Chapter 5
Rory
Thereisnothinglike your semi-stalker best friend calling you right after a mind-blowing orgasm to put the brakes on everything. Kinsley called last night, and I didn't pick up. Instead, I texted her and told her I'd call her in a few days with an update. She wasn't happy but agreed.
Then West and I lay in bed cuddling and talking all night. I don't remember falling asleep, but I woke up to him kissing my neck. Waking up with him is another teenage fantasy come true.
Today we are driving into Albuquerque, New Mexico. West has been holding my hand in the car and has had a huge smile on his face all day. The weather has been beautiful. So we have the windows down and are enjoying it.
As we get closer to Albuquerque, the traffic slows down.
"I wonder what's going on." I pull up my traffic app, thinking there might be an accident on the road. We have been lucky so far and haven't hit much traffic.
"Oh! I don't know why I didn't check. The Balloon Fiesta is going on. Shoot, I would have loved to see it." I pout. Thinking it was next month, I didn't even bother to check.
"Why don't you try to find us a room, and we can stay and check it out tomorrow," he says.
"People book places a year in advance, so I doubt we will get anything."
"Call and ask if there were any cancellations and check with the vacation rentals."
"Those will be so much more expensive than a hotel!"
"It's on me. I think it would be kind of cool to see the balloons," West shrugs.
So, I get on the phone, and the third vacation rental place I call had a cancellation. The lady puts me on hold to pull up the details.
"She had a cancellation and is checking on it now," I whisper to West, letting myself get excited.
"Are you are there, dear?" the woman on the other line asks.
"Yes, I'm here."
"Okay, this is a three-bedroom condo, top floor, and you can watch the night show of the balloons from the balcony. It's always booked, so you are incredibly lucky. It normally books for three thousand a night this time of year, but due to the last minute cancellation I can let you take it for one thousand a night."
"Holy shit, that's expensive," I say as my heart sinks.
"Rory, I said I'd pay for it." West scolds me.
"But it’s a thousand a night. Granted, we can watch the night show from the balcony, but still!"
"Book it, Rory." He pulls out his wallet and hands it to me.
"West..."
"Rory, book it for tonight and tomorrow night. We’re crossing this off your bucket list, too," he says.
My eyes mist over at this wonderful gesture. Then I take his wallet and lean over, placing a kiss on his cheek before getting back to the woman on the phone. Booking the condo, I scribble down the address and check in instructions she gives me.
An hour later, we are stepping into the condo. It has a clean, modern design done in black and white. It’s too big for just the two of us, but the view is fabulous. You can't beat it.
"Look, you can see some of the balloons from here!" It’s all I can do not to jump and down like a kid.
"I got us tickets to the fiesta as well. I know a guy who owed me a favor." He comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as we look out the window.
"So, I'm thinking dinner, and then we can watch the night balloons take off right here on the balcony," West says.
"Sounds perfect."