Chapter 26
We woke up late the next morning.
Like, really late.
But first, I had to get a cab.
I shot up in bed. “Shit!” I whispered. “Shit, shit, shit.”
Beckett stretched. “What’s wrong?”
“We forgot to set the alarm. We have a plane to catch! We’re late!”
“Fuck!” He rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?”
“It’s 9:20,” I said, searching the floor for my bra.
“Plane leaves at noon,” he said. “We’ll be fine.
We just need to get you back to the hotel.
” He rolled across the bed to my side and picked up the house phone.
“Hi,” he began. “Can I get a cab to the Renaissance Ocean Suites, please?” I pulled on my underwear.
“Just one. Uh huh. Sure, that’s fine.” I slipped my arms into my dress and tugged it over my head.
A quick glimpse in the mirror told me my hair was a disaster, but there was no time to worry about that. “Okay. We’ll be right out.”
Beckett hung up the phone and grabbed a pair of mesh shorts from his bag. He pulled them on—no time for underwear—and slid on his flip-flops. “C’mon, they’ve got one heading to meet you at the entrance to the restaurant. I’ll walk you.”
“Ugh! I hate being late. My mom’s going to freak.”
“No she won’t. I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll check out and get to the airport as quickly as possible. I’ll hold the plane if I have to.” He handed me my purse. “You got everything?”
I glanced around quickly. “I think so, yeah.”
He opened the door to the bungalow as I put on my shoes. He laughed nervously. “I’m sorry?” he offered.
“No,” I said, and stopped to give him a quick kiss on the mouth. “Don’t be. Last night was incredible,” I insisted. “Plus, like you said, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
The taxi arrived as we were hightailing it up to the restaurant entrance and Beckett opened the door for me. He squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you soon,” he said. Then he paid the driver the cab fare plus tip. “Please get her there as quickly as you can,” he implored the driver.
As the car pulled away, I saw his figure get smaller and smaller, one hand held up in a wave, a sweet half-smile plastered to his sleepy face. It will be fine. The words rang in my head like church bells.
I was halfway back to my hotel when I realized my bracelet was gone.