Ethan took Lily’s plate to the kitchen after walking her to the elevators. She handed over his jacket and blanket before promising she’d see him soon.
When she got back to her room, she immediately plugged her phone into the charger, along with her watch. While she waited for the phone to turn back on, she changed into her bathing suit—a yellow two-piece—and pulled a white cover-up dress over it.
Her phone kicked on, so she dropped onto the bed and called Stacy. It was nearly one in the morning in Texas, and she worried she would wake her up, but if she knew Stacy at all, she was waiting up.
“Finally!” Stacy said as soon as she answered.
“Hey, girl. I’m alive, thanks to you.”
“What happened?”
Lily sighed. “You know me. I got so wrapped up in my writing that I lost track of time. By the time I headed down the mountain, it was dark, and then my phone and watch died since I was using them for the flashlight. I took a wrong turn, and that’s that.”
Stacy let out a loud sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you for calling the resort. If you hadn’t…”
A beat of silence passed between them.
“Let’s not think about that. I called because I’m overly protective, and it worked in our favor.”
Lily smiled. “It did.”
“Who found you? Was it hot guy Ethan?”
“Hey,” Daniel said in the background.
Lily giggled.
“What? Lily said he’s hot. I have yet to see a picture, however,” Stacy said.
“He did. His entire family was out searching for me once you called. He was the one who found me and then we got back to the resort and his brother, who is the chef, made me a burger and fries.”
“Wow. That was nice.”
“Five star treatment. Speaking of which, I’m supposed to meet Ethan in the hot tub.”
“Oh my God. Why are you talking to me? Go see that man’s abs and report back!”
“Hey!” Daniel said again.
Lily giggled. “Okay. Get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Thanks again, Stace. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t called. I owe you.”
Her voice grew soft. “What are friends for?”
“Love you.”
“Love you. Now go get that man!”
They ended the call and Lily made her way down to the lobby and out the back doors toward the hot tubs. Ethan was already sitting inside one with two towels lying on a bench nearby.
“There you are. I almost wondered if you weren’t going to show.”
She laughed lightly and removed her dress, dropping it onto the bench beside the towels and kicked her flip-flops off. “Sorry. Got caught up on the phone with Stacy.”
