Page 11 of The Layover

“Do tell,” Lee said. “In vivid, complete, tantalizing detail if you would.”

“I saw the jetted tub in the bedroom.” I loosely grasped her fingers and tugged her in that direction.

When we reached the tub, I turned the hot water knob. A loud groan, the kind that rumbled through our feet, filled the room, and drowned out the thunder, and no water came out. That was bad. I shut the faucet off, and the noise stopped.

Raul frowned and reached past me. When he repeated my actions, he got the exact same result.

Go figure.

A scowl was etched across Lee’s face, and she spun away to march to the nearest phone. She picked it up and dialed. “Yeah, hi… I’m in the honeymoon suite, and the tub is broken… Broken as in, it doesn’t work? It’s making a noise and there’s no water coming out… I don’t—” She sighed and looked at me. “Does the shower work?”

I headed into the bathroom to check, and a moment later returned to tell her yes.

Lee conveyed the message to the person on the phone. After another pause, she said, “No, I understand.” Her voice was tight, and her smile was through gritted teeth. “No, it’s not your fault. Thank you.”

Lee hung up with another heavy sigh. “They’re having problems in several rooms, and their plumber can’t make it in during the storm.”

“And you let it go, just like that?” Raul asked.

She glared at him. “It’s not her fault, and yelling at her won’t help anyone. She comped the room, and most everyone else will yell at her. Always save the Karen for situations where it actually matters.” Her long yawn cut her off. “I’m sorry. I’ve been on non-stop flights for a few days, and it’s catching up to me.”

“Why don’t you shower and head to bed,” I said. The sexy mood had vanished, and she looked like she needed some rest.

Lee looked between us. “I’m not the one covered in champagne.”

“It’s dry now anyway. Thirty minutes more won’t matter.” Besides, I wanted a few minutes to talk to Raul. “Go.”

She hesitated, but not much longer, and then headed into the bathroom.

Raul sank onto the edge of the bed.

“Do you want to fuck her or fight with her?” I teased.

His smile spanned a rainbow of emotion, and was one of the hundreds of things I loved about him. “I’m not the one being difficult,” he said.

“Be fair. You’re frequently the one being difficult.”

He laughed. “But I’m not used to anyone besides you pushing back.”

I shook my head and sat next to him. “In other words, you want her pretty badly.”

“So much so. Tell me you don’t.”

“I very much do.” There was no reason to lie.

Raul leaned into me. “A good night’s sleep ought to either help her come to her senses, or make her more pliable.”

“Either way, she’s a lot of fun.”

Raul pulled away enough to study me. “You have a weird definition of fun.”

“You know better than most.” I grinned.

We chatted a little more, but the conversation paused when the bathroom door creaked open. Lee emerged, raking her fingers through her wet hair, her nose wrinkled.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She looked at me, surprise on her face. “Nothing. I’m good.”

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