As we drive out of Echoes Cove, I can’t help but feel like we’re being followed. There’s a prickling on the back of my neck as if I’m being watched, but when I check the mirrors, I can’t see anyone there. It’s creepy as fuck, but I shrug it off and put it down to paranoia. Despite my nightmares quieting with Lincoln’s presence, I’m still not over the whole being jumped in the middle of the night thing.
Which isn’t really that surprising considering the trauma from the experience, but this weekend is about getting away from all of that, relaxing, and being at one with myself. I’m totally sure I can do that.
Not.
I finally relax as Echoes Cove disappears in the rearview and sing along to the playlist with Indi, getting into the road trip spirit.
The time passes quickly, and before I know it, the navigation system announces we’ve arrived at our destination. We turn off onto the entry road, the giant wooden arch welcoming us to Mountain View Spa Resort, and I swear I’m already feeling more relaxed than I have in months. Indi drives us through the green expanses, and it feels like the world falls away as the mountains come into view before us. Tucked away to the left, behind a giant fountain, is the resort.
“Holy shit, this looks better than it did in the pictures!” Indi exclaims, bouncing in her seat as we pull into the valet bay. My door’s opened in an instant, and the valet smiles at me warmly.
“Welcome to Mountain View, Miss Royal. Please let us get your bags. If you’d like to head inside with your friend and get checked in, we’ll take your luggage straight up to your suite.” He offers me a hand and helps me down from the car, and Indi shrugs at me as she reaches me.
“I figured if I put it in your name, we’d get better service, but this is something else.”
I shake my head, not caring that she used my name. There are definite perks to being my father’s daughter. “Fine by me, let’s head inside.”
She links her arm with mine, and we head inside. I lift my aviators as we cross the threshold into the building, and the house manager greets us. “Miss Royal, it’s good to have you with us. We’ve already checked you in. If you follow me, I’ll show you to your suite. We upgraded you for your stay. There is a private spa space in your suite that you can use as well as the facilities here.”
“Thank you,” I say, as Indi nudges me like an excited kid. Her joy is officially overspilling. We follow the manager up to the suite on the top floor of the resort.
She opens all of the rooms and shows us the spa menu that’s available. She’s finishing the tour as our bags are delivered to the room. Indi looks like she’s almost a little freaked out by the service, so I try to take charge of the situation, tipping the bell boys before they disappear. Their grins are wide as they thank me before scurrying away.
A knock sounds at the door, and the house manager moves to open it. “Delivery for Miss Royal.”
What the fuck?
She takes the delivery and closes the door before turning back to face me with a bouquet of yellow tulips. “For you.”
She hands them to me, and I tamp down the freak out that’s threatening. What the actual fuck?
I paste a smile on my face as I pull the same envelope sealed with red wax from this bunch as there has been on the others. It felt fine at first, but for whoever’s sending them knowing where I am is a little creepy. I check the envelope and again, just a plain black card, embossed with the same image as the wax seal. I quickly put them in a vase and push the thought to the back of my mind. This weekend is about relaxing with my bestie, not focusing on creepozoids.
I turn my focus back to the house manager, who’s smiling warmly at me as she asks, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, this is all wonderful. Thank you.”
“Perfect, well, if you need anything, dial ‘0’ on your in-room line. You’ll come directly through to me.”
“That’s great, thank you.” I usher her out of the room after tipping her too. I close the door behind her then lean back on it, taking a breath.
I look over at Indi, who still looks pretty overwhelmed from her spot on the sofa, staring at me. “Dude, is this what your life was like before? People tripping all over themselves to be around you?”
“Pretty much,” I say with a shrug before moving into the suite and dropping down next to her. “Not everywhere, and not always, but yeah. It can be a little much.”
“It’s totally out of this world. I’m sorry if putting it in your name was out of line.”
“Dude, you’re fine,” I say, swatting her with a cushion and making her chuckle. “What do you want to do first?”
She picks up the menu, handing me the second one, and grins. “Let’s try everything!” Her excitement is contagious, and I’m not about to stomp on it.
I grin at her, happy as hell that she pushed me to get away this weekend. “Sounds perfect.”
* * *
After two days of total relaxation and treatments, I think I might be tapped out. There are only so many ways a girl can be poked and prodded before she needs some space.
Indi bounces into the bedroom, her excitement at full capacity as ever, before dropping down onto the bed beside me. She shoves her phone under my nose, and I pull away so I can actually focus on the screen. “I found this low-key music bar in the next town over. Restaurant by day, bar by night. Do you want to check it out?”