Page 18 of Sweet Escape

“Welcome to the Firehouse Inn. I’m so glad we were able to accommodate you at the last minute. Normally we’re all booked up around this time of the year, but lucky for you, our suite was still available.”

Grinning, I dig my wallet out of my purse. “Oh yes, lucky for me.”

“I’m Errol, the owner. I’ll most likely be the one to help you if you have any issues or need anything.” He clicks around on his computer. “Where are you visiting from?”

“LA.”

“Oh, fun. We get a lot of people looking to escape the big cities for a little bit of a slower pace. There’s really nowhere better than Rosewood. It’s got all the amazing amenities like Napa and Sonoma, but in my opinion, a whole lot more charm.”

I laugh internally at Errol’s enthusiasm, but also understand exactly what he means. I’ve done plenty of trips to Napa before, and it feels very curated. Like everything is designed to accommodate people who want to spend a few days or a week visiting a spa and drinking bottles of wine.

Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those things. I love a good girls’ weekend.

But as I drove through the adorable little downtown on my way over here, I got a different vibe. Like this is the kind of place that is filled with locals. The people here actually live here, they’re not just visiting. And based on the bustling busyness of Main Street and all the signs I saw sharing community events, I’d wager that they love the town, too.

Which is funny considering how long Murphy hated it before deciding to move back.

“I see you’re staying for two weeks! Anything in particular you’re looking to do while you’re in town?” Errol asks, looking up at me briefly before returning his eyes to the screen.

“I haven’t really looked into it yet. But for now I’m hoping to take a nice long shower, and then I’m heading to that café I saw as I was driving in to do a little work. It looked like it might be a good place to set up shop.”

“Our water pressure is amazing, and we installed those fancy water heaters that never run out, so I don’t doubt you are in for quite a treat. But I’d recommend Rosewood Roasters if you’re looking for a place to sit and work. It’s on the opposite side of the street, all the way at the end. The Carlisle—that’s the café—well, they can be a bit persnickety about customers who linger for too long.”

Then he jumps into explaining the hotel building, pointing out the stairs and the coffee machine in the lobby and the little take-one-leave-one library in the corner with a couple of cozy armchairs and cute decor.

“Your suite is on the top floor, so it’s an extra flight of stairs, but it does have a soaking tub that all our guests rave about.” He hands me my room key, which is a real, actual brass key instead of those plastic cards everyone uses.

I’m obsessed with the quaintness of it all.

“That soaking tub is why I booked the suite,” I tell him with a wide smile. “Thanks so much for your help.”

“Call down if you need anything!”

I head for the stairs, lugging my too-large bag and guitar case behind me, and making slow work of hauling it up. I wasn’t imagining a situation where I’d need to lug my belongings up several flights of stairs, but it’ll sure be good for my glutes.

And now that I’m single, keeping my ass in amazing shape suddenly feels a bit more important than it did a few days ago.

When I finally make it to the top, I turn down a long hallway before finding the door to my room. And when I shove it open, any doubts about walking up to the third floor disappear.

Because this place is gorgeous.

The room features the same kind of exposed brick and high wooden ceilings as downstairs, with beautiful contemporary furniture. The linens, in shades of cream and dusty rose, bring a light, breezy quality that I wasn’t expecting, and a massive king-size bed sits right in the center of the room, facing gorgeous windows that are letting in the glowing midday sun.

It’s the exact kind of place that I had hoped for—beautiful, bright, and comfortable.

A perfect place to escape.

I set my guitar case on the ground, hoist my bag onto a chaise lounge in the corner, and rummage through to find my toiletries.

When I step into the bathroom, I let out a dreamy sigh at the sight of the soaking tub. I wasn’t kidding when I told Errol it’s the reason Igrabbed this suite when I saw it was available. It’s incredible, and I know I’m going to spend hours in it during this trip.

Candles. Bubbles. A little me-time to release some of the sexual tension that’s been brimming inside me for the past few months.

I amallabout self-care, in all its forms.

But unfortunately, that will have to wait.

Right now, I want a long, hot shower, and then I want to wander around downtown Rosewood to scope out the little shops and find a good cup of coffee.

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