Page 14 of The Plus One Contract

After another full minute of hopeless wandering, I finally spot a hallway. A hallway that leads to a single, glorious door.

The exit.

I could cry.

I scramble toward it, gripping the handle, bracing myself for the sweet, sweet taste of freedom.

It’s locked.

“Oh, come on,” I whisper into the air.

I turn, scanning the walls. There’s a keypad.

Nathan doesn’t just live in luxury. He lives in Fort Knox.

I stare at it, my mind racing.

Do I try to guess the code?

No, dumbass, what are you going to do, try his birthday? You don’t even know his birthday.

I need another way out. I glance around, and that’s when I see it. There’s a small silver button located next to the elevator. I press it, praying to whatever higher power might be listening.

The doors slide open, and I nearly trip over myself lunging inside, pressing the lobby button frantically, my heels in my hand, my dress wrinkled and twisted.

When the doors open again, I’m in an elegant lobby where a concierge waits at the desk, impeccably dressed despite the ungodly hour.

“Good morning, miss,” he says, perfectly professional.

Am I not invisible yet?

I should just nod back. Keep walking. Keep moving.

Instead, I blurt out, “Uh. Yes. Five stars.”

The concierge blinks.

I blink.

Five stars, Sienna.

Five. Stars.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

He gives a neutral smile. “Would you like me to call you a cab, miss?”

“Oh,” I squeak, mortified. “No, that’s okay. Thank you.”

I keep my head down, focusing on making it out of the lobby without spontaneously combusting.

Once outside, the cool morning air hits me. I quickly call for an Uber, glancing down at my phone.

4:18 AM.

I have a flight in five hours and a wedding to face soon after. A wedding where my ex and my entire family await my arrival.

Now, instead of feeling relaxed, detached, and refreshed from my reckless night, all I feel is dangerously off-kilter.

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