Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Eric was left with his jaw on the floor, looking around at Jake, Yvette, and me. “Am I really—”
“Yes,” Yvette and I answered in unison. More laughter spread through the room as we cleared out to get ready for the hot tub portion of the evening. I needed this palate cleanser and felt myself getting excited at the idea of getting drunk in a hot tub overlooking the star-dusted mountains.
Being in the same room as a naked and changing Jake also made me excited but in an entirely different way.
Jake, Yvette, and Eric were the only ones who made it into the hot tub with me. Jess and Tia both decided to call it a night, and Tristan stayed in his room, likely sexting one of his many conquests. He was definitely the player of the group, constantly juggling three or four different guys with no sign of ever slowing down, no matter how many times we told him he deserved something serious and long-lasting.
Eric and I were the complete opposite, Eric even more monogamy-centered than I was. He rarely hooked up with guys unless he knew there was the prospect of a real relationship between him and the guy, having avoided most of the apps but not being able to avoid major heartbreaks.
We sat in the bubbling hot tub with beers and wine in hand, discussing Eric’s latest breakup. “I don’t know. I think I’m going to become a monk, live in a mountain somewhere. Maybe here. Are there monks in Blue Ridge?”
“There’ll be at least one.” Yvette chuckled, taking a sip of her wine before leaning back on the rim of the tub. The mountains opened up behind her, as if they were a rocky cape that draped off her shoulders. A bright and unobstructed full moon hung in the sky and gave a ghostly glow to the peaks and valleys.
“I think we can find you someone before you turn into a man of the cloth,” I said.
Jake cocked his head at me. “I think that’s the term for a priest, not a monk.”
“Right, well, you get what I mean. Although I do think you’d look fabulous in whatever kind of robes you choose to wear.”
Eric laughed and took a swig of his beer. “The only robe I plan on putting on is a bathrobe.” He let his legs float up, toes breaking through the bubbles. “I’ll be fine. I’m feeling okay being alone, actually. It’s weird to say—I’ve been used to being with someone constantly, but being alone has helped me get back to, well, me.”
“This is your eat, pray, love moment,” Jake said, “except you’re loving yourself.”
I looked to Jake, smiling. My legs were crossed over his under the water, our sides pressed together. I also used to enjoy being alone, but ever since Jake entered the picture, the thought of being alone actually terrified me. I had found my one, my other half, no doubt about it, and I never wanted to let go.
“Such a good book,” Yvette said.
“And movie,” Eric added. “Didn’t read the book.”
Yvette put a scandalized hand to her chest, doing a soap-opera double take in his direction. “In front of your book club?”
Eric dropped his head, shamed.
“I didn’t read the book either,” I said in a stage whisper.
Yvette laughed and sent a splash of hot water in my direction. Eric rolled his neck and stretched, covering his mouth for a yawn that quickly spread throughout the tiny group. Yvette glanced at her watch before she leaned out of the hot tub to grab her towel.
“Alright, boys, I’m heading to bed. That was just too much for me to handle,” Yvette said, shaking her head as she looked between Eric and me like a disappointed mother. Eric stood up, water dripping from his hairy chest.
“I’m going to bed, too. Maybe I can read some chapters before Yvette excommunicates me from the club.”
We told our friends good night and were left alone in the hot tub, the star-filled night sky serving as a twinkling canopy, the sounds of bubbles breaking through water mixing with the sound of cicadas and crickets singing their last notes before clocking out.
“Did you want to go to bed?” Jake asked me, arm around my shoulder.
“Nah, I can stay out here a little longer.”
“Good. Me too.” He kissed the side of my head as his leg slipped through mine. His arm dropped under the water, going around my waist and pulling me onto his thigh. “Have you been having a good night?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but sense a suggestive note in his tone.
“I have,” I answered. A smile spread across my face as I let my head drop back on Jake’s shoulder. “You?”
“Same.” He kissed me again, this time on my cheek. “Any night with you is guaranteed to be a great night.”