Someone Else

Chapter 16

I tie the straps of my swimsuit top around my neck, checking over my appearance in the mirror in my bathroom. I'm wearing a two piece bikini. The top is a bandeau style - white and navy blue striped, and navy blue bottoms to match. It's a cute suit that I picked up at a shop in New York, this is the first chance I'm getting to wear it, but I suddenly feel self conscious at the thought of wearing it around my coworkers.

They're your friends, too.

Adam officially left for New York shortly after our breakfast this morning. He had done as he promised and stopped by my room to say goodbye. I hold an empty feeling slightly, as if he took part of me with him. I'm unable to identify the foreign feeling I have deep inside. Worry? An inkling?

It's afternoon now. Oscar, John and Daisy insisted I meet them at the pool downstairs. I didn't really feel like joining; wishing to self wallow at the lack of Adam's presence but I didn't want my friends to question my behavior. So, here I am, checking over myself in the mirror before I head to the pool.

I slip on a thin summer dress over my swimsuit to shield some self respect on the short trip downstairs. I check my phone, knowing it's a long flight back home to New York but still having a sense of disappointment when I don't see any new notifications from Adam.

I hope your flight goes smoothly. I miss you already. I send a quick text, frowning when it doesn't deliver though I expected as much. He's probably still on the plane.
I leave my phone behind in my room and head downstairs to the pool on the first floor.

"She made it!" Oscar shouts when I open the door to the pool room, the strong smell of chlorine hitting me like a brick wall. I offer a small smile and sit down on one of the lounge chairs next to John. Oscar and Daisy are in the pool.

Besides a few other guests, the pool room is mostly empty. The walls are lined with windows, exposing the sun makes its way lower into the sky, not quite setting yet. There's a small hot tub in the corner. The room is lit with yellow lights.

"Come on! Get in, babe!" Daisy grins at me. I look around and sheepishly remove my dress. I hear Oscar whistle and I see Daisy splash him in return.

"Sorry." He grins and sends me a playful wink. I smile and roll my eyes at him. He does look rather dashing shirtless. Though, not nearly as exciting as Adam is naked.

Immediate my thoughts are taken over with images of naked Adam on top of me... The feeling of holding his biceps, feeling them move beneath my fingertips.
I clench my thighs together, forcing away the intrusive thoughts. I look to John who's kicked back in his lounge chair.

"You aren't going to swim?" I ask him.

"Oh, I am. I'm waiting until Oscar least expects it." He gives me a mischievous look. I'm unsure of what he means by that but I don't question him.

I approach the edge of the pool, looking down at Daisy and Oscar. I dip my toe, testing the waters.

"Is it cold?" I smile playfully in an attempt to uplift my own mood. Oscar climbs out of the pool and I give him a weary look. He holds his hands up in an act to display his innocence and I turn toward Daisy.

"You get used to it fast. Just jump!" She splashes some water toward me. Simultaneously, my body is lifted from the ground beneath me. I look up to see Oscar's grinning like an idiot. His arms are hooked under my back and my legs, holding me off the ground.

"Oscar Isaac, don't you dare!" I gasp, quickly wrapping my arms around his neck before he can toss me into the pool.

"Oh, come on!" He laughs, inching us closer to the edge. He's holding me up with ease, the muscles in his arm evident. I'm surprised; I knew he had to be muscular but he's stronger than I expected. He's got a small, thin patch of chest hair.