Chapter 16
Maya
We lay in silence, staring through the clear igloo ceiling for a while.
I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a more cozy space in my life.
To me, the igloo is even better than the spa.
I’ll take nature over manmade beauty anyday.
However, it’s hard not to be distracted by the fact that Eddie is so close to me.
I didn’t realize how romantic the igloo is set up to be.
That was a major oversight on my part. But, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like being next to him.
I revel in hearing the steady sound of his breathing.
After a moment, Eddie’s voice breaks the quiet. “Do you come here a lot?”
I turn my head and see him lying with his arms behind his head and his legs crossed. “I’ve walked guests out here a few times, but I’ve never been inside the igloo.”
“This is your first time in the igloo?”
“Yep.” I grin. “Thanks to you, I finally get to enjoy it.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have even known about it without you. This is really incredible.”
“It’s one of the many reasons I love working at Mynt Peak. The resort allows you to enjoy the beauty of Winterbrook like nowhere else.”
“You really like your job, don’t you?” Eddie asks.
The answer is easy. “I do. It’s been a great place to work while I’m finishing up college.”
“What do you want to do after college?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure yet. I plan to work here for a while after graduating in May. It’s giving me the experience I need. My dream is to own a resort like this one day.”
Eddie sighs. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Put up with people like me all the time.”
I crack a smile. “Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with people like you all the time.”
“Hey, c’mon…” He nudges me with his elbow.
“You set yourself up with that one,” I laugh. “You, Eddie Evans, have actually been one of my favorite guests of all time.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Really.” I smile over at him.
To my surprise, his face falls. With a deep exhale he says, “I haven’t made this week easy on you.”
I think back to our first rocky meeting, which includes of course, seeing Eddie in his boxers.
Then, later that night when he slammed the door in my face.
There's also the panic I felt when he kept disappearing at events.
But then I also think of seeing Eddie smile for the first time, and a million times since then.
I grin thinking about him teaching pre-school tennis lessons, laughing together at the spa, and watching him give the boys tickets to the US Open.
Finally, I say, “That’s true, but it was worth it.
” I’m not sure if I should bring up his brother, but I don’t want to ignore the accident and the feelings he’s having.
I take a deep breath and garner the courage.
“I can’t relate to losing a sibling because I’m an only child, but I know what it's like to have a piece of your family ripped away. My dad left when I was four…Since then, it’s been hard to ever feel whole again. ”
Eddie’s eyes flick up to mine. “Maya, I’m so sorry. I’m such a jerk.” He covers my hand with his.
That was not the response I was expecting. “Why? What do you mean?”
He exhales. “The whole week I’ve been so focused on myself, I never even stopped to think about what you, or anyone else, has been through.”
I turn my body so I’m on my side, fully facing him.
“I didn’t tell you about my dad leaving to make you feel bad.
I wanted you to know that you don’t have to carry the pain of losing someone you love by yourself.
My mom is an amazing listener. Whenever I’m feeling sad about my dad, or anything really, she lets me talk as long as I need to.
And when I’m done, I feel better. It doesn’t change the circumstances, but it changes me.
I’m lighter in the end. Even after you leave tomorrow, you can always call me if you want to talk. ”
That’s when Eddie interlaces his fingers through mine.
He shifts his hips, mirroring me. “Maya, you’ve already helped me so much. I really can’t think of a time when I’ve smiled or laughed like this.”
He brushes away a hair that’s fallen on my cheek, his eyes searching my face. We’re inches apart, and I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. I know I shouldn’t want him to. I could get fired for kissing a guest, but Eddie’s leaving in the morning, and I might never see him again.