Two years ago the most amazing thing happened... I won the lottery. 45 million to be exact. Not nearly that much after taxes, but I won't go into detail on that. Now some (ok maybe most) people would just quit working and live off that. But I've never been able to sit on my ass for long periods of time. So I invested in my dream: opening a resort hotel of my own. And boy, did I have an amitious vision. I wanted it to be the ultimate vacation spot. 750 rooms, 2 four star restaurants, a theme restaurant with a different theme each month, pools, beaches, hiking, a dive shop, a bar, and even a small casino.
Flash forward 2 years, and my resort is fast approaching reality. Money can make things happen quickly. Anyway, I knew this business was risky, so I hatched a plan to test my resort to make sure it lives up to my standards. And if there were any problems, I could fix them before opening.
My 10th high school reunion is coming up. My high school is small and doesn't make a big thing of it, they throw a luncheon every year at homecoming. After a few quick phone calls I have in my hands a faxed copy of the mailing lists from not just my year, but the years surrounding mine as well. So I send out invitations to the ultimate high school reunion, because let's be honest: luncheons are just boring. 3 months later and the day has finally arrived. As my 400 or so guests and their significant others arrive I'm getting nervous. What if it's too much? What if my concept is way off the mark?
I walk out to the podium in the banquet hall where my guests gather to begin my short opening speech. "Well this is a hell of a turnout. I'm glad you all came. I'm sure many of you are thinking that a free weekend getaway to such a spectacular resort is too good to be true. Well, almost. It is free, but I have one request. In your packets that you each received on the way in here there are materials describing all our amenities. Feel free to try anything and everything you want. All of it is on the house this weekend. I only ask that at the end of the weekend, you fill out the survey that you have in your packets. And remember, the only way I can make this place better is with your honesty, so tell me how you feel. Our grand opening is next weekend and I want to make sure this place is ready. Thank you again for coming. There will be a cocktail party and a banquet at 6, and that is the only large scheduled event this weekend. Have a good time." Everyone filed out of the banquet hall and the murmurs sounded very excited. I finally got some reprieve from the tension that had been building.
I designed the weekend so that I would have very little actual hosting to do, the resort should basically run itself and hopefully I would have time to spend with my old friends. So when the cocktail party started, I arrived along with the guests and searched the room for a friendly face. Momentarily, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw Jessica, a girl from my softball team. We weren't very close, but it was good to see her.
Ok, the truth is that I had wanted her. Badly. And seeing her now, looking 10 times better than she had in school, I wanted her even more. I gave her a hug and we struck up a small conversation, talking about the basics of the past 10 years - where we went to school, what we studied, whether it had any real relevance to our careers, and how the years were just flying by.
"Almost 30." she said, with a sigh.
"Yup. It's amazing how when you're 18, you're not 'almost 20'...but the day you turn 28 you're 'almost 30'" I laughed.
"That's so true. I don't want to be 30."
"You're only as old as you feel. And you look fantastic by the way. The years have not been so kind to some people in this room."
Jessica laughed and blushed, but didn't respond.
"Well, it's been great talking to you. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go make the rounds and see how everyone's doing. I'll catch up with you later. And if you need me for any reason, ask the front desk." I said as I walked away. I wasn't sure how much more of that tension I could take.
The party was great. Almost everyone was a little buzzed by the time dinner was served...with more wine. Alcohol makes a vacationer happy. I sat at a table with my best friends from high school, everyone I used to hang out with. We were a motley crew of very unusual friends. Most of us were gay all through school, a trait which doesn't make you the most popular person.
"Oh my lord have you seen Heather lately? She got hot!" said Eric.
"Yeah, so is Brian. He was such a dork then. What happened?" chimed in Derek.
"I talked to Jessica for a little bit. As long as I could stand. I left when I was about to ask her up to my room. I figured that might be awkward." I said.
"Oh didn't you hear?" said Greg, "She came out. Her junior year of college she showed up at my brother's graduation with her girlfriend. Then they broke up at his party. Talk about awkward."
I didn't say another word for the rest of dinner, all my attention was on Jessica and how to make her mine.
I spent most of that night at the casino, schooling everyone at Texas Hold 'Em. Afterwards I stumbled up to my room and slept soundly for the night.
The second day passed uneventfully. Well, I was busy, but none of it is relevant to the story I'm telling, so I'll just skip forward to the part that is.
About 9pm, I was sitting in the bar having a drink with some old teammates. We were discussing (surprise) sports. Next thing I knew everyone gets quiet. I looked up and there was Jessica. I invited her to sit, but she just shook her head.
"I'm not feeling very social, but I do need to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Um...can we talk somewhere else?"
I excused myself from the table and we walked out of the bar and headed towards the beach. We walked in silence for a few minutes and when the lights from the resort started to fade she stops. I stopped and started to turn towards her when she reached up and grabbed my head and kissed me hard. We kissed for what seemed like hours, with our tongues sliding together in the most tantalizing way.