The Parking Space (8 page)

Listening to the growl under her breath, I gazed out over the water, determined not to let anything or anyone distract me from the adventure pulsing through my veins.

“Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome aboard. I am Captain Jean-Paul and I will be escorting you to your destination resort this afternoon. We will first stop at Four Winds Bora Bora then continue on to the St. Mont Royal Resort.”

Lisa grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, and a soft squeal left her lips.

“For those continuing on to the second stop, please remain seated to allow the disembarking passengers enough room and time to collect their belongings. And, as always, while we are sailing to each of the resorts, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the boat at all times. Thank you.”

With a slight nod to everyone on board, the captain started the motor. A loud rumble vibrated through the seat cushions, and my back arched as the boat pulled away from the dock and began to bounce along the teal water.

THE BOAT GLIDED up to the main dock of the resort and Jean Paul shut off the engine. Gentle waves lapped against the hull, rocking us back and forth, as the boat continued to glide along. A couple of men waiting for us on the dock seized the railing, drawing us toward them until they were able to tie ropes around the poles of the canopy hanging over our heads.

I rose to my feet and with clammy hands reached for my suitcases. My stomach so tied in knots, I could barely focus.

“Why are you shaking?” Lisa wrapped her hand around my wrist and squeezed. “Are you cold?”

“I don’t think anyone could be cold here. I have no idea why. I think I’m just nervous and excited and . . . crazy.”

“You’re supposed to relax on a vacation, duh.”

“I know. I know.”

“You sure about that?”

I shot her a glare that caused her to laugh as I hoisted my luggage out of the boat. A man on the dock captured the handles from me and nodded.

“Let me help you, madam.” His thick French accent thumped on the letter ‘d’.

“Oh, thank you.”

“My pleasure, madam.” As I reached for my bags, he moved them away from me. Redness blushed through his cheeks. “I’m sorry, madam, but I am to see to your bags personally.”

“Oh. Okay.”

My leather-soled sandals scuffed along the dock as I made my way toward the front entrance of the hotel’s property. A huge white marble wall lined the side of the beach, standing ten feet above me, with wrought iron letters that spelled out the name of the hotel. Two bowl-like pieces sat on either side of an opening that should have housed a gate, but didn’t. Flames licked at the sky, burning in both bowls as if to draw me into some hedonistic bonfire.

“Helen?” Lisa called after me. “Don’t go too far. We have to stick together until we can check in.”

Ignoring her, I continued to walk toward three huts with roofs made of palm leaves that sat behind the marble wall. Island drumbeats thumped in the distance. A sound so faint, and yet, they resonated in the deep parts of my chest with a rhythmic pattern just as the salty sea waves pounding the sand.

To say this place was beautiful suddenly felt stupid and wrong, as the word did nothing to describe the view in front of me—a tropical island from my dreams that dazzled with a foreplay that seduced the soul.

And this was just the entrance.

Before I passed through the wall’s opening, one of the women tiptoed down the steps and approached me.

“Welcome to the St. Mont Royal.” She lifted her hands and draped a ring of flowers around my neck—a token greeting that I’d seen in countless movies, but never experienced firsthand.

“Thank you.”

With my voice barely a whisper, she gave me a slight bow and moved toward the rest behind me, draping flower leis over all their heads while another woman approached and handed me a drink from the tray she held in one hand.

“Complimentary for the Hogan wedding party.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

My fingers wrapped around the tall glass. Bright yellow and red liquid splashed between ice cubes that clanked against the crystal while chunks of pineapple and several cherries floated on top. A splash of the islands in a glass, the fruity cocktail fizzed on my lips.

“Oh my, this is yummy.” Lisa closed her eyes after taking a sip. She leaned into Ben’s chest and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, kissing her forehead.

Our group continued up the path. A man in a snow-white suit stood underneath one of the huts next to several golf carts. He welcomed our presence with open arms and a broad smile across his face. His tall, thin frame towered over everyone, even Ben and Jeff.

“Mr. Hogan, Miss Carter, and families, welcome to the St. Mont Royal. My name is Julien and I am your personal concierge during your stay with us.”

With a clasp of his hands and a flick of his wrist, the men who had helped us disembark obeyed his unspoken command and scurried off with our luggage—hired employees who would see our bags to our respective rooms.

“I have your rooms all ready and waiting,” Julien continued. “And, of course, your luggage will be waiting for you when you arrive. Now, if you will please,” he pointed toward the three golf carts, “board your transportation, I shall escort you to your rooms.”

“Helen, why don’t you ride with us?” Lisa grabbed my wrist, dragging me a few feet toward a cart without a driver. She patted the front seat before climbing in the back with Ben.

Julien followed within minutes, sitting in the seat next to me as I tucked my handbag in between my feet. He flipped the key and the tiny motor fired up, vibrating below us as he drove off down the pathway through bright green grass and rows of palm trees.

“We have a surprise for you, Helen.” Lisa’s giggle reminded me of a parent waiting to show something to their child, making me a tiny bit nervous.

She hadn’t stupidly invited some guy in hopes he’d be my date, did she?

“And when am I supposed to get this surprise?”

“You’ll see.”

Oh my stars, she did. She invited someone.

We continued driving down the bricked path through the grounds of the resort. Sunlight flecked the grass through the trees. Waves rolled along the white sandy beaches in the distance; one after another after another, all timed perfectly as they lapped upon the sand.

Julien stopped the cart in front of several large villas. The stucco buildings looked like several duplexes connected, and with grassy little front yards and cobbled paths. Their hut roofs peeked through the tall palm trees.

“It’s so beautiful here,” I whispered, shifting my weight to exit the cart.

“This isn’t our stop, Helen,” Lisa said.

“But aren’t these the beachfront villas?” My forehead crinkled as I reached for my handbag. I yanked my day planner from one of the pockets and flipped it open to retrieve the printed reservation sheet. “That’s the room I booked.”

Julien gave a fleeting glance to Lisa and Ben. “I’ll return in just a few minutes after I see your families to their rooms.”

While he trotted off, I folded the papers and rested my arm on the back of my seat, facing Lisa and Ben.

“Okay, what is going on?” I asked.

“Well,” she bit her lip, “no one else but us wanted to spring for one, and since I knew you wouldn’t either we decided to do it for you.”

“Spring for one what?”

She clasped her hands together as she bounced with excitement in her seat. “We upgraded you to one of the overwater villas!”

“You what?”

“You’re staying in one of the premier overwater villas where you’ll have your own private room, bathroom, living room, and deck with a hot tub.”

“You guys didn’t have to do that.”

She waved off my words. “Oh yes, we did. And we don’t mind at all doing it for you.”

My eyes misted with tears as I looked away. It was a thoughtful gift I wouldn’t have given myself even if I had wanted, or worse, even if I had needed it.

“You okay, hon?” Lisa asked.

“Yeah. Fine. Thank you for doing that for me. You didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m so excited to see them. The rooms are to die for, I swear.”

“I know, I remember looking at the pictures.”

“This is going to be the best vacation ever.” Lisa sighed and leaned into Ben’s body, resting her head on his shoulder while he nodded in agreement.

“Better enjoy it, too, since it’s going to be quite a while before we can pay for another one.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” She snorted a laugh through her nose.

Julien climbed back into the cart and flipped the key once again. He stepped on the gas pedal, continuing down another path. A nervous tension fluttered in my stomach. Excitement began building up and up on its own energy as the cart rolled across the hotel grounds.

Finally, after driving for several yards, we pulled alongside a parking area under the shade of a palm tree. Nearby, a wooden dock stretched out into the ocean; the island version of a walkway that led to the vast array of huts standing on stilts above the water.

“I wonder which one is ours.” Lisa stepped out of the cart and bounced on her toes as she patted Ben’s chest with her hands.

“I don’t think it matters, dear.”

“No, I know, I’m just excited. I’m ready to see it.”

“And I’m ready to be alone for a while.”

The look on Ben’s face caused heat to spread through my own cheeks as I stepped away from them, giving them some space. Julien mimicked my retreat and nodded toward me.

“Shall we take you to yours first, then, Miss Wright?”

“Sure.”

His dress shoes clicked against the wind-beaten wood as we strolled. “I think you will enjoy your room. It has a beautiful view of the mountain and the lagoon off the back deck.”

“I’m sure a hovel would be beautiful in this place.”

“Yes, yes,” he chuckled. “You’re probably right about that.”

Ben and Lisa strolled along several feet behind us, lost in conversation.

“Ah, here we are.”

While Ben and Lisa stayed behind, I followed Julien down another long walkway that veered off to the front door of one of the huts. With a twist of the key and doorknob, Julien opened the door and motioned me inside.

“After you, Miss Wright.”

“Thank you.”

I stepped through the threshold and into the large living room. My eyes instantly gazed upon the view from the sliding glass door and I caught my breath. Like nothing I could even imagine, the green mountain and teal water of the lagoon proved more beautiful in real life than any picture could ever touch.

“Oh my.”

“This particular villa does tend to get that reaction a lot.”

“I can’t imagine why.”

“This is your private living area, which as you can see, steps out on to the private deck. In through here is your bedroom.”

He led me around the oversized couch and lounge chairs. Their huge red and white pillows matched the similar red and white pattern on the area rug. Vases of island flowers rested on the end tables and along a long cabinet that lined the back of the room next to a dining table with four matching chairs. The dark cherry wood color of each piece of furniture played in contrast to the sand-colored walls and bamboo hardwood floors.

Just as stunning as the view from the living room, the view from the bedroom left me gasping for breath.

“Well, that certainly will be nice to wake up to.” I stood at the foot of the king-sized bed and looked out onto the deck. “Seriously, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to leave this place in a week.”

“Just another reason for you to return, then.”

Considering what this vacation cost, I doubt that will happen for a while.

“Yes, I guess it is.”

“In through this door is the bathroom. Beside the shower is your whirlpool, plus your double sinks, and lavatory, of course.”

I peeked inside and my hand clutched my throat. Double sinks sat against the wall across from the oversized sunken bathtub. Next to the tub was a three by three foot space boxed in with solid marble border that stood bout four or five inches tall. Cobblestones tiled the bottom of the box, and a stainless steel drain was housed in the center.

“What is that?”

“Oh, that is the shower.” Julien pointed toward the tree leaf-like ceiling. “Your shower head is up there.”

“So there’s no shower curtain?”

“No, miss.”

My cheeks flushed with heat. “Interesting.”

“And what’s that?” I pointed to a teal colored glass plate between a few of the boards in the hardwood floor.

“A view of the ocean below.”

“Are you serious?”

He nodded. “Go have a look.”

As I tiptoed closer to the glass plate, fish darted past it. “Hey, there are fish down there.”

“Yes, Miss Wright. There are fish down there.”

“I’ve never had fish in my floor. That’s really cool.” I faced him. “I mean, I don’t really know why I would need fish in my bathroom floor, but it’s still cool.”

“There is another looking glass in the floor of the bedroom.”

“There is?”

“Shall I show you the deck before I leave you to your vacation?”

“Oh yes. I’m sure Lisa and Ben are waiting for you, too. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not a problem.”

I followed him back through the bedroom and out onto the deck.

“Aside from the lounge chairs, you have another dining table and another whirlpool tub.”

I spun a few circles around and placed my hands on my hips. “Can I just move here?”

He gave a slight nod and chuckled, dropping his gaze.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure you hear that a lot,” I continued.

“No apologies necessary, and yes, I do hear that a lot.” He pointed toward a sunken part of the deck. “You can access the ocean right there. A step ladder is attached on the side to help you in and out.”