Chapter 31
“How did it go last night?” Nico asks me later that evening as we go over the plans for our moped tour one last time. It’s our first chance to catch up all day, with me running all my errands and Nico tending to things at the B and B.
“Fine,” I say. “I mean, they were asleep when I got back, so we didn’t talk.”
“And this morning?”
“They were gone when I woke up.” I shrug.
“Hmm.” Nico looks thoughtful as he grabs a stack of waivers from the printer, tapping them against the counter until they’re in a nice straight pile. “Time heals all, Sora. It really does. They’ll come around. You’ll see.”
I appreciate him saying that. There’s something about him—he always seems to so wholeheartedly believe in what he says.
I’m used to saying things to make people happy, and now I’m realizing that Wes would say things to get what he wants, but I get the feeling that if I’m honest, if I ask if we can just go back to sleeping in the hammocks—he’ll give me an answer that’s true.
That’s what scares me a little—everything had been so much lighter and simpler, and I could go on pretending none of my problems existed.
But I know that’s not possible. I know I wouldn’t be the girl he called fearless if I did, and for whatever reason, I want so badly to be the person he thinks I am.
So instead, I say, “There’s something I’ve been needing to tell you.
I was such a raging bitch to you the day I came in, and I’m sorry.
The worst part is that it wasn’t even fair—you work so hard to keep this place running.
Every tiny detail you tend to that so many people may not even notice.
I was just frustrated that nothing in my life was going the way I wanted it to, and I decided to take that out on you. ”
Nico smiles, holding my hands in his and pulling me into a hug. “This job requires a great deal of patience. I’ve seen much worse than you, I promise.”
“Still,” I say to his chest. “I’m very sorry. It’s important to me that you know that.”
“Apology accepted.” Nico pulls back, leaning down to hold my gaze so I know he means it. No games, no coyness. I want to ask him about sleeping out in the courtyard again. Just to spend more time together.
“Nico?”
“Did you say something?”
But I chicken out. I can’t ask Nico to do all that for me again.
After Wes, I promised myself to stop reading into things.
Five stars for service doesn’t mean he’s interested in being anything more than kind, doesn’t even mean he’s available, and I can’t impose any more than I already have just because I think his dimples are cute and I laugh a lot when I’m around him.
“I think I’m going to head to bed. Tomorrow is a big day. ”
“It sure is. Good night, Sora.” And then there Nico is again, a little crinkle between his brows.
“Good night.”
As I make my way back to the room, I try to work up the courage to apologize to Anya and Mari.
I rehearse the words, writing a little speech about how sorry I am to have lied to them and how dumb it was to not listen to their advice, but this is, of course, easier said than done, and when I enter our hotel room, I immediately clam up again.
I scramble to brush my teeth and tuck myself into bed.
I’m only lying there for ten minutes when I hear the key in the lock. I lose every bit of courage I had worked up.
As the door swings open, I turn toward the window, pretending to be asleep.