Page 5 of Peak of Love
“I know right?!” Slipping back into her heels and regaining composure, Lorna showed her how to remove the cover. She walked her through parts of a panel that controlled temperature and jet setting. Under her breath, Celina thanked the hot tub gods for her sister’s foresight.
As they walked down, Lorna reminded her of the cheat sheet she left by the fridge containing Wi-Fi information and relevant numbers. The woman seemed to fumble with her keys before asking, “So Mr. Verghese… he’s so young.”
“Dane. I always think about his dad when people say Mr. Verghese.”
“Dane,” Lorna said dreamily. “You’re, um, his first guest. I don’t mean to be intrusive… ”
“He’s an old friend. And he just bought this place a few months ago, right? I’m sure he’ll be throwing parties soon.”
“Is he usually a party guy?”
Celina shrugged. Reading the Seattle socialite blogs, one would think Dane was the Northwest equivalent of a movie star. Yet she knew him as a guy who’d exchanged pranks with Asher through high school and who’d taken it upon himself to tutor her sons in math.
“You’ll have to ask him that.”
“I only met him once. He’s so young.”
“So you’ve said,” Celina mumbled. “Well, thanks so much, Lorna. I have to say the place was really intimidating when I walked in. You’ve made it fun and I appreciate that.”
“My pleasure. And thank you for the drink.”
“Are you good to drive?”
“I just had a glass and a half. Whistler isn’t big. I’ll be home in ten minutes.” And then she was gone.
Now left with six thousand square feet of posh living for three whole days, Celina indulged in a cheeky smirk.Bring it on,Celina thought as she refilled her drink. Bring. It. On.
After unpacking and re-exploring the house, Celina attempted to start the mystery thriller she had been given as a stocking stuffer. Her restlessness didn’t allow for more than half an hour of reading. She had promised not to call home before the boys needed her, so Celina bugged her host instead.
“Hey, I was just about to call you.” Dane answered after two rings. “How are things?”
“I got the grand tour from Lorna.”
“Lorna? Oh, you mean the property manager for the subdivision. Good, she offered to do that since I’m stuck at work for the rest of the day.”
“I know you’re busy. Just wanted to tell you that I’m here, I’m fed, and I’m determined to relax.”
“Only you would turn relaxation into a chore.”
“You sound like my sisters,” she retorted. “Anyway, thanks. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Finishing up business in Vancouver soon. These Canadians tend to take the week between Christmas and New Year’s off, slackers that they are,” he chirped. “Wanna grab brunch tomorrow?”
“I didn’t realize you were in Vancouver.”
“I gotta go. Text me when you wake up tomorrow. I’ll drive up for the day.”
“Sure. And thanks, Dane. This is gonna be fun.”
“If anyone deserves some fun, it’s you.”
She hung up with a smile although part of her was unsure of exactly whatfunentailed. Everyone kept telling her to unwind. What was relaxation to a single mom with a job? A mystery, that’s what.
OK, downtime. What did people do for downtime, Asher? Television, I guess. Though it’s been ages since I’ve watched television by myself. That’s probably why the remote control feels like I’m navigating a space shuttle launch.
She managed to find an HGTV show on one of the televisions. Celina headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Hail Lorna, queen of snacks, who procured everything from caramel popcorn and chocolate-covered pretzels to smoked salmon spread and herbed crackers.
Giddy like the kid inHome Alone, Celina brought her food haul to the den and settled into the groove of mindless munching and blatant voyeurism.
