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Back in my room,I noticed a hydropod sitting on top of the breakfast bar, a notecard leaning against it. I snatched it up and read the typeface, drinking greedily.

Dear Ms. Meadows,

We regret to have disappointed you with our lack of hospitality. Please accept our apology at this unacceptable oversight. You will find the refrigerator sufficiently stocked. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to assist you during your stay.

The Staff

They’d been in my room again, and even though I suppose I’d requested it, I had pictured more of a room service situation where the bots came to the door and delivered something without trespassing on my space when I wasn’t there. I downed the remainder of the pod and opened the fridge to find every possible space taken by hydropods. The freezer was similarly stacked with frozen entrees, ready to be thrown in the insta-oven. At the sight of it, my hunger won out over the creep factor. I selected a spaghetti and meatballs platter, which sat steaming on the table less than a minute later. I was still upset enough to be salty about how delicious the food was though. It wasn’t like me to be this moody, and the fact that this situation brought out the worst in me stoked my anger even more.

Forcing myself to focus on more pleasant things meant I couldn’t stop thinking about the two men at the park. When I thought of sitting with Mason at the gala Friday, my stomach fluttered again, and I could almost smell his salty, sweet scent. Then Travis’s dark eyes made an appearance, and my libido went into overdrive. I wondered if they’d be into a threesome?

Holy shit, I did not just think that.

“Time for bed, Sam,” I told myself, backing away from the table.

I tossed my ponytail holder onto the nightstand and unbuttoned my shirt. But as I pulled off my pants, I stopped, feeling the stiffness in the pocket. Mom’s letter. I had actually forgotten, I’d been so distracted by hot men. That was unacceptable. Still, I wasn’t ready yet. The thought of tearing open the fragile paper made my fingers tremble. So I tucked it away on my nightstand, promising to look later. After all, tomorrow was another day.

* * *

I thought I would be able to hide in my room, but the more I sat there, the more agitated and depressed I became. So off to wander the grounds it was. Fascinated by the tech, I made my way toward the Tube Exploration Center. While I had no plans to take an actual ride out into the ocean on one of the swinging arms, I did wonder about the mechanics.

The archway welcomed me with a sign stating THIS WAY TO DEEP SEA ADVENTURE! Naturally, the framed view was of the endless ocean, but I steeled myself, drew back my shoulders, and plunged beneath the sign. I had to work on getting over my fears if I was going to find anything positive during my month of isolation.

To my relief, only a few scattered groups seemed to be inside the visitor center, some browsing merchandise in a makeshift giftshop, some reading holographic displays along the wall, learning about the ocean and sea life. One colorful picture popped to life in 3D. It was Candice in a yellow suit and matching heels as she gestured around her at what appeared to be a coral reef, teaming with life. Blue, yellow, and pink colors filled the air, surrounding the visitor with swimming fish of all shapes and sizes, and even sea turtles.

“Paradise Atlantis is more than a luxury destination, it’s a symbiotic environment, working with the local ecosystem and supporting marine life. Here you see a coral reef brought back to life by our scientists by sharing our environmental systems technology with the reef after being ravaged by global warming. The subtle changes you and I feel are far harsher on oceanic life. Take a look at the difference we’ve already made.”

The scene changed, and the reef all but disappeared, looking suddenly dull and dead, and far too small. Plastic trash floated down around it, and I wondered if it was an actual before picture or enhanced to make a point as it slowly transitioned back to the original thriving scene.

I tore my eyes away from the display, and my stomach knotted when I noticed Travis was among those in the shop section of the center. It took only a moment for him to sense me, his head shooting up from between a middle-aged couple consisting of a tall balding man and a curvy dark-haired woman. I smiled awkwardly as he made his excuses and joined me.

“Stalking me now?” he asked, hands in the pockets of his ever-present leather jacket.

“Happy coincidence,” I said. “Your parents?”

“Yep. Promised family time.” He made a fist and pumped it in fake excitement.

I laughed, relaxing slightly. “Don’t let me interfere.”

“Interfere? More like rescue.” He grinned, and the familiar heat hit me low in my abdomen. “Join us.”

“No thank you,” I said, backing away. “I’m not here to ride. I’m here to observe.”

His brow crinkled with understanding. “No problem.”

Travis’s cold stare above my shoulder alerted me to what I assumed was Mason’s presence.

“Or maybe you were waiting for someone in particular?” Travis muttered under his breath.

I turned, verifying my suspicions with a sigh. Mason strode toward me from the entrance, face glowing and eyes locked on me. Was I a magnet for these two? Did I have a tracking chip on me or something?

“So nice to run into you here, Sam,” Mason said, joining our little group.

I couldn’t help but notice Travis’s parents hurry out toward the entrance for the tubes upon seeing Mason. Did his whole family hate the Bennets? It didn’t make sense when they worked for them.

“I was just saying the same thing,” Travis said.