To compensate, we have the windows down.
All of them.
Not that it’s helping much. The breeze blowing in is more like a blast from an oven than anything remotely refreshing.
“I am so sorry again, Mr. Thoma,” the driver says as he fidgets with the air-conditioning controls in the front of the car, trying to get them to work. “It was nice and cool in here this morning. I don’t know what’s wrong now.”
“No worries,” I say from the back seat with a wave of my hand and a bright smile. “I’m fine.”
Okay, I’m not.
It’s sweltering.
But there’s no need to be rude.
I guess Brock was right—I am too fucking nice.
Whatever.
At least I have on cargo shorts and a light tee. It was hot whenI left Phoenix, so I dressed accordingly. That sure was a good call.
Thankfully, since it’s such a small island, the drive isn’t too long. Ten minutes in and we’re turning down a long driveway surrounded by lush greenery.
A beat later, we pull up to a beautiful one-story contemporary.
“Wow,” I murmur. “This is really nice.”
“One of the best properties on this island,” the driver assures me. “It was built just a few years ago. Oh, and since it’s out here on the east end all by itself, you’ll have lots of privacy.”
“That’s perfect,” I reply, since alone time is exactly what I’m looking for and why I’m here.
On top of everything else, that playoff loss really stung.
After we hop out of the car, the driver unloads my two suitcases from the trunk. Though they’re large, they’re all that I’ve got. I was careful not to overpack since there’s a laundry room on the premises that I can use.
My driver carries one bag up the walkway to the front entrance for me, and I take care of the other.
Once we reach the door, we set both bags on the wide step, and I say, “I’ve got it from here.”
Before he leaves, I take out my wallet and give him a hefty cash tip.
He thanks me profusely, then asks, “Are you sure you don’t need help carrying those bags in?”
“No, no,” I reply. “Thanks, but I’m good.”
I am too. The bedrooms, of which there are three, are all on the first floor.
At least, that’s what the photos indicated.
Guess it’s time to get in there and find out for myself, huh?
As the driver heads to his car, I key in the code I was given in an email after I paid what was owed for the summer.
After the door unlocks with a heavy click, I lift my bags, one in each hand, and nudge the door open with my shoulder.
Once I’m inside, I set the bags down on the parquet floor in the entry hall and take it all in.
Again, I am wowed.
