He looks around at all the faces looking to him and Paul for guidance.
“Alright everyone. We will have to stay the night and reconvene in the morning. I will give the airline a call and see what they can do.”
Everyone turns around and walks back into the hotel. Their front desk clerks are now busy trying to find enough rooms.
Chris and I are the last one to the counter. The clerks’ eyebrows are pinched together and she's shaking her head.
“We only have one room left. It has a queen size bed and a pull-out couch.”
I look at Chris, the same time he looks at me. I know we are both thinking the same thing. This can’t be happening. His shoulders go up and his hand lands on the handle of his luggage.
“Well, we don’t have much of a choice unless you want to go to a different hotel.”
“Me, go to a different hotel?”
“I mean, I could too, but I think it would be better if the guides stayed with the majority.”
I turn to the clerk and slap my credit card on the counter.
“We’ll take it.” I turn back to Chris, “And you will take the pull out.” His mouth falls open and I laugh.
“Guess you shoulda called dibs.” I say.
How is this going to work? We aren’t sleeping in the same bed, but still, one room with one bathroom is a tiny space. I take the card from the clerk and head towards the elevators. Our room is on the third floor.
When we open the door, I’m shocked to see that the room isn’t too bad. The couch is a nightstand and mini fridge length away from the bed. I can just face the wall and act like he isn’t even there.
“I’m going to get ready in the bathroom. I assume the bedding for the couch is in the closet, there.” I point to the small closet on the other side of the room. I pull what I need out of my luggage and lock myself in the bathroom.
My pajamas are comprised of an old white tank top, which really isn’t bright white anymore from the many times I have washed it with different colors, and a pair of red plaid shorts. I change, wash my face, brush my teeth, and put my lotions on. Skin care is important, especially when we are out in the sun all day. Once I am done, I gather my things and go back into the room, only to find a half-naked man laying across a tiny pull-out bed.
“About time,” he says and rolls out of the bed. The space between the pull-out and the closet is small, so I have to turn to let him pass. I can feel the heat radiating from his flawless chest.
“You’re staring.”
“Um, I um. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”
He finishes scooting by me and goes into the bathroom. I hurry to put my stuff back into my luggage and get in bed. Covering myself to my chin.
I hear the door click open, but I don’t move. Then Chris reaches into his luggage and pulls out…
“Uh, is that a night light?” I can’t help but suppress a smile that wants to grace my face and the small giggle that wants to escape.
“Yeah. What about it?”
“Are you afraid of the dark?”
He drops his arm to his side with the night light in hand.
“It’s not so much afraid, I just like being able to see where I’m going at night if need be.”
“Mmhmm.” I nod my head slightly.
“Don’t judge me,” he says and plugs the night light into the wall next to the couch.
“Oh, I’m judging. But nottoohard.”