The Uber driver pulled up in front of a large five-story building framed by equally elegant smaller structures. Exterior lights gave a golden hue to the pale-brown brick, and a towering evergreen tree twinkling with Christmas lights rose above the nearby shrubs and a small white picket fence. Everything glittered as dusk fell around the main building. Fluffy white flakes danced lazily on a gentle breeze, adding to the whole picture. It was almost like Liam had been transported through time and space to a magical wonderland. This place was truly paradise.
Liam pushed open the door and stepped out into the cold evening. He held out his hand to Kate, who took one look at his offering and dismissed it. Her eyes didn’t even meet his as she scrambled from the vehicle, murmuring, "Thanks for the ride," then hurried around to the trunk.
He watched as she headed inside. Part of him itched to pull her aside and ask her what was wrong. She was obviously struggling with something. The other, more logical part of him knew he needed to just let things be. Her reason for being at the resort, whatever it was, wasn’t his business. It wasn’t like he would be sharing all the sordid details for why he was there either.
Liam offered the driver a thankful nod as he grabbed his luggage. He made it to the reception desk and stood right behind Kate. She peeked at him over her shoulder then stiffened when he flashed her a smile.
“Next,” the man behind the counter smiled warmly. “Welcome to Sweet Paradise Resort. Are you here for the couples retreat?”
Liam straightened. She’s here with someone? An odd twinge of disappointment snaked through him. From the moment he’d arrived in Colorado, all he’d been able to think about was how he should have been there with Sarah. Now this woman had managed to turn everything inside out.
The host behind the counter gestured toward him. “And your husband? Will he need—”
Liam stiffened, and his gaze bounced to the woman in front of him.
She hunched down, her hand coming to her forehead. “No. He’s not my—I’m not with him.”
Confusion flickered across the man’s features. “My apologies.” He peered at the computer screen. “Will Mr. Scott be arriving later today or—”
“I’m here alone,” she muttered. “Actually, can I speak with your manager? I’ve been trying to reach someone in management for the past month, but—”
The gentleman frowned. “I’m sorry. We’ve been short-staffed, and it can be difficult to return the numerous calls we get.”
“It’s fine. I just want to speak to a manager.”
“He’s gone for the day, but he’ll be back tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “It’s important. I want to change my reservation. I don’t want to participate in the couples activities. I understand the room can’t be refunded, but all the extras—” She squirmed and glanced at Liam again, her face red.
Something was wrong, and the dull ache in his chest intensified. That must be why he was drawn to her. They had something in common. They were both here without the person they loved.
“I’m terribly sorry, miss, but the retreat is also non-refundable.”
Her shoulders slumped. He took a step forward, prepared to help her plead her case, but then the man continued.
“But…” The man flashed her a smile and leaned forward. “This week, I hear they’re doing a raffle.”
She lifted her head.
“Every activity will get a certain number of entries, and the hotel will refund the stay and the retreat fees for one lucky couple. Of course, seeing as you’re here alone… that might be difficult. Some of the activities require you to be in a partnership.” He gave her an apologetic look.
“Really?” The hope that dripped from the tone of her voice was almost pitiful. At least she had something to look forward to. “I guess it’s better than nothing.”
Liam glanced around the lobby as she continued her check-in. There had to be several couples here for the retreat. He had signed up before Sarah received her diagnosis. Life wasn’t fair, and he knew first-hand how hard it could be to bounce back from something devastating. He got the feeling this woman needed a win.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. It was rude to eavesdrop. From the sound of it, she’d suffered enough; she didn’t need spectators. His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his back pocket. Stifling the urge to groan, he slid his thumb across the screen and read the message from Tyson.
Tyson: Hey bro. Rebecca is on board. I gave her your number.
Liam shook his head and clicked on the message. He’d lost count of all the times he’d told Tyson no. He wasn’t ready to date anyone just yet.
Liam: Dude! Why did you do that? I told you no dates.
The little bubble popped up, indicating Tyson was typing something. Then it disappeared. Liam let out a harsh sigh.
Liam: I mean it! NO dates.
“Next!”
His head popped up. The woman was gone, and the host waved him over. After five minutes of being checked in and listening to reminders that he had been assigned to a room without a television or Wi-Fi due to the nature of his visit, he headed for the elevators. Initially, it had sounded romantic that the hotel promoted more togetherness by taking away modern distractions. Now, it would make for a very lonely week.
He glanced down at his phone once more to confirm Tyson hadn’t messaged him back. Liam cared for his friend, but the guy was an idiot. Couldn’t he tell that Liam was still grieving the death of his fiancée?
Liam rounded the corner to the elevators just as they started to close. He sprinted forward and shoved his arm between the doors just in time. When they opened, they revealed the woman from earlier.
He let out a chuckle. “We have to stop running into each other like this.”
She dropped her gaze, and her light-brown hair fell like a waterfall, hiding her face.
Liam took his place beside her, glancing at the lit buttons on the control panel. Fourth floor. They were headed to the same place. He leaned against the wall and shifted his focus to her again. He opened his mouth, then his phone vibrated again.
Tyson: I’m not canceling. You need this. It’s time to move on. Sarah’s dead. She’d want you to be happy.
He ticked his jaw back and forth. Yes, Sarah was dead. And he’d been madly in love with her. This trip wasn’t because he couldn’t let go. They’d planned this trip together, and she’d made him promise her that he wouldn’t bail. If Tyson knew that little detail, he’d only push Liam harder to go on this date with Rebecca. What if Liam didn’t want to move on? What if he wanted to cling to the last bit of Sarah’s memory he could?
He shoved the phone into his pocket. Messaging Tyson would only feed the anger swirling in his stomach. They couldn’t see eye-to-eye on this subject, and they never would. Tyson had never lost anyone close to him.
The elevator doors slid open, and the woman darted through them like she couldn’t stand to share the same air he breathed. That was just as well; it wasn’t like he wanted to spend any quality time with anyone either. He was there as a promise to his lost love. By the end of the week, he would be able to complete his mission, and then maybe he would consider listening to Tyson. But at this point, the probability was slim.
Adjusting his duffel strap, he ducked out into the hallway and headed down the corridor toward his room. Tomorrow was the first day of the retreat. From what he could remember, the first activity was a tour of the mountain via snowmobile. At least that should be fun.