Page 108 of Banter & Blushes #1

REID

I ’d seen photos. Since winning the trip, I’d Googled it more times than I care to admit. But nothing—and I mean nothing—prepared me for the moment we stepped off the plane and the Hawaiian air wrapped around us like a warm hug.

“This doesn’t feel real,” Briella said beside me, her eyes wide behind her sunglasses.

The open air airport is smaller than I expected, only two terminals, but already, you can feel the Hawaiian culture.

As soon as we step outside, we are greeted by two women who are passing out authentic flower leis to travelers.

Their smiles are bright, their dresses a swirl of floral fabric, and the leis they place around our necks are cool and damp with freshness.

The plumeria petals lay against my collarbone, their fragrance sweeter and stronger than I expected.

Briella touches the delicate lei placed around her neck and giggles. “I can’t believe I’m in Hawaii!”

I’ve never seen her look more at ease. If I could bottle up this moment, I would—just to hear her laugh like that again.

As we head to the baggage claim, we pass life-size hula dancer statues, and Briella grabs my arm.

“We should get a picture,” she says, waving down another couple and handing them her phone.

As we pose in front of the hula dancers, I can’t help but throw my arm over her shoulder.

I’m on vacation with my best friend, the woman I’ve had a crush on for as long as I can remember.

I already know this photo will make it to my desk at work .

“Pinch me,” she says, shaking her head. “I feel like this is a dream.”

“It’s real,” I say, bumping her gently with my shoulder. “And you’re stuck with me for five whole days.”

She laughs, that soft, musical sound that always hits me like a sucker punch to the chest. “Tough break.”

We collect our luggage, and pick up our rental car before making the scenic drive to the resort.

Every turn of the winding road reveals more of Hawaii’s beauty.

Plumeria trees line the roads, their blooms vibrant and their scent floating through the open windows.

The weather is perfect, and the scenery even more so.

And every time I glance over at Briella, her face lights up a little more.

Briella gasps when the ocean appears between two cliffs. “Pull over,” she says. “I need a picture of that.”

I do, and she leans over me to snap it from the driver’s side window, her shoulder brushing mine, her hair spilling across my arm. I don’t move. I want to freeze time.

When we pull up to the resort, my stomach twists. The place is . . . romantic. Like, seriously romantic. We’re talking tiki torches, hammocks built for two, rose petals in the entryway. There’s a sign out front: Welcome to Hawaii’s Best Honeymoon Resort.

“Oh no,” Briella whispers, her eyes scanning the couples walking hand-in-hand.

“I think we may have crashed the honeymoon capital of the universe,” I mutter.

The concierge greets us with more leis and a warm “Aloha, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett!” Before I can correct him, Briella bursts into a surprised laugh.

“We’re not—” she starts.

“Thank you,” I say quickly. “We’re so happy to be here.” I glance sideways as Briella laughs and rolls her eyes. It’s no big deal. A harmless mistake. But part of me likes the sound of it more than I should.

After getting our room keys, and directions to our suite, we make our way to the elevators. The lobby of the hotel features wicker furniture with plush cushions decorated in huge flowers. There are pictures of Hawaiian dancers, basket weavers, and gorgeous landscape paintings along the walls.

We ride the elevator in silence, both taking it all in.

When we get to our room—a suite with two queen beds and an incredible ocean view.

Sliding glass doors lead out to a balcony overlooking the pool and the ocean.

A soft breeze drifts through the doorway, the scent of ocean air and plumeria blooms fills my nose.

“I could get used to this,” I say, stepping back and dropping my suitcase in front of the closet. “Which one do you want?” I ask, pointing at the beds.

“I’ll take the one by the window,” she replies, stepping onto the balcony. “I can’t believe this is our room for the nex t few days!”

“Me either. I kind of expected to be put up in a cheap hotel, and even that would have been amazing.”

Briella laughs. “It seems your luck really did change.” She flops face-first onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. “It’s like a cloud.”

Taking her lead, I lay out on the bed that will be mine this week and groan. “You’re not kidding.” I roll to my side facing her. “What do you want to do first?”

“I vote we go poolside, order fruity drinks, and pretend this is our everyday life.”

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

She lifts her head, grinning. “Then maybe we nap and hit the volcano trail? Hike out to see the lava?”

“Deal. But only if you promise not to fall into a crack or twist your ankle.”

“No promises,” she says, already kicking off her sandals. “You’re supposed to be my vacation buddy. If I go down, you’re going with me.”

I smile, trying to ignore the part of me that wishes this was a honeymoon.

“You should know by now I’d go almost anywhere with you,” I whisper as she disappears into the bathroom, the door clicking softly behind her.

If only she knew how far I’ve already fallen.