The moment I close the heavy wooden door behind me, I sink to the floor and burst into tears.
I crawl from the doorway to my bedroom and climb into my bed. This cabin is gorgeously decorated with a log bed frame, rustic comforter of greens and deep reds, and matching wooden bedside tables and lamps with bear silhouette lamp shades.
It’s the kind of bedroom made for two, I realized when I checked in.
I cry a little longer, but I don’t allow myself to feel sorry for myself for too long.
Only long enough to vent and curse the name of the manI just shared a breakfast with. Not to mention the bed we shared last night—and our bodies.
And he suddenly shut me out.
But why?
He was warm and friendly and caring up until…
I dropped my purse.
I pull the covers up to my chin and stare at the ceiling. Now that I have some space from the mess that was the end of breakfast, my mind starts churning.
What the heck happened?
One minute, this man was the guy of my dreams, and the next, he refused to look at me and could barely spare me a goodbye.
All because of a spilled handbag?
Something doesn’t add up.
The ringtone of my best friend interrupts my thoughts.
Knowing I’ll eventually tell Alyssa everything anyway, I swipe the screen.
“Where have you been?” her excited tone comes through the line. “I’ve texted at least five times. I didn’t want to bother you, but…”
“I didn’t go out with Mitchell.”
“What?!” Her tone shifts to concern. “Did he blow you off? I swear to God, if he was a no-show to a freaking blind date that I set him up on, he and I are going to have a chat…”
“He showed up. A bit late, but that wasn’t on purpose. However, while I was waiting for him, I ran into someone else. A guy.”
“You met another guy?” Alyssa’s tone changes back to excited. “How did this happen? Tell me everything!”
So I do.
When I’ve finished, silence hits the line.
“I honestly don’t think you’ve ever been this at a loss for words,” I say.
She laughs heartily. “I’m just taking a moment. Okay…I think I’ve got it.”
“What?”
“What I think you should do.” She pauses. “I tried to ignore the idea when it first hit my brain because I don’t want you to run the risk of getting hurt again, but you know me—I like risks. You don’t though, Emery. You’re more practical. And practical is a good thing. But in this case, I think you need to do something a little nuts.”
“Okay, you’ve sufficiently piqued my interest. What. Is. It.” My stomach is starting to get butterflies of anticipation. “And will you be helping me with this crazy plan?”
“Of course! What are besties for? So…this is what I suggest.” She lowers her tone. “You march up to his cabin and ask him yourself.”
I’m protesting before she’s even finished talking. “No way. That’s too blunt!”
