Page 69 of We Can't Be Friends

“Call me if there is any trouble. Thanks, Cal.”

Liam hangs up. I pocket my phone and head to the woman that I can’t shake. She’s taken up residence in my thoughts, whole hours of the day that drift to her.

“Henry.”

“Not now, Pretty Boy.” She lets out a huff. Brow furrowing with frustration. “I’m not in the mood to deal with you.”

Is she ever?

I ignore her, kneeling in front of Tucker. “Hey, Tuck.” I pet the golden fur on his head.

Chloe spins to face me. So, this is what it would be like to kneel in front of her. Can’t say I don’t mind the view; would prefer if we were both naked. Maybe in one of the rooms upstairs.

Her head dips, casting a glare at me. I tip mine upward to meet her gray eyes, giving her a wink and two-dimple smile that I’ve caught her blushing at before.

Grant, the hospitality intern working with us this semester, breaks ourmoment. “I found the reservation.” He pauses, a frown forming on his mouth. Grant flicks a nervous look to me before returning his attention to Chloe. “Unfortunately, the room is only available for tonight. I’ll need to speak with Mr. Hayes,”—I stifle a laugh. Liam would murder the guy for referring to him as Mr. Hayes. It is too formal for him, even me. The staff call me Callum or Cal—“about updating the reservation or moving you to a different room.”

“Is there a different room available?” Chloe asks.

“Unfortunately, no. We are completely booked tonight.”

It’s at this moment that I wish the hotel wasn’t doing as well as it is. Maybe. There is a part of me that’s beaming, the finance-money part of me, that sees the green on the spreadsheets.

But there is a part of me aching because we—I—can’t help Chloe.

In the few months that I’ve known her, she’s never asked for help. I’ve come to a quick conclusion that she doesn’t want to.

She’s prideful of her independence, fiercely protective of others, but doesn’t accept the reverse. I think there’s some underlying reason why. Does she not know how to ask? Is she afraid to appear weak?

“I’ll take whatever is open.”

“I can call Mr. Hayes.”

Chloe taps on her phone. “No. It’s eleven in London. He’s probably asleep.”

He’s not.

“Are you sure?” Grant asks hesitantly.

“Yeah—”

“Cancel the reservation, she’s staying with me,” I say at the same time and without thinking. Probably should have thought about it, we have an extra bedroom at our place. Liam and Emerson should have thought of it honestly.

Grant’s eyes swivel between us. Hands frozen over the keyboard.

Chloe turns to face me.

“I am not staying with you.”

“You are. It wasn’t a question.” Backing up, I grab a couple of her bags. “Grant, you can delete her reservation. I’ll send a note to Liam about Miss Henry’s change of plans.”

“Miss Henry?” Chloe’s jaw hangs open. “SeriouslySullivan?”

“Come on. You are crashing with me.”

“I am not!”

“This isn’t up for discussion.”

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