Chapter 8 #2
“Your sleeping quarters are over there,” Bob says, pointing to the stretch of smaller cabins at the edge of the forest. “Each one has two extra-long twin mattresses and a small private bathroom.” He stuffs his hands in his pockets.
“Please note the elk antlers mounted above the beds were all naturally shed. No creatures were harmed in the decorating of these cabins.”
“We aren’t fancy here,” Hildy pipes up. “But the toilets are clean and the bedding is comfortable.”
Bob checks his watch. “So go get your stuff dropped off, then meet us back here in a half hour.”
Off to the side, the redhead, Caroline, raises her hand. “How do we find out where we’re staying?”
Yeah. Great question, future friend and potential roommate.
Bob chuckles good-naturedly. “I suppose that’s a detail you’ll all need to know.”
Hildy hops off the trunk and moves over to his side. “Your cabin assignments are printed on the back of your name tags,” she says. “For now, the doors are unlocked, but you’ll find two keys under the mats on each porch.”
Dex flips his tag over. “I’m in cabin thirteen.”
On the other side of me, Victoria/Tori, checks her tag and lets out a little squeal. “Oooh! I’m right next door to you. Cabin twelve!”
Caroline turns to her, noting the name on her tag. “I’m in twelve, too.” She holds her lanyard up like she’s offering proof. “Should I call you Victoria or Tori?”
“Tori’s perfect!”
Of course she is.
While Tori and Caroline scoot closer together, a ball of disappointment ping-pongs behind my ribs. Glancing around at the dozen or so other women here, I decide they all look friendly enough. Drawing in a breath, I peek at my cabin number, keeping one eye open only. Then my stomach plummets.
There must be some kind of mistake.
“Umm, Bob? Hildy?” I gulp. I hate that I have to be the problem-guest twice. “I’m going to need a new cabin assignment.”
Bob furrows his brow. “Is there a problem?”
My throat tightens. “You put me in cabin thirteen.”
“Wait.” Dex huffs out a laugh. “You’re rooming with me?”
“Definitely not.”
“But Dexter is assigned to cabin thirteen,” Bob points out.
Yeah. Thanks, Bob.
So I turn to Hildy, hoping she’ll be more helpful. “The Camp Reboot brochure doesn’t mention coed cabins,” I say. “The website doesn’t either.”
“That’s because we don’t have an official policy against coed cabins.” Her gaze darts to the tag on my lanyard. “And with a name like Sailor, I figured you were a man.”
My pulse picks up. “But my name isn’t Sailor.”
“Well, I know that now.” Hildy hitches her shoulders.
“The good news is, Bob and I aren’t opposed to you and Dexter sharing a cabin.
” She smiles at us both. “You’ll see that the sleeping quarters are quite roomy and all the bathrooms are private.
Locks on the door and everything. So if you both agree … ”
“I don’t agree,” I say, crawling out of my skin, like a lifelong people pleaser stuck under a very public microscope.
“I’m sure we can work something out,” Bob interjects, patting his fanny pack like a Sharpie might fix this. “We want everyone staying with us to be happy and comfortable. We just have to put our thinking caps on. You got your cap on, Hildy?”
“Not much to think about, Bob,” she says. “We don’t have any extra beds lying around, and all we’ve got for seating here at camp are a bunch of wooden chairs or benches. I suppose we could push a couple together.”
“That doesn’t sound too comfortable, Kroft.
” Dexter runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up, like bedhead.
“You think chair-sleeping’s preferable to a private bathroom and your own personal bed?
” He looks adorably harmless with his hair all sticking up like that, but I’m not falling for his charm. I can’t.
“Maybe.” I square my shoulders.
“Well, I’m not gonna let you sleep in a chair.” He fixes me with a stare. “There’s just no way.”
“Why not?”
His gaze holds mine. “Because I’m a gentleman.”
“I’m just so sorry about this mix-up,” Hildy says, lifting her hands in apology. “Maybe Bob and I could ask around to see if anyone in the women’s cabins is willing to trade with Sayla.”
“I’d be happy to trade with her,” Tori says, sidling up between me and Dexter. “I’m sure Caroline won’t mind the switch.” Her eyes are wide with admiration. “You’re so chivalrous, not letting Sayla sleep in a chair.”
My fingers clench. “That’s kind of you, Tori, but you shouldn’t have to sleep in a coed cabin either.”
“Then we sure are in a pickle,” Bob says, and my insides twist. I hate being an inconvenience to anyone. And as much as I want my voice heard and my needs met, I don’t want to make any more trouble than I already did with my name tag.
Besides, Mr. Wilford is going to get a performance report at the end of this retreat. So maybe this is my chance to prove I can be a better sport than Dexter.
I press a smile onto my face. “I’m sure we can work something out,” I say, my voice pitching up. “After all, we’re here to cooperate, right?”
“Well, that’s just great.” Bob whips off his hat and swipes a hand over his forehead. “Just let us know what you all decide. Either way, Hildy and I will see you folks back here for the tour.”
The two of them disappear into the office, and Dex shifts his body just enough to detach himself from Tori and face me. “I’ll do whatever makes you most comfortable,” he says. “I can share with her or with you. I’m good either way. As long as you’re not sleeping on a chair.”
“So chivalrous,” Tori repeats.
Something stirs in my gut, and I heave my bag strap higher on my shoulder.
“Thanks so much for the offer, Tori, but I don’t think a switch will be necessary.
Dexter can sleep in his own bed, I’ll sleep in mine, and we’ll both just make up some ground rules to coexist in cabin thirteen for a couple of days. ”
Dex’s brow lifts. “You’re saying you want to share a cabin with me now?”
“Want is a strong word.” I keep my smile and tone extra sweet. “But a professional collaborator can accommodate glitches like this. That’s what makes me the superior coworker.”
I spin on a heel and trudge off in the direction of the cabins, ignoring the hotspots rubbing inside my new hiking boots. Meanwhile, my heart keeps up a steady throb against my breastbone. To be clear, this is only because I’m hauling luggage over rough terrain and brewing up a couple of blisters.
Not from the prospect of sharing sleeping quarters with Dex.
As I continue past the first cabins, my suitcase jostles over every rock and pebble. My feet hurt. And I really have to use the bathroom. Like DEFCON levels.
Dex jogs up beside me, his oversized duffel slung over his shoulder as if the bag weighs nothing.
“Let me carry your bags.”
“Why?” I grit my teeth. “So you can prove to everyone what a good guy you are?”
“No, because I only have one bag,” he says. “And for the record, I don’t really care what anyone else thinks about me.”
“Oh, sure, Mr. Chivalry.” I scoff. “I’m sorry to report your phony charm doesn’t work on—” My wheels hit a divot, and I almost drop the suitcase in the dirt. So I pause in my tracks for a moment to inhale deeply. When I exhale, a low groan escapes me.
“What’s the matter, Kroft?” He stops too, ducking his head to make eye contact. “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off me tonight?”
“Ha!” I squawk. “You wish.”
A flicker of amusement dances in his eyes. “Yeah, probably.”
I level a glare at him, but I’m about to pee my pants, and this luggage is only slowing me down. So I give up.
“You win,” I say, surrendering my bags to him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He relieves me of my suitcase and hefts my bag strap across his other shoulder. “And for the record, I promise not to bite.” He arches a brow. “Unless you ask me to.”
“In your dreams.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Maybe, Kroft. Maybe.”