Arrival

The customs agent gave me a kind smile before stamping my passport. I took it from her once she handed it back, thanking her. Sighing, I headed through the line to meet with Kaylee and her parents. They had gotten off the plane first, having flown First Class while I got stuck back with the cattle in the back. The flight hadn’t been too bad though. A few hours stuck between an overweight balding man and a chatty older woman was a small price to pay for ten days vacation with Kaylee. Finding them waiting for me, I joined with them quickly before they headed to claim their baggage. I managed to fit everything in my small carry-on, while Kaylee and her parents checked two bags.

Kaylee and I talked about a few things on the hour drive to the resort. Movies and the basketball season took up a quarter of the trip before the conversation shifted drastically to Ellie and her relationship problems. It started because of a text in the group chat Kaylee was in. Ellie’s boyfriend was getting tired of her, “Cheating on him,”—his words—and was breaking up with her. Being right as break started, it was understandable that Ellie was upset. I was a bit uncomfortable talking about it with Kaylee considering the topic, but Ellie was a friend and it was upsetting her. While I wanted to be supportive of Kaylee and her friend, I couldn’t help but feel her boyfriend was in the right on this one. Ellie had always been a sex-hungry girl and had been warned countless times about toning down her appetites. I wasn’t shocked he broke up with her, I was surprised it took him this long to do it. The worst part was it consumed the conversation for the rest of the drive to the resort.

For what seemed like the millionth time, Kaylee’s phone buzzed. She looked at it, gave a low huff, then shoved it back in her pocket. I glanced over at her as the elevator door closed. She gave me a guilty look. “Sorry. Phone is away for the rest of the day. This is supposed to be a vacation and here I am dragging drama along with me.”

“It’s fine. I know Ellie’s upset.”

Sighing, she nodded. “She really liked him. She was just really bad at showing it.” Her hand went to mine, grabbing it and squeezing it. I couldn’t help but look at her with a stupid grin on my face. I was going to be with this beautiful woman for the next ten days. It sucked about Ellie, but I was living the dream.

We followed her parents out. Her parents talked quietly to each other as they led the way. “Here we are,” Mr. Webb said, stopping at a door identical to the others. “Room 1216.” He pressed the card against the lock and it clicked open with a flash of green. Pulling the handle, he led the way inside before holding the door for everyone else.

The place was expensive-looking, which was to be expected considering the rest of the building. It was a bit larger than a hotel room, but still pretty small. There was a tiny kitchen with the bare minimum attached to the main space. It seemed like it was a bit crowded between the couch, a desk and chair, a small table, and a TV mounted on the wall. Splitting off from the main area was the bedroom. Single, not plural. A door separated the two, but both double beds were crammed into the same room. The bathroom was there too. Everything was expensive looking and stylish, but it didn’t change that the room was still a bit cramped and any hope of privacy was thoroughly crushed.

Kaylee left her bags by the door and quickly walked over to the large window at the far wall. Grabbing the thick blackout curtain, she gave it a tug to let in the light. I had to say, the view certainly made it worth it. The building was near one of the mountain’s sides, giving a great view of the valley and surrounding landscape. Snow blanketed the area as far as the eye could see, with fat flakes lazily tumbling down from above. I moved over to stand next to Kaylee, who gave me a knowing look.

“Great view, isn’t it?”

“For sure,” I said, watching the people on the slopes below.

“I figured we’d be tired from the traveling, so why don’t we get our rentals sorted out tomorrow morning? That leaves the rest of the evening to relax and explore,” Mr. Webb said.

“Sounds good, dear,” Mrs. Webb said as she shrugged out of the large coat she had bundled herself in. Beneath was a tight black turtleneck. I quickly looked away, peering out at the view once more. I hoped that Kaylee and I would do our own thing most of the time. I hated that I couldn’t be comfortable around her mother. It wasn’t like I was attracted to her. She looked incredible for her age, but there was zero interest. Rather, I always got uncomfortable around her for some reason I couldn’t identify. Maybe it was similar to how a rabbit felt when it sensed a predator nearby. Not that I was concerned about that either. Mrs. Webb may have teased me a little here and there, but it was just innocent teasing.

Beside me, Kaylee grabbed my hand. “Want to go explore a bit?”

I grinned. “Sure.”

“Here, a key,” Mr. Webb said as we headed to the door. “How about we meet back here at five? We can decide what to do for dinner then.”

“Sounds good, Dad.”

Together, we left the room to go explore.