Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“I think that’s one suggestion,” Grant says, looking around the table. “Are there others?”
“I’ve listened to this long enough.” I step away from the table and nod to those around it. “That’s my solution. Let me know once the decision is made.”
Without looking back, I head out of the makeshift conference room and go in search of Bellarose. I can’t believe I wasted the day listening to a bunch of greedy fat-cats that are only worried about how they can get richer. When is it enough?
I’m frustrated and disheartened as I find Bellarose’s cabin and knock on the door. Maybe I knock a little too hard because it’s jerked open a second later.
Her roommate is standing there in a nightgown that is far too skimpy to be wearing when you have no idea who is on the other side of the door. I clear my throat as I step back, trying to put as much distance as possible between me and the woman.
“Is Bellarose here?”
“Haven’t heard of her,” she coos as she leans against the doorframe. “But I’m all alone if you want to come in and have a drink.”
“No thanks,” I mumble as I turn around and start to walk away.
“She’s with that guide Jake,” her roommate calls out, and I stop moving. “He saw her sitting alone at dinner. Next thing I know they’re getting cozy in the corner.”
Every muscle in my body is tense as I try to keep my jealousy under control. It’s not going to hold much longer.
“I’m pretty sure I saw them walk to the lake together afterwards. You know the spot everyone sneaks off to? I think it’s called Kissing Cove or Lovers’ Lagoon. Something that sounds like it came from a 1980s movie about camp counselors screwing and getting murdered.”
“Cherry-Pop Point,” I say through gritted teeth.
“That’s the one,” she says with a laugh, but I don’t hear if she says anything after.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I take off through the woods. There’s a trail that goes around the lake that is actually really beautiful. I was planning on asking Bellarose to take a moonlit walk on it with me later, but the hot zipline instructor got to her first. I can only imagine what he plans to do with her out there. The name alone is enough to make me want to punch him.
By the time I race through the woods and I can see the point in the distance, my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. There are two people up ahead, and one of them is holding a lantern. It’s too dark to see if it’s Bellarose, but as the larger figure moves closer to the smaller one, I have to react.
Maybe I’m going to make a fool of myself, but I can live with that. What I can’t live with is letting someone think they can take what belongs to me.
Chapter Nine
BELLAROSE
The bonfire has now died down to embers. I sit on a log, knees pulled to my chest, watching the last employees straggle back to their cabins. This log is starting to hurt my booty.
West hasn’t come back. I was sure he’d pop up at some point, but nothing. I tried to tell myself not to read too much into his interactions with me when the polo-shirted man from corporate appeared, but it’s getting really hard. The more time that passes, the more my mind lingers.
I check my phone again. Nothing. I know he had to hunt down my phone number; I don’t recall ever giving it to him. Why would he do that only to ghost me?
My mind, of course, keeps going back to him being embarrassed about me. The quirky girl with rainbow hair and cat ears. Sure, I’m fun to flirt with out in the woods, but in public, that’s a solid no-go. Did he regret the kiss? Gah, that would take out a few of my nine lives if that’s the case.
I take another sip of the fruit cocktail I’d been given. I don’t drink much, but they’re yummy. I think this might be my third.
“Hey!”
I startle at the sound as our zipline guide Jake settles onto the log beside me. He’s close enough that his knee brushes mine.
“You look lonely. Like you could use some company or maybe someone to get you another round?”
I shake my head no and force a smile. I might be a wee bit tipsy already. “Just tired.”
“Walk with me?” He stands, offering his hand. “There’s a spot near the lake. It’s a better view than this.”
I know I shouldn’t, but what is the alternative? Being alone, feeling like a big dork in my cat ears and cardigan. To sit here waiting for a man who clearly isn’t coming back tonight, if ever.