Chapter 15 - Barbados, I’ve Arrived.
Can I believe I am in Barbados? Not one tiny baby bit.
I let out a happy squeal and skip up the pebbled drive toward the Seven Sapphires Hotel I am booked into. So much has happened since Hallie’s hen do last week. She loved me playing for her and begged me to take Mr. D’s place at her wedding. Little did she know I had already accepted. We had to hash out the details, and I was gobsmacked when she informed me her wedding is in Barbados and I would be playing while she walked down the aisle. I cried the happiest tears when I told my mum and dad. When I spoke to Mr. D, he laughed and announced he wasn’t planning on telling me about those details until the morning of my flight out here because he didn’t want to put pressure on me. Pressure? Nope, not from me, there isn’t …
Just over two months ago, I was packing up my life and moving to the Big Apple, and now, I’m in Bar-freaking-bados. Such is a wonderful life.
In two days, Hallie will take her hurried steps toward the end of her life, I mean, the love of her life. Until then, I can relax and drink pi?a coladas by the sea. Hashtag winning.
Gripping the handle on my suitcase, I pull it to my chest to carry it up the stairs toward the entrance of the seafront hotel. It’s as luxurious as I expected it to be, especially after seeing where the bachelorette party was held. Palm trees cover the grounds, soft rings from the wind chimes coat the air, twinkling soothing sounds as they blow in the slight breeze. A wooden deck entrance meets me at the top of the stairs. I throw a few “Excuse me’s” as I pass holiday makers, or they could be wedding guests, on my way. Reaching the desk, I go to say aloha to the reception clerk but back out, as I’m unsure if that’s even a term they use here.
“Hello, I am checking in for the week,” I inform the lady.
“Name.” She looks up at me, her manicured fingers hovering over the keys waiting to punch in my name.
“Margo Jones.”
Tapping my name in, she nods a few times before saying, “Okay, I have you in the Luxe Lagoon Suite.” Luxe Lagoon. Well, I’ll be damned. Very fancy.
She pushes back from her desk and pulls a set of keys out of her drawer.
“Here you go, madam. Lala will help you find your room and carry your bags.” She points behind me, and I turn to see a small woman leaning over to get my bag.
“Oh, how kind, but you needn’t worry, I can carry my own suitcase.” I smile at the girl.
She shakes her head. “Please, let me help.” Her sweet, needy voice guilts me, and I let out a sigh.
“Sure.” Then I hand her my luggage.
I try to make small talk on my way to my room, but she’s not a talker, so I hum through instead. It’s freaking beautiful. I snap photos to send to Hadley later, spotting some definite New Yorkers. They’re easily spotted from a mile away in their glamorous sun-dresses and designer shades. Must be wedding guests. We take a few lefts and rights and then an elevator. Thankfully, there are signs along the way, so at least when Lala isn’t with me, I can find my way to the beach and bar.
“This is you.” She halts at a door and slips the key into the lock. “If you need anything, there is a phone in your room, press one, and it will call reception, they will help, okay?”
I nod, and she opens my room door. The fresh sea breeze gently blows against the curtains, and the sea comes into view from the balcony. “Wow, how fucking lucky am I?” I whisper.
Lala raises a brow, so I make a mental note to watch my language.
“Do you need anything else?” she asks sternly.
My mouth is a perfect ‘O’ as I take in my room. White bedding covers a king-size bed, then there’s a copper-free standing bath in a room adjacent to the bedroom, and it even has its own kitchen area.
“N-no. This is perfect, thank you.” She leaves my room without another word.
After diving onto my bed, I jump up and down like a child in delight.
Holy shit, Barbados, I’ve arrived.
******
“What the actual hell do I wear, Hadley, help me please.” I groan as I hold up a green silk dress and a blue silk dress to the camera. She smiles back at me.
“Margo, they are both the same fucking dress, just different colors.” I roll my eyes and flop down on the bed.
She shouts, “You will look great in both, but for the sake of you not being late to something else in your life—” I get up and stamp my way back to my phone on the dresser, scowling at her on the screen, and she laughs. “Go with the blue, it matches your eyes perfectly.”
I cross my eyes and say, “These eyes?” I chuckle.
Laughing, she gives the same face back. “Yes, those are the ones.” “Fine, blue it is.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“Just relax, you will be fine. You’re not playing tonight, so let your hair down and have some fun.” Her soothing voice pulls me back and calmness washes over me.