Marrying Myself by Christine Melanie Benson

Author:Christine Melanie Benson [Benson, Christine Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2022-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

PART 3

The “Honeymoon”

Chapter 23

Even on the luxurious BartTech jet, it was a marathon trip from Thun, with refueling stops in New York and Los Angeles. Now, after a whirlwind twenty-four hours in Honolulu, Julia and Kat were on the beautiful island of Maui, where they’d finally have a chance to settle in and relax.

The concierge of the Island Gem Hotel led them up a majestic, curving staircase to the honeymoon suite. Smiling graciously, he opened the door of the suite and gestured for them to enter.

Julia's eyes were immediately drawn to a bamboo table covered with red rose petals arranged in the shape of a heart. Resting on top was a white vase overflowing with dewy red roses. Next to the flowers was a bottle of champagne, chilling in a silver bucket of ice.

Kat caught her look. “Oops,” she muttered. “Guess they didn’t get the memo.”

Julia nodded vacantly. It was barely noon. The day had to get better.

“Is everything all right?” said the concierge, sensing something was off. “Anything I can get you?”

“Thank you, we’re good,” said Kat, dismissing him.

He nodded politely and left, shutting the door behind him–the resulting breeze stirring up an entire cloud of rose petals.

Julia now noted a path of petals stretching from the doorway to the bedroom.

“They really went all-out,” said Kat.

“They sure did,” said Julia. She walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. The view was like nothing she’d ever seen–a stunning expanse of cliffs, sky, sea, and black sand beach. Another world.

Kat, eager to explore their lavish surroundings, wheeled her suitcase through the spacious kitchen and lounge area into the bedroom. She called to Julia a moment later.

“Jules, I think I’ve discovered heaven! I’m never going to leave this bed.”

When Julia didn’t respond immediately, she said again, “Jules! Come see.”

Julia tugged herself away from the window view and walked into the bedroom, stopping short at the sight of the largest, gauziest, most inviting canopied bed she’d ever seen. She gaped, awed at its sheer immensity. Bigger than king-sized, it seemed to scale a full city block. Lying on it, Kat looked like a little girl. Clearly, this was a bed meant for other-worldly dreams and passionate lovemaking–for a honeymoon with the love of your life.

Its very presence seemed a cruel practical joke.

“Come on,” urged Kat. “There’s plenty of room for both of us!”

“That’s for sure,” said Julia. “I think this bed is bigger than my entire apartment.”

The apartment in which she’d be continuing to live, she now realized–no more Rowes Wharf condo, no move to Louisburg Square. Instead, she’d be returning to her solitary existence in her tiny, lonely, one-bedroom apartment–and her tiny, lonely life.

A fresh wave of despair threatened to overwhelm her.

“Come on,” said Kat. “Check it out!”

Julia climbed onto the bed, a veritable island unto itself. For once, Kat hadn’t been exaggerating. The mattress

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