Page 18

CHAPTER 18

Grayson

After the valet had taken my car, Henry and I waited for the shuttle alongside the rest of the party, awkwardly.

I’d tried my best to make the ride pleasurable, putting on relaxing music, stirring up conversation, but I’d be lying if I said it was meaningless chatter. Honestly, I was intrigued by Henry and his attitude. Despite our sisters being friends for years, he was truly a mystery to me, but every time I asked a question, Henry either didn’t answer, or he answered me with short, curt responses that felt somewhat... personal.

Perhaps he’s just in a mood over his car .

After all, an engine that wouldn’t start could be a sign it might be time to get a new car. Though I wasn’t the best mechanic in the world, I knew that sometimes things were salvageable even when it seemed like they weren’t, so I decided to send a message to my car-enthusiast uncle as soon as we touched down. Perhaps he could fix Henry’s automobile woes, which would help.

But I won’t say anything until I’ve got confirmation from uncle Bob in the first place. This weekend is supposed to be fun, after all.

While I’d stayed at the Brideshead Mouontain Resort before, I hadn’t stayed in one of their glamping domes, which were still relatively new to the resort. The shuttle to the glampgrounds was more or less a small van, decked out inside with modern furnishings. Sleek, oak tables with cup holders and a shared cooler stocked with everything imaginable, it was part RV part party bus, and I was only marginally concerned our glamping domes would be just as tacky. Riley, Aaron’s preppy teacher brother and his fellow teacher assistant, Cadence, who he’d brought as his plus one, were jabbering on about his latest trip to Italy with his students, Lane and Lacey were enthralled by the existence of one another again, making moon-eyes at one another, while Julie and her date were involved in some deep conversation with Mia and my sister. For a spacious shuttle, we were all somewhat crammed.

Henry squeezed his suitcase between his legs, crossing his arms.

When we’d finally arrived at the “check-in”, it was nothing more than a rustic cabin with a wooden post out front that read check in. The post itself was covered in flowers and vines, and the air was a tad bit on the chilly side, but it was only after ten in the morning.

We all piled off the shuttle, dragging our luggage in various states of excitement and involvement. I followed up close to my sister, if only because I wanted to get into my dome and just relax. Have a bit of calm before the storm of planned activities that would undoubtedly transpire. Lord knew my sister probably booked a hiking excursion without giving us all ample time to rest and recharge.

Not all of us functioned with the same amount of energy she did.

When I got to the post, behind her, her shoulders tensed.

“What do you mean you don’t have the room? I called ahead of time, with the total headcount... you’re supposed to have room for twelve people!

“It wasn’t mentioned anywhere in our reservation that you wanted two single domes. The reservation says...”

“What’s the problem?” Aaron asked as the others filtered in behind us.

I could feel Henry like a ghost behind me, his presence like a magnet, drawing me to turn around and take in his beautiful face, but I had to remain vigilant.

I was not so easily swayed by an emotionally unavailable, bratty, beautiful man.

Was I?

“They don’t have the two singles I reserved for Grayson and Henry.”

I felt the tension rise like a mercury thermometer behind me at her words, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

It seemed I’d fallen into a bout of bad luck lately where Henry was concerned.

At least, at the time it felt like bad luck, but now...

Now, in hindsight, I could see it was the exact opposite of bad luck.

It was fate.

“You said you have six doubles reserved, correct?” Aaron asked. The concierge nodded, smiling, but I could see the terror behind their eyes. I knew that look well, as my co-workers often wore it when a Bride came in to try her dress on, and the wrong dress had been delivered... beause someone had typed the wrong thing into the system when it was ordered.

And as a fellow sales guru, I knew just how to placate the poor woman currently worrying she’d be pulled into the manager’s office over this.

“Y... yes, but I’m afraid I don’t have any single domes available this weekend because of the—”

“Wine Fest,” Giselle sighed.

“Henry can stay with me,” I said, causing everyone to turn and look at me like I’d grown three heads.

“I mean, it’s the logical solution. They already have six domes, and everyone’s got a roommate, so...” I shifted my stance, feeling the heat of Henry’s gaze. “Just add another mattress or whatever. I’m sure you can do that, right?”

The concierge’s shoulders sunk as she shook her head.

“Unfortunately, I can’t. As I said, all the doubles and queens were booked out a month ago, and your Rustic Romance Party Package included only suite domes, which all come equipped with one king.”

At her words, I caught Henry’s gaze, the shock in his eyes as evident as his tense jaw and flushed cheeks.

“Is... is there any vacancy back at the hotel? A cancellation maybe?” he squeaked.

“I’m afraid not, sir,” the concierge gently said, and Henry sighed.

“I promise not to steal the covers if you promise not to snore,” I taunted him. Henry only had the audacity to look away from me, but I didn’t miss the stain of crimson in his cheeks.

I really was a glutton for punishment.

“Well, I guess that settles that then...” Giselle said, looking back at me for a moment.

“Big brother always has a solution, doesn’t he?” Aaron said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes as everyone let out faint laughs.

“Uh huh. One less crisis we have to deal with this weekend,” I said, nodding at Henry, adjusting my sunglasses. “Now, can we please get our keys or whatever and get to these God forsaken domes? I’m tired and I’m fucking starving.”