Chapter 3
Kennedy
I packed a suitcase that same night, and once morning came, I went downstairs before Dad left and told them.
"I'm going away for a week."
Mom set down her coffee cup. "Away? Where?"
"I booked a cabin. In the mountains."
"Where did you say this place was?" Mom asked.
"I just need some time away to clear my head," I said.
"Alone?" Kate asked, raising a brow.
"I'm sorry I left that out of my diary," I shot at her, leaving her silent.
The words landed exactly as I'd intended. For once, Kate had nothing to say.
Dad sighed. "Kennedy, you don't have to do this. If it's about the book, it's fine. You're an adult. It was none of our business to begin with." He shot a glare at Kate, who lowered her head in shame.
Too little, too late. The words were kind, but they didn't erase what had happened. Didn't undo the humiliation.
"It's... I want the time alone, Dad. I need to clear my head before I start working."
"How far is this place?" Mom asked. "What if something happens?"
"It's a few hours' drive. I'll have my phone."
"A few hours?" Her voice rose. "Kennedy, that's—"
"I've already booked it."
Dad swallowed hard. "Okay... okay."
"I'll be back in a week," I said.
A week to figure out if I could face them again. A week to remember who I was before shame became my constant companion.
"Don't go silent on us. Let us know when you've arrived safely."
I nodded. "I will."
She smiled and nodded.
"And Kennedy?" Dad's voice stopped me at the door.
I turned back.
"Drive carefully."
"Of course."
An hour later, I was on my way, driving away from the house in the Honda CRV Dad had bought for me just a few weeks ago as a gift for passing the bar exam.
I was about to connect my phone when an email came from the Airbnb host.
Welcome! Your lockbox code is in this email. The lockbox is located on the right porch railing. Inside you'll find the key to the front door. Enjoy.
I smiled before connecting my phone and turning the volume up to my favorite playlist, which was a mix of R&B love songs. The further I drove away from home, the more relieved and happier I felt.
I knew then that I'd made the right choice.
My excitement faded the further I drove. I was always a sucker for a good road trip, but it didn't feel the same being the only one, especially having to be behind the wheel the entire time.
The songs about love and desire felt different now. Not inspiring, but mocking. Reminding me I'd written about passion in a diary and couldn't even speak my desires aloud to a real person.
I decided to stop at a grocery store on my way to get supplies for the Airbnb since I'd have no other way of getting food while I was there.
I picked out a few things, struggling to get the bags in my hand without looking where I was going. I gasped when I bumped into someone, almost knocking the groceries out of my hand.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a low male voice said, a bit raspy.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking..." I trailed off when I lifted my gaze to the tall, dark-haired man standing in front of me.
He had deep-set blue eyes, a serious expression, and stubble that made him look a bit rugged.
His hair, however, was neatly combed back in a taper fade.
He smelled fresh, like the forest after it rained.
He reached out, steadying the bag that was about to slip from my grip. "Here, let me help."
"Oh, no, I've got it. Thank you."
He smiled, and my stomach fluttered.
"Are you sure? That looks like a lot."
"I'm... I'm sure. Thank you, though."
He stepped back, giving me space. "Have a good day."
"You too."
He walked away, and I stood there, transfixed.
I didn't know what happened to me, but that small encounter had me wanting more.
It was crazy because this was a total stranger I'd never met before, yet I felt more with him than I'd felt with the man I lost my virginity to.
One smile. One accidental touch. That was all it took to make me forget every disappointing encounter I'd ever had.
I was still thinking about mystery man on my way to the cabin. It felt like I was in a movie, bumping into him, our eyes locking for a split second where the world seemed to pause. I could still feel that flutter in my gut thinking back to it.
I was just a few miles out from the cabin, and I couldn't wait to settle in and relax. My phone buzzed with a text, Mom asking me if I was okay. I slowed the car to reply to her, knowing that waiting too long to respond might end with a call from her.
I drifted off the main road shortly after and entered a trail that would lead to the cabin. It said I was about twenty minutes out. I was surrounded by tall trees and smiled to myself, knowing I was almost there.
Peace. Solitude. A chance to breathe without someone watching, judging, expecting.
I made another turn several minutes later, and that's when I saw it. The cabin. Polished wood, surrounded by big, beautiful trees.
The smile fell from my face, however, when I saw a truck parked outside. This wasn't a shared cabin, so I knew there'd be no other guests.
I then thought maybe it was the host. Maybe they'd stopped by to put things in order or to give me my keys personally. My spirits lifted again as I shut off the vehicle and stepped out of the car.
I walked toward the front, climbing the small steps to the porch. The door was ajar, making me even more curious.
"Hello!" I called, glancing at the lockbox just to the side. That's where the keys were supposed to be, but seeing someone was already here...
I heard faint footsteps, so I stood there waiting.
The door was pulled open, and I gasped seeing the face on the other end. I couldn't believe it. My mouth fell open in shock as I stood there staring at him, remembering those unforgettable blue eyes and handsome face.
It was the guy from the grocery store.
My lips moved, but no words came.
"Hi," he said, and I cleared my throat.
"Er, hi. I'm Kennedy."
"Elijah." He stuck out his hand for a handshake. I hesitated before placing my hand in his. When his warm, large hand covered mine, I felt tingles all over my body. It had been a while since I'd felt a man's touch, no matter how innocent.
"Nice to meet you again, Kennedy," he said, and my heart raced. He'd remembered me from earlier.
"Again?" I managed. "You... you remember?"
"The grocery store. About an hour ago." His mouth lifted slightly. "Hard to forget."
My cheeks warmed.
Then reality hit. After all, this man was standing inside the house I was supposed to be in.
"Are you leaving?" I asked, thinking I was probably early or something.
His thick, narrow brows furrowed. "We just got here," he said, and I frowned.
We. There was more than one.
"No, that can't be right. I'm supposed to check in today."
Just then, another man stepped forward, and my pulse fluttered. This one had messy blonde hair and smoldering gray eyes.
What was happening?
"We're supposed to check in today," Elijah said. "Maybe you got the wrong location."
I shook my head, digging into my pocket for my phone. I searched for the confirmation email and held up my phone toward their confused faces.
"I have the confirmation email with the lockbox code and everything."
They looked at each other, frowning.
"Can I see?" the blonde asked, stepping closer.
I showed him the screen. He let out a low whistle.
"Same address. Same dates." He looked at Elijah. "They double-booked."
I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed heavily, about to panic.
Of course. Of course this would happen. Because nothing could just be simple.
"This can't be happening," I murmured to myself.
"Look, why don't I call the host to have this sorted?" Elijah said.
I nodded because I couldn't seem to find the words right away. He left and went inside the house, probably to get his phone.
The blonde stared at me. "I'm Jasper, by the way."
"Er, Kennedy."
"Nice to meet you, Kennedy." He leaned against the doorframe. "Hell of a way to start a vacation, huh?"
I only managed a smile, too stressed to even think straight.
"You came alone?"
"I... yes. I needed to get away for a bit."
"Same." He grinned. "Well, not alone. But away."
Elijah came back with the phone on speaker.
"...Yes, she's here right now—Kennedy..." He trailed off, looking at me.
"Baker," I quickly said.
"Kennedy Baker," he repeated. "She has a confirmation email for today's check-in."
"Oh, Christ, I'm so sorry for the mixup. I have a very unreliable system here that I'm currently working to fix. I must've accidentally created two listings for the same property."
I swallowed as I listened, my nerves on high.
"What should we do now?" Elijah asked.
"Unfortunately, I'll have to give priority to the first booking, which...
give me a second, let me just check who that was.
" The line went silent for about a minute before she said, "Er, Elijah Smith.
Please tell Ms. Baker that I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding, and I'll issue her refund as soon as possible. "
My knees went weak. I quickly hurried to the steps to take a seat. Why was this happening to me? To drive back to Virginia would take me hours, and I'd already been on the road for most of the day. I didn't have the faintest idea where to look for a place to stay now. It would get dark soon.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, my eyes pricking.
One week. I'd asked for one week away from everything, and I couldn't even have that.
"Is there another property nearby?" Elijah asked the host. "Something available this week?"
"I'm afraid not. Everything's booked solid. Leaf-peeping season, you know."
"Right. Thank you." He ended the call.
Footsteps approached me. "I'm very sorry, Kennedy," Elijah said as they both came to stand in front of me.
"I don't even know what to do," I croaked.
"We could check to see if there's anywhere else around here that's available for you."
I shook my head. "You heard her. Everything's booked." My lips quivered.
They were silent.
"How far did you drive?" Jasper asked.
"Four hours. Maybe more."
He winced. "That's rough."
"I can't drive home now. I live miles away. I was already having the worst week ever, and this just had to be the icing on the cake." I sobbed as I shook my head.
"Why don't you stay here with us?" Jasper said, glancing at Elijah, who nodded right away.
"Yeah, there are two rooms. You could have one. I could crash on the couch."
Their offer surprised me. "I can't let you guys do that. Thank you, but I can't." They were strangers. Attractive strangers, which somehow made it worse.
In a cabin. With me. Alone.
The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd written fantasies about exactly this scenario, and now that it was standing in front of me, I was terrified.
"At least until tomorrow," Jasper said. "Give yourself a night's rest before you drive back."
"It's not safe to get back on the road right now," Elijah added quietly.
I smiled. "I appreciate the offer, but no offense—I don't know you guys."
"None taken," Elijah quickly said. "That's understandable, but everyone meets as strangers before they become friends."
"Besides," Jasper said, "we're harmless. Elijah's a doctor. I'm a photographer. We're not serial killers or anything."
"That's exactly what a serial killer would say," I said, and immediately regretted it.
But Jasper laughed. "Fair point."
I smiled, wiping the tears from my eyes. "That's true. I just—"
"Think about it," Jasper said before he walked back inside the house. Elijah gave me a smile before following behind.
I sat there on the wooden steps, enjoying the fresh air on my face and in my lungs.
If my parents found out I was now in this situation, they'd have a heart attack.
Heck, even I didn't understand why I wasn't more frightened.
I was in the middle of nowhere with strangers.
That should have been frightening enough, but it wasn't. It felt natural in some weird, unexplainable way.
I didn't get creepy vibes from them, and they seemed genuine. While I wasn't always the best judge of character, I didn't have much of a choice. It was either this or getting back in my car and maybe nodding off behind the wheel.
Tomorrow, I'd be on my way bright and early. Tonight, I'd take them up on their offer and stay with them.
One night. What could possibly happen in one night?
I stood and walked toward the front door. I looked inside the house and saw them moving their bags around. They paused to look at me.
"I've decided to stay."