No Vacancy

  Contents

  Soundtrack

  1. Caterina

  2. Caterina

  3. Joe

  4. Caterina

  5. Caterina

  6. Joe

  7. Joe

  8. Caterina

  9. Joe

  10. Caterina

  11. Joe

  12. Caterina

  13. Joe

  14. Caterina

  15. Caterina

  16. Joe

  17. Caterina

  18. Joe

  19. Joe

  20. Caterina

  21. Joe

  22. Caterina

  23. Caterina

  24. Joe

  25. Joe

  26. Joe

  27. Caterina

  28. Caterina

  29. Joe

  30. Caterina

  31. Joe

  32. Caterina

  33. Caterina

  34. Caterina

  35. Caterina

  36. Joe

  37. Caterina

  38. Caterina

  39. Joe

  40. Caterina

  41. Caterina

  42. Joe

  43. Caterina

  Epilogue

  Preview of Finding Me

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Books by Stephanie Rose

  No Vacancy by Stephanie Rose

  Copyright © 2019 by Stephanie Rose

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted on any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.

  Except the original material written by the author, all songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in the book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs (www.najlaqamberdesigns.com)

  Photography: Regina Wamba of reginawamba.com

  Editing: Christine Allen Riley

  Proofreading: Mitzi Pummer Carroll

  Created with Vellum

  Dedication

  To my son, who hogged my phone for most of our Jersey Shore vacation because his tablet couldn’t pick up the spotty Wi-Fi, giving me no other choice but to take in the beautiful town and beach and sparking the idea that became this story.

  Soundtrack

  Call You Mine - The Chainsmokers

  All On My Mind - Anderson East

  We Own Tonight - New Kids On the Block

  Like I’m Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor (feat. John Legend)

  Endless Summer Nights - Richard Marx

  Ice Cream - Sarah McLachlan

  Love Me Anyway - Pink (feat. Chris Stapleton)

  Takeaway - The Chainsmokers

  Try - Pink

  Summer Nights - John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John

  Don’t Give Up On Me - Andy Grammer

  Lover - Taylor Swift

  Playlist can be found on Spotify

  1

  Caterina

  “I don’t understand why you had to leave right now. Why couldn’t you wait three more days and go with your friends? That’s too long of a drive to make all by yourself.”

  My mother’s worried voice flooded my car through the Bluetooth speakers. Why the hell had I answered the phone? I’d ignored every text and sent all calls to voice mail since I’d left, but my mother would be crazed with worry if I didn’t pick up her call.

  “Ma, I’m fine,” I assured her as I tried to focus on the ding of the GPS signaling my next turn. The three hours I’d spent in my car trying to figure out where the hell I was going was oddly soothing. I was focused on something other than the reasons why I’d decided to start my vacation immediately.

  “Did you and Trent have a fight?”

  Any peace I’d found on my way down here dissipated in a rush at the sound of my boyfriend’s name. Or, ex-boyfriend as the case was now.

  “Something like that. I really don’t want to talk about it, and I’ve had a long drive. Didn’t you want me to relax and go on vacation?”

  I pulled into a spot in the Anchor Motel parking lot, a few long beats of silence passing between my mother and me. Admitting that I’d been duped for God knew how long, stung like hell. The thought of what else had been going on right under my nose without me having one single clue was humiliating, and verbalizing it only made it more real.

  “I did, Cat. But you sound anything but relaxed.” I sniffed away the burning in my nose. Nope, I wasn’t crying to my mother over this. “We’ll talk tomorrow when you’re ready.”

  I sucked in my bottom lip, biting the inside of my cheek as I nodded at no one, willing the tears pooling in my eyes back in the ducts. I would hold on to the tiny bit of dignity I’d left Brooklyn with.

  I whispered a goodbye and ended the call, massaging the sore fingers I’d white-knuckled around my steering wheel since I’d left. The adrenaline had worn off, and exhaustion now flooded my veins in its place.

  Somewhere between the Turnpike and the entrance to the Garden State Parkway, I’d figured out what had driven me to flee my own home. It wasn’t the disintegration of a great love, although at one time, I’d thought Trent and I had something real. It was the time I’d wasted, forcing us into something we weren’t anymore, or maybe never really were. But, after two years, I deserved a whole lot better. And, in the end, I’d never expected to come home early from work and catch another woman on her knees, blowing my boyfriend on the brand-new couch I’d just bought with my promotion bonus.

  My phone screen lit up again, this time with my friend Megan’s face. As much as I hated to, I pushed the button on my steering wheel to answer.

  “I’m here. Just pulled up.” I didn’t even have a “hello” in me for one of my oldest friends because I had no desire to go into this horrible story—one I’d have to repeat over and over again once I’d finally let it out.

  “Shit, Cat. What the hell happened? This isn’t you.”

  “I can’t go on vacation early?”

  A long sigh echoing my mother’s came through the speakers. “You can, but you don’t. How long did it take us to convince you to take next week off? So, for you to escape to a town you’ve never been to, all alone? Yeah, you have us a touch concerned.”

  I let my head fall against the headrest. Megan was always the calm, voice of reason type of friend. Shocking her wasn’t an easy feat.

  Was this my fault? Had I become so obsessed with work that I’d missed all the signs that my relationship was falling apart? Or that I didn’t really have one to begin with?

  “I left Trent. And since his name is on our lease, I don’t think I can throw him out. It was head to the shore for an early vacation, or stay home and …” I wondered what I would have done had I stayed. I didn’t even have it in me to really fight or consider what else around our apartment had been tainted. I had the strong feeling this wasn’t a one-time occurrence, and, while finding out Trent had been unfaithful would have hurt one way or the other, he’d brought it into our home. My home. I ran because, at that moment, it felt like I didn’t have a home anymore.

  “You can still throw him out. If you’d called me, I would have happily stuffed his shit in garbage bags for you and thrown them off your terrace.”

  An unexpected laugh escaped me. “You’re a good friend, Meg. I know this doesn’t make sense, but it was something I had to do.” />
  “Hey, as long as you’re okay and safe. And I know you’re all twisted up, but maybe try to enjoy being away, just a little. Don’t have the laptop stuck to you the entire time until we get there.”

  “I just need to work tomorrow since I left in such a rush—”

  “I am confiscating it the second we get to the rental. Be warned.”

  I let a smile—a real smile—stretch my lips for the first time since I’d gotten into my car and headed for the highway.

  “And Cat, I’m sorry. I don’t know exactly what happened, but you always deserved better than Trent.”

  “I’m sorry, too. And thank you.” I ended the call, sucking in a long breath before opening my car door to begin my lovely solo vacation.

  I’d searched online for a hotel close to both the beach and where we’d be staying once my friends arrived. I’d found one with reasonable rates and decent reviews in less than five minutes. I was out the door the second the confirmation email came through.

  The first thing that caught my eye about the Anchor Motel was an outside staircase leading to the rooms. This wasn’t like the hotels I was used to, but when I booked the reservation, the only amenities I’d been looking for were a bed, Wi-Fi, and, after a quick online search, no noted visits from the Board of Health. The whole place had a gaudy, outdated feel to it that didn’t come through on their website. Even at night, it was hard to miss the aqua trim on the windows and pink rails along the steps.

  The hotel pool was huge and was chock-full of what looked like drunken college kids. It filled me with both nostalgia and despair since my days of bringing along a red Solo cup for a swim were so far behind me, I hardly remembered them.

  As much as I tried to, I couldn’t pinpoint when all the fun in my life had circled the drain. Or, as Trent pointed out before I shut the door behind me, when I’d become a cold fish who no one could get close to.

  So far, my vacation was a pity party for one.

  I made my way to what looked like the main office to check in and get my room key. The simple, old school feel of the Anchor reminded me of my childhood trips to Lake George. My extended family would make the pilgrimage from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to the scenic upstate town every August. My cousins and I had loved staring at the pool though our window and making a game out of spotting the midnight swimmers. Now, I hoped my room had thick enough curtains and blinds to prevent others from seeing in.

  “Hello, dear.” A portly man with a full head of white hair greeted me with a warm smile after I tapped on the silver bell at the front desk. “Checking in?”

  “Yes.” It came out like a “God, yes.” “Caterina Longo. I just made the reservation today.” I jerked my chin toward the computer. I didn’t want to seem unfriendly, but getting into my room and passing out on the queen-sized bed I’d reserved was my only priority.

  “Ah, here you are.” He nodded and reached over to the wall, grabbing a lime green keychain off one of the pegs.

  A key? An actual key? I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I had a real, metal hotel key. I always lost my key cards and had to get new ones programmed from the front desk every single vacation or business trip. If I lost this key, replacing it would involve a locksmith.

  “Room 326, just up the stairs in the front.” He grinned at me before pointing his finger toward the staircase.

  “Thank you. Oh, and the Wi-Fi password?”

  “Of course.” He nodded with a grin. My clients usually took Fridays off in the summer, allowing me a lovely and quiet day to catch up. Unless I wanted to work at the rental next week, and I had no doubt Megan hadn’t been kidding about hiding my laptop, I’d need to get online tomorrow. And I hadn’t seen a Starbucks for three exits prior to my arrival. I bristled at the thought of more hours in the car.

  “Anchor is the login, password is anchor12345.” He pulled a paper from the desk with the information printed on it. “Easy to remember, but we print these, anyway.”

  I nodded a thank you and tried to summon the energy to pull my large suitcase up three flights of stairs.

  “Have a good evening, Ms. Longo. Oh, and just a warning. Sometimes, the Wi-Fi is spotty around the hotel, and guests complain about low signal in the rooms. The restaurant across the street, The Beach Pub, has a nice strong signal and is open late. I know how you young folk need your computers and phones.”

  I mouthed a “thank you” before leaving the office, chuckling to myself at being referred to as “young folk.”

  Before climbing the stairs to my room, my gaze again lingered a moment on the crowd around the pool. When was the last time I’d made time for my friends and had fun? I needed this.

  A bright light in my periphery caught my gaze as I made my way to the staircase. My head swiveled toward a flashing “No Vacancy” sign in bright pink neon letters. It had the same effect as high-beam headlights would on my dried-up contact lenses. The Anchor was definitely a throwback to generations before me. I laughed to myself, thankful I’d made it under the wire and was able to secure a room before it was too late.

  Rushing up the steps before any of the swimmers could call me “ma’am,” I shoved my key in the door, jiggling it in the lock a few times before it would open.

  I flicked on the light switch and dumped my suitcase and purse on the floor. Grabbing my phone, I finally read the plethora of texts that I’d muted on my way here. Despite my resolve, I paused when I spied Trent’s name.

  Trent: I know you didn’t really head to the shore. Point made. It’s been hours.

  Point made? After bouncing the phone on my bed, I fell back and draped my hand over my eyes. How could I have been so blind for so damn long? There wasn’t an ounce of concern in Trent’s text. Not an “I’m sorry” or an “Are you okay?” He didn’t even believe I’d really left. I tried to remember the last time we’d had sex or a time when affection had gone beyond a peck on the lips before heading out the door. I came up empty. Maybe Trent was right. I was too caught up in work and planning for my future that I forgot to pay attention to the present.

  Rising up on my elbows, I scanned the tiny room as I worried a stray thread on the bedspread between my fingers. This was the most “in the moment” I’d been in a long time. With no buzz from my phone or ping from my computer signaling another email, the quiet lifted the fog I’d been under for so long. Maybe a weekend alone would help me figure things out—like what I wanted out of life. If all I cared about was my job, why did Trent’s betrayal bother me so much? Maybe it was more bruised ego than broken heart that had pushed me out the door. When I thought of what kind of person that made me, a wave of nausea crawled up my throat.

  “Ugh, you have to be kidding me,” I groaned, spying the tiny lone signal bar in the corner of my phone screen. I could ignore it and climb into bed or venture across the street to the restaurant with the good Wi-Fi. My eyes darted from the bed to the door and back again. Grabbing my lime green keychain and my purse, I headed out the door and down the stairs.

  If I wanted more out of life, maybe this crazy weekend all by myself could be the first step.

  2

  Caterina

  My legs wobbled from either exhaustion or plummeting blood sugar when I pulled open the door to The Beach Pub. My body finally remembered needing silly things like food and sleep.

  Until today, I’d never believed it was truly possible to forget to eat. Since I was a kid, I’d count the minutes until lunch, especially during those dark times when I’d attempt to diet. I could add not eating for an overextended period of time to my list of firsts today.

  The place was empty. I supposed it wasn’t surprising for this hour on a Thursday night, and, from the little I knew about Ocean Cove, New Jersey, it didn’t exactly strike me as a party-all-night type of town. My friends had booked a rental here because it was an up-and-coming shore destination that had grown in popularity the past few summers. It was only a short distance from the main beach towns I’d vacationed in during my younger years, b
ut I’d honestly never heard of it until Megan and Claire asked me to stay at the rental house they’d found. If my hotel was any indication, people had been vacationing here for years.

  I found a seat at one of the empty booths and swept my gaze around the dining area. Despite its simple name, the place had a rustic yet modern feel to it. The walls were a rich, dark wood, dotted with scenic photos of the area and whom I assumed were locals. Large TV screens mounted on the walls captured the attention of the other two patrons inside. I searched the room for someone to take my order, my hunger getting the best of me as my leg bobbed under the table.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  My head swiveled in the direction of a friendly, deep timbre.

  “I was in the back and didn’t realize you walked in. What can I get you?” The man attached to the voice made his way toward me. Even in my acutely pissy mood, I sucked in a short gasp. My weary gaze roamed upward as it swept over the trimmed sandy brown scruff covering a chiseled jaw, blue eyes that, even in the dim lighting, seemed translucent, tussled hair in that he-probably-made-no-effort-with-but-fell-into place-like-magic way. The whole package was so unnervingly perfect, I blinked and cleared my throat, positive I was caught gawking.