Plastering on a fake smile, I walked up to the desk, Sophie by my side.
“Hi again. I was here earlier. You reserved one of the Hill Suites for me for tonight?” I dangled the cabin key in front of her. “And we’re checking out of Lakeside 35.”
Becky’s brows knotted together. “You’ve already got the key,” she said, her tone haughty.
“No.” I slid the key across the desk to her. “This is the key for the cabin. You’ll give me the key for the suite.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sophie biting her lip and trying not to laugh. If I met her gaze, I wouldn’t be able to hold it together either.
“What’s your name?” Becky demanded.
“Max Coady. C-O-A-D-Y.” I spelled my last name just to be sure she’d caught it.
Her nails tapped across the keyboard as if I hadn’t spoken to her less than an hour ago. Seriously, she wasn’t cut out to be in Guest Services.
“Ah, yes. Here we are. Hill Suite 9.” She made a big show of getting the key and taking the cabin one from me. “Enjoy your stay.” Her smile didn’t meet her eyes.
There seemed little point in trying to explain we’d already been there a couple of nights. I was desperate for a shower and something to eat. The sooner we could get out of there, the better.
“She seemed nice,” commented Sophie. Her irony wasn’t lost on me. “Can we get some food? I’m starving.”
“Do you mind if I get a shower first? I haven’t had one since yesterday morning.” I let the thought sink in for a moment. Sophie knew exactly what I’d done since then.
“Um, yeah. I think that’s definitely a plan. I can check in on Autumn and Jodie’s progress.”
Hill Suite 9 was on the opposite side of the lake to the cabin we’d stayed in, with a private porch. When we went inside, there was a huge king-sized bed and two sofas facing each other next to the windows which looked directly out onto the gardens. The entire suite felt light and airy, so different to the claustrophobic wood-paneled cabin we’d left. The bathroom had a massive walk in shower, big enough for two—I wondered whether Sophie would want to join me…
This would be a much better setting for our first proper night together.
“Wow, this place is gorgeous!” Sophie spun around the room opening cupboards and checking in drawers. “I wonder why these weren’t an option for the wedding guests.”
Three hundred dollars a night was the likely reason, but I didn’t tell Sophie. She was worth it.
Quickly, I showered and dressed in jeans and a sweater. Sophie was curled up on the sofa, legs tucked underneath her. Her head was bent over her phone, blonde hair falling across her face. I went over to her and brushed the strands away.
“Are you sure you want food? We could stay here and order something up.”
Sophie laughed. “We could, but I’ve been looking at their brunch menu, and if I don’t get pancakes and syrup with a side of bacon within the next hour, there’s going to be hell to pay.”
I kissed her forehead. “You got it.”
Several of the guests who had attended the wedding were in the main restaurant in the Lodge. We waited to be seated, and I waved to a couple of people I’d spoken to the previous day.
“What’s this? Max Coady and Sophie Hale holding hands in public?”
I turned to see Joshua and Brianna, similarly holding hands, beaming at us. “Morning, buddy. How are you two doing?”
“More to the point, what’s going on here? And does Autumn know?”
The server came over and asked us whether we wanted two tables. I shrugged, and Brianna said we’d share. The four of us followed him over to a table overlooking the lake.
“Yesterday was fantastic, wasn’t it?” I steered the conversation away from Sophie and me, back to the happy couple. “When are you heading on your honeymoon?”
“We go on Tuesday. Two weeks in Wilmington,” replied Brianna. “It’s going to be heaven. Just me and Joshua, and lots of rest and relaxation.”
“Sounds glorious, it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go,” said Sophie, a wistful look in her eyes. “I’d kill for a vacation right now.”
I banked that piece of information for a later date. Maybe I could surprise her with it one day.
“Never mind our honeymoon,” chipped in Joshua. “I’m more interested to learn how you two finally got it together.”
Sophie and I exchanged a glance. I’m sure neither of us wanted to tell the story of our first kiss on Friday night. When there was vomit involved, it didn’t exactly make for a romantic tale.
“What can I say? The romance of your wedding got to me.” I joked, clutching a hand to my chest.
“About time. It’s not as if you’ve been in love with her since we were sixteen.”
“Um?” I wagged a finger between him and Brianna. “I could say the same about you.”
“And look how it turned out.” Joshua grinned. “I got the girl, and it looks like you did too. Seriously, buddy, I’m so happy for both of you.”
The rest of brunch was a jovial affair, until the woman with the notebook I recognized from the rehearsal dinner came over to the table.
“Joshua, Brianna, I wanted to come over and say goodbye,” she began. “I’m so pleased how everything went yesterday, and I hope you are too?”
The couple cooed and nodded in agreement.
“Melina, this is Max and Sophie. They might be in need of your services soon,” joked Joshua.
I kicked him under the table. Sophie’s eyes widened.
Melina smiled and hooked a business card out from her notebook. “Well, here are my details should you need them. Having been to a Holiday Springs wedding as a guest, I can assure you that as a bride and groom, it will be a delightful experience.” She leaned down and kissed Brianna on both cheeks, then Joshua. “All the best for the future. Let me know if you
