Immigration in Honolulu was uneventful. We were essentially a planeload of Aussies on holiday, so I can’t imagine we posed much of a challenge to the immigration officers. Mine even looked bored as I pressed my fingertips to the little fingerprinting screen and she took my photo. Imagine living in paradise and being stuck inside all day welcoming tourists.

I switched my phone off flight mode as I waited for my suitcase. It bleeped immediately with a text.

Delayed in LA. Sorry! Will be there after you. Room in my name. I called them so you can check in. See you soon. Jx

Oh. A wave of disappointment washed over me. I’d landed thinking I would see Josh within the hour, so my anticipation, after months of being apart, was palpable. It’s only a few more hours, I told myself, and now I’d have time to freshen up before he arrived. Happily landing on the bright side, I thought about what I wanted to be wearing when he arrived.

I decided on nothing.

*

When the taxi pulled up at the hotel, excitement bubbled up inside me. Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii! I paid the driver in cash and a man in a Hawaiian shirt—do they just call it a “shirt” in Hawaii?—opened my door with, “Aloha,” followed closely by, “Welcome to The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.” That was quite a mouthful to have to say dozens of times a day.

I climbed out of the taxi and took a deep breath of the warm, fragrant breeze. The man placed a lei around my neck—a real one, made of frangipanis! How lovely! I was already blown away, and I hadn’t even gone inside yet. I replied with a big smile and said, “Thank you!”

The excellent service continued all the way through check-in—yes, they were expecting me, “Welcome, Miss Parsons”—and being shown to the room. The hotel—the lobby, the room, everything—was over-the-top beautiful. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d stayed somewhere as luxurious. Mental note: fancy hotels are extremely nice.

Overwhelmed by the view of Waikiki Beach, I only remembered at the last second to tip the bellboy for bringing my suitcase. He smiled politely without looking at the five dollars I’d given him, and I wondered if it was too much, but better too much than too little.

Then it was just me alone in a massive room with one of the most famous views in the world. Nice digs, Joshua. Waikiki was only for a night, though, as we were flying to Maui in the morning. From Josh’s description, the resort in Maui was even more luxurious. I could get used to this, I thought.

As I wasn’t sure how long I would have the room to myself, I tore myself away from the view and got busy freshening up. Close to two hours later, after I had scrubbed, lathered, slathered, and prettied myself and after I had practised arranging myself on the bed in the most alluring pose possible, still no Josh. I went to the wardrobe, took out a robe, and slipped it on. Being nude for Josh’s arrival was one thing, but it felt odd to hang out in a hotel room stark naked.