An Accidental Fling

My first vacation since college begins today, and for some reason I’m kind of nervous about it.

Why, I don’t even know.

Most people don’t get nervous about taking time off, going away, and trying to relax. But I am. Maybe because it’s a vacation just for me. No one else is coming along. Or maybe because I’ve never been to a luxury spa resort before.

Skytop isn’t in an exotic location. It’s just outside of Asheville in the mountains of North Carolina, so it’s only a few hours’ drive from my home in Green Valley. It’s definitely not the vacation I would have chosen for myself, but my mom bought me a full-week package in an attempt to make up for getting drunk and embarrassing me at my New Year’s Eve party a few months ago.

My mom and dad are constantly trying to bribe me into forgiving them for their failings as parents. It’s been going on since I was a kid. I don’t always accept the gifts anymore, but my mom bought this week as a nonrefundable package. If I don’t use it, then it will go to waste.

Plus I’m exhausted. My job as a junior associate in a local family law firm is fulfilling, but we just finished a difficult, challenging case, and I really need a break.

So my mom’s bribe came at a good time.

Plus she really did mortify me at the party, getting sloppy drunk and hitting on all my friends, both male and female. I should be used to that sort of thing, but I can’t quite insulate myself fully from the emotional toll.

All that to explain why I’m standing next to my car right now as a bellhop pulls my luggage out of the trunk.

I’m an active sort of person. I’m not sure how I’m going to manage lying around, getting massages and skin treatments for an entire week, but I’ll give it a try.

The woman who greets me at the front desk is gorgeous and smiling—tall and slim and tanned with bright white teeth that make me blink. Women like her used to bother me, making me feel even shorter and curvier and more freckled and messier than I actually am, but I’ve been working on my insecurities for the past few years. I’m thrilled when I don’t feel even a twinge of jealousy at the sight of her perfect face and body.

My life wouldn’t be any better if I looked like her. And even if I devoted hours every day to molding my body, it would still never look like hers.

People are who they are. And I’ve gotten more than my share of attention with my curly auburn hair, blue eyes, and soft, curvy figure.

I’m momentarily distracted by my reflections, so it takes a few seconds to realize the woman has asked me if I’ve visited before.

“Oh. Oh no, I haven’t. This is my first time.”

“Well, welcome! We’re so happy to have you here at Skytop Spa Resort. Kurt can show you around as he brings up your luggage if you’d like, or you can come down later for the tour.”

“I’m happy to get the lay of the land now. Thank you.”

Kurt, my bellhop, is young and obviously well trained. He’s been waiting a few feet behind me, but he steps forward at my words.

When the woman finishes checking me in, I follow Kurt toward the central courtyard, which is overflowing with plants and domed with impressive glass that lets in the sunlight.

The building is only two floors, sprawling out in all directions in an irregular design. I’m relieved for the tour because there’s no way I’d be able to find my way around otherwise. Kurt shows me the pool, the sauna, the treatment rooms, the yoga studio, the meditation sanctuary, the coffee shop, and the restaurant. He also shows me the outdoor facilities, many of which are currently closed because it’s only March. But there are hiking trails and tennis courts, so I can have outdoor activities if I want them.

When we’ve completed the maze of the first floor, we reach an elevator. Kurt explains that all the rooms and suites are on the second floor.

I’m smiling in response to a mild joke he just made when the elevator doors slide open. I start to step in when I realize someone is getting off.

So instead, I stop automatically. Then freeze completely when my eyes land on the man exiting the elevator.

It’s Carlton Hill. My best friend’s older brother. Tall frame. Broad shoulders. Dark hair and beard. Chocolate-brown eyes. Rude scowl.

When we were kids back in Green Valley, he used to be the cutest, nicest boy I’d ever known, and I’ll admit to having had a silly crush on him. But after college he got his heart broken, and it changed him.

He became bitter and antisocial and bad-tempered and infuriating.

Now he annoys me more than anyone else I’ve ever met.

And there he is. Standing directly in front of me. Looking just as shocked to see me as I am at seeing him.

What the hell is Carlton doing at a spa resort?