Page 51 of The Emerson Effect
My mouth falls open and my eyes widen. “You recognized us?”
“As soon as that one,” she says, nodding toward Emerson, “walked into the lobby, I nearly lost it. I just knew you two were finally getting together to meet in real life. So, you want the suite?”
I look at Emerson, and he shrugs. “I’m good with it if you are. I just want you to feel comfortable and safe.”
A quiet, swooning sound vibrates from the concierge’s throat.I feel you, sister. Swoon away.
“Let’s do it,” I say, then turn back to her with a smile. “We’ll take the suite.”
“Great,” she says, her grin impossibly wide as she types on her keyboard. “You guys are going to love this room. The view is spectacular.”
“Thank you so much,” Emerson says, and she beams at him.
Emerson looks at me with a mischievous grin, and I somehow resist the urge to roll my eyes. He chuckles under his breath, and a shiver ripples across my skin.
This is going to be fine. It’s going to be great, actually.
Nothing to worry about.
Nothing at all.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Emerson
I let out a long, low whistle as I walk into the suite. Twila entered first, holding the door for me as I tugged our suitcases inside, and she steps up beside me now, looking around with the same wide-eyed wonder. The suite is nice. Like,reallynice.
There’s a seating area with four chairs around a low table next to a small kitchenette that bears a coffee maker, a sink, a microwave, and a mini fridge. To the left is a full living room with a couch, a loveseat, and a giant television hanging on the wall. There’s a door on either side of the large common area that I assume lead to the bedrooms, but it’s the long wall of windows that captures my attention. Twila’s too.
Leaving the bags, I move toward the windows, and she moves with me, both of us silent. The whole strip stretches out in front of us in what will be a magical view tonight when the neon lights flare to life.
“Wow,” Twila breathes, and I nod.
“Ditto.”
She chuckles at that, and I glance over at her with a questioning expression. She shakes her head, but the smile remains.
“My friend Joey has a thing for using movie quotes in everyday conversation. She would’ve said “ditto” right now, too.”
“Ghost?” I ask, and her smile widens as she nods.
God, that smile. It’s like magic and sunshine and a warm summer breeze blowing in off the ocean.
“Do you want to head down to the pool for a swim?” she asks, and I snap out of my musings.
“Yeah, that actually sounds great after the drive.” I turn my back to the view and look from left to right. “Which room do you want?”
“I don’t care. This one, I guess,” she says, pointing to the right.
“Sounds good,” I say, as we walk back to our suitcases.
Without another word, we roll our luggage to our respective rooms. After I use the bathroom and wash my hands and face, I open my suitcase and pull out my toiletry bag, as well as my swim trunks and a sleeveless shirt. After changing, I swipe on a fresh coat of deodorant and spritz on some cologne. The spray is overkill, especially since I’ll cover the scent with sunscreen and chlorine from the pool, but fuck, I’ll smell good in the meantime.
My preparations took all of three minutes, and I know Twila will need more time, so I grab my phone to look at the footage I shot today. A few clips of the beige scenery on the drive up. The thermometer in Baker. A shot of the strip.
Then there’s the video of me, talking to the camera about how I’d arrived at the hotel and was nervously waiting for my crush to arrive. My muscles tighten as I remember the moment I felt her presence. A strange chill rolled down my back as the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. I can see it inthe video. The way my words stumble to an abrupt halt. My head jerks up and my eyes widen.
Then, I smile.
