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I can't believe I have to spend the next three weeks pretending like I'm not completely head over heels for this man. I don't know if I can do it. I'm going to have to keep my distance and try to resist the temptation but it's going to be hard, especially when he keeps looking at me with those piercing blue eyes.
I just have to keep reminding myself of the rules. No hooking up. No commingling. No sex unless you're married. I can do this. I can resist the temptation. I hope.
* * *
After the orientation,Josefina and I walk up a spiral staircase that leads to an outdoor lounge.
“It’s basically like a big, high end apartment in the middle of the jungle with a pool,” she says.
She points to the pool outside. It looks like an Instagram influencer’s wet dream, no pun intended.
“Not too shabby,” I say.
She shows me around the floor.
“So here you guys have a big fridge, some couches, a lounge. There are four separate rooms in here with twin or queen beds.”
“Okay, cool.”
“Normally, we do try to keep everyone with their preferred gender but for this retreat, we actually ran out of space. So you’re going to be with a guy. He’s a gentleman, and a friend of a good friend of mine and Chester’s, so I’m sure he’ll respect your space or I wouldn’t have allowed this situation. But you two were the last two to sign up for the retreat so we had to put you together. He just signed up last night. Is that okay?”
I’m not super hot on the idea of a male roommate, but hey, if she knows him, I’m sure he’s alright.
“Yeah,” I shrug. “I mean, that’s fine.”
I can’t believe my luck when I see him lounging on one of the twin beds, a smug grin on his face.
“Hey, Jack!” Josefina says with a huge grin. “Thanks so much for being open to this roommate situation. I think this stay is going to be really, really good for you and your business meditation practice. This is Amelia and I get a really good vibe from her. Didn’t I already see you two talking in the back?”
“Yeah, Amelia and I are familiar with each other. She stayed at my hotel last night.”
I think about protesting, what exactly am I going to say?
I, uh, rode Mr. Wellington’s face last night. Do you think there’s any way we could implement a roommate switch?
“I think you two are going to get along great,” she says. “Dinner is at five thirty. We’re giving you all of the afternoon to get settled. I think some people are heading to the beach to surf. See you later. Namaste.”
Once she leaves, I feel the vibe shift completely when it is the two of us alone.
"Well, well, well," he says, his hot blue eyes raking over my body. "Looks like we're roommates. It’s like fate is trying to bring us together."
I grit my teeth and try to push past him, but he stands up and blocks my way.
"What do you think you're doing?" I demand. “Did you set this up to mess with me?”
"Mess with you?” He laughs. “I barely even want to be here myself. I think yoga is a bunch of bull, but I’m desperate for change and my good friend told me I need to step away from my business and learn to meditate. And now I'm just trying to make the most of our unexpected situation," he replies. His voice is quieter than usual, and there’s a hint of seriousness. "Besides, we did have a pretty steamy night together the last time we were in a room alone."
I feel my cheeks flush as memories of the previous night flood back to me.
"That was a mistake," I say, trying to push past him. “And one that won’t be happening again. I’m here to think and reflect and not hook up.”
Even if they are as ridiculously attractive as you.
“Fine,” he says. “Leave me alone, then. I’m reading.”
I check the title of the book he’s reading.
The Substitute?
