Page 31 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
My shoulders slump. I step aside and pull out my phone. As I'm staring hopelessly at my phone, the receptionist next to the difficult woman leans over and waves me over discreetly.
I make my way over, and she offers me a kind smile, whispering “I'm so sorry about my colleague. We're all just very stressed with this storm situation. I overheard you need a room?”
I sigh. “Yes, my flight has been cancelled at the last minute, and I just need somewhere to stay tonight. Do you think there's any way you could help me out?”
She bites her lip, glancing around furtively before turning back to me. “I'm really not supposed to do this, but we do have one double room left that hasn't been entered into the system yet.”
My eyes widen. “You have a room? I would be so,sograteful if I could take it. I just want to sleep tonight then get back home.”
She smiles sympathetically. “I know how awful it is being stuck somewhere you don't want to be. My sister loves following you on Instagram, by the way. She says you're such an inspiration. You helped her lose her baby weight.”
I can't help but grin. “Well, please tell your sister thank you so much. That means the world to me.”
“Of course!” She quickly types on her keyboard. “Okay, I've booked you the room. Here are your key cards.” She hands them over with a wink. “It's the least I can do. You’ve seriously changed her life.”
Clutching the precious cards, I beam at her. “Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.
Who says status can't have some perks? But it's connecting with fans like her sister that I'm most grateful for. All of the effort has to be for something.
As I head to the elevators, the key to my escape in hand, I decide to give this wonderful receptionist a glowing shout-out on social media.
I'm waiting for the elevator, exhausted but triumphant, when the receptionist's words fully sink in. “Double room.”
My stomach drops. Double almost always means one bed, which means Cole and I will be shoved into even tighter quarters tonight.
I squeeze my eyes shut, cursing internally. Imayhave been avoiding a certain green-eyed man after beach incident yesterday morning. The thought of sharing an even smaller space has my nerves jangling.
But it's not like I can go back and ask for a different room now. This is my only option besides returning to try other hotels, which, by the look of how busy ours is, isn't going to do any good.
The elevator arrives, and I step in, chewing my lip. Maybe Cole can take the couch. Even our bodies sharing the same room feels dangerously intimate at the moment.
I lean against the wall with a shaky exhale, watching the floors tick by. Just one night maintaining professional boundaries. Besides, Cole makes it very clear that he doesn't see me in that way and wants to keep our relationship strictly business.
The doors slide open, and I make my way to the room, ready to tell Cole the news. Just one night, maintaining control and emotional distance. I repeat this to myself like a mantra.
But when I think about being so close to Cole, hearing his breathing so closely, seeing him get out of the shower, my heart flutters.
Oh no, this feels anything but professional.
COLE
Ipace the plush carpet, cursing the damned rule that allows Everly privacy to gossip freely with friends. As if I care to eavesdrop on their chatter. But I reluctantly agreed, so I headed to the balcony to give her some space as soon as I heard she was on the phone.
I didn't expect that courtesy to bite me in the ass like this though. Everly somehow slipped away unseen, and my panic is escalating by the minute. If she has gotten herself hurt or compromised safety due to my foolish leniency...
I'm contemplating reporting a false emergency when the door opens. Relief battles with frustration seeing her nonchalantly saunter back inside.
“Where were you?” I demand, tone razor sharp. Everly halts, looking stung. I curse inwardly.
I rake a hand through my hair, exhaling hard. “I’m sorry, but you cannot disappear without informing me, Everly. I was...concerned for your wellbeing.” There, firm authority without undue heat.Nailed it.
“Chill out, man. I’m all good, promise!” She twirls in demonstration, showing me her unharmed form.
I nod, lingering adrenaline still trembling my fists. “I only grow...anxious because I care if you are safe. That is all,” I add gently.
She stops spinning. I avert my eyes slightly from that truth hanging plainly between us now. When did this assignment become less about duty and more about me and her?
Everly clears her throat. “I just slipped down to the lobby quickly. Have you seen the news?” I nod; of course I’d seen about the storm. I was looking for her so we could start coming up with an action plan when I realized she was gone.
