Don't Tell (Don't 1)

I loved that girl.

26

Kaitlyn

It was Thursday afternoon. We had two days until the luau, and only one until the guests started to arrive. I loaded the cleaning cart with towels, and began the process of checking each room for linens. Cole had given me the towel count. Each room was allowed four bath towels, four hand towels, and four washcloths. I had convinced him that three towels in a double room were not going to cut it.

I pulled a freshly washed stack from the cart and started folding the fabric so that the edges touched and draped over the towel bar in a perfect symmetrical rectangle. I stood back to admire my towel presentation. I might not know how to make fancy towel fans, but these looked quite crisp.

It was only last Friday when I was having daydreams of fluffy white spa robes and pina coladas by the resort pool. Today, I was a full-service motel operator servi

ng fluffy towels to motel guests.

“Now, if only I could find one of those French maid costumes, this would be perfect.” Cole stood in the doorway.

“Ha-ha, mister funny. I’m only on the third room. How are you doing?”

“Believe it or not, I only have a few left. This is actually going to happen. The rooms are going to be ready for tomorrow.”

“That’s awesome.” I folded one of the washcloths and placed it on the shelf. “Where’s Grayson?”

He nodded outside. “I have an eye on him. He’s riding a scooter on the sidewalk. I think he’d do that for hours.”

“Probably.” I grinned.

“So, I had an idea.” Cole strolled a few more feet into the room and watched me work.

“Really?” I pulled another towel from the cart. “Something you want to add to the party?”

“No. It’s a thank you.”

“A thank you?” I abandoned sorting the linens and turned to face him.

“Did you bring your passport?” he asked. Cole was smiling.

“I did. Just in case I got to go to Mexico. Wait. Are we going to Mexico?” I walked toward him.

“Maybe.” Cole leaned toward me and grazed my lips with his mouth.

I inhaled the warmth of the kiss, and pushed against him. “Tell me. What is it? I’m not good with surprises.”

“What about a dress? Did Lisa set you up with a pretty dress?”

I didn’t know where or when I was going to wear the strapless black dress when I bought it, but I was certain this was what it was meant for.

“Yes. I have a dress.” I smiled.

“Ok. Be ready tonight at six, in your pretty dress.”

“Wait. What about Grayson?”

“Don’t worry. I have a sitter. It’s all taken care of.” He walked backward out of the room and threw me a wink before closing the door behind him.

I pushed the butterflies down and sat on the edge of the bed. We were going on a real date—perhaps something we should have done before sleeping together. It didn’t really matter now. Cole was taking me out in my new black dress.

It was almost six o’clock. The corners of my eyes were lined with a smoky charcoal eyeliner I picked up at Tassels Surf Shop. I puckered my lips a bit to smooth on a pale lip gloss. I hadn’t spent as much time as I thought I would in the sun, but it didn’t take much on South Padre to pick up a tan. My shoulders were already sun-kissed. I tossed my new makeup in a bag and straightened my lotion bottles around the sink. Tomorrow, we were moving into the beach house next door.

I didn’t know what it meant, other than Grayson needed a real house and I needed to turn this room over so Cole could make more money. I’d be lying if I