I pulled my hood tight around my face, my head bowed low as the rain battered down upon me on my way home. A shudder ran through me as a cold raindrop made it through my jacket and trickled down my neck. It had been raining nonstop for almost three days, with another two forecast to follow.
By the time I stepped into the small entrance of the hostel, I was shivering. Stamping my soaked shoes on the mat, I smiled at Hank, who was seated behind his desk. "River, post for you there," he said, barely glancing up from the small screen displaying the football.
"Thanks." I shucked off my jacket and picked up the letter before taking the stairs two at a time. Once in my room, I hung my jacket up and threw the two letters onto my drawers, pulling off my sopping clothes and jumping into the shower to warm my bones.
Stepping out of the bathroom, I hung my towel over the radiator and pulled on a pair of smart trousers and a white shirt. I grabbed my phone and flung myself onto the bed. I had half an hour to waste before Ezra was due to pick me up for the night, so I scrolled through the news articles on my phone.
[Latest Star Wars movie postponed due to strikes.] [Cher's beauty routine: How to stay young forever.] [Search for Maxwell Reach continues.]
I clicked on the bottom article and read:
[The search for missing Maxwell Reach has now entered its seventh week. Friends and family of Maxwell reiterate how out of character it is for him to not be in contact. Maxwell is now the third young man to go missing in the last seven months. Police assure us that the disappearances are in no way connected.]
I read the entire article, gaining no additional information. I already knew it all; everyone did. It had been all anyone could talk about for the last few weeks. My phone flashed, displaying a message from Ezra and distracting me from the article.
[You have this whole weekend free, right?] [Yeah, from now till Monday afternoon. Why?] [Pack a weekend bag. I've got a new client down the coast. It's a hotel and bar, and they've offered me to stay for the weekend so I can get a feel of their business.]
[OMG. And I get to come too!?]
[Well, I was hoping you would.]
[Yes!! I'll start packing now!]
I sat up on my bed, tossing my phone to one side and stared at the chest of drawers in the corner of the room, pondering what to wear. A wave of self-doubt crept in as I mentally sifted through my limited options.
After overthinking every option, I was finally satisfied with my options for the weekend.
I dressed in a comfortable tracksuit for the drive down there and redid my hair, making sure the messy curls fell in just the right place. I glanced at the clock--fifteen minutes to go. Just enough time to double-check my packing.
I opened my bag and reviewed the contents: a couple of smart outfits, casual clothes, toiletries, and a book. I threw in an extra pair of socks, just in case. With everything in place, I zipped it up the suitcase and placed it by the door and reached for the letters, about to open them, when my phone rang.
"I'm outside."
I quickly shoved the letters into my bag and pulled on my rain jacket. With a last glance at the room to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, I hurried out the door and down the stairs. As I stepped outside, the rain continued to pour, and I spotted Ezra's car parked out front. I dashed over and slid into the passenger seat, shaking off my jacket.
Ezra greeted me with a smile. "Hey Kiddo, ready for an adventure?"
Always," I replied, kissing his briefly and smiling back.
We started the drive, and after some small talk, the conversation shifted to music. Ezra teased me about my playlist choices. I rolled my eyes playfully. "Just because I don't play them all the time doesn't mean I don't appreciate the golden oldies!"
Our banter continued, filled with laughter and light-hearted jabs about our differing tastes. The rain drummed steadily against the car, creating a soothing backdrop to our journey.
"By the way, I think Jeri and Kobe will be meeting us at the hotel tomorrow night."
"Really? That's cool."
"Yeah, there's a drag show. Thought it could be fun if we all went together."
"That sounds like a blast," I said, feeling a spark of anticipation. "I've never been to a drag show before."
Ezra glanced over at me with a grin and putting on a silly voice trilled, "You're in for a treat. It's going to be fabulous."
A couple or hours later we pulled up to the hotel, a grand yet inviting building with modern architecture and large glass windows. The foyer was a blend of luxury and warmth, with plush seating areas and subtle nods to the gay community, inclusive artwork subtly decorating the walls.
As we checked in, the friendly staff made us feel immediately welcome, greeting us with genuine smiles. Our room was equally impressive. Spacious and elegantly furnished, it featured a comfortable king-sized bed, a cozy sitting area, and large windows offering stunning views of the coast currently being battered by the rain. It was expensive, no doubt, but it was still kind of relaxed too.
After settling into our room, I changed out of my tracksuit and into a white shirt and trousers, while Ezra swapped into something stylish yet comfortable. We both took a moment to admire ourselves in the mirror before heading down to the bar.
It was welcoming and chic, with a lively buzz of conversation and laughter. In the corner, a pretty ginger woman in a red dress was singing slow jazz, her voice floating melodiously through the room. Ezra spotted the manager and introduced himself.
"Hi, you must be Zachary. I'm Ezra."
Zachary smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Ezra. And you must be River?" I nodded, returning his smile. "Let's sit down and get comfortable," he said, leading us to a booth in the corner. We settled into the plush seats, and he began to talk about the hotel's plans. "We've been wanting to reflect our weekend shows and our LGBTQ clientele more prominently on our website. Plus, we need to boost our social media engagement."
I couldn't help but interject, "And the logo--perhaps it could use an update? It's not very clear what it's conveying."
Immediately, I felt a wave of awkwardness for interrupting. I could see Ezra and Zachary exchange glances. But then, to my relief, they both nodded in agreement.
"You're right," Zachary said, looking thoughtful. "We've had similar feedback before, but hearing it again confirms it. Thanks for pointing that out."
Ezra shot me a reassuring smile. Zachary continued, "I want you both to immerse yourselves in the atmosphere here. Enjoy the bar, the live music, the drag shows--get a feel for the vibe. It'll help you understand what we're trying to achieve."
We settled into the cozy booth, and soon a steady flow of cocktails began to arrive. The atmosphere was perfect--fun yet romantic, with small groups and other couples enjoying the evening. The live jazz singer's voice added a touch of elegance to the night.
As the evening progressed, Ezra became increasingly flirty, his hand brushing against mine, his eyes lingering on me with a playful glint. He leaned in and kissed me a few times, sending a thrill through me.
