipe airport. The flight landed ten minutes early (yay!). I’ve already collected everything I own and made my way outside so I can breathe in the fragrant scent of the Benavente Islands for a few minutes. Actually, I’m secretly hoping to dry out my pits and let the breeze blow the smell of booze off my body, but to be honest, I’m doubtful that it’ll work. I really reek. I made three attempts at an ‘in-flight sink bath,’ but each one was thwarted by cranky passengers needing to get to the toilet. So far, I’ve managed to clean exactly one foot and my face. But that’s okay. Nothing that can’t be fixed with a long shower and an entire bar of soap, right?
Watching the people coming and going from the airport, I look for familiar faces. So far, it’s just a bunch of tourists, but that’s okay, too. Their relaxed smiles and floral pattern shirts mean I’m home—and this time, I’m home to stay.
A turquoise open-topped jeep belonging to the Paradise Bay Resort pulls into the arrivals lane and I wave way too enthusiastically for someone who smells like this. I can’t see who’s driving yet, but I bet it’s my brother. He probably brought his fiancée, Libby, with him. I really like Libby. She’s a bit uptight and a little crazy, but she’s madly in love with my brother, and since he’s never been so happy in his life, I can’t help but love her, too. I bet Rosy’s in the jeep, too. There’s no way the woman who pretty much took over as my mum when we moved to the Caribbean would be able to wait to welcome me home.
Ooh! The jeep is getting closer! Yippee!
Hmph. Fidel LeCroix, my brother’s right-hand man at the resort, is driving. And he’s alone.
Ooh, I bet everyone else is at the resort getting ready for a big surprise party for me!
