Page 92
Chapter 27
Toni dipped her foot into the hot tub, taking a minute to become accustomed to the heat of the water swirling around her toes.
“Ouch, hot.”
Alessandra had already plunged herself right in, kind of like she did in life.
“Yes, you are!” her friend said, wiggling her eyebrows. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that suit before.”
The white two-piece was as basic as you could get, but she’d had a thing for all-white clothing ever since she toured the mansion in Rhode Island with her mother. Listening to the story of a Gilded Age “White Ball” had summoned visions of elegance and beauty, and she’d immediately gone out to buy a white dress.
Her mother had laughed when she’d picked it out of the window in a small shop in Newport. As usual, she’d been right. Beautiful but impractical, the dress hung unworn in Toni’s closet.
“Thanks.”
Lowering herself completely, she moved to the lowest seat she could find without being swallowed up by the water.
“This was a good idea,” she said.
They’d considered retiring for the night, but they only had two and a half days to themselves, so they’d best get as much out of their girls’ weekend as possible.
“Agreed. I may have to convince Kenton to put a hot tub somewhere in the back, maybe near the garden.”
“Or to block those creepy doors.” Toni shuddered.
Built into the side of the hill at the back of the Henry Hutton Mansion apparently for storage, three doors opened to small, empty spaces. They reminded her of hobbit doors, and for some reason, they’d always freaked her out.
“Maybe.” Alessandra reached behind her for her cup. Although the resort allowed for drinks in the hot tub, they couldn’t be glass. Luckily, they’d come prepared with red Solo cups—a relic of the college education Toni would not be receiving.
“We’re oh so classy,” Toni murmured, grabbing her own drink.
“That’s us,” Alessandra agreed, “two classy chicks at a beautiful woodside resort, not a care in the world.”
Making eye contact, they burst out laughing.
“Okay, maybe a care or two. But not tonight,” Alessandra said. “This is glorious.”
The resort lights peeked through the trees behind them. They’d taken a path to get to this secluded spot. During the day, it proved a picture-perfect view of the hills beyond, but at night it felt like they were in their own little world. Even though strategically placed lanterns cast a warm glow on the hot tub area, the full moon was mostly obscured by clouds, and everything beyond their immediate vicinity was veiled by night.
Elmwood was a popular place for honeymooners, and Toni could see why. It was truly lovely.
“I’m surprised we’re alone down here.”
Alessandra looked at her bare wrist. “Near midnight? I’m not. But I’ll take it.”
They sipped in silence, Toni feeling more relaxed than she had in weeks. With the exception of Lawrence, things were going well for her—much better than they had in some time. Finally, she felt like she had some direction. Some purpose. Now if only she could forget him.
Alessandra stood up abruptly, grabbing the resort-branded robe she’d discarded earlier. “Um, so I’m gonna be right back,” she muttered.
“Back? Where are you going?”
“Wine.” She lifted her empty cup and held out her hand. “Need more?”
“Damn, girl. You drank that down.” Reaching behind her, Toni grabbed her cup and handed it to Alessandra. “I’m not empty, but I’ll take a top-up.”
Alessandra took it from her and promptly got out of the hot tub. Apparently, she really wanted more wine. Their things, including the wine bottle they weren’t supposed to have down here, waited on the patio behind them. Toni took a deep, cathartic breath and watched as the clouds moved overhead ever so slowly. Why didn’t she look up more often? It really was something else, a marvel she’d never cared much to learn about in science. But as she got older, the idea of her own smallness in such a vast universe impressed itself upon her more frequently. Really, they were just a blip on the radar. Except for Lawrence and the other immortals, of course.
Lawrence.
