Page 10 of Lexi Lets Go

"All of our bags are still on the bus," she said.

"I can get someone to drive the shuttle to get what you need from the bus."

"That might work. We’ll need seven rooms."

"We have six available."

"Well, there are seven of us."

"Well, there are six rooms available."

This infuriating woman just stood there and looked at her like she would be able to pull more rooms magically out of her ass. And while Lexi's ass was quite sizable, she definitely wasn’t storing extra inn rooms there.

"Could anyone share a room?” Lexi suggested, straining to remain polite. “Three of those rooms have two double beds.”

"If we must."

"Okay, I’ll get that all ready for you. Would you like someone to go with our driver to get what you need from the bus?"

"Yes. I’ll send Cambria with him, so he doesn't mess anything up."

"Perfect. Cambria can meet him up here when she is ready."

And without another word, Jacinda turned on her heel and made her way out of the reception area.

"Charmer that one," said Nancy with a smile.

Turning to the front desk, Lexi found Nancy looking at her with wide eyes. "I know. She’s a piece of work. Let's look at the two check-ins we have and start putting the Liam James people in rooms. I’ll try and figure out what we can do with no power."

While Nancy took care of getting the Liam James people into their rooms, Lexi set to work trying to figure out what to do with no power. She called Mark, and he said he would be able to get a simple dinner together that would hopefully fit the eating restrictions of these people and his highness. Then she set to work to find all the candles in the inn. Eating by candlelight might be what they needed to do. She would also try to find as many flashlights as possible. This was a mess. She just wanted today to be over. Why did his stupid bus have to break down here? Where were they even going? Mystic Falls is off the beaten path.

The rain kept coming, it hadn't let up all day. Mark had come in looking like a drowned rat and gotten dinner off. Somehow, he managed to feed everyone. They had gotten everyone checked into their rooms, and things were winding down. Hiding from Jacinda had become a full-time job for Lexi. That woman was insufferable. Her watch read eight fifteen, and she was ready to get home for the day. Only there was one problem. She had left her damn car at the diner after being struck stupid by his Highness’s smile. It was only eight blocks, and on a lovely sunny morning like this one was, it was an enjoyable walk. In the cold miserable rain... not so much.

She had a change of clothes here if she needed to stay, but they were sold out, and she didn’t want to spend the night in her office. Hopefully the rain would let up soon and she could get back to her car. She knew she could text Josh if she needed to. In the past, she would have done it without thinking twice. But he was married now, and she was trying to not depend on him anymore. That meant she was on her own, and really she was fine with that. But for things like this, it would be nice to have someone to pick up the slack. Although, if she had a partner, she may not have fallen under the Liam James spell like she did and left her car at the diner.

It was closing in on eight thirty, and the rain was still pouring. She decided to sit on the inn's porch and see if she could brave the cold rainy walk back to her car. Walking out, she closed her eyes and listened to the steady fall of the rain. There was something about its steady but heavy rain that brought her peace. She took a deep breath and let the smell of rain and earth ground her. Finally, she was feeling her day fall away. She walked to the edge of the porch and put her hand out, and let the cold rain fall on it. Just then she was startled by the sound of an acoustic guitar playing on the other end of the porch.

Looking down she saw him. Liam James sat on the porch swing, still in his holey jeans and fitted white t-shirt. He had one foot up on the swing while he was draped across the rest, strumming his guitar, hair rumpled, looking like a fucking god. It was like a magazine cover came to life in front of her. Too bad he was an entitled prick with a list of ways to interact with the help.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," she said as she turned to go back inside.

"Don't leave on my account. It looked like you were enjoying the rain as much as I am," he said in his smooth low voice.

She just stood there looking at him.

"Come sit," he said as he patted the swing next to him.

"I shouldn't. I should get back inside." Did he not remember his own rules? She wasn’t allowed to talk to him. She should have to clear this conversation with his fucking manager.

He stayed right where he was strumming his guitar, and so did Lexi. She should go back inside, but she couldn't tear herself away.

"I love the rain. Sometimes life gets so busy. But every now and then nature just tells you to take it easy, whether you like it or not,” he said to her in his easy manner. “We all need that reminder sometimes. To just slow the fuck down and enjoy the moment you’re in."

Looking around Lexi realized she was now within reaching distance of the porch swing. He sat up a bit straighter and made room for her next to him. Was she really about to sit with Liam James on a porch swing in the rain? What even was her life right now? This may not be on the list of ways to interact with Mr. James, but he didn't seem to mind right now. So, Lexi sat.

The swing moved beneath her as Liam gently rocked them. They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the rain.

"Have you worked here long?" he asked.

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