Page 14 of Love By The Falls

I agreed to an Off-road Adventure tour with a stranger.

What the heck was I thinking?

Last night, I walked up to him, which I normally would never do, pretended to buy him a drink, and then agreed to risk my life on some wild open-car ride.

Pain shoots across my temples and I rub them slowly. This goes against all my natural tendencies, but I declared this ‘Opposite Charlotte’ week, so here I am.

What does one wear while risking one’s life?

I prefer to play it safe with trainers and cargo pants, pockets filled with snacks and hair ties. Of course, I didn’t bring cargo pants on this trip.

What would ‘Opposite Charlotte’ wear?

My luggage sits open underneath the television, and I spot a floral red and pink dress. It’s not practical, and has no pockets, but it’s cute and hugs my hips nicely.

Okay. I’ll wear the dress, but I’m wearing the trainers, too.

I choose a push-up bra but practical panties underneath, the kind that look like boy shorts, andinstead of securing my hair into a braid, I leave it long and loose over my shoulders.

I place a hair tie on my wrist, just in case. I can’t help it.

My purse hangs in the closet, and I extend the strap to wear it as a cross-body. After ensuring I have some extra cash in my wallet, I shut the door and walk toward the lobby to meet Caleb.

It’s still early, and the resort is peaceful. Some vacationers mill about the buffet for breakfast, while others are already sunbathing by the pool. I’d love to walk along the beach, perhaps I’ll do that tomorrow morning.

Caleb is chatting with a group who looks to be in their twenties. Although I just turned thirty, most of the faces in this group don’t look a day over twenty-one. If I had to guess, I’d say Caleb was a few years older than me. Not quite forty, but maybe closer to thirty-five. His black hair is darker this morning, probably still wet from a shower. He has tanned skin, large, muscled arms that stretch the short-sleeves he’s wearing. Unlike the others in tight T-shirts, Caleb wears a pressed and polished buttoned shirt. He doesn’t quite fit in with the group. Maybe he’s just making conversation with the people he met here.

Our eyes meet as I approach them. Caleb is still talking, but he’s staring at me.

Inexplicably, my heart beats faster and despite the air-conditioned lobby, a bead of sweat forms at my nape. I ball my hands into fists, resisting the urge to throw my hair into a ponytail.

“Morning,” I say when I reach them.

The group turns and they murmur a good morning back. A few of the men nod.

“I’m glad you came,” says Caleb. “Let me introduce you. Charlotte, this is Teo, Brady, Tasha, and Nikki.”

I smile. “Nice to meet you all.”

Caleb holds up a coffee cup in his hand. “Have you eaten or had something to drink?”

“I’m not much of a breakfast person.”

I also don’t want to risk feeling nauseated while on the tour.

A man in khaki shorts and a blue T-shirt walks up to the group gathered in the lobby. “Good morning, friends. My name is Arturo and I’ll be your driver today,” he says in a Caribbean accent. “Please follow me onto the bus. We’ll be on our way shortly.”

“One second,” says Caleb to the group, then approaches the driver. I can’t hear what Caleb asks him, but the driver responds, “No need for another car. I can fit you all on the bus.”

Caleb pats the man on the shoulder and returns to our group. “Are we ready?”

“Yeah, let’s do this!” one guy shouts. Brady, I think, is his name.

We file into the bus, and they choose seats at the back. Before sitting down, Caleb turns to me. “Do you prefer an aisle or window seat?”

“I’d love the window.”

He moves out of the way to let me sit first, and I smile as I stare out the window. It’s been at least ten years since I’ve sat at the window. I’ve happily given it to Charlie whenever we’ve traveled by bus.

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