hell, my only, indiscretion. I made Faith promise never to mention it, ever. And she made me promise never to regret it. We’ve never broken that promise in the months since the ‘morning after.’
The phone rings, and I adjust my headset before answering. “It’s the perfect day to book your Hawthorne Holiday. This is Sarah speaking. How can I assist you?”
After making the White family’s reservation, I decide to stretch my legs a bit and walk around the lobby. Stepping past the front desk, I see families smiling excitedly. The hotel is simply magnificent, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the majestic mountains. The lobby is clean lines, creamy brown wood, and comfortable seating. Ever since Hawthorne bought the hotel, it’s gotten a spectacular facelift with upgrades all around. With the new employee incentives and discounts coming, I feel lucky just to work here.
“Come for me, sweet Sarah.”
I can hear his gruff order so clearly, as if he’s whispering it to me where I stand gazing up the majestic mountains, feeling just as elevated by the memory of that night. A blush creeps up my neck as I glance over to Julia who nods toward my abandoned desk. “Yes.” I cock my head confused as she waives her hand, her eyes wide as she mouths, ‘email.’
To:
From:
J.Newhouse@HawthorneResorts.com
Subject: Heads up!
I’d been told months ago by HR at the Headquarters in the UK that we wouldn’t be meeting the new owners until they’d studied our operations for four months. Apparently, they’ve finished their homework and plan to come in on Monday to visit and hold meetings with some of the upper management. I’m freaking out. Like totally freaking out because I don’t consider myself upper management, and what if they hate me? I’ve only held this position for four months. If I lose my job, that means I may have to take the deadbeat back to court for child support, and ain’t nobody got time for that. I don’t want his damn money. I want him to leave Lyla and me alone. She’s a nightmare when she sees him and…I just can’t.
Distract me. Tell me something this new Sarah would tell me.
Top ten freakish fantasies since you’ve been reading these books and had your amazing one-night stand, Letterman style.
I’ll start, just to get some idea flow.
Ten things I now need because of these books and nonexistent sex life due to singlemomdom.
Number 10: A collection of vibrators, one for each day of the week.
Number 9: A subscription to one of those porn sites, so when I am all hot and bothered and have nowhere else to go, it doesn’t end with an ‘O’-cliffy. *I need book 2*
Number 8: To find a real man on one of those dating sites and not just someone who wants me as a third.
Number 7: A whip to beat the ass of the next fool who lies to me.
Number 6: A weekend with someone who will take my mind off missing Lyla when the deadbeat does show up, and I’m not talking: Sarah and a bottle of wine.
Number 5: A self-filling wine glass.
Number 4: The beefcake at the gym who makes my lady parts clench.
Number 3: Something dramatic and exciting to happen to me. Maybe I should join you at Blizzards!
Number 2: Boobs like yours. I breastfed for eighteen damn months. And let’s be honest here, my tits point to my bellybutton at this point.
Number 1: To find a lover who will love me for all I am and love my daughter even more.
PS- I had one hell of a dream last night starring Henry Cavill as Mr. Cross.
PSS- I need book two, like, yesterday.
Letterman style.
Awaiting your reply!
Julia
I laugh until I get to number one. That one makes my heart hurt.
Chapter Six
May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.
- Irish proverb
Beckett
The last time I was in Colorado I woke to a note on the pillow beside me instead of the woman I’d fallen asleep entangled with, Sarah. I returned to Aspen and signed a purchase agreement for a smaller resort than we’d typically acquire. It’s a beautiful hotel that clearly needed some upgrades. There is some upside, but not at the scale I prefer. Still, my brothers had been bothering me over it for months, wanting to expand our Hotel and Resort chain to Colorado.
Once I arrived in Dublin and walked into our family home on the bay, they