by T. A. Foster
Grey poked his head in the door. “I’m back with tons of ice. Anything going on?”
“Actually, you have a delivery.” I reached for the envelope and held it out to him.
“Cool.” He grabbed the mail from me and darted out the door. “I’ve gotta throw the ice in the cooler.”
“But—” He was gone before I could prod further about the contents of the mystery package.
I sat in the chair. After our guests arrived, I would ask him what Texas State had sent him, but for now, he had a broken icemaker to worry about.
***
I handed the young couple their palm tree key. “Enjoy your stay at the Palm Palace.”
“Oh, we will.” The boyfriend winked at his girlfriend, and she giggled.
“And don’t forget about the luau tomorrow night. It’s going to be the biggest party on the island.”
His hand clutched at her back pocket as they walked out of the office. They weren’t the first couple I had checked in today, but they were the last guests scheduled to arrive.
I collapsed in the chair. It was ten o’clock at night, and between running back and forth to the guest rooms, checking people in, and answering the phone about luau details, I hadn’t sat down once.
Grey had been on his feet all day too. Just as I had predicted, we didn’t see each other except in passing. The lights were out in room fourteen, the girls in room twenty thought they heard a mouse, and a toilet lever had broken in room eight. Grey was running nonstop. More than likely, this is how he would spend the rest of the month. Although, without someone in the office, I didn’t know how he was going to take care of the check-in and checkout part.
I turned off the lights and locked the office door behind me. I walked toward room twenty-four, Grey’s room—the room that was now our room. I felt the nervous butterflies flitting around. This felt different. It was more grown-up, more serious somehow. I couldn’t wait to see him and I was dying to know what was in the package.
The key gave way in the lock and I pushed the door open.
“Grey?” The lights were off. I whispered his name again. “Grey?” I walked toward the lamp that was next to the bed when I heard his heavy snoring. I pulled out the flashlight on my phone, careful not to hit him in the eyes with the beam of light.
There he was, completely dressed, tool belt and all, fast asleep on our bed. So much for a night of romance and hot nakedness. I tiptoed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. I didn’t want to wake him by dragging out my bags, so I opted to take off my clothes and sleep in my underwear. He wouldn’t see them in his sleep, but he did like these pink ones.
I peeled the sheet back and slid into the space next to him. Instinctively, he pulled me in the crook of his arm and relaxed into his heavy breathing pattern. I smiled. I had a new addition to my mantra: Warm beaches. Sun in my face. Salt breeze in my hair. Wrapped in Grey’s arms.
***
I heard unfamiliar shouts and music coming from outside the door. Could the spring breakers already be at the pool?
“Hey, sleepyhead.” Grey was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Hey.” I had no idea what time it was.
“Did you climb in bed like that last night?” He slowly removed the sheet from my breasts and folded it just below my navel. The feeling of the sheet along my skin felt delicious.
“Mmm-hmm. Someone was snoring.” He was completely dressed. I must have slept through his morning shower ritual. We were both exhausted after yesterday’s onslaught of guests.
“I guess I was worn out. Sorry I left you like that.” His hand reached for my breast and squeezed, lingering over the softest part.
The warmth spread through my belly and I bit my lip. He was definitely playing with me, and I wanted to make him work for it a bit. “Can I make it up to you?” He slipped his other hand under the sheet and tugged on my thigh, spreading my legs for him.
I tried to sit forward, reaching my hands for the hem of this T-shirt ready for a morning roll in the hay, but he pushed me back.
“No, I meant, really make it up to you.” His mouth descended on my stomach. “But you’ll have to be extra quiet now that we have guests, and I have about ten minutes before I have to go fix the dryer.” He smiled devilishly, and then forced my other leg to the side, giving him full access to the pink panties I picked out last night. “You know these are my favorite.”
I nodded, watching his every move. Oh my God, I was going to explode right here.
“How does this feel?” He pulled the fabric aside and slid his fingers along the edges of my exposed skin.
“Good.” I smiled. I didn’t want to give him what he wanted just yet.
“Only good? Hmm. What about this?” I almost whimpered as his fingertips began rhythmically circling, then slipping in and out of the sweetest spot.
I wasn’t going to give in. “It’s ok, I guess.” I was a terrible liar. My body was quivering, and with each stroke, I was grasping harder and harder to keep him inside me.
“I must be doing this all wrong, baby.” He kissed the inside of my knee, holding my legs apart as he picked up the pace with his guitar-playing fingers.
I was so close to the edge, but I could tell he was turned on by my resistance to him. I tried to slow my hips, but the more he touched me, the more I wanted it faster and deeper. My brain and my body were at terrible odds.
“Grey.” I was totally breathy and almost at the point of panting.
“Yeah, baby?” He was watching me and his fingers were slowing down as his tongue ran along the inner line of my thigh. It was the sexiest thing I had ever seen or felt.
“I. Can’t. Be. Quiet.” I did everything I could to stop it or at least slow it down, but Grey had perfected unleashing my sexual goddess side. All kinds of sounds I didn’t know I could make came pouring out as I felt the heat of his breath and tongue take over.
Finally, I was getting my early morning with Grey.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Where do you want all these flowers, Eden?” Pick called from the tailgate of his truck. He and Connor were loaded down with more cast-off wedding decorations.
Marin had dug deeper into her mother’s storage building and found a luau themed wedding box. I only wished I had time to snap a picture of the Texas duo in their cowboy hats and tropical flowers.
“Can you boys drape them on the edges of the pool fence?” I was trying to help the DJ with the sound system. I pointed to the entrance gate to the pool.
“We’re not decorators, but we’ll give it a try.” Pick clumsily started twisting the purple and orange silk flowers along the railing.
Marin was in a deep conversation with Mac about the food. We were keeping it simple with some barbecue and an assortment of finger foods. People weren’t really coming for the food, but it wouldn’t be a true luau without a roasted pig on the menu.
I had put everything on my credit card—a minor detailed I hadn’t yet discussed with Grey. I told him I would take care of everything and it wasn’t important enough to bother him with deposit funds. Mac was floating us the kegs until I could pay him back after the luau.
I watched my new friends scurrying around, putting the finishing touches on the party. The Palm Palace guests had already started emerging from their rooms. We had been able to corral them on the beach most of the day, but now that the DJ had arrived, they were ready to be a part of the action. I didn’t have much time before the other spring breakers arrived.
“Marin, I’m going to get changed and I’ll be right back. Do you have everything under control?” My question was mostly rhetorical.
“I could throw a wedding in my sleep—it’s hereditary.” She laughed and I thought I saw a look of panic flash across Pick’s face. “Go get ready. We’ve got this.”
“You’re the best. Oh, and can you light the tiki torches?” I noticed there were twenty more in place than when we started setting up.
“Yes, ma’am. Go.” She shooed
me with her hand.
I hugged her and jogged to Grey’s room. The day in the sun had created more than one perspiration stain on my shirt, and I was ready to change into something more girly. It was my last night in South Padre. My last night with Grey and all of the wonderful people who had taken me in like one of their longtime friends. I needed to make it count.
Grey had given me a sliver of the sliding closet. I didn’t have much, so it was one time when a little closet space was more than enough. I pulled the dress I had chosen for the luau from the garment bag and held it up. Shower first, then dress I reminded myself. I didn’t want any traces of the day’s clean up and party prep on it.
I stepped into the cool shower. My shoulders were slightly pink from the sun. No amount of sunscreen could stop the sun in Texas. The water felt good. I emerged from the shower feeling silky smooth and more like a tropical flower and less like a cactus.
I pulled my hair into a twist and clipped a big pink flower on the side. Renee had ordered all kinds of luau accessories for Sandy’s Surf Shop when she heard about the party. I pulled the yellow dress over my hips and reached behind to zip it to the middle of my back. My feet slid into the sandals I had bought the first day.
I laid the Hawaiian shirt on the bed that Renee said was for Grey. He hadn’t exactly agreed to wear it, but in the spirit of the party, he might surprise me. He still wasn’t back from the mainland maintenance run. He had fixed the icemaker and the main dryer only to be plagued with two air conditioners that had gone out. He promised they were simple fixes but he had easily been gone three hours. I checked my phone for the time. Fifteen minutes until show time.
The door to room twenty-four closed behind me as I headed to the party I had thrown together in record time.
“Don’t you look like a ray of sunshine?” Mac greeted me in the parking lot.
“Thanks, Mac.” I hugged the bartender. “Wow, it looks like a real luau out here.”
“I can’t say that I’ve ever been to Hawaii, but yeah, you put something real special together for Grey.” He beamed at me like a proud parent.
“Have you seen him anywhere?” I searched the group mulling behind the food and beer table.
“Not yet. But he’ll be here. Sometimes the mainland has traffic.”
“Traffic, huh?” I knew Mac was trying to reassure me.
“Look at you, Carolina.” Pick and Connor had returned from a quick shower. They looked clean-shaven.
“You both look handsome.” I eyed the Texas boys in their Hawaiian shirts, boots, and cowboy hats.
“We try.” Pick put his arm around me. “Where’s Grey?”
“Air conditioners went out. He had to make a parts run so the guests don’t spontaneously combust.” I tried to keep my voice peppy, but I was starting to worry he hadn’t returned.
“Darlin’, he’ll be back soon.” Connor put his arm around my other shoulder. “In the meantime, can we get you something to drink?” Connor was acting extra sweet.
It crossed my mind that Laura had told him about the scene I made at Pete’s. I should probably have been more embarrassed than I was.
“A beer would be awesome. Thanks, Connor.” Was it just last Saturday he had tried to get me a drink at the bonfire?
I waited at the pool gate while the lean cowboy fetched a drink for me. He loped toward me with a fruity drink topped with an umbrella.
“Thanks.” I sipped on the coconut rum through the straw.
Connor shifted on his feet. “Eden, I wanted to apologize for my sister—and for me.”
My cheeks turned a bright crimson. “You don’t have to do that, Connor.”
“I kind of do. I know how she gets about Grey and I might have had a hand in what happened at Pete’s.” His head hung so low that the brim of the hat blocked all his features.
“So you heard about that?” I wondered how many people knew about the night I dumped the drink in Grey’s face.
He raised his chin so that his eyes met mine. “Yeah, not many secrets on the island. So, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have butted in like that. I guess I was disappointed that it was Grey and not me you were hanging out with. It was a shit move.”
I hugged him. “Thanks, Connor. Don’t worry about it. I could have handled things better too.” He wasn’t the only one who had let jealousy get the best of him. I felt better knowing we had reestablished our friendship. Maybe now we could put the awkwardness behind us, as long as I didn’t have to see Laura.
Marin opened the gate at the top of steps for me. “Whoa, look at you. Has Grey seen you all dressed in yellow?”
I blushed. “Not yet. He isn’t here.” I searched the parking lot for his truck. “I thought he’d be back by now.”
“He’ll be here. He’s not going to miss the luau.” She turned to show me the pool. “What do you think? It was a last minute idea that I borrowed from my mom.”
I looked at the floating candles dotting the surface of the water. “Marin, it’s beautiful. You definitely have the wedding planner gene. This looks amazing.”
“Good. I thought you might like it, and it’s romantic. You should lure Grey up here for a little one-on-one time.” She winked. “Now we just need some people.” She pulled one of the silk flowers from the garland and tucked it behind her ear.
Other than a few Palm Palace guests, no one else had arrived. I know being fashionably late was still a common party practice, but I had hoped more people would have begun to trickle in.
“What if no one shows?” I had a prickly feeling that had attacked the back of my neck.
“Don’t be silly. People love parties this time of year. This island is one big party. You’ll have people. They’re just extremely nocturnal—the later, the better.”
“I hope you’re right. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll tell Grey. He trusted me to do this. I promised him it would keep the Palm afloat for a few months.”
“Hey, he did not put the fate of the Palm in your hands. He knows what he’s dealing with here. What you did for him is incredible. It shows how much you love him. He knows that.”
The prickly feeling transferred from my neck to my stomach. “Did you just say the L-word?”
“Oh, come on, Eden. I don’t know what else it is.” She laughed. “Take a breath. In and out. That’s better.” She moved closer to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
She sounded a lot like my mom. “I can’t be … I can’t love him. I leave tomorrow.” I stumbled to the nearest lounge chair.
“Are you back to that again? Love conquers all. Stop wasting time worrying about it and just do it.”
“Do it?”
“Yeah, love him. Love Grey.” Before she could lecture me anymore on how to navigate my love life, Pick whisked her up from behind and planted a kiss on her mouth.
“Pick, save some of that for later. I’m in the middle of serious girl talk.” She slapped him on the butt. “You ok, Eden?”
“Yes, absolutely. You two go dance or something.”
I smiled and watched as they wandered down to the makeshift dance floor. I envied how Marin approached her relationship. She didn’t let anything get in the way of her and Pick—not the age difference, not their friends, and not even her own heart. She was so smart.
Love him. That’s all I had to do. I just had to love Grey. It seemed clear.
From my view on the lounge chair, I watched as the luau guests started arriving. A stretch SUV pulled into the parking lot and I lost count after the fifteenth person climbed from the vehicle. The DJ cranked the music, and I felt the energy swirling around me. In ten minutes, the Palm turned into a revolving parking lot for taxicabs and shuttles. The spring breakers kept arriving.
I took another sip of my coconut drink, and straightened my dress. The party had started and I couldn’t sit up here all night thinking about Grey. I walked down to the ticket entrance. We had opted for wristbands to tag all of the paid party guests. Mindy and Tara were behind the table co
llecting money and looping fluorescent bands around outstretched wrists.
It really had all come together. If only Grey was here to see it.
“Do you two need any help?” I asked over the bass from the speakers.
“No, I think we’re ok. We’ve got the best spot in the house. We get to talk to the cute boys before they even make it to the dance floor.” Tara giggled. “And I get the extra pleasure of leing them.”
Mindy gave me a more reassuring look. “Don’t worry, Eden. I’ll make her behave and keep her from running off with any of your guests.” She yanked a handful of leis from Tara, and placed them back on the table.
“Really, they can lei themselves. You don’t have to be so touchy-touchy, Tara.”
They seemed comfortable with their banter, like sisters. “Thanks, girls. Let me know if you need a break or something.”
Confident Mindy and Tara would take care of the money table, I refilled my cup and walked toward the boardwalk. This would be my last night to see the Texas stars on the Padre beach. Last week, Grey had convinced me to walk with him to see a star display he promised I wouldn’t forget. I smiled, knowing I didn’t remember a single star from that night, but would always remember that first kiss.
I sipped the fruity drink and inhaled the sweet saltiness of the air. The couple I had checked in last night slid past me, walking hand in hand for an early night stroll on the beach. I think they were from Maryland, but with all of the check-ins yesterday, I couldn’t keep all the colleges straight.
Wouldn’t it be fun if we had welcome kits for each of the rooms with their school logos or mascots on them? Marin’s wedding planning was rubbing off on me. I would have to write down the list of marketing ideas I had and share them with Grey.
“I thought that was you up here, babe.” As soon as I heard his voice, my chest hardened. It used to make me smile.
I spun around the best I could in my sandals. “What in the hell are you doing here, Brett?”