Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“That would be great. Thank you so much.”
I’m not exactly keen on a stranger doing my laundry, but I also don’t want to spend the rest of the day waiting by a washer.
With that taken care of, the three of us head up to our room. Our luggage is still where we left it. The maids must not have come in to clean the room yet. I know that John arranged for a super late checkout last night since our flight was so late. If we hadn’t found our own way, I’m not sure how long it would’ve taken before someone came looking for us. Only the concierge knew where we were going after all. Hopefully, the maids would have alerted him, and he would’ve come to find us or sent help. I’m glad we don’t need to find out if that’s what would have happened.
Once in the room, Mari immediately flops down on the couch.
“I slept okay last night, but I still feel exhausted.”
“Well, thinking you’re lost in the woods can drain you emotionally and physically. Plus, we walked a lot.”
“That’s true. I really want to be active again and do things, but maybe we can have a low-key day today? Just hang out here and watch movies all day?”
“I’d be very open to that idea,” I say. “It’s been a while since I did nothing all day.”
Lately, when I start to do nothing, I realize there’s so much else I could be doing. I work on my dissertation, or I correct papers, or I play cards online. I’ve never been good at lounging, but I’m going to force myself to do it today. The three of us could use a day of no excitement after everything that happened yesterday.
“First, we need to take care of our laundry.”
Mari groans. “I don’t want to.”
“You’re the one who was worried about dirty clothes. Come on, fill up the bag so they can take care of it for us.”
“Fine,” she grumbles, getting up off the couch. She digs through her suitcase and tosses various articles of clothing into the laundry bag. Once she’s done, she seals it up and sets it by the door. John and I do the same. It takes us less than ten minutes, and then we’re free to settle in for a day of movies.
John picks first. He buys a slow, dramatic movie on pay-per-view. That type of movie is always his go-to. This particular one is about an author’s life. I don’t mind movies like this most days, but right now, I’m too tired for it. I find myself dozing off as we watch. In one of my waking moments, I look over at Mari and find she’s got her eyes closed, too.
I wake up for the last time when the credits start to roll.
“Alright, guys, it’s Mari’s turn. Hopefully, you’ll both be able to stay awake this time.”
I take his hand. “I’m sorry, John.”
“It’s fine. I hope you enjoyed your rest. We won’t be getting much tonight.”
I lean forward and kiss him. “Why do we have to wait until tonight?”
“Because we’re watching my movie now!” Mari says, laughing. “We can’t have sex twenty-four/seven.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“Because we’d die of dehydration. Now, let’s watch my movie.”
I’m surprised to find that Mari has chosen a superhero movie.
“Interesting choice,” I note. “I figured you’d go for a comedy since that’s what you pick when we have movie nights in New York.”
“I thought about it, but this will keep me awake better. Besides, who doesn’t love Chris Evans?”
She has a point. Chris Evans is fantastic. And I’m not just talking about his acting.
“I’m very okay with this movie choice,” John says.
We hit play, and this time we all manage to stay awake. Drooling over Chris Evans helps. His costume is very tight. It leaves little up to the imagination, and I have no problem filling in those blanks.
It’s early afternoon when Mari’s movie choice ends.
“We should get some food. We haven’t eaten all day,” John suggests.
Mari’s stomach rumbles in response. We don’t have any food left in the kitchen since we assumed we were leaving yesterday. John drives us in the rental car, which he also extended, to a diner not far from the hotel.
“I wish we could do this in New York,” Mari says. “Not have to worry about what restaurants we’re choosing. That would be nice.”
“I know. Just a couple more months, and we’ll be able to.”
“Thank goodness.”
Mari’s words worry me. I hope our clandestine relationship isn’t taking a toll on her. I don’t want anything to pull us apart. I’m happier with John and Mari than I’ve ever been.
I don’t bring up my fear, though. If she isn’t stressed about it, then my talking about it could cause her to get stressed out. I’d rather let her bring it up if she needs to.