Finally, I reply, “Yeah, it’s going to rain for sure. Should westay out here or head inside?”
I look over at him, and he shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m up for staying out a little longer if you are. That breeze does feel nice.”
It does feel good, especially the wind gusts. They’re cutting through the humidity and keeping things comfortable.
I like that he’s adventurous enough to stay outside, storm be damned, so I tell him, “Hey, I’m game. If it starts raining, we can just make a run for it.”
He nods decisively and replies, “That’s the spirit.”
Maybe the lightning and thunder came at just the right time. Things feel back to normal as we resume talking. There are no more “moments” as we chat about my job and his hockey stuff.
It’s just us getting to know each other, asfriends.
I could stay out here all night talking to this man. But unfortunately, it does indeed start raining.
Not a downpour, but enough to drive us indoors.
It’s getting late anyway, so we just say our “good nights” and retire to our respective bedrooms.
It was a long day for both of us. It feels like I left Phoenix a week ago, not just early this morning.
In my room, even though I’m tired, I get in some unpacking. I need to feel at home, so to speak. Plus, I hate things hanging over my head. That’s just how I am.
Once I have most of my clothes and belongings in place, I fall back on the bed, exhausted.
Damn, it’s so comfortable I could fall asleep right now.
But then my phone dings, so I sit back up and grab it.
Not surprisingly, it’s a text from Shay.
Shay: Hey, girl. I haven’t heard from you all day. You must really be enjoying your alone time in paradise.
Okay, this day has been eventful, and I need to share with her. However, there is far too much to get her up to speed on with a text, so I decide to call.
She picks up on the first ring. “Finally!” she breathes out. “I was starting to worry about you. You made it there okay, right?”
“I sure did,” I say with a smile as I glance around. “I’m in the house now and sitting in a gorgeous bedroom with sliding glass doors that lead right out to a super-nice infinity pool and, of course, the freaking beach.”
“Damn, girl, I’m jealous,” she replies.
Now to tell her the best part.
“Hey,” I begin, “you are never going to believe who’s staying here with me.”
“Wait.” She sounds confused, then upset as she says, “You’re supposed to be there all alone, Willa. I booked that place for you, and justyou, for three solid weeks. Did someone mess up?”
Time to explain.
I sigh, then say, “I know, and yes, in a way, someone messed up. Let’s just say there was a little confusion when I first got here.”
She seems frustrated as she replies, “Oh no, what happened?”
“Well, the guy who rented this place for after I leave got his dates mixed up and arrived early. By the way, check out our joint vacation account balance. There should be money in there. Once we decided that both of us would just stay, he insisted on paying for my weeks.”
“Okay, great, I think,” she says. “Still, I’m completely lost here. Are you telling me you’re cool with staying in a beach house with some strange man? You’re not losing it, Willa, are you?”
I laugh. “No, I’m fine. Besides, this guy is not really a complete stranger, I mean, he is in the sense that I don’t know him personally. Though, that is changing…” Lost in thought, I trailoff, then quickly finish up with “Anyway, it’s someone we both know of.”
