Page 15 of Not That Complicated

Adam took my information and my credit card and entered it into the computer. When he’d finished, he stood up and held out the key. My head tipped back. I eyed the length of his arm.

He was big.

I’d got it stuck in my head that he was younger, that he was a boy. I’d tried to get it stuck, in any case. But there was no getting past it. This wasn’t a boy.

This was a big man.

A big, confusing man.

I reached out to take the plastic key card. Adam didn’t let go. I gave it a gentle tug. Nothing.

“Ray, I didn’t know,” he said. “You’ve never given me a chance to tell you properly. I’m telling you now. I didn’t know.”

I pondered playing dumb for a second or two. But we both knewIknew what he was talking about. “Okay.”

His fingers tightened on the card. “I suppose I should try apologising again.”

“For what? There’s no need. You said you didn’t know. It’s not your fault you were a homewrecker.”

An eyebrow twitched. “Homewrecker?”

“Yes. You were also a child. You didn’t know better. I accept your apology and I forgive you,” I said magnanimously.

His smile sharpened. “I was twenty-two.”

“A baby child. Forgiven. Now, is the room this way or...?”

“And I didn’t apologise this time.”

“You said youshould. I assumed it was implied.”

“It wasn’t.”

“I forgive you anyway. For your youth and your bad manners.” I was uncomfortably aware that my manners weren’t exactly a shining example right now. There was something about the way helookedat me andpokedat me that got me all riled up. I was never usually this rude.

“You’re very bitter, Ray,” he said. “Tell me it’s not because you’re still pining for Fraser. The guy’s a dick. He tried to pass you off as his roommate. Even after you came into the bathroom.”

I made an angry noise. Fraser wassucha dick. “Did you even care, one way or the other?”

“Yes,” he said fiercely. “I wouldn’t cheat. Ever. Cheating is for wankers.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Moral character. Excellent. Carry on.”

The smile that had been flirting over his expressive mouth burst into full bloom. “Moral character, huh?”

“Was that right or left? For the room? Do I go along the corridors swiping my card until I hit the jackpot? Or do I have to call your manager and get them to show me?”

“Call my manager?” Adam was unimpressed. “You’re better than that, Ray.”

“Nice that you think so,” I said. “But no.”

“In that case,” he said, “Sir. Your room is on the second floor. If you’d like to take the lift, it’s the first right and all the way to the end of the corridor.”

“Sir,” I mused, giving the word the same weighting he had but leaving out the sarcasm. I tapped the edge of the key card on the desk. “I like that.”

“Yes. I’m rather partial to being called sir myself.”

My eyes widened.

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