10
After a full night’s sleep in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in (who knew silk pillowcases were worth the hype?), I wake up expecting to be able to sneak up for tea before Gia or Allie descend on me with a full breakfast cart. Unfortunately, I underestimate how serious the crew is about meal times. Trudging up to the salon with my unbrushed hair and pajamas, I’m met not only with a full breakfast spread, but with a remarkably chatty Harry and Steven. Jules’s hair is flawlessly blown out, despite the humidity, and she sips her oat milk latte from a lavender silk pajama set.
“Not an early riser, I see,” Harry greets me cheerfully before I can sneak back downstairs. He holds out an empty mug. “Coffee?”
I eye the impressive feast in front of them, wondering how Allie and Gia could have prepared it all so quickly. It’s even decorated with napkin animals that are so ornate, they may as well be in an art gallery.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Harry tells me. “Russ made cinnamon rolls!”
I smile and slip into the seat beside him where a plate has already been laid out. Silver carafes of coffee, tea and decaf are surrounded by smaller cups of milk labeled “whole,” “coconut,” and “oat.” Tiny silver spoons with the Vela Bianca monogram are spread neatly beside gold-rimmed saucers (real, I’m sure) that are begging to be heaped with the colorful fruit that’s laid out in a perfect rainbow beside them. Papaya, pineapple, watermelon… I’ve seen worse spreads at the Four Seasons.
And by Four Seasons, I mean the Minneapolis Double Tree.
“Wow,” I start to say just as Allie walks out of the kitchen carrying a tray of buttery, golden pastries. I can smell the sugar overload from here.
“Oh Stella, you can’t miss these,” Steven says. “The chef makes them fresh every morning.”
I drift forward like a moth to a flame as Allie sets them down. For a girl who has subsided exclusively on Chex for breakfast for the last decade, it’s almost enough to make me forget my little altercation with Caleb.Almost.Not even a lethal amount of sugary baked goods can wipe my memory of last night’s standoff with Captain tight-ass.
“Guys,” I say as I load fresh-cut watermelon and mango onto my plate. “I’m really sorry about yesterday. Honestly, I haven’t been that drunk since I was, like, twenty. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Oh, c’mon, no apology necessary,” Harry assures me. “I’m sorry we had to abandon you, but Jules assured us that shaking you awake wouldn’t end well for anyone.”
“She’s not wrong,” I tell him. “I’m a sleep-flailer.”
“More like sleep-ninja,” Jules says. “I’ve sustained at least two black-eyes over the years from making the mistake of trying to wake Stella up in the middle of the night.”
Harry chuckles.
“Well I hope you at least got something to eat.”
“Gia found me a little something,” I lie, remembering what Caleb said about this getting back to Harry’s parents.
“Seriously, Stella, don’t sweat it,” Steven interrupts. “We should have warned you—trying to keep up with Matthew isn’t for the faint of heart.”
As if on cue, Matthew appears in the stairwell, his face unshaven and his hair matted against his head as if he’s been sleeping for a hundred years.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Harry quips as his brother slogs towards the breakfast bar. “I haven’t seen you up this early since 2004.”
Matthew doesn’t respond, only grabs for the carafe of dark roast and pours himself a heaping cup.
“That looks like the face of a man who’s ready to see some coral!” Jules jokes as she hands him a pastry. Matthew waves her away.
“Coral?” I ask.
“An underwater menagerie!” Harry declares. “Today we’re going snorkeling.”
Matthew throws his slippered feet on the counter as he sips.
“Ya, I’m gonna go ahead and bow out of this one.”
“No spectators today, Matty,” Harry declares, smacking Matthew on the shoulder. “This is an all for one and one for all adventure! You’ve got the whole kayak ride to wake up.”
Matthew groans.
“Kayaks? Can’t we just take the tender?”
“I think we could use a little bit of exercise,” Harry says. “Some bonding time with nature.”
