Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

I thought back to the pictures on the website of the resort. When I checked in, I could take a hot steamy shower and curl up in one of those fluffy robes while I waited for my luggage. I smiled. A twenty-minute shuttle ride was all that separated me from resort luxury.

I stepped out into the baggage pickup and searched for the shuttle the resort advertised. I felt empty-handed as I watched the travelers around me struggle with their suitcases. At the end of the sidewalk was a small bus marked with the emblazoned sun logo for the Wave Oasis. I marched toward it.

The driver jogged down the steps. “No luggage, young lady?”

“No. It’s lost.”

“Maybe they’ll find it for you by the end of the week.” He laughed. I hoped he was joking. I didn’t have a stitch of clothing with me other than what I had on. I couldn’t spend the entire week in a spa robe.

After an hour, the driver pulled into the side entrance of the Wave Oasis, designated for guest arrivals and departures. Everything looked exactly like it did on the website. Palm trees and tropical flowers lined the sidewalk. I loved the deep red hibiscus blooms, climbing the trellises. Flames flickered in the gas torches by the front door.

I smiled as I stepped off of the bus and inhaled the salty air. I tilted my head to the side confirming that the rumbling sound was waves meeting the shore. I made it—I finally made it to South Padre. It didn’t matter that I was alone and couldn’t claim a group like the flip-flop girls as my spring break buddies. Even the fact that my luggage was missing didn’t frustrate me like it did at the airport. All the perfect paradise ingredients surrounded me. Warm beaches. Sun in my face. Salt breeze in my hair.

I approached the front desk and pulled out my ID, feeling the rush of the trip lighting all my senses.

“I’m here to check in,” I announced.

The girl behind the counter smiled and brushed her bangs from her eyes. I instantly liked her. “The name?” She couldn’t be much older than me.

“Sinclair. Kaitlyn’s my first name.” I slid my ID across the counter.

“Hmm.” She typed quickly and scrunched her nose. “Could it be under another name?”

“No. I made the reservation months ago. Kaitlyn Sinclair. I have the credit card here. Do you need it?” I flipped open my wallet.

She shot me a friendly smile and started punching the keys again. “I just don’t see it. Did you have a roommate by chance or did someone else make the reservation?”

My stomach lurched. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. “I did, but I’m certain he’s not here. I mean, that’s just not possible. Is it?”

“Why don’t you give me the name and I’ll check?” she offered.

I sighed before saying his name. “Branch Richards.”

“Oh yes, he’s here. He checked in.” She seemed relieved to have solved the mystery of my missing reservation.

“What?” I didn’t want to cause a scene at the desk, but my voice rose from calm to shrill.

“He checked into room 852.”

This was unbelievable. Branch had checked into my room. I guess it was his room, too, but he lost that privilege when he broke up with me three days ago.

“Can I please have a key?” I pleaded.

Her smile evaporated. “I’m sorry.” She whispered across the counter. “Your name isn’t on the reservation, so I can’t give you one. I shouldn’t have even told you the room number.”

I clutched the shoulder strap on my bag—the only thing I had on this island. “But it was my room—our room. He took my room.” I inhaled deeply through my nose. “Ok, well, can I make another reservation?”

The thought of staying in the same hotel with Branch wasn’t appealing, but I was running out of options and this resort was huge. We probably wouldn’t run into each other, and if we did there were thousands of people to hide behind.

“Actually, no. We were booked up two months ago.” I saw a look of pity in her eyes.

No, no, no. This wasn’t possible. I was homeless in South Padre. I stood at the counter, closed my eyes, and tried to grasp my options.

“Are you going to be ok?” The girl whispered.

“Yes. Thank you, for your help.” I was visibly rattled from the information.

But suddenly I was in a trance. I walked into the open elevator with a group who had just left the pool.