Page 6 of Until Kendal

She tensed like she wanted to say no, but then she said, “Okay, get two rooms. I need to keep my mom safe. She’s who I meant with 'we.'”

Perfect. I would charm her mother, too, if that was what it took. With a wink, I took out my credit card and asked for two rooms. Then I said to Kendal, “I’ll help with whatever you need.”

The clerk gave me two room keys, and I handed one over to Kendal. Once I signed, we turned to walk away from the desk, then she said, “I almost believe that when you say it.”

The shock of desire rushed through me again, and I stared into her gaze. “You should. I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep.”

My words were absolutely true. For Kendal, I would do almost anything.

ChapterFour

Kendal

The hotel room Joel had booked for me and my mom had all hardwood floors with no rugs, with green curtains and a huge fireplace that would keep my mom warm and cozy at night. The white bed sheets with touches of green in the pillowcases were quaint and charming.

Our room was next to his but not adjoining. Hopefully, Joel had a nicer room; he seemed to be flush and was probably used to the best of everything. Maybe I was overthinking. He hadn't complained about the hotel. Until now, I hadn't realized how sparse and old-fashioned the interior was. But everything was well-kept, and the hotel was probably one of my favorite locations. I'd catered and done hair for guests at the hotel. Hairdressing usually earned me better tips, but a job was a job.

I knocked on Joel's door, and when he let me in, his eyes were wide with shock. I wasn’t sure if it was me or the yellow room, but as I opened my lips, his phone rang.

He sighed and mouthed, “My brother.”

I nodded.

He answered, “Arman,” and I shrugged and returned to my room.

Maybe it wasn’t nice to accept offers from strangers, but the nicest hotel in town would serve as a nice buffer. The staff here would not tolerate a scene, and that would work well to keep my father at bay, almost as much as the police station’s nearness. All we would have to do was scream for help here, and it might actually arrive.

I quickly called the police station and was patched through to Cobi Mayson, the officer who’d helped me and warned me earlier. I whispered so Joel wouldn't hear me. “Can you tell me anything?”

“He checked in with his parole officer today.”

My heart pounded. He could still be here any minute. I closed my eyes and asked, “Where?”

“The halfway house is near Antioch.”

That was about forty-five minutes away. For all I knew, he was already closer. I hugged my waist. “Thanks.”

I blinked then bounced on my feet. My mother hadn’t called me. I swallowed and tried to breathe. If I called right now, she would hear the stress in my voice.

And neither one of us listened to each other well then; she would shut down and want to go bake a cake instead of solving anything.

I walked back to his room. He let me in, with his lips curved higher. My heart lurched. I was making a mistake by coming to him. My mind raced, trying to rationalize my attraction.

He didn’t strike me as fancy or superior, though he was. The conversation he was having on the phone was way above my head, which meant he'd gone to fancy schooling.

His nearness sparked something in me that made me want him. He whispered to me, “One minute, and I’m all yours.”

No, he would never be mine. I nodded and left. This time, I would use my time more wisely. I marched in and dialed my work. So far, I’d only texted, but Kimberly, Ellie, and everyone who worked at the salon would wonder. Ellie answered on the first ring. She and Kimberly were sisters-in-law who owned the hair salon together. I said quickly, “Ellie, thank you for today.”

“Your customers all understood when I said you were in a car crash. How’s your car?”

I paced. For the first time today, the sound of my friend’s voice made me feel normal and calm. “In the garage. I’m in a rental.”

“How are you?”

My neck didn’t pinch. I felt fine—better than that really. But I glanced up at the green trim of the white walls and said, “Lost and confused.”

“Where are you? Do you need anything?”

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