Page 7 of One Life to Loathe

“What do you mean?” I pulled out my ID card and handed it to Daisy. The production would pay for the hotel room, but I still had to prove who I was.

“The woman who was with you was in a foul mood too,” Jax replied.

“Oh, Sam?” I darted a look toward the elevator. The flight wasn’t the reason for her bad mood. No, that was me. “I’m sure she’ll sleep it off and be a cheerful little chipmunk again by tomorrow morning.”

Jax looked perplexed. “Weren’t you on the same flight? I have a note here that says you guys were coming in the same car.”

“We were, but it’s not as if we’re friends.” I turned my attention to Daisy. “Do you need anything else from me? If not, I would love my keycard. I need a shower and a nap.” Was I being brusque? Yes. I didn’t know these people, though. More importantly, I didn’t care. I just wanted a break from talking. It never went well for me.

That’s not what’s wrong with you,my inner voice whispered.

I tried to ignore it.

You feel bad for ruining Sam’s day. This is guilt. You should’ve apologized. You had the opportunity.

I brutally pushed the thoughts aside and smiled at Daisy to get her moving faster.

“You’re in room 605,” she said as she handed over the keycard. “All of the rooms have been redone in the past year, so I hope you enjoy your stay.” I thought she was finished, but she said something else. “Your ‘not friend’ is across the hall from you if you want to not talk to her.”

My first inclination was to demand a different room. I did not want to have to deal with Sam at odd hours of the day and night. I didn’t ask for a different room, though. I just nodded.

“Thanks. I’m sure it will be fine. It’s not as if this town has a lot of hotels to choose from. I’m just interested in the bar. You have a good one, right?”

“We do,” Daisy confirmed. She didn’t have even a hint of a smile on her face. “There are plenty of bars around town, too. That’s one thing you won’t be able to complain about.”

“I don’t know. I can complain about anything.”

“I’m not surprised.”

I was caught between amusement and annoyance when I snagged gazes with her. The friendly woman I’d first caught a glimpse of behind the desk was gone. In her place was someone who clearly didn’t like me.

Well, join the club, Daisy. Nobody likes me. That’s how I prefer it.

“Thank you.” I moved toward the elevator. “I can’t wait to get a better look at your town.”

“There’s more to it than meets the eye,” Jax called out.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

3

THREE

Iwould’ve preferred having some down time to walk off my bad mood and maybe get a drink, alone, and check out the town. That wasn’t in the cards, though. We had a production meeting over dinner scheduled in the bar area at six o’clock, which meant I had to be showered and dressed—complete with styled hair and makeup—only two hours after my arrival.

I was already running late when I hurried out of my room in my simple black dress and practically bowled over Leo, who was leaving the room across the hall.

He caught me before I could tumble thanks to my heels.

“Slow down, sport,” he drawled. “You’re going to hurt yourself before the referee even blows the whistle to start the game.”

His hands were big on my arms as he held me upright, and I tried not to notice how warm they were against my skin. One thing the Hunter Hotel had going for it was superb air-conditioning.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded rather than come up with a snarky retort. My brain didn’t seem to be workingcorrectly. I needed some sleep to get everything ticking properly again.

“Falling in love,” Leo replied, not missing a beat.

My mouth went dry. “W-what?”

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