Page 30 of Standing Still

“Of course not.” She gives me a cheeky look. “You have more than one Starbucks. That makes it a metropolis.”

I burst out laughing and she grins back at me. Even in the dark of the cab, I can see the outline of every part of her beautiful face. I draw my eyes from her and back to the road before I drive us into a ditch. I have to stop crossing the line in my own damn head. When we pull up to the Hyatt, Jedi wakes with a snort and steps up, putting his nose between the seats.

“He thinks we’re home,” I tell Elle when he starts licking her cheek, making her squeal and giggle.

“You should get him back,” she tells me, putting a hand to his face, to stop him from lickingherface.

“I’ll just see you in first,” I tell her. “Jedi, down,” I instruct the dog. He doesn’t immediately move, but when I give him a stern look, he drops back. I get out of the truck and walk around to Elle as she hops out and slams the door. “You good?” I ask as she wobbles slightly.

“I’m fine, just a little tipsy,” she grins at me. “I had a good time, Ben. Thank you for inviting me.”

“No problem,” we head towards the main entrance to the hotel. “I said you’d have a good time. Mystic never lets me down. You got your key?”

She roots around in her bag and pulls out a key card and raises it with a triumphant smile.

“Are you gonna be okay getting up to your room?”

“I think I can manage,” she laughs, but her hand comes up and she pats my chest.

“Good to know,” I decide to give her something to think about. “Better get some shut eye. I’ll be back for you at eight AM on the dot.”

“Excuse me, what?” She tilts her head slightly.

“Part two of our falling for Mystic adventure. Dress warm, plenty of layers and sensible shoes.”

“Ben, I am not going anywhere at eight in the morning. I’m halfway to drunk. I’ll need at least twelve hours of sleep to be able to function tomorrow, never mind,” she squints at her watch. “Six.”

“I’ll bring you an extra-large coffee. Now go, get yourself into bed and set an alarm. Actually, give me your phone.”

“No,” she twists away from me.

“Elle, pass me your phone. I don’t trust you.”

“You’re insane.”

I take the phone when she hands it to me. I find her alarm app and set it for seven fifteen. See, I do have a small portion of heart. I could set it for six AM. I hand the phone back to her.

“Don’t leave me out here waiting. You won’t like what I’ll do if that happens.” I start walking backwards to my truck.

“What does that mean?” she half yells after me.

“It means if I have to come up to your room to get you, whatever state you’re in is the way we’re leaving. Hungover or not, in yourpj’s or… not. I’ll throw your ass over my shoulder and carry you out of there in front of everyone.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

“You’re still insufferable.”

“It’s my middle name. See you at eight.”

Chapter Thirteen

I had to applaud myself for being exactly where he said I had to be. At the right time. The look of surprise on his face seeing me standing outside the hotel entrance at stupid o’clock in the morning. I won’t lie. I feel like crap. I drank two cups of coffee, a bottle of water, took painkillers, and am wearing sunglasses.

Ben grins when he pulls up beside me and I open the door to his truck. I get in and glance at the two huge takeout cups in the centre console.

“For me?”

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