He walks out of the restaurant, says something to the hostess, and disappears from my view.
I chug my margarita and order a second one.
So he’s been deceived. So he thinks I’m like everyone else.
I’m not.
I didn’t mention I knew who he was because I didn’t want to seem like just another fangirl. If I really wanted to “use him” for my blog, I could’ve snapped his picture while he was sleeping. I could’ve gone live from his hotel room. There are any number of things Icouldhave done, but I didn’t.
For a lot of reasons.
For one, I respect his consent.
For another, there was a real connection there.
What I do is important. I’m helping people. I’m putting good, wholesome content out into the world. I’m documenting my own adventures, sure, and I’m creating my own sort of digital scrapbook of my travels.
But I’m also helping my followers plan luxury trips affordably. I’m showing features they might never have known about and giving them their own escape as I share my joy and love of traveling. I get to do something I love, and I’vealmostturned it from an expensive hobby into a career.
I built something out of nothing. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve made smart decisions along the way. But maybe most importantly, this is the life I chose. It’s more than just a career choice. It’s my entire identity at this point.
And now it will become my mission to prove to him that what I do is important.
CHAPTER 12: Archer Bradley
A Walk on the Beach
I ate my dinner up in my room by myself. It was better than having to sit through the awkwardness of having her at the table beside me.
I wanted to ask her if she knew who I was, but I already know the answer. Of course she did.
I debate switching resorts. There is no shortage of places just like this one on this island. I could go somewhere else so I don’t keep running into her, though it would likely cost me, and I’m already paying an arm and a leg to stay in this suite for an entire month.
I sit on my balcony a while, but I’m already starting to feel antsy. I’ve only been here twenty-four hours, and I need something to focus on besides this woman. Part of why I came here is to escape my focus on a woman. Well, that, and the whole laying low thing.
I brought one of my gaming systems with me so I could veg and play video games, but even that sounds unappealing at the moment. I also brought my laptopso I could get some work done on my foundations. Yes, there are multiple—the one I started up, Archway, which benefits underprivileged kids, and the new one my mother left to me when she died. I haven’t yet figured out what I want to do with that one, but maybe it’s time to get started since I have an entire month to put some focus and energy into it.
I also need to keep up my training while I’m here. I didn’t do anything today at all, and I wonder if that’s why I’m feeling off. Millie mentioned something about sunrise yoga, and I check the itinerary for tomorrow. It’s happening again. Might be something to check out, and afterward, I can take a nice, long run on the beach and use the time to mentally plan out the rest of my training regimen while I’m here. I haven’t even checked out the fitness centers here yet.
Maybe I just need some movement. I head down to the beach and walk toward the water. It’s dark, but I’m not alone. Mostly couples walk by me, hand-in-hand, as they whisper and laugh quietly together.
It’s just me here. Solo.
The reminder presses a deep, dull ache. I wasn’t single and solo for the last seven years—on and off—but I am now, and it feels lonelier than I thought it would. Particularly with all of these happy little couples walking along the beach. It’s a big, flashing, neon reminder that I’m all the fuck alone.
I stop and stare out over the water. The moon casts a glow that dances with the waves in their rhythmic tango as they pull in and out of the shore. Maybe I should just go home and sulk there.
I don’t want to go home and sulk there. I want to find another woman I can spend the night with. Someone who can try to take away the ache that seems somehow multiplied after learning what last night’s conquest does for a living and the reason why she’s here.
I sigh, and I turn from the water to start making my way back up the beach and toward the resort when I see another figure walking solo—just like me—but this one is female.
Maybe this is my chance to find someone to take my mind off things.
We approach each other from opposite sides, and once we’re within enough space where I can see her face, I realize who it is.
“Are you following me?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Are you serious right now? You bolted from dinner, and I stayed behind, devouring two more of those spicy margs without the asshole at the table next to me staring daggers.”
