The golf cart stops, and Clive leads me up to my suite. I chose one of the larger ones since I’ll be here an entire month and wanted the extra space.
He shows me around, and I spot a couch in the bathroom next to the tub that looks out over the ocean. I can’t help but wonder why there would be a couch in a bathroom. Maybe it’s a nice place to sit and look at the view.
It’s dark since it’s nighttime, but the wraparound windows will offer a gorgeous view of the ocean once daylight hits, and as the tour comes to an end, I step out onto my private balcony to listen to the waves as they wash onto the shore. It’s the sound of relaxation.
I should be doing this exact thing every offseason, and maybe I will from now on. I guess I’ve just never had this sort of freedom before.
It’s okay to move on. It’s been five months since we broke up. She moved on. Quickly, apparently. It’s time for me to do that, too. This is my first big trip that I’m taking without her…and it’s to her dream location.
So maybe Iwillgo check out that nightclub. Maybe this is the time for me to sow my wild oats, so to speak. To listen to Johnny’s advice and find a spring breaker or a bachelorette party attendee or even a bridesmaid here for a destination wedding. I know how often they happen here since my ex is a wedding planner.
I push her out of my mind as I hear Clive’s voice.
“Is there anything else you need, sir?”
“I’d love a recommendation for dinner tonight. Something close and easy.”
He nods. “Closest and easiest is dining here in your suite.” He picks up a menu and hands it over to me. “Beachfront Tower has a rather large food court withmany options. I’d highly recommend Breakers here in the Beachfront Tower for steaks, or if you’re looking for something a bit more casual, Waves Diner just downstairs from here is a wonderful choice as well.”
“Waves it is,” I say. “Thank you for everything.”
“We’re here to make your stay effortless, sir. I’ll call down and get your table at Waves reserved for fifteen minutes from now.” He hands me a card. “Here’s my personal information, or you may click thebutler servicebutton on your room phone to reach us.”
“Thanks, Clive.” I nod, and I pull out my wallet to tip him.
He shakes his head and holds up a hand. “Thank you, but this is not necessary at this moment. If you like our service, you’re welcome to add a gratuity to your room bill or via the envelope you will be provided at the end of your stay.”
I slip my wallet back into my pocket. “Okay. Well, thanks for everything.”
He nods and lets himself out of my room, and I take a few more deep breaths out on my balcony before I head down for my first meal in paradise.
CHAPTER 5: Millie Monroe
Bucket List
I squeal a little and bounce up and down on my toes as I look around the room. My first stay is at the Beachside Tower in a Sunset Suite. I’ve looked over the amenities in this tower, and if my room were a few floors higher, I’d have access to the rooftop lounge and the nightclub.
I’m not sure why they stuck me on the ninth floor when the twelfth and higher have access, but I guess they’re trying to go for the more budget-friendly rooms. This one still comes in at four hundred a night, something I wouldn’t exactly put in the budget category, but it’s free to me. And they’ll give me access to the club if I ask for it, I’m sure.
I take pictures of every nook, cranny, and piece of artwork in my suite. It’s a one-bedroom suite, which means basically the bed is in its own room, and there’s a separate space with a table, a couch, and atelevision.
At check-in, I was told there would be a paper itinerary of events under my door each day, and I’m expected at sunrise yoga tomorrow morning along with a breakfast meeting with the resort manager immediately after.
I took about eleventy billion pics and vids in the lobby, and I can’t wait to start piecing my content together and posting about my arrival here in Paradise.
But first…I need dinner. Stat.
I left my apartment at three in the morning to make the first leg of my early flight out of O’Hare. Chip drove me to the airport, I thanked him profusely for being an amazing friend, and then I was on my way.
I had a long layover in Miami, but here I am, ready to explore and get to know this home of mine for the next month.
I’m diving right in with all the things, and in the back of my mind, I keep reminding myself that I have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning for yoga.
So it’s notexactlya relaxing vacation. It’s work. But it’s what I signed up for, and I’m grateful to be here. Even if it means I have to be up before the sun.
I open my suitcase to change into a fresh shirt, and I find a note stuck right on top, as if it was slipped in at the last minute. I immediately recognize Jackie’s handwriting.
Have fun on your trip. We’ll miss you. We made this list to help with your dry spell. Everyone needs goals. Feel free to add to it.
