Chapter 5 #3
I glance at time and realize it’s 7 p.m. here. That means it’s 4 p.m. back home in Portland. There’s a crumpled-up hollow in my chest that can only be filled by the comfort of friendship. I dial Sara first, since she’s most likely to be home at this hour.
“Camille, thank God.” Her face flashes up on the screen. She’s seated in her kitchen wearing a fuzzy pink top and a concerned expression. “We’ve been worried to death.”
“I texted you and Eve when I got here.” Maybe I should have written more than arrived . “Hang on, let me buzz Eve for a three-way.”
“I’m here!” Her voice rings out in the background, and seconds later, the screen readjusts so they’re both in the frame. “We’re having a sleepover. And speaking of three-ways?—”
“The sex resort’s closed .”
They gasp and I get down to spilling the story.
I tell them about the mix-up with the reservation and how I arrived to an empty lobby.
How there isn’t a single consort on the island.
How the pools are all empty for cleaning and there’s not even a functioning restaurant if I wanted to stay a few days with the goal of resuming my fantasy vacay when things reopen next week.
Which I haven’t been invited to do in any case.
Somewhere in the middle of sharing my story, I debate whether to tell them about Ashton. He’s a public figure, but a private man.
Ultimately, I trust my girls. Besides, it’s not like I’m bound by client privilege. I gave Ashton Holyfield a BJ, not a therapy session.
“Fabulous.” Eve performs a dramatic slow clap. “I love this for you.”
“Thanks.” I look at Sara, whose eyes are as wide as silver dollars. “You okay, Sar?”
“Oh my God.” She’s the virginal product of a strict upbringing, so it’s no shocker she’s stunned. “That’s so—so—so?—”
“Wild.” Eve supplies. “Exciting for Camille.”
“Yes, of course.” Sara nods. “I’m happy if you’re happy.” She nibbles her bottom lip. “Will you see him again?”
“I mean, I kinda have to. I don’t have a way off the island without him. But no, we’re not dating , if that’s what you mean.”
“I met Ashton Holyfield once,” Eve muses. “When I went back for Kit’s final presentation of the study. He’s, um…” She’s fumbling for the right word, and I hold back the urge to help her describe Ashton.
Sexy?
Commanding?
Insanely attractive?
“Scary,” she says.
“Oh.” I can see that. “Not really, once you get to know him.”
“You’ve gotten to know him?” Sara still looks astonished. “When did you get there? My time zone math gets all mixed up. You left about thirty-eight hours ago, right?”
“Something like that.” I glance at the clock on the wall, calculating the time change and my layover and the time it takes to get from Jamaica to here. “I arrived about five hours ago.”
“Holy shit.” Sara looks at Eve. “You said that place was like another planet. I guess time operates differently there?”
She sounds more curious than judgy, which I love about Sara. She might be a little na?ve, but she’s open minded. Just because she and her hot, Navy fiancé decided to wait until marriage for sex, she doesn’t judge others who make different choices.
“To be honest, I feel like I’ve been in a time warp the last couple days. Maybe more than a week. Like the wedding happened so quickly that my brain never had time to catch up.”
“And your body had other needs.” Eve nods and I know she gets it. “Sometimes, listening to your body isn’t such a bad thing.”
“As a short-term measure, absolutely.” I’ve talked endlessly about the therapeutic benefits of rebound flings. “It wouldn’t be the basis for a long-term relationship, but that’s the last thing I’m looking for here.”
“I want to know more about this Holyfield guy.” Sara pulls out her phone, so I guess we’re chatting on her iPad. As she starts to scroll, I twist the taps to warm my bathwater. These suds are luxurious, all foamy and fragrant. I’ll have to ask Ashton what sort of bubble bath they buy.
“Holyfield is kinda famous.” Sara taps at her screen. “I knew he was some sort of eccentric billionaire, but he does tons of philanthropy stuff.”
“Interesting.” I meant to Google him before I got in the tub but got distracted. “Does it list his age?”
“Forty-five.” Sara keeps scrolling as Eve wiggles her brows.
“You do like older men,” she says. “The zaddy thing, right?”
“He does have that going for him.” Maybe this counts for my age-gap fantasy. “Doesn’t he own like a zillion resorts worldwide?”
“Two thousand eight hundred and sixty-three,” Sara reports. “And his net worth is—oh my God.”
“Let me see.” Eve peers at the screen and blanches. “Oh my. No wonder he paid Kit so well for the study.”
I’ve never been one to care about money, so I don’t bother to ask for the number. “What else does it say?”
“He grew up between London and New York. Went to a boarding school in Connecticut, graduated from Harvard with an MBA in business. Made his money in real estate, then expanded into hotels and vacation properties.”
“What does it say under ‘personal’?” Pretty sure that’s the section that lists romantic relationships. Not that I think he’s lying about not being married.
“That section is missing.” Sara frowns at the screen. “Weird.”
“It just names his parents and grandparents.” Eve’s brow furrows. “I can ask Kit if he knows anything.”
“Don’t worry about it.” It’s not like I’ll see him again once I get on a plane tomorrow. “Have my sisters been hounding you?”
“Kit and I sat them down for a talk.” Eve twists her hair into a floppy bun. “You said it was okay to tell them where you went, so we explained that time spent at Crystal Bliss is sacred. That it’s better to give you some breathing room. A chance to get settled and relax.”
“Thank you.” Tears fill my eyes when I think of my sisters. I love them all dearly, but right now I need space. “I’m glad I cleared my calendar for the honeymoon.”
Even as I say it, I know that was irresponsible. My patients might need me, and can I really be gone this long?
Sara must notice the worry on my face. “Everything’s going to be fine,” she assures me. “We can water your plants or pick up your things from Hayden if you want us to.”
“Whatever you need,” Eve agrees. “Just take care of you , okay?”
It was just a few months ago I spoke those exact words to Eve. I urged her to take time at Crystal Bliss to tend to her needs.
I won’t be getting the full Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club experience, but I can use my short time away to get my head on straight.
“Thank you.” I find a fluffy white washcloth and use it to dab at my eyes. “I should probably hang up and see about rebooking my flight.”
“Fingers crossed you don’t get caught up in that pilots’ strike.” Eve squints at the screen. “Hey, are you in one of those tubs they use for the Bubble of Trouble? That’s the sexy bubble bath enchantment with?—”
“What pilots’ strike?”
“It’s all over the news.” Sara makes a face. “I guess it’s affecting multiple airlines.”
“Huh.” That’s not good. “Hopefully it’s resolved soon. And yes, this bathtub is great. You could definitely fit an orgy in here.”
Eve giggles. “Or one very acrobatic, enthusiastically amorous couple. Not that I’d know.”
“Bubble bath’s irritating to vaginal tissue.” I sound so obnoxious. “Good way to get a yeast infection.”
“Check the label.” Eve grins. “Everything at Crystal Bliss is organic and safe for all orifices. You can probably eat it if you want.”
“I’ll pass.” And I’m about to pass out if I don’t get out of this tub. “Thanks for listening, guys. And for being there.”
“We’re always here for you.” Sara blows me a kiss. “We’ll give you an in-person hug when we see you.”
“Love you,” Eve says. “Give Ashton Holyfield more than a hug when you see him .”
I laugh and swirl my free hand through the bubbles. “I sincerely doubt I’ll see more than his hand waving goodbye at the dock tomorrow.”
“We’ll see,” Eve says, grinning. “That place has a way of twisting your life around when you least expect it.”
“Ha.” I sincerely doubt that’ll happen for me. Not with such limited time and a resort that’s not even open. “Love you guys.”
“Love you, too,” they chime.
I hang up flooded with gratitude for my friends.
For this chance to be here in this luxury suite with a beach right outside and a chance to recharge, even for only a few hours.
As I’m counting the things I feel thankful for, I can’t help seeing a flash of Ashton Holyfield’s face in my mind.