Page 20 of Ice Block

Olivia

Please don’t die here! I think it’s complicated to transport bodies back to the US from foreign countries.

Maggie

Wow…this just took a morbid turn.

Olivia

Sorry . Holler at me when you arrive at the resort, and we’ll come meet you in the lobby. I know you two have your differences, but it’s just a week! You’ll survive.

Plus, it’s my wedding week! No fighting until we land back in Milwaukee

I snort, glancing out at the beauty of the tropics flying by as we head to the other side of the island, the tension from the flight and present company starting to melt from my shoulders.

Maggie

I promise. See you soon!

She’s right. It’s a week, and it’s a big resort. I’m sure we’ll barely see each other.

14

vladi

“WHAT?!” Maggie shouts at the resort desk clerk. “What do youmeanthere’s no reservation? Can you check again? Maggie James.” She leans over the counter, nearly stealing the keyboard from the poor man. “Try Maggie as the last name. Sometimes people think James is my first name.”

I gaze around the lobby, the other guests starting to stare at the commotion she’s causing. The tornado of chaos that is Maggie James apparently does not have a room, and if her loud voice is a clear indication, she is not happy.I forgot how loud she can get.Sweat beads on my forehead, partly from the humidity, but mostly from being close to her today.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s nothing under that as a first or last name.”

She growls, spinning in a circle while she panics. “Try Magdalina James. M-A-G-D-A-L-I-N-A. That’s what’s on my passport, maybe they used that.”

The wind is knocked out of my chest, the world tilting on its axis as her full name hits my ears. My knees buckle, and I take astep to steady myself. “Your full name is Magdalina?” I ask, stunned by the beauty of her name. I dig my knuckles into my sternum.Why is my damn chest tight again?

Maggie slowly turns to face me, an angry annoyance in her eyes. “Yes, Vladi,” she says in a condescending tone. “My parents named me that ridiculous combination of letters. But as a toddler, it was hard to say, much less spell, so I go by Maggie. Any other massively important, earth-shattering questions? Or can I go back to figuring out my damn hotel reservation?”

I nod and raise my hands in surrender for the second time today.Magdalina?That is the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.Why do I want to whisper it over and over in her ear?

“MAGGIE! VLADI!” Olivia squeals across the open-air lobby as she races toward us. “You made it!”

“Liv!” Maggie shouts as she embraces her friend in a pile of giggles and noises almost too high to comprehend. I turn back seeing Larsy walking my direction, and I split the distance, meeting him halfway.

“Hey, Vladi.” He grins, bringing me in for a hug. “Welcome to paradise!”

“Glad to be here. How do I thank you for the…surprise…on the flight?”

Larsy pulls back and flashes me that damn evil smile he’s perfected when he thinks he’s triumphed over me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. The travel agent booked the tickets. We didn’t have any say in where you sat. Did you have a nice flight?”

I scowl at his damn meddling that was more welcome than I’d like to admit. “Fuck you. You know damn well how my flight was.”

“Do I? Please enlighten me,” he says as I shrug off his comment, both of us walking back toward Maggie and Olivia who are still trying to sort out the reservation dilemma.

“I’m sorry, but the resort is completely booked. You’re one offour wedding parties, and the owner has an event going on this week as well,” the clerk explains to Maggie.

“Shit! I don’t know how this happened!” Olivia whirls around facing a very concerned Hayes. “Everyone else is already sharing with spouses, significant others, or doubled up with another guest.”

Hayes looks between Olivia’s shocked face and the desk clerk, “Is there any room we can get for her? We’ll pay whatever it takes.”That man is so far gone.Anything to make her and her friends happy.

---