Page 51 of The Trouble with Love and Ink
“I’m sorry. I was a little distracted, trying to keep a jungle snake from biting your ankle.”
I swallowed a lump of pride because, as infuriating as Beck was, I had to say it, “Thank you, by the way.”
Beck headed toward the bathroom, an armful of clothes and toiletries. “I did the world a favor. We can’t have Hailey Emily on a headstone, can we?”
The lock of the bathroom snicked shut, and I let out a growly, “Asshole!”
I rolled my suitcase into the bedroom and nearly tripped over my feet. Rose petals littered the bed, and a bucket of champagne waited on the nightstand. Forget this space being for honeymooners. The suite was an artfully crafted love shack.
“Jesus!” I plucked the petals off the bed at a feverish pace, tossing them in the trash before moving the champagne to the kitchenette.
At least Beck had been right about there being a couch. It sat on the opposite wall from the bed, right before the glass doors to the balcony.
I went outside to check out the view. My flip-flops carried me across a wood-planked deck. I wrapped my fingers around the rope of a hammock as I gazed at the rainforest beyond. I could hear it more than see it. For a minute, I closed my eyes and just listened. Crickets, cicadas, and tree frogs were plentiful in Texas, but the sounds seemed amplified here. And Houston certainly didn’t have the howling noises—different from a coyote’s call. I remembered an article about monkeys in Costa Rica.
I smiled. Beck could be an ass all he wanted, but I was finally doing it—enjoying a vacation.
Chapter 15
The next morning, my alarm went off, and it took me several moments to blink away the dream that immersed me before I remembered, yes, I was in Costa Rica, sharing a room with Beck. I sat up, ramrod straight, only to find the couch empty.
Last night, I’d unpacked my belongings and sorted them in the dresser drawers. I padded over there now, then pulled out my swimsuit, some khaki shorts, and something Hailey had given me to match her for our trip in Florida: A pink shirt with the words VACAY scrawled beside a hibiscus flower.
Getting dressed, my blood seemed to buzz through my veins with nervous, excited energy. Today would be spent under the sun without a single spreadsheet, IT ticket, or meeting that should have been an email. At the same time, I’d have to be vigilant and remember I was supposed to be Hailey while also attempting to connect with people from a wholly different social class than my own.
Topping off my outfit with a floppy sun hat, I circled the suite, wondering where Beck was. Maybe he’d gone to get breakfast. Or, more likely, he’d found the resort’s gym. I rolled my eyes. I knew he dedicated himself to the lanes, but I didn’t think he’d been one of those psychos who kept up their fitness regimen on vacation.
As I was about to give up and head to the lobby, I noticed the hammock’s sway outside and realized someone occupied it. A tuft of curls spilled over the edge on one end. On the other, a bare leg hung out.
On the way to the balcony door, I tripped over Beck’s duffle and barely caught myself. After regaining my balance, I slid the bag over with my foot.
“You really shouldn’t leave your stuff on the floor,” I said to Beck as I joined him on the balcony.
The jungle greeted me as loudly as it had the night before with calls of all sorts, reminding me how wild this place was. A breeze moved through the trees, sending a ripple through the emerald expanse.
“Good morning to you too, Lane,” Beck said in a voice still gravelly from sleep. He turned a page in the book on his chest. “Didn’t realize you were such a neat freak, but I should have guessed.”
“I am not a neat freak,” I huffed. “I read an article about tourists leaving their bags on the floor only to find lizards or cockroaches in the cozy compartments of their suitcases.”
“We’re in a luxury resort.” He turned his book over, using his leg as a bookmark. “I don’t think we have to worry about pests in the suite.”
I leveled him a look. “Did you already forget about the snake?”
He smiled wickedly. “How could I possibly forget, Hailey Emily?”
I chose to ignore the jab. “You should probably start getting ready if we want time to eat breakfast before sailing.”
Beck picked his book back up. “I’m pretty tired from traveling yesterday. I’m going to hang back and take it easy.”
I snorted. “Too tired to relax on a beach?”
“I want to have enough energy for the rainforest hike tomorrow.”
“You act like we are going to be rowing to the beach.”
“I’m just tired, Lane.” He shrugged, turning a page. “I’ll meet you guys in town for dinner.”
I opened my mouth to plead with him. Being alone with Victoria, his friends, and his ex without a buffer . . . In a tank of sharks, he was supposed to be the cage between them and me. The idea left me feeling vulnerable and shy.
