Chapter 15
Eddie
I’m fidgety, so I make my way down to the lobby ten minutes early. The quiet of my room was deafening. If Maya didn’t ask me to meet her, I probably would have gone back to the community center. I know the hotel has a gym, but there are way too many fans and other athletes here.
Leaning against a wall near the hotel entrance, I pull at my hoodie collar and stare at the coat, hat and gloves in my hands. “Dress warm” is all Maya told me. I don’t know if I’m in the mood for festive outdoor activities, but I’m grateful for anything to keep my mind busy.
“Enjoying the view?” I hear, and see Maya staring at the tree as well. She’s wearing a white knit cap with a brown furry ball on top. Her coat is bright white and zipped up to her chin.
“I am now,” I say with a small grin.
I can tell I’ve taken Maya aback with my flirtatious comment, but I meant it. And I guess I’m living on borrowed time, so I’m feeling more bold. She deserves to know what a gem she is—inside and out.
Her cheeks tinge pink before she says, “Well, thank you. Not to brag, but I was in charge of lobby decor.”
“Even the tree?” I ask.
“Especially the tree,” she says with a proud smile.
“It’s incredible. How did you even get it in here?”
She chuckles. “That story is not very elegant. What’s that saying? You don’t want to know how the sausage is made?”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Got it.”
How do I already feel lighter? It’s like Maya’s the moon, and being around her makes you weightless. I felt it at the spa but figured it was a combination of the spa ambiance and Maya. Now I know, she is the ambiance.
“Ready for a surprise?” She rubs her hands together, and I notice she already has brown furry mittens on.
“I don’t know. Can I get a hint?”
“Nope,” she says and walks out the door. “Just follow me.”
I pull on my coat, hat and gloves and walk with her past the ice skating rink that’s lit up. The sun is setting, so the ice and snow have a calming glow. She continues to lead the way while I trail a step behind. She seems to be on a mission, directing us along a shoveled path.
When we reach the woods, she looks back and says, “Do you trust me?”
She has a teasing smirk on her face. But, I seriously contemplate her question. The sky is losing light as evening sets in.
I can’t help but ask, “Should I?”
“Of course. I’m very trustworthy.”
My hands are tucked in my pockets, so I use my elbow to nudge her as I say, “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Then, she tucks her arm through mine and pulls me along a path, through the forest. The only noise is the crunching of the snow beneath our boots. I inhale the crisp, frigid air, which seems to be cleansing my lungs and resetting my nervous system.
After a few more minutes, Maya stops abruptly and turns to me. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“You said you trusted me.”
“No I didn’t…I asked if I should trust you.”
She bites her lip. “Well, you should. Now shut your eyes.”
I’m not sure why, but I do it. Well, I actually do know why.
Maya’s cheeks are an alluring pink, and her eyes are sparkling, making her excitement contagious.
I’d probably do just about anything she asks at this point.
As soon as my lids close, I feel her pull off my warm beanie hat and replace it with something fuzzy, and also slightly itchy.
Then, she slides it down so my eyes are completely covered.
“What the—do I have a Santa hat on my head?”
“Maybe.” I hear Maya chuckle. “But you look amazing.”
“What are you doing to me?” I grumble, but internally I’m intrigued.
“I couldn’t find a blindfold. It’s to ensure there’s no peeking.”
I hold my hands up, proclaiming innocence. “I would never.”
“Well, maybe it’s mostly for my benefit then. You look adorable,” she says. She weaves her arm through mine again and slowly leads me.
I shake my head, knowing I probably look like a goon, but I don’t mind looking ridiculous for Maya.
“We’re almost there,” I hear her say. “Two more steps…Okay, stop.”
Then she turns my shoulders slightly. I feel her push the hat up before saying, “And, open your eyes.”
I blink to let my vision adjust, and my jaw drops in wonder. Before me is a raised, wooden deck with a clear dome tent. Inside, warm yellow lights glow. I squint my eyes and can see what looks like a couch and coffee table inside.
“That’s the Winterbrook River.” I follow her finger and realize the dome is on the shore of the water, surrounded by the wooded forest. There’s just enough light remaining to be able to take it all in. It’s honestly one of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen in real life.
“C’mon, let’s go inside the igloo.”
That’s when it hits me, that the dome does in fact look like an igloo. She grabs my hand and pulls me along.
After we crunch up the snow-covered steps to the top of the platform, she unzips the door. Once inside, we both slip off our boots. I’m surprised by the warmth, but then notice a small space heater to our left.
Maya walks over to what I had thought was a couch but now realize is actually two wooden lounge chairs squished together. They remind me of the ones by my condo’s pool in Florida. They have bright-blue, thick cushions on them.
Maya lies down on one and then looks over at me. “You have got to try this.”
I follow and lie next to her. Two small round tables with lanterns are on each side of the loungers. Inside the lanterns, fake tea light candles flicker.
I settle into the cozy lounge chair. All I can say is, “Wow.”
“Right?” Maya smiles over at me.
I let my head fall back and take it all in. The view is stunning, but being out in what feels like the middle of nowhere, away from the chaos of the world, away from all the painful reminders of the past…that’s the real gift. I feel like I can breathe. Like I don’t have to perform.
I take a deep inhale and slowly let it out. My one and only goal in this moment is to soak in the fact that I’m in an igloo, surrounded by natural beauty…and most magnificent of all, Maya Torres.