Page 19 of David's Proposal

No one knows what will happen in a few months from now, so never say never.

“All right,” she murmurs just as a message flashes across the screen.

“Uh…” I mumble, peering at my phone.

I was about to say something else, but now I’m completely distracted by the few words quickly popping up and vanishing.

David: Arriving at nine o’clock. Meet me at the hotel downtown. The car will pick you up at eight-thirty. Ask for the Blue Suite.

“Liz?”

“Yeah?”

The message is gone, so I tap the screen to read it again in the inbox.

“What did you want to say?”

“What was I saying?” I mumble, checking his message.

Downtown? Which one? There are two hotels downtown. One is closer to Red, the club. The other is farther away.

Well, the driver must know which one it is. Although The Blue Suite must be a clue as well.

I check the time. I have a couple of hours to get ready. Which is enough time. Or maybe not.

“What are you doing? “ Chloe asks.

“I’m checking my work schedule.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be off from work this week because of the wedding?”

“Yes. Yes, I am… I am off from work,” I say, trying to buy some time. “I’m also looking at my work schedule for next week. I have some catching up to do and take some of Clarissa's shifts.”

She’s buying it.

She believes my little white lie.

“Okay. I’ll let you deal with that then.”

My attention snaps back to her.

“No. I’m done with this. What were we talking about?” I murmur, struggling with guilt.

“You were thinking about my proposal.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen.

I don’t see how.

It’s not only about the money.

I don’t want to lose my job and break the lease to move to Spain in the middle of the winter.

No fucking way.

Chloe is going through a phase. I’m sure she’ll be back home before I get the chance to pack my things up and leave.

She’s coming home for Christmas. We’ll talk then.

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