Page 103 of The Choices I've Made
Relaxing back into the sofa, I took a look at my photos, feeling like the Ansel Adams of selfies as I chose my favorite. Not bothering with editing, I sent it to Jake, feeling an equal mixture of nervousness and trepidation.
Less than a minute later, my phone buzzed.
Jake: If I didn’t have a million more patients to see today, I’d be over there so fast. Goddamn, you’re sexy.
I smiled, feeling like a giddy teenager again.
Molly: So, where’s mine? Tit for tat, remember? Also, shouldn’t you be working?
Jake: Did you say tit?
Molly: Jake! Focus! I want my picture!
Jake: Okay, okay. Give me a few minutes. Need to primp. Also, I am working. Multitasking.
I had no idea what a few minutes in Jake’s world meant, so I decided not to waste it, and I got up to take care of a few things around the house. I still had one reservation that hadn’t arrived, and I needed to add a few things to their room.
Taking the stairs up to the third floor, I unlocked the door to the suite and double-checked the bathroom to ensure it had an ample number of towels and toiletries. I made sure the bed was crisp and made properly, and because I knew the couple was celebrating an anniversary, I placed a single rose between the pillows on the bed.
Feeling accomplished, I headed back downstairs to the sound of the doorbell.
Just in time.
Putting my best hostess face on, I pulled the door open and greeted the happy couple. They’d flown into Virginia Beach from Oregon and already spent a week in the Outer Banks.
“This is our first time in Ocracoke,” the wife explained. “It’s so quaint. I feel as if we’ve stepped back in time.”
“Yes, we’re definitely remote,” I said. Remembering Jake’s flippant comment about Cokers living in the Stone Age, I said, “But don’t worry; we still have Wi-Fi and cell service.”
“Oh, good,” the husband said. “Wouldn’t want to be out of touch from work.”
I noticed a slight annoyance flash across the wife’s face, but it disappeared quickly. I’d learned to ignore these types of things, and I rolled right into my introduction. Walking them into the parlor, I showed them where they could find board games and the only TV in the house.
“I don’t think we’re going to be watching much TV,” the wife said, grabbing her husband’s hand.
He took one last longing look at the TV before we moved on.
“Breakfast is served family-style in the kitchen. I make everything from scratch daily. I also put out afternoon snacks and drinks if you happen to be around. Special arrangements can be made for dinner as well.”
“Wow. And you do it all by yourself?” the husband asked, his brow arching over his dark-rimmed glasses.
I nodded. “Just me,” I said. “Would you like to see the grounds before I take you upstairs?”
“Yes, that would be lovely.”
I turned toward the door just as my phone buzzed in my hand.
I’d completely forgotten I still had it.
Remembering why, I tried to discreetly take a look. I held the phone down low, my thumb on the round button to unlock it. Jake’s text came right up.
Oh, dear Lord.
He’d sent me a selfie all right.
A naked one.
My face instantly went beet red as I tried to remember how to work my fingers the right way.
