Page 28 of Room 810

“Oh goody, everything I have to look forward to,” I said sarcastically.

Her laugh was throaty, and I caught the scent of her aromatherapy oil as she poured it into her hands. “It’s best to know what to prepare for, don’t you think?”

“Yeah. Sure.” To be honest, I wasn’t even a little prepared for this. It turned out, my laidback attitude was a total farce. In the face of real life, it collapsed like a house of cards, and I could feel my old self emerging. I’d been nothing but a workaholic, a type-A disappointment, and no matter how hard I played at being casual, it was all a lie.

Luna rubbed her hands together to warm them, then placed her palms flat on my back, spreading the oil upward. “Ooh, you’re tense.”

“I don’t think I’m meant to be a relaxed person,” I admitted to her as she worked her thumbs in little circles along my spine. “It takes too much work.”

“It’s all about balance,” she said in her soothing tone, her voice doing just as much to relax me as her hands. “Don’t mistake having to work for it to mean that it’s not worthwhile. It’s about give and take, push and pull, and knowing when to breathe and let nature take its course.”

Well, nature was very much the ruler of my body for the next eight months or so. While I desperately wanted to go through this with Gabriel at my side, would it change the outcome to be alone? No. This baby would continue to grow and change inside me, and when they were ready, I would bring them into this world, no matter whether I had support or not.

I just really didn’t want to be alone.

Our quietude was interrupted by a sharp squeal, followed by giggling. It seemed a family had brought their kids down to the beach. Luna lifted her hands. “Sorry, I’ll just close the window.”

“No, leave it,” I told her, listening to their unbridled belly laughs. “It’s nice. I like it.” It helped me picture what life would be like with my own little one, laughing and splashing in the waves.

“Okay,” she said, and I could hear her smile in that one word.

I had wasted too much time on regret. I regretted not spending more time with my father while I could, regretted working too hard, not living enough, not being honest with myself and others. Coming to Creston Cay and running this resort, it was supposed to be a way to reset. But these past couple months, I’d lost touch with who I wanted to be.

“Hey, Luna?” I said, propping myself up on my elbows to look at her. She paused in her massage and pulled back to listen. “I just wanted to say that I love you. I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

“Of course,” she said, smiling wide. “I love you too.” As I lay back down, she asked, “What brought that on?”

“I just wanted you to know how I feel. Life is too short for regrets.” And I refused to regret the beautiful child growing inside of me. Even if I had to work extra hard to remind myself every day to be present, I would do it for them, because they were worth it. Never again would I lose myself.

ItriedcallingGabrielthat night, then three more times the next day and again this morning. I was determined to get a hold of him to make sure he knew about the baby. Even if he decided not to be a part of their life, he had a right to know.

While I expected the same lack of connection, this time it actually rang. My heart leapt into my throat, adrenaline surging in my veins as I waited for him to answer. When I heard his voice, I immediately blurted, “I said I’m pregnant!” but then I heard him saying,“…if you’re calling about booking a review, please fill in the form on my website at www-dot-nomad—”

I hung up, not bothering to leave a message. This wasn’t the kind of news you left on a voicemail. With a frustrated sigh, I patted a hand over my still-flat stomach. It was hard to imagine what it would feel like round with my child, but I would find out soon enough. “Hey, peanut, let’s go to the beach. Would you like that?”

There was no reply, but who didn’t love the beach?

“Hey, Birdie, I’m gonna go head down to the water. Would you mind answering my phone if it rings?” I asked, passing her at the front desk as I walked through the lobby.

“Sure thing. Don’t forget your sunscreen.” She tossed a wide-brimmed hat across the desk at me. “Oh, and a bottle of water.” She’d taken to smothering me a bit. It was kinda cute.

“Yes, Mom,” I sassed, plopping the hat on my head. If I didn’t hurry out, she’d insist on packing me a picnic, as if I weren’t just five minutes away.

The beach welcomed me in a way the city never had, with the wind on my face, and an overall sense of calm settled into my body. I walked along the waterline, sand shifting beneath my feet, cool water lapping at my ankles. I had to believe this was where I belonged. If only my heart weren’t somewhere over the ocean with a certain alpha…

“Toby!” a voice called faintly.

I turned around and saw a very rumpled figure staggering as he tried to run across the sand in loafers. Was I dreaming? I held a hand up to shade my eyes from the glaring sun. “Gabe?”

He didn’t stop running, not even when he collided with me, sweeping me into his arms and spinning me around. When he finally put me down and pulled back, he was smiling. And that was when I started to cry.

Stupid hormones.

17

Gabriel

“Hey,hey,”Ishushed,brushing tears from Toby’s cheeks as he collapsed against my chest, clinging to my shirt. “It’s okay, I’m here now.”

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