Page 28 of Searching for Sunshine

After a moment, Trent runs across the pool patio and yells, “Over here! I see him!”

Several of the other men race after him, and I notice Avery standing in a chair across the pool from us. “Come on,” I tell Wyatt, marching over to my best friend. “Hey, Aves, what the hell is going on?”

Avery looks down at me and shakes her head. “God, Stels, it was such a mess. Apparently, a snake found its way onto one of the floats in the pool. We realized it when someone went to grab the float and accidentally picked up the snake instead. He managed to throw it without getting bit, but they’re trying to find it now to make sure it wasn’t poisonous. No one got a very good look at it in all the chaos. And as that was going on, y’all’s little lizard friend made an appearance too. I thought you were exaggerating with how fucking big that thing was, but holy shit it was huge.”

“God, we’re definitely going to get a one-star review if this happens tomorrow,” I groan and Avery lets out a short giggle. “Aves, I love you but I don’t know what on earth you would find funny at the moment. This is going to be a disaster.”

“I know I’m so sorry. It just hit me how different all of this is from our lives a few weeks ago. But we’ll make this work. The men are going to make sure we’re as reptile-free as possible, and other than that everything tonight went great,” she says, and I have to admit she’s right.

“Okay, you’re right. I’m nervous about tomorrow, but I’m also so excited, you know? I know it’s just one booking, but I’m really starting to believe we can do this,” I admit.

“Because we can, babes!” she agrees, stepping down from her chair and pulling me into a hug to whisper in my ear. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you and your hunky hubby sneaking back from the woods a minute ago. I’m going to need every single detail tomorrow. I told you there’s no way you’d make it a whole year.”

“Nothing happened,” I say too quickly, causing Avery to raise her eyebrow at me.

“Mm hmm. I love you, Stels, but we both know that’s bullshit. That man looks at you like he’s dying to devour you and I’m fucking here for it. Now, let’s clean this stuff up, so you two can get back to whatever you were doing.”

“Okay, I think we’re ready,”Avery says, looking around the lobby the next morning.

“Yep, I still kinda feel like I could throw up, but I think we’ve done everything we can,” I tease, and we both laugh.

“Uh, same. I don’t think I slept more than an hour or two last night. Every time I settled, I started thinking of things I needed to do this morning and before I knew it, it was time to get up.”

“Ugh, same. I finally gave up around five this morning and went for a run through town,” I tell her.

“Of course you did,” Avery says, rolling her eyes at me. “Either way, I’m super grateful for strong coffee this morning,because without it I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes open right now.”

“God, I still don’t know how you drink that shit. It literally tastes like dirt.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know how you feel about it. You stick to your runs and orange flavored energy drinks, and I’ll drink my coffee in bed like a normal human,” Avery teases, and I stick my tongue out at her.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me on my run tomorrow morning? We can go early enough that it shouldn’t be too hot.”

“Stels, I love you, but the last time you convinced me to go with you I thought I was going to pass out by the time we made it to mile two. And you made me keep going for five. There’s no way in hell I’m making that mistake again.”

“I told you I was sorry about that,” I say defensively. “Plus, no matter what, you had to do two more to get home, so it made the most sense to just finish it.”

“Yeah, I can feel how apologetic you are from here,” she teases. “But I think…”

We both freeze at the sound of car doors opening and closing outside. “Oh my god, they’re here,” I whisper, and Avery stares back at me with wide eyes.

“Where should we stand?” she mutters back. “We definitely should have practiced this!”

“Uh, let’s both go behind the counter,” I suggest, and we scamper across the lobby to stand behind the check-in desk.

We’ve both just managed to sit down when the door opens and a group of ten girls pile in.

They squeal at the sight of the pink lobby and the glasses of rosé we sat out for them, and Avery squeezes my hand under the desk.

“Good call on the welcome drinks, Stels,” she whispers, just before the group turns our way.

“Hi, ladies. Welcome to the High Tide Hideaway Hotel. I’m Stella and this is Avery. We’ll be taking care of you this weekend. We can get you all checked in when you’re ready.”

“Yes, that would be wonderful,” one of the girls says, stepping closer to the check-in desk.

“I’m Penelope and I’m the maid of honor. I think everything should be under my name,” she says, and Avery nods at her.

“Yep, we’ve got you all ready to go. And who’s our bride?” she asks, turning back to the group.

---