Page 70 of The VIP Package

I blink my eyes open. “What?”

“Yeah, this is great.” He chuckles again. “I’ve been wanting to chat with the guy about some details in these disclosure docs, but his personal number is impossible to track down. You think you could get that for me?”

My mouth hinges open. I’m too shocked to respond right away.

“Camille?”

Why would I be surprised? Hayden is just being Hayden. He was always this guy. A man more focused on his career than the living, breathing woman sharing his home and his life.

I’m the one who changed.

“Cam?” He sounds worried now. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I can’t be angry with Hayden. He’s just being himself. I was silly to think he’d get sentimental now. “Um, let me ask him, okay?”

“That’d be great. Thanks.” There’s a pause as he goes back to clacking the keyboard. I’m starting to wonder if he even remembers we’re on a call. I’m about to hang up when he speaks again.

“I’m really happy for you, Cam.”

“Yeah?”

“I am.” He sounds like he means it. “You deserve the best.”

“Thanks, Hayden. So do you.”

“I’ll be well on my way to getting it as soon as I have Holyfield’s number.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

I hang up with a weird pit in my stomach. I’m relieved. I’m unsettled. I’m a little bit needy and anxious.

And what I need in this moment, more than anything, is to see Ash.

I send him a text, fingers trembling unexpectedly as I type.

You free?

My belly flutters when reply bubbles float to the screen.

In lndry rm w/ fucking sfty inspctr.

Gotta admire how he expedites texting with four abbreviated words but meticulously spells outfucking. I type my reply while scuffing my feet into sandals.

Can I see you after?

I know he’ll suggest we meet later at a restaurant. Or maybe he’d rather come here and speak—or not speak—in the privacy of my room.

But I’m not sure I can wait that long.

Done in 5.

I’m already out the door with my key in one hand. I remember a sign for laundry in that hallway near the boiler room. It takes less than five minutes to sprint across the resort, at which point I wonder if I should have checked a mirror before dashing out the door.

No time. I need to see Ash right now.

I weave down the hallway, passing McFly on his favorite branch by the indoor waterfall.

“Felching!”he shouts.“Felching!”

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