“Go ahead. I’ll order some breakfast.”
No. Space. I need space to think. I need space so I can fix this.
“Um, actually, I think I might have breakfast by the pool bar. I need time to, uh, journal. And meditate and stuff. By myself. Like alone.” Real fucking smooth, Nikki.
I don’t give him a chance to react before I run up the stairs and lock myself in the toilet room.
I need to make a plan. I need to make this right. Being scared and panicked is what got me into this guilt spiral in the first place.
I’ve got to come clean.
I’ve got to tell him the truth.
Guess it’s only fitting that I do it tonight, on the seventh anniversary of the night that started it all.
New Year’s Eve.
22
Nikki
I’m sittingat the pool breakfast bar with pen, paper, and mimosa.
I mean serious business.
It’s been seven years too long since I freaked out and lied to Tony, and tonight, I’m going to make it right. Regardless of the outcome between the two of us, he deserves the truth. And I deserve to release myself from this never-ending guilt trip.
I start writing talking points as if I’m about to do a TED Talk. I’m barely done with one line before I scratch it out and start again.
This goes on for twenty minutes.
In my periphery, I spot Tony sulking on his way to the glass enclosed gym. I’m sure my hot and cold act has him needing to blow off some much-needed steam.
I stop for a moment to take in the buzzing environment around the resort. All the staff members are running around, preparing for the New Year’s Eve event tonight. There are flowers, decorations, and twinkling string lights everywhere. It’s going to look magical.
Or it’s going to look depressing if I can’t get my head on right and fix this with Tony before the clock strikes midnight.
“Mind if I join you?” a deep, sophisticated voice asks behind me.
By the time I’ve turned in the voice’s direction, the man behind it has already taken a seat next to me.
And not just any man.The man. The older gentleman who ordered a drink for me the first day I got here. Again, wearing a three-piece dark charcoal suit, with an expensive watch and cufflinks to match. I spot a small tattoo on his wrist before he pulls his cuff lower.An ace of spades playing card.
I may be here trying to figure out how to work things out with Tony, but I’d be blind if I didn’t notice that this guy is very attractive now that I’m up close and personal. And by the way he’s smirking, he’s well aware.
“You’re hot,” my idiot brain spews out.
His eyebrows raise slightly. “Why, thank you. Nice to see that we can skip all the small talk.”
I shake my head and point to his suit. “No, I meant you must be hot. Why are you wearing a suit in this heat and humidity? Did your airline lose your luggage or something?”
His eyes sparkle with amusement. “No one who can afford to come to this resort flies commercial. I made sure of that, Nikki.”
“Wait. How do you—”
He places his index finger on his lips and silently shushes me. Then he whispers, “No one needs to know that the boss is in town, now do they?” He grins, blinding me with his perfect white teeth.
I gasp. “You—you’re…”
