I’ve only ever had eyes for Jed. Since February, I’ve had eyes for no one at all, uninterested in giving anyone a second’s thought. Maybe it’s the distance or the foreign world up here, or maybe it’s the alcohol, but I am appreciating this view. The alcohol is definitely giving me the confidence to ogle them shamelessly.
“And that would be your Outdoor crew.” A few steps closer, Tillie calls out with, “Good evenin’, gentlemen. It’s a little bit cold to be prancin’ ’round half-naked, don’t you think?”
The one closest to her, a blond with a casual swagger in his step, slows. “You offering to warm me up, Tillie?”
I guess they’ve already met.
“That’s what the robes in your cabin are for.” She flashes a deceptively sweet grin back at him. It must be a southern thing, because all the women from the south have that smile down pat.
He steps into her personal space—and, by default, mine, since our arms are still linked—but she stands her ground. “But you’re so much warmer.” His pretty blue eyes turn to settle on me. “And who’s this lovely young lady?”
“This is Abbi from Pennsylvania.”
“She another roommate?”
“That’s right.”
Turning his gaze back to Tillie, his eyes settling on her perky chest, he murmurs, “What I’d do to get into that cabin of yours.”
I can’t tell if he’s talking about literally coming to our cabin, or if he’s being figurative, but I do know that either way, it involves sex.
“Like a fox in a hen house, right? Y’all have a good night, now.” Tillie leads me around him and farther down the path.
I glance over my shoulder and see them still watching us. The blond winks at me and I can’t keep the stupid grin from taking over my face. “How do you know them?”
“I met Connor last night. He’s as smooth as freshly churned butter, that one. Watch out for him, if they sort out your job situation. He’ll charm the pants right off of you by lunch hour.”
“Maybe that’d be a good thing. Jed is taking his pants off for the jezebel every day now and he wants me to cross my legs until he’s ready to come back. Why should he get to have all the fun?”
“Jed? The ex-boyfriend?”
“Ex-fiancé.” I’m still numb to the earned title of “ex.” “He cheated on me and broke my heart, but I’m supposed to wait for him to get her out of his system. That’s why I’m in Alaska.” The knot that normally springs up in my throat at the mention of Jed stays down and out of sight for once. That’s a relief. Maybe this is the trick to getting over him. Alcohol and scantily clad hunks.
“Ouch.” She gives my arms a squeeze. “Well, don’t you worry, hun. There is plenty to choose from here to make you forget about Jed and the jezebel.”
“Jed and the jezebel. That could be the title of a play or something.”
“I’d rather watch the ‘Abbi Gets Even with A Hot Dude’ play.”
I laugh. Tillie’s so sweet, and caring. I really like her. And I feel the urge to wrap my arms around her and give her a giant hug, so I do.
Her melodic laugh carries through the night. “Oh, dear Lord. Maybe not so much Jim Beam next time. You may regret it in the mornin’.”
“But it’ll have been worth it, because I had so much fun tonight.” Mama clearly hasn’t ever drunk before, because if she knew how much fun it is being drunk, she wouldn’t want to deprive me of it. I’ve become so comfortable around the other Wolf staffers so quickly.
“Yeah, we’ll see. Make sure you finish that water before bed. And maybe take some Advil.”
Cabin seven arrives too soon, and I’m feeling alive for the first time in forever. “I’m going to hang out here for a few more minutes, enjoy the fresh air. It’s helping me clear my head.”
“All right. But be quiet when you stumble in, you hear? Lorraine went to bed already.” Tillie swipes her key card and disappears inside.
I want to go for a walk. The staff village is behind the lodge and separated from the guest section by a thick cedar hedge and decorative fencing. It’s a bit like a secret garden. I’d like to investigate it during the daylight. Right now, though, I wander along the path, pocket flashlight in hand in case I need it, my sneakers crunching beneath the gravel. Even in the middle of the night, it’s beautiful. The paths are well lit, and there are security cameras everywhere. I feel safe. I’m not normally so comfortable with walking around alone at night. I’m sure once the hotel opens in a few days, I won’t have the luxury of this absolute quiet.
A squirrel leaps from its branch and runs across the path in front of me, giving me a moment’s pause. Do I have to worry about coming face-to-face with a wild animal? No. Belinda mentioned the electric fences around the perimeter.
I make my way past the hedge and over to the main guest area, eyeing the honeycomb of balconies above me. Each will be alive with guests soon. Apparently they all have hot tubs. I’ve never been in a hot tub before. These ones are for guests only, though. As are both the indoor and outdoor pools, and the hot springs. Basically it sounds like the only thing the staff is allowed to swim in is the bay, at the small staff beach I haven’t yet seen.
I wonder how cold the water is. Is it warmer than the air?
I could dip my fingers in and check...
Before I can think it through, I turn down the path toward the docks that I arrived on earlier, stumbling over a rock before I manage to regain my footing. I’m drunk. I need to be more careful if I’m going near the water.
The dock at night is picturesque, marked at the edges with lanterns, as well as several coach lights. Beyond that is nothing but darkness and stars.
My feet hit the cedar planks with a thump. “Shh!” I warn, and then laugh, because no one’s out here and I’m talking to myself. Down the long path I go, past the ferry, past a sizeable white boat, the waves lapping quietly at its side to make a soft thumping sound, to the end, marked by a tall rod with a light on the tip.
Dropping down to my knees, I lean forward, stretching my fingertips outward.
My glasses slip off my nose and plummet into the deep waters.
“No!” I cry, stretching my arm far in my useless attempt to grab them.
A sudden pounding of feet behind me is the only warning I get before hands seize my waist and yank me back and to my feet.
“What the hell are you doing?” an angry male voice exclaims.
“My glasses fell in!” I cry.
“Forget them. They’re gone.”
“I can’t forget them!” They’re my only pair and I can barely see ten feet in front of me without them. Sure, I brought contacts because I wear those while working outdoors, but I need my glasses.
“They’re gone,” he reiterates. “What on earth are you doing out here, anyway?”
“I wanted to see how cold the water was.” His hands are still gripping my waist as if afraid I’m still going to fall in. I try brushing them away but they’re like vise grips.
“I promise you, it’s freezing. Though you almost took a nosedive in and found out for yourself.”
I scowl. “You’re exaggerating.”
“I was watching you the entire time. I’m surprised you even made it on two feet this far.”
I squint into the light to see exactly who is scolding me, but his back is to the lamppost and his face is cast in shadow. All I can see is a dark mop of hair and a beard. “Why are you lurking out here in the middle of the night, anyway?”
“I wasn’t lurking,” he mutters. “I was enjoying a peaceful night on my boat and I heard you stumbling up the dock.”
I frown, peering over at the boat in question, now even blurrier than before. “I didn’t notice anyone there.”
“Not surprised. Come on. You need to go to bed.” His hand slides around my lower back and prods me toward shore.
A rare defiant streak surges. I didn’t fly thousands of miles away from my overbearing mama only to be scolded and ordered around by a stranger. I jab his chest with my finger. “You can’t tell me what to do. You’re not the boss of me. The boss is the boss of me. And he can boss me.” I’m not sure that made much sense.