Chapter 7
“This is our hotel,” Reece says as he pulls up to the gates of the resort.
There are two cream pillars and a cream plastered wall with plants cascading down the front. Reece gives his name and room number to the security, and the iron gate in front of us slowly opens. Giant palm trees and colorful bushes mostly hide the hotel, but glimpses of white stucco and windows stand out between the branches. Reece stops the car at the circular drive in front, and before I can even get out, the bellhop has already put our luggage on a cart and is wheeling it to the front lobby.
Matt gestures ahead. “After you.”
“No, you go first.”
He raises his brows like my stubbornness isn’t necessary, but I stare him down. “I insist.”
He shakes his head, walking in front of me. We used to walk side by side, like a couple. His hand would go to the small of my back—strong enough so I knew it was there, but not too firm that I felt like a man was controlling my life.
Now, we are walking single file like we’re in first grade. We just need to fold our arms to complete the look and walk alphabetically by our last names—so technically, I was right by making him go first.
I wish I had shown up to the hotel on my own and checked in before Matt got here. I would’ve put on a cute dress and sat at the outdoor bar, my hair blowing in the breeze like a supermodel in a photo shoot. Matt would’ve walked up, and I would’ve gotten my eat-your-heart-out moment. That’s how this day should’ve gone.
But when has anything in my life gone how I imagined?
Never.
I remember being ten years old, getting ready for school, and my mom walking past the bathroom saying, “No one cares, Remi.”
She was probably right. No one cares how I look, least of all Matt.
So, it’s fine. I can wear my Old Navy t-shirt, and we can exchange awkward glances and barely talk. As long as Jana and Reece are happy, I’m happy.
“Let’s get you guys checked in,” Jana says as she leads us up the steps. “I put the reservation under Matt’s name.”
My leg pauses mid-air, resulting in me not lifting my foot high enough. The toe of my shoe hits against the top of the marble step, tripping me up and sending my momentum flying forward. My face collides—no, smashes—against Matt’s behind, and my fingers cling to his aforementioned thighs. His hands grab the sides of his shorts, keeping them up.
I’m seriously regretting insisting that he went up the stairs first. There’s not a lot that I’m thankful for right now, but I am grateful that I didn’t pants Matt in the process of falling. Then, I’d really be cheek to cheek.
What is with me today? I’m not the clumsy girl. I’m a yoga instructor. I hold positions like handstand scorpion with ease.
I stumble to an upright position, and once he knows his shorts are secure, Matt’s hands go to me for the second time in the last half-hour.
One on my hip.
One on my forearm.
My body reacts, sending a blast of heat up my spine.
It’s like my nerve endings know I love being touched by him.
“A toddler can walk better than you,” Matt says, dipping his head closer to mine.
Too close for comfort.
His snippy comments are a good indicator that he’s mad at me for the breakup. I don’t blame him. I deserve it.
I avoid his brown eyes and twist out of his grasp. “My foot missed the step.” I smooth the sides of my hair as I turn to look at Jana. Her eyes are wide as she takes in my clumsiness.
“I’m sorry. Did you say the reservation is under Matt’s name?”
“Yeah.” She waves us forward again in the direction of the front desk. “I’ve been calling the hotel every day for the last two months, trying to get you separate rooms, but they’re full.”
I lean forward as I walk, listening intently to every last word she says. “We don’t have separate rooms?”
“Perfect,” Matt mutters under his breath, but I hear.
“Calm down,” Jana says. “It’s a two-bedroom suite.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Jana has already turned to speak with the woman at the front desk.
I feel Matt hovering by my shoulder, however I prefer to take my room-assignment grievances up with Jana. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask as I poke my head between her and Reece.
Reece swats the air in front of him. “Don’t worry. We’re not trying to compromise your morals. You’ll each have your own room.”
“How kind of you to guard my virtue, but I’d still like to speak with Jana.” I drag her away from the front desk to the corner of the lobby.
“Are you crazy?” I yank her around to face me. “Why would you think that Matt and I sharing a suite is a good idea?”
“Have you not been listening?” Jana asks. “I’ve been calling the hotel for two months, trying to get you both your own room, but everything is booked. Six months ago, when I first made the reservation, you said that you and Matt would be fine sharing a two-bedroom suite, so that’s what I reserved.”
I do remember saying that.
I shift my weight. “Well, things have changed since then.”
“I know, Remi. I tried. I really did, but there’s nothing I can do.”
I glance at Matt, who is now in a private conversation with Reece. He’s leaning against the front desk with his ankles crossed in front of him. He’s all hard lines and chiseled features. Looks alone could never make me fall for a man, but it doesn’t hurt either. I love fitness and health. It’s my job, so when a sculpted specimen of a man is standing in front of me, I can’t help but respect all of the hard work that went into keeping his body in shape.
And just so I don’t sound so shallow, Matt’s intelligence and personality are what really make him attractive. He’s brains and a pretty face.
Gah.
Why am I listing out how perfect he is?
It will never work between us.
My gaze shifts back to Jana. “Rooming together is so awkward. Maybe I should book a room at another hotel.”
“Did you not just say in the car that this is my weekend, and you won’t let anything get in the way of it?”
“Yes, I did say that, but?—”
Jana puts her hands on my shoulders. “I don’t want to go all bridezilla on you, but this room thing is part of you accommodating me this weekend.”
I sigh. “Fine.”
“Great. Then it’s settled.” She heads toward the front desk. “You won’t even notice Matt’s there.”
Yeah, right.
Matt’s not the type of guy you don’t notice. If he were, I wouldn’t be in this mess.