Page 18 of One Christmas Night With You
“Good boy.” She winks and heads in the direction of the bathroom.
I drag a hand down my face. Jesus, how did I get here? How did my day start so badly and now end in a hotel in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Eve, spending the night with a perfect stranger who has flipped my day on its head, so now, she is all I want.
It’s a bad idea, Beckett. This won’t end well.
I signal for the tab, and Whitney, from earlier, comes over. Four hours ago, she would have been my perfect distraction from my day, but now it’s Noelle or no one.
“What can I get you?” Whitney asks.
“I’d like to settle my tab.” She pouts, disappointment etched all over her face. “You’re leaving with your little girlfriend?” There's a bite to her tone, and I don’t like it.
“No, I just want to settle my bill and head to my room, alone.”
She heads to the cash register, and I take out my wallet ready. What a day.
I sense her before I see her. Noelle places her clutch on the bar top and slides onto the stall beside me, and I think she is my new weakness. One look at her crystal blue eyes and I am a goner. I can’t just walk away from her. Maybe one night is all we need.
“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private?” she says suggestively, placing her hand over mine just as Whitney comes back with my bar tab and a piece of paper that she slides in front of me.
I look down and it's her fucking phone number. Noelle stiffens beside me.
“I get off at 7 am. I can get the chef to make us some waffles,” Whitney purrs before she side eyes Noelle and then smirks.What a bitch.
“I’ll leave you both to it. Nice meeting you, Beckett,” Noelle says, jaw tight, avoiding my gaze.
“Hey, wait,” I call, grabbing Noelle’s hand and pulling her back. “You don’t understand. Let me explain.” Whitney doesn’t move an inch, and I wish she would piss off.
“Oh, I think I understand perfectly, Beckett. I’ll leave you and Waffle House Wendy here to your evening together.” She swipes her clutch off the bar and steps back.
“It’s Whitney, actually.”
“Whatever,” Noelle says in a mocking tone. “Merry Christmas. See ya.” She storms out as I quickly sign my bill, leaving Whitney's number on the bar before I run to catch up with Noelle.
“Noelle, wait,” I yell just as she steps inside the elevator. I manage to slide in just as the doors close. I pant and try to get my words out. “Noelle, please, Let me explain. That isn’t what you think.”
“I may be young, Beckett, but I am not naive. You’re just the same as the rest of them,” she yells, waving her purse at me.
“Hey, don’t compare me to your ex. I’m nothing like that. Whitney was just trying her luck.”
“Oh sure, that’s what they all say. Be honest, Beckett, you’re just looking for a bit of skirt to keep you company tonight.” Her words are like a slap. She’s so wrong. Yes, I want the company tonight, but I only want hers.
“Noelle, please.” The elevator stops, and I follow her out.
“Look, I’m well aware you are not looking for your next girlfriend, Beckett, but you have strung me along all night, and then I see another girl give you her number.”
“I know, I know that looks bad but believe me when I say I didn’t ask for it. I don’t want her.”
She roots around in her purse.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for my key.” She pulls a key card out of her purse.
“Your room is next to mine,” I state, pointing to the door opposite hers.
She throws her hands up in the air. “Of course it is, because the universe just wants to fuck with me today.”
She goes to put her key in her door, but I stand in front of it.
