"We’re going to have fun, aren't we, Henry?"
"You're damn right we are, Edie. We're going to have the time of our lives,” he says as he pulls into the parking lot by the Main Lodge, and we head inside.
"I wouldn't go that far," I say, laughing. It’s good to laugh with my best friend. He may not be the man I thought would be my date for Annie and Jared’s wedding, but I love that he’s here with me.
* * *
"I'm sorry,Ma'am, but this is the only room we can put you in."
I look at Henry, and my heart beats wildly. As much as I love him, I’m not sure about this.
"But there's only one bed." I look at the clerk, willing her to understand that Henry isn't my boyfriend or husband—but that we're just friends. "We need two beds."
"I'm sorry," she says again, her voice tighter. "We have back-to-back weddings and other events this week. We’re all booked up. We can bring you a pullout bed if you’d like."
I take a deep breath and try to push down my frustration, because I know it's not her fault. Still, it’s hard not to snap at her.
“Hey, Edie,” Henry says. “It’ll be fine. We’ll work it out. It’s fine,” he repeats to the clerk, who exhales in relief.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Henry says reassuringly. “It’s not a big deal. Everyone says we act like an old married couple, so let’s pretend we’re an old married couple.”
I nod, though I’m not sure about this plan. It’s not like I don’t love Henry because he’s my best friend, and I do, but I hoping to have a little more space and privacy for myself. It was a mistake to assume that they’d have other rooms available, especially in the middle of summer.
As we make our way through the halls of the resort, it’s obvious this place is perfect for a summer holiday. Everything is dark wood and looks like an upscale cabin. It’s the kind of venue you see in movies, but you forget actually exist in real life.
"Do you have the schedule of events?" Henry looks at me. "I think there's a dinner or drinks thing tonight. I need to brace myself for everything. You know these people better than I do."
“I’ll email it to you now.” I pull up the email on my phone and forward it. “Besides, you’ll be fine. You’re always the life of the party. Everyone loves you. And you met Annie in college.”
“Yeah, I remember her. She was your friend, but then she moved up to Seattle.”
“I’ve missed her.” It’s true, but there’s also a twinge of jealousy that she’s found love and is getting married. I assumed I’d be married before turning thirty, but it looks like that won’t be the case.
My heart races as we walk down the hall to our room, and I can't figure out why. Henry is my best friend, so why am I so nervous about sharing a room with him for a week? My ex-boyfriend was supposed to be my plus one for the wedding, and I was hoping he would propose to me. Part of me wants some space, not because I'm uncomfortable with Henry, but because I need to put my heart back together and brace myself to start dating again.
"Here we are," Henry says, sliding the key card into the electronic door lock.
The room is every bit as amazing as it looked online. It’s not small, but it’s cozy, with a king-size bed dominating the space. I giggle nervously.
"It'll be fine, Edie," Henry promises. "Besides, what's so bad about having to share a bed with me?"
"Nothing, nothing," I say quickly as color rises in my cheeks.
Henry may be my best friend, but he's also incredibly hot, and I’ve always had a crush on him. He’s a little husky and has a beard but hugging him is wonderful, and everything in my world makes sense when we’re together. He has a fierce and loyal heart, which is one of the things I love about him. Our friendship is rock solid.
"Yeah, it'll work out," I agree, but somehow, it’s different with both of us being newly single.
"So, the schedule shows a drinks thing starting in about forty-five minutes. You up for that?"
"That sounds perfect," I say, opening my suitcase and choosing an outfit to wear. "I want some cocktails and then to faceplant into bed."
* * *
Spruce Ridge Tavernis noisy with music and laughter. It’s like an upscale summer camp but with booze. I look at all the couples and wonder why Brendan couldn’t at least wait until after this trip to end things. Or maybe it was the right thing to do, so everyone wasn’t asking when we would be getting married. I wish I weren’t starting all over again.
Henry takes my drink from my hand and pulls me to my feet, "There you go, losing yourself in serious thoughts again. Dance with me."