Andrew rented a car to drive us to the resort, and I’m packed and waiting in the small foyer of my building for him to pick me up when my phone dings.
Tessa:You’d better get some dick this weekend otherwise I’ll be personally offended that you ditched me for your birthday.
I laugh and the sound echoes in the enclosed space.
Tessa was upset that I wouldn’t be around for my birthday, especially because it falls on a Saturday this year, so we went out for drinks earlier in the week. I told her what’s going on with Andrew and she was mortified we hadn’t slept together. Even more so when I told her it was at his insistence.
Me:Who knows. But I came prepared in case.
She responds immediately.
Tessa:No maybe. Make it happen sista. Big British D for the win!
I shake my head and slide my phone back into my purse.
A few minutes later, a white luxury SUV pulls up to the curb outside my building and Andrew climbs out of the vehicle. I start down the steps with my small suitcase, and Andrew rushes to grab it from me.
“I’ll take this.” He gives me a quick kiss then hurries to take the suitcase to the back and put it inside.
I understand why he’s hurrying. The wind is cutting, so I rush to the SUV and get inside. The heated seat has already been turned on and I relax into it.
Andrew joins me a few seconds later. “Have everything you need?”
I nod. I’m jittery and a little nervous. This is our first weekend away and a weekend away feels like a big deal for a couple, no matter how long they’ve been seeing each other. We’ve only been together for a couple of weeks. I hope I’m not going to discover some weird habits of Andrew’s that will turn me off.
I push away those thoughts, determined to enjoy myself and my time with him. I’m curious to meet his parents, see the two people who raised this man I’m falling for.
We drive for a couple of hours, chatting and passing the time, taking turns on who gets to choose the song on the radio, before it begins to snow. It’s not too bad at first, but then it really picks up.
I checked the weather before we left, and it said there was a chance of snow, but it wasn’t supposed to be substantial. The final hour of our drive ends up taking two hours because of how slowly Andrew has to drive to keep the SUV on the road.
My nerves are shot and my knuckles ache from squeezing my hands into fists on my lap, but I’m proud of myself for keeping my mouth shut and not telling him how to drive. I know my dad always hates when my mom says anything about his driving. To be fair, Andrew did a fantastic job.
He pulls the SUV down the long drive through snow-covered pine trees and parks in the roundabout at the front of the log cabin resort. The building is pretty huge and very posh. I can tell just by the greenery displays and garland hung along the front porch that spans the width of the building.
An attendant goes to greet Andrew at the driver’s side, and Andrew passes him the keys while the attendant assures him our bags will be brought to our room as soon as we’re checked in.
Andrew walks around the front of the SUV and holds his hand out for me. “Ready?”
I nod and we make our way up the steps. They’ve been shoveled, but it’s snowing so hard that it doesn’t matter, so Andrew helps me up the steps, ensuring I don’t fall.
When we step inside the resort lobby, it’s like I’ve stepped into a Christmas movie. It smells like a mixture of cinnamon and gingerbread, and there’s a large two-sided stone fireplace in the middle of the room. The floors are some type of dark stone tile, and oversized antler chandeliers hang from the ceiling. A decorated Christmas tree that’s at least fifteen feet high is set up in the far corner, and the same garland I noticed outside hangs over the fireplace and drapes across the reception desk.
“This is so beautiful,” I whisper.
Andrew smiles at me and leads me to the woman behind the reception desk. I think he might be nervous to see his parents, though I don’t think it’s because I’ll be meeting them. He just doesn’t seem totally comfortable with them or something. I’m not exactly sure, but I intend to figure it out on this trip.
“Welcome. Glad to see you made it here okay. I heard the roads are pretty bad,” Sarah, as her name tag states, says.
“Could be better.” Andrew digs into his coat for his wallet.
“Do you have a reservation?” Sarah asks.
“Yes, it should be under Andrew Wainwright.” He pulls his photo ID and credit card from his wallet and slides them over.
“Thank you.” She types something into the computer, then looks back up at us. “Your room is all ready. You’ll be on the third floor with a view of the lake.”
“Terrific.” Andrew accepts his cards back from the woman and returns them to his wallet.