17. Chapter 17
Austin’s eyes move from the hotel room key card to me.
I can feel the blush on my cheeks, so I’m sure he can see it.
I just hope he can’t sense the stress coursing through my veins.
It was going to be hard enough to spend this week with Austin in a romantic beach setting when he only sees us as friends.
But having to share a room with him? That takes my stress to another level.
No freedom to call someone when I need to debrief.
No space to escape his hotness. How am I supposed to shower and get ready for all the events when we’re sharing a bathroom?
Where am I supposed to, you know, empty my bowels?
I know of married couples who have still never pooped in front of their spouse after years of marriage.
And now I’m going to have to poop in the same bathroom as Austin?
Nope. Just the thought of that makes me want to crawl into a dark hole and never come out.
Looks like I’m pooping in the lobby bathroom.
“Let me go talk to them. I’m sure I can work something out.” Austin tries to move past me, but I place my hand on his chest to stop him.
“Trust me, I already tried. Since I responded so late, I guess I got the last one available in their room block.” I hug my middle. “They must’ve assumed I wouldn’t mind sharing a room with my plus-one.”
“You didn’t book the rooms yourself?” he asks.
“No, Bianca said she’d take care of it when I texted her I was coming with a date.” I drop my gaze to my sneakers. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her.”
“It’s not your fault.” Austin squeezes my arm. “The rest of the resort is fully booked?”
I nod. “Apparently there’s a giant family reunion on the kid-friendly side of the resort. And the adult-only side is filled with Bianca and Bradley’s friends and family, plus the guests for a wedding this weekend and normal vacationers.”
“Then I guess we’re going to have to make the best of it, roomie.” His lips tilt into a reassuring smile, but I don’t feel any better.
Four nights. Sharing a room. With my friend. Who I have feelings for.
Yeah, sounds like a great idea.
“We should probably go get ready.” I let out an awkward laugh. “Apparently, it will take ample time for me to look presentable.”
“First of all, it’s a beach welcome party.
It takes, like, two seconds to put on a swimsuit.
” Austin’s eyes soften, two pools of ocean blue as dazzling and warm as the Caribbean waters.
“But more importantly, you are more beautiful after a long day of travel than Bianca could ever be. Don’t let her comments get to you.
She’s just jealous that she’s being outshined by someone who isn’t even trying. ”
I blame the tears that fill my eyes on my lack of sleep. “You don’t have to say that.”
Austin spears me with a look. “I’m not the kind of guy who says something for the heck of it.” One tear falls onto my cheek, and he catches it with his thumb. My breath hitches at the feeling of his large hand cupping my face. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I’m just exhausted.” And don’t know what to do with the fact that he called me beautiful or the gentle way he’s touching me.
“Then let’s get you rested.” He grabs our suitcases and heads toward the elevator.
“I don’t have time to rest.” I glance at my phone. “We only have an hour and a half to unpack and get ready for the welcome party.”
Austin clicks the up button and turns to me while we wait. “If by unpack and get ready, you mean nap.”
“I can’t—” I start, but he stops me.
“You can. I know you like everything to be perfect. Always on time, never a hair out of place, but it’s okay to be late on occasion.”
The elevator dings, and I press the button for the third floor once we’re inside.
“The thought of being late makes me feel itchy.”
“I’m sure the front desk can get us some itch cream.”
“I’m serious, Slugger.”
“So am I. If we’re late, we’re late. You can even blame it on me. Tell them I fell asleep or was in the bathroom for a long time.” He shrugs. “I don’t care.”
I quirk a brow. “You’d do that?
“For you?” He smiles at me. “I’d do anything.”
I know he means it in a friendly way. Just like I’d do anything for the Long Live Girlies.
But my body doesn’t seem to get the memo.
I’m warm all over as my mind thinks about all the things I wish I could have with him.
Of all the things I wish he would do. One of his strong hands on my waist, the other tangled in my hair.
His lips pressed to mine, then trailing down my neck.
Thankfully, the elevator door chooses this moment to arrive at the third floor. I grab the suitcase nearest me and wheel it out, hoping I moved quickly enough that Austin can’t see the blush—the desire—written all over my face.
I hurry down the hall until I find the right room number, then slide the card into the lock and wait for it to light up green. The second it does, I open the door.
My face falls when I see the large space. Objectively, it’s beautiful. But there’s a glaring issue: There’s only one bed. It’s large, but that’s beside the point.
Not only do I have to share a room with Austin, but I have to share a bed with him.
We both step into the room without saying a word. I leave the suitcase behind and move toward the balcony. I pull the curtains aside, and the tension slowly leaves my body as I look out beyond the multiple resort pools to the ocean view.
The beach has always been my happy place. There’s just something about the clear blue water and the lull of the waves that immediately brings me peace.
“How’s the view?” he asks.
“Beautiful,” I breathe. “At least Bianca booked an ocean-view room. I thought she would’ve got us one in the dungeons.”
“If this resort has a dungeon, I think we have a whole other problem.”
I turn back around with a laugh, but my newfound peace shatters when I see Austin setting his backpack on the bed. We make eye contact, and he rubs the back of his neck. I turn and avert my gaze.
As we start to unpack, Austin and I dance around the bed issue like we’re professional ballerinas.
I can’t believe I didn’t think to ask the concierge if the room had two beds.
At least then we would’ve had the chance to mentally prepare on the elevator ride up.
Instead, we’re stuck tiptoeing around each other in this delicate dance, scared to see who’s going to break first.
I unzip my large suitcase and start hanging up the gowns I brought for the wedding. Thankfully, I’ve thrifted enough nice ones over the years to fit Bianca’s dress code for the majority of events, so I only had to splurge on one for the actual wedding.
“I can do that.” Austin takes the hanger, his fingers brushing mine. I clasp my hands in front of me, trying to act as if his touch has zero effect on me. “Go lie down and rest.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “Wake me up in thirty minutes?”
“You got it.”
I climb onto the bed as far away from the closet and the bathroom—and Austin—as possible. I don’t want to get the sheets gross from my travel clothes, so I stay on top of the comforter, curling up on my side. I close my eyes and play pretend.
I pretend that Austin and I aren’t staying in the same room. I pretend that we won’t have to share this bed tonight. I pretend that my feelings for him are strictly platonic. I pretend that I’m just at home in my own bed, taking a quick cat nap, until I finally fall asleep.
“Lyssa.” Austin’s warm voice envelops me in a hug.
I readjust my position with a small groan.
“Oh, so I’m dealing with Aly Kat, huh?” he teases before running his strong hand up and down my bare arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind. “It’s time to wake up.”
I slowly blink my eyes open and wince at the sun streaming in through the balcony door. “What time is it?” I mumble.
“Four. You’ve still got thirty minutes to get ready.”
That wakes me up real quick. I spring out of the bed, making Austin jump back to avoid a collision.
The fast movement makes me feel like I just got off a spinning ride.
I reach out, trying to steady myself, but my hand doesn’t connect with anything.
I let out a small squeal as I fall and close my eyes, bracing myself for impact with the tile floor.
But suddenly strong arms wrap around me, and I’m pushed back onto the bed.
“Oof.” I struggle to catch my breath as Austin lands on top of me.
He pushes up on his forearms, but our faces are still close enough that I can smell the spicy notes of his aftershave. All it would take is the smallest tilt of my head for our mouths to be a breath apart. His lips quirk up into a playful smile. “If you wanted to cuddle, you could’ve just asked.”
I breathe out a laugh as butterflies swirl in my stomach and smack his chest. “You’re crushing me.”
“That’s a funny way of saying thank you.”
I glance up at him and fling my hand to my heart exaggeratedly, hoping it’s not obvious how hard it’s pounding at his nearness. “I would’ve been a goner without you. How could I ever thank you?”
Austin raises an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips.
“Oh, that’s how it’s gonna be?” He squeezes my sides.
I giggle and shimmy my body, trying to get away, but his hands hold my hips firmly in place as he tickles me until I’m breathless—although, I don’t know if it’s from the tickling or simply because his hands are all over me.
“Okay, okay,” I concede. “Truce?”
His lips pull to the side as he mulls the idea over. “Fine, truce.” He pushes up off the bed, then pulls me to my feet.
I step back and gesture to the bathroom. “I need to get ready.”
“I’ll step out on the balcony to give you some privacy.”
There it is. Exhibit A for why I can’t seem to move past my feelings for him.
It’s as if he can read my mind and wants to make everything easier for me.
But I think it’s just who he is. A thoughtful, caring man who is doing the whole female population a disservice by putting dating on the back burner until he retires.
“Thanks.” I head into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Shoot, I was so distracted by the interaction with Austin that I didn’t grab my makeup bag or hair products. I move to open the door but stop short when I notice the countertop is littered with my things.
Did he… Did he unpack for me? I open the door a crack, making sure he’s outside before stepping out. And that’s when I see all my outfits neatly hung in the closet. My white linen shirt and pants set for the all-white BBQ tonight even looks like it’s been steamed.
I return to the bathroom and shut the door behind me, pressing my back against it. If Exhibits A through Z all around me are any indication, these next four days are either going to be the best week of my life or the sweetest torture.
Long Live Girlies Group Chat
ME
We made it safely to the resort!!!!!
SHAYNA
Yay!!!
TESS
Hope you have the best time!
MALLORY
Why so many exclamation points?
How do we know this isn’t an imposter?
KELSEY
Definitely reads a little sus.
ME
Everything’s fine!!!
KELSEY
Oh no. What’s wrong?
TESS
Do I need to look up the number for the St. Lucian authorities?
MALLORY
If you’re REALLY Alyssa, then tell me this.
What song did I catch you singing into your hairbrush in the bathroom mirror before you left?
ME
You said you wouldn’t tell anyone!
But no need to call the authorities. It was “Cruel Summer.”
MALLORY
It’s really her, ladies.
SHAYNA
Thank goodness!
KELSEY
What was with all the exclamation points then?
MALLORY
Something is definitely up.
ME
Obviously, you all know I brought Austin with me.
KELSEY
Duh!
ME
Well, as it turns out there’s only one room...
And only one bed...
SHAYNA
*gif of Schmidt gasping in New Girl*
TESS
This sounds like it would be Shay’s new favorite movie.
SHAYNA
It so would be!
Mal, you should call up Griffin and have him get on that movie idea ASAP! *yellow heart emoji* *sparkles emoji*
MALLORY
I’ll be sure to do that right after Lyss shares what’s been happening in that singular bed!
ME
I napped.
KELSEY
Classic.
ME
While Austin hung up all my outfits for me.
TESS
So cute!
ME
And then I almost fell and he caught me.
SHAYNA
Please tell me there was an almost-kiss involved!!
ME
How many times do I have to tell y’all we’re just friends?!
MALLORY
Sorry, but you’re never gonna convince us of that.
KELSEY
Was there at least some tickling?
SHAYNA
Or prolonged eye contact?
TESS
Maybe a lingering touch?
ME
I’ve gotta run to the first wedding event!!! Talk to y’all soon!!!