Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(96)
Once the plane reaches its required altitude, Jared and Joe let go of my hands. I watch Joe unbuckle his belt and then mine, promising me that it’s safe. For the rest of the journey, everyone floats throughout the cabin chatting to help pass the time. I don’t move other than to get up and use the restroom. I sit, read or work on my computer unless someone comes over to talk to me. Most of the time, either Jared, Nathan or Joe stay with me at the table other than Sadie who doesn’t leave my side.
Lunch is served a few hours into our flight and everyone gathers around the back table so we can all dine together. Jimmy and Allen share a seat, one on top of the other’s lap, to allow Maggie and Henry to join us. Anna serves a variety of bitesize sandwiches, fruit and iced tea. I make a point to try each food choice and they are all delicious.
We land in Hawaii just after two West Coast time which is eleven Hawaiian-Aleutian Standard Time. Three pearl white Teslas are waiting for us as we exit the plane. My knees tremble with excitement as the solid reassurance of land is under them again.
I enjoyed flying. It didn’t remind me of anything like that of being in a car. I’ll definitely have to start traveling more by plane.
Upon entering the Four Season’s Resort in Maui, everyone is greeted warmly and given leis. Our bags are taken to our suites as we are checked in. Henry, Maggie, Jared and Nathan are registered to the Maile Presidential Suite while Jimmy, Allen, Joe and myself are registered for the Lokelani Presidential Suite.
Entering the suite with Joe, Jimmy and Allen, I instantly know that Henry has paid way too much for our accommodations alone. I nonchalantly check pricing with my phone as I pretend to marvel at the exquisite space — everything that my eyes fall upon is gorgeous. At a minimum of four thousand dollars a night, the Lokelani Presidential Suite can easily sleep eight adults with it’s over six thousand square feet, three bedrooms, private first floor gardens, three full baths, two three-quarters baths, a kitchenette, living room, dining area, and media room. There are a variety of amenities that come with our room, but the idea of the price for two suites for five nights is astronomical. I can easily afford the trip myself, money isn’t the challenge. It’s the fact that Henry insisted on covering the majority of our expenses; that is the challenge for me. It makes me very uncomfortable and I need to figure out either how to accept it or how to pay my share.
Joe comments at some point during our tour of the suite.
“Huh?” I question since my attention has been primarily on the Four Season’s website. “Oh, yeah. Thanks.”
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” He steps closer and takes my phone, slipping it into my bag.
“This is my room. I heard you,” I repeat.
The bellmen brings all of my bags right into the room and Alika, our private concierge, offers to hang all of my clothing. I politely decline. I’m a little weirded out at the idea of a stranger, let alone a straight man, riffling through my bags and handle my garments. The thought of Joe even doing it bothers me.
Alika takes Joe and me on a tour of the rest of the suite, directing our attention to a variety of indoor and outdoor options. He also mentions that he’s happy to assist us with any of our needs during our entire stay. Alika shows me how to prop the sliding glass doors open from my room to allow Sadie to have access to the outdoors at any time she is in the room. He also mentions that he and several other staff will check in our suite from time to time to make sure that all of our and Sadie’s needs are meet, including dog clean up.
Joe’s and my rooms are side by side and each has their own full private bathroom; mine is connected to my room, but Joe’s is just across the hall from his door. My room has two sliding glass doors on the far right corner, which I make note of, for when I’ll need privacy for changing and for Sadie to have easy access to the private yard. Jimmy and Allen have the master bedroom which is all the way on the other side of the suite — all the better to reduce the sound of any hanky-panky. The majority of our suite’s rooms have one hundred and eighty-degree ocean-front views.
Joe shouts from the living room to Jimmy and Allen, “You guys coming with us?”
“Go without us,” a faint voice replies.
I’m not sure who it was, but I definitely know what they are doing.
Joe, Sadie and I head out of our suite to check in with the rest of our group who are staying in the Maile Presidential Suite which is on the top floor. Maggie is buzzing when we enter and she shows me around the suite. They have the same ocean-front view as us, but their’s is from the top of the building in the penthouse. I know why Henry and Maggie gave us the lower level — to give Sadie room to run around if she’s stuck in the suite for any length of time and I appreciate their consideration. The layout of the Maile Suite is very similar to ours, however, the decor is very different. A bit more modern luxury style where ours is a contemporary luxury feel.
Minus Jimmy and Allen, my friends and I head out to walk around the grounds of the hotel before deciding on changing into our swimsuits and lounging at the pools. Within fifteen minutes, the six of us, plus Sadie are at the Serenity Pool that has designated cabanas just for our use during our stay. The staff willingly show us the cabanas’ amenities which include a television, wi-fi, mini fridge, couches and ceiling fans. Maggie and Henry are already in the water and ordering drinks from the swim-up bar with Jared and Nathan just behind them. I order a drink for myself and Sadie from our waitress before she turns and takes Joe’s order.